Application of information skills for retrieval of information by postgraduate students of Federal university libraries in North Western States of Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify the extent of application of information skills for retrieval of information by Library and Information Science (LIS) postgraduate students of Federal university libraries in North Western States of Nigeria. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, two research questions were raised. The research questions sought to find out information skills application and extent of application for information retrieval by LIS postgraduate students of Federal university libraries in North Western States of Nigeria.  Quantitative research methodology was adopted for the study using descriptive research design. The targeted population was LIS postgraduate students in Federal university libraries in North Western States of Nigeria with a total of one hundred and sixty six (166) postgraduate students admitted in two conservative sessions 2017/2018 to 2018/2019. The entire population was used for the study. Total enumeration sampling technique was used to examine the entire population. The instrument was validated using face and content validity test where as reliability of the instrument was attained by conducting pilot study at University of Maikuguri, Borno State and reliability index of 0.95 was obtained using Cronbach’s Alpha. The instrument for data collection was open and closed ended questionnaires. The data collected from the field was analysed via Descriptive statistic while inferential statistic using independent sample t-test was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significant via Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The findings of the study revealed that LIS postgraduate students in North-Western States of Nigeria applied skills for using class mark and catalogue, index and abstract, Internet search engines, OPAC, bibliographic skill, information literacy skill and ICT skill in relation to information retrieval. The study also found that LIS postgraduate students in North-Western States of Nigeria were highly applied information skills in all outlined for information retrieval in university libraries studied. The study concluded that information skills application
by LIS postgraduate students have increased the extent of information retrieval and access in university libraries, except in the area of institutional repository, databases, OPAC and other skills. It was recommended among others that the university libraries should conduct user education programme at the beginning of each academic session via seminar, direct reference service, the use of university website, library notice board, public information system, handbills in respect to search strategic skills, skill for using databases and skill for using institutional repositories, e-resources and other skills that assist in accessing and retrieving information resources in university libraries.