Institutional repositories utilization by lecturers in federal universities in Nigeria universities

Abstract

This study investigated the utilization of institutional repositories by lecturers in federal universities in Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted for the study and questionnaire adopted as the instrument of data collection. The sample size of 724 respondents for the study was determined using the multi-stage sampling procedure. Findings from the study revealed photographs, notebooks, seminar papers, inaugural lectures and illustrations and drawings as the most common types of information resources in the institutional repositories of federal universities in Nigeria. The major purposes for which lecturers in federal universities in Nigeria use institutional repositories are preparation of seminar/lecture notes, writing papers/proposals, seminars presentations, and research works which revolve around teaching and research as the core mandate of the lecturers. The frequency of use of the institutional repositories established weekly use of book chapters and occasional use of other resources in the institutional repositories by lecturers of the federal universities surveyed. Findings from the study further established the prevalence of occasional use of institutional repositories by lecturers in federal universities in Nigeria. The study recommended formulation and implementation of adequate university-wide policy that would encourage and support the use of institutional repositories by the lecturers as well as organisation of regular training and retraining programme on the effective use of institutional repositories.