Information needs and use of information environment of private secondary schools students in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the information needs and seeking behaviour of students in private secondary schools in Osogbo metropolis, Osun State, Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted while questionnaire was used as the major instruments of data collection. A total of 193 copies of questionnaire were administered to the student and a 100% return rate was recorded as all the copies of questionnaires were returned with useful and usable responses. Findings from the study revealed the major information needs of the students in private schools in Ikeja, Lagos State to include information on career choices and vocation, information to pass examinations, information to complete assignments and information on subject matters while Internet, Television, Facebook and Textbooks are the most commonly used sources in the information environment of students in private secondary school students in Osogbo metropolis, Osun State, Nigeria. Also, assistance in finding answers to specific reference questions, assistance in the direction of information sources location and assistance in doing assignments or projects given in class are major services being utilised within the information environment of students in private secondary schools in Osogbo metropolis, Osun State, Nigeria. The major purposes for which students in private secondary schools in Osogbo metropolis, Osun State, Nigeria used the information environment were; consulting or school work, entertainment and recreation, looking up general information, linking up on social networking website like Face-Book, twitter and checking the internet for educational websites among others. Information overload, power supply problem, poor network services/Internet facility and lack of regular current awareness service in the library are the major barriers facing students in private secondary schools in Ikeja, Lagos State in their efforts at using the information environment available to them.

Keywords:Information use environment, Information needs, Private secondary school students, Osogbo metropolis, Osun State, Nigeria.