UTILIZATION OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION RESOURCES FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH IN UNIVERSITIES IN NORTH CENTRAL ZONE NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT

The study aimed at determining  the extent of utilization  of library and information  resources for research by social science lecturers  in universities,  North-Central  Zone of Nigeria. Based on the main  purpose,  six  specific  purposes  and  4  hypotheses  were  formulated  for  the  study.    Survey research design was used for the study. The population consisted of 1,446, made up of 1,044 social science university lecturers in the five core social science subject areas, which consist of Economics, Geography, Mass Communication, Political Science and Sociology; 380 university library staff in charge of Social Science and Information and Communication Technology collections; and 22 university  librarians  in  all  the  universities  in  the  study  zone.  Proportionate  stratified  random sampling technique was used to select 640 social scince lecturers as sample for the study. Purposive sampling technique   was used for selecting   9 universities, 3 each from federal, state and private – owned  institutions     based  on  their  functionality,   availability  of  ICT  facilities,  and  year  of establishment of the institutions; university librarians from these 9 universities were included. The instrument for data collection was a researcher developed questionnaire titled “Utilization of Library and Information  Resources  for Social Science Research  in Universities  in North-Central  Zone of Nigeria” (ULIRSSRUNCZN).  The instrument was face validated by three experts, one in Library and Information  Science, one in Mass Communication  and one in Measurement  and Evaluation. Using Cronbach Alpha co-efficient procedure, a reliability index of   0.91 was obtained. Mean (x) and Standard Deviation (SD) were used to answer the research questions. One- Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and t-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of probability. Print resources required by the university lecturers were identified as manuscripts (3.18), newspapers/magazines  mean  score  of (3.14),  indexes  and abstracts  (3.13).  Mass  communication discipline had the highest mean score for print required (3.05). The study also identified ten top key print information  resources  for social science research in the various  discipline.  Required  digital resources  identified  were internet (3.45), institutional  repository (3.35) and databases  (3.30). Key digital information resources in various social science disciplines were also identifies. Both print and digital information  resources  are utilized by university  lecturer for social science research.  Mass communication discipline had higher mean score (3.10) in utilization of print resources than political science discipline (3.06) and sociology discipline (.2.92). For the use of digital resources, geography had higher mean score (3.45) than sociology discipline (3.36) and political science discipline (3.34). Accurate peer review of the resources (3.58), accessibility and flexibility of the resources (3.57), and well-organized and regularly maintained print resources (3.48) influenced the choice of use of print resources for research. Use of digital resources was influenced by constant electricity supply in and around the campuses (3.70), functionality of the digital resources (3.60) and computer self efficacy (3.57) for research. Poor shelving of resources (3.18), poor internet connectivity, (3.06) and frequent breakdown  of  computer  systems  (3.02)  were  identified  difficulties.  There  was  a  significant difference (p < 0.05) in the male and female social science university lecturers and utilization of library and information resources for research. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in rank of lecturers and utilization of information resources for research. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between  the discipline  of lecturers  and utilization  of information  resources  for social science research. Based on the findings, the recommendation  made is that university management needs to improve on the funding of the university libraries so that information resources in print and digital  formats  are  made  available  for  research  in  social  sciences.  University  libraries  should intensify efforts at meeting the information needs of the user communities. Required  information resources  in  print  and  digital  forms  for  research  activities  by the  various  disciplines  should  be identified and users should be encouraged to suggest what their needs are. There is need for consortia arrangement   and  institutional  repository  by  university  administration  and  for  more  Nigerian university libraries to be involved in this exercise.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Universities are established to generate new knowledge to help the society, encourage  transfer  and  adoption  of  innovations,  provide  facilities  for  learning  and research, store knowledge and disseminate of information. Learning and research in universities are carried out through the various academic programmes approved by the regulatory  agency like      National  Universities  Commission  for  Nigeria.  (nuc.edu.ng) acting  as  a  catalyst  for  positive  change  and  innovation  for  the  delivery  of  quality education and research.

Social Science discipline is one of such numerous bodies of knowledge and it is concerned with the study of human behaviour, socialization, interpersonal relationship and adaptation to programs, events or devices among groups. In every abode of humans there are social problems and issues that are life threatening to man and the society he lives, such like drugs abuse, violent, crimes, armed robbery, corruption, embezzlement, fraud, sexual abuse, poverty, crimes, kidnapping, leadership problems, tribal and ethic wars, hi-tech crimes, juvenile delinquency, insurgency among others which are common. Research  findings have helped the society to address and solve some of these social problems and issues using print and digital information resources. (Ibenne 2010).

Research is one of the functions that the library is set to serve with its resources. Research has been a relevant tool to human society and useful in enabling many to widen

knowledge of the world around them, identify some of these problems, discover relationships existing between the phenomena and formulate and test theories and hypothesis (Ojo, 2011) Okonofa (2010) observed that without research, teaching would be old-fashioned, monotonous and static. It is in the outcome of research that institutions of  higher  learning,  like  the  universities  with  their  faculties  and  departments,  make relevant and solid contributions to improve the society. Social science research is carried out   by   lecturers   in   the   various   disciplines   of   Economics,   Geography,   Mass Communication, Political Science, and Sociology, among others.

University lecturers in the social science disciplines embark upon research to gain information with which to address the numerous social problems and issues that threaten the society. Social science research is carried out by the use of library and information resources. Information resource is any document that contains a piece of information that describes or represents a resource. It is all materials that provide intellectual stimulation to users in research, studying and learning. According to Popoola and Haliso (2009) information resources are those materials that users consult, browse and use in making decisions and for problem solving, and they come in print and digital formats.

Specifically,  the  print  resources  include:  general  and  core  books,  textbooks, journals, encyclopedias, newspapers, magazine, pamphlets, governments publications, indexes, abstracts, reference sources etc. Digital resources are these in electronic forms, like e-books, e-journal, internet, e-mail, e-thesis, e-dissertation. CD ROM, Global System Mobile, search engines. Success in social science research depends on the effective utilization of information resources domiciled in university libraries. University libraries

are a form of academic library which according to Gupta (2012) is a library that is an integral part of a college, university or polytechnic.

Universities and their academic  libraries are established, owned and funded by their proprietors, who consist of the Federal Government,  which owns and funds federal universities; State Governments which own and fund state universities, and individuals, or religious bodies which own and fund private universities. The executive secretary of National University Commission (NUC) has disclosed that there are currently 144 accredited universities   in Nigeria by August, 2016, forty-one (41) federal universities, forty -two (42) state universities and sixty- one (61) private universities located across the

36    states     in     the    six     geo-political    zones    of    Nigeria     including    Abuja,

(www.nuc.edu.ng/Nigerian-universities/federal-universities/state-universities/private-

universities. retrieved 16/10/2016) The universities  were primarily established for the advancement of the society in knowledge through research, study and learning. Okiy (2011) asserted that an academic library ensures, promotes the health, intellectual vitality and  effectiveness   of  any  institution   by  providing  largely  adequate   and   relevant information resources, both in print and digital, to support the objectives. The information resources  housed  in  these  university  libraries  should  respond  to  the  ever  increasing demands of the user communities in fulfillment of curriculum requirements of the programmes run by the institution, provide good academic performance, promote research and give information or answers to numerous societal questions. Information resources are crucial to university lecturers in control and access to scientific results. The use of information  and  documentation,  including  print  and  online  materials  is  important  to

carrying out their responsibilities; university lecturers are both producers and consumers of information.

Utilization is the process of making use of something, putting into use or turning into profitable account. Harnessing, operating and using resources entail applying, employing and exploiting, exercising objects. Utilization of library and information resources has been a concern from the time libraries changed from being cultural monuments to being knowledge acquisition and information centers. Utilization of library and information resources simply means using library resources and materials. A person or a thing that uses something, somewhere or someplace to achieve his or her purpose is a user or utilizer. One can state that   those who make use of the library and its resources in print and digital forms for any purpose and benefits are users or utilizers. Therefore, any person who goes into any of the types of libraries, either public, school, special, research or academic, for genuine purpose must always require the attention of library personnel to attend to his/her information needs. Users of information resources are in two categories: internal users and external users. The internal users are those who are students, faculty and departmental staff members in the various disciplines in the institutions, while the external users are those who are not members of the institution but are served by the libraries   under   certain   specific   official   arrangements.   Utilization   of   library   and information resources in academic libraries varies on the basis of discipline. There are subject readers who concentrate on their area of specialization or interest. Use of information  resources  can  be  influenced  by  several  factors  like  required,  perceived

availability, extent of use by disciplines, criteria that influenced choice of utilization and difficulties encountered.

Utilization of any information resources for any purpose is also based on or can be influenced by gender-whether male or female and rank; reviewing their position and status will inform their information needs and use. Utilization of library and information resources in print and digital formats by social science lecturers for research is to enable the discipline to gain relevant information that can be used in addressing the social issues and problems threatening man in his immediate environment. Ekere (2006) affirmed that the  main  purpose of the  university library is  to support the objectives of the  parent institution. Nkamnebe et al (2014) asserted that academic libraries provide relevant information resources to meet the information needs of its users in various disciplines and to support the academic programmes of the institution.

Social problems and issues are phenomena common to all developed and developing countries.  Some of the common social problems identified in North Central Zone  of  Nigeria  are:  poverty,  drug  abuse,  kidnapping,  rape,  armed  robbery,  violent crimes, hi-tech crimes, juvenile delinquency, forgery, terrorism, corruption, fraud, leadership problems, religious     insurgency, communal clashes, herdsmen clashes with their host communities and unemployment. Investigating these problems in the lens of social science discipline is necessary so as to generate results that can contribute to the peace,  growth,  political  and  economic  development  and  sustainability  of  the  zone. Answers or clues that will bring solution to these social problems and issues are hidden in information resources and if used by researchers in social science disciplines will help to

address the issues. The situation calls for an empirical study on the zone in order to determine the extent of utilization of library and information recourses for social science research in universities in North Central Zone of Nigeria.

The zone is one among the six geo-political structures in Nigeria and it consists of six states and is a home to all the ethnic groups in Nigeria. Studying the social problems in North Central Zone of Nigeria is imperative to social science discipline as the society is growing, also because of the damage that such problems can do to the image and people of the zone and Nigeria as a whole. Investors and people who may want to do business with or live in the zone to oversee their businesses may not wish to do so because of instability  and damage such social problems can create or pose for them. Good examples to illustrate this point are the menace of Boko Haram insurgency has created for people in the North East and the Shiite Movement war with the military in Zaria, Kaduna State. Investigating these problems by social scientists in North Central Zone has helped to identify and expose the root causes of these social problems and issues. If these problems are not identified and solution proffered the zone will have a high rate of dependency, low per capita growth, underdevelopment, general disorder and moral decadence. The study will enable the society to know or identify these problems, examine  them and make suggestions, recommendations and proffer solutions that may improve the society and the zone for peaceful co-existence and development.

Statement of the Problem

Research in universities has helped man and the society to answer some of the social problems threatening it within the domain of social science disciplines. Disciplines like Economics, Geography, Mass Communication, Political Science and Sociology help people understand the society and the conditions that limit lives and opportunities for man. Some of the numerous social problems that are threatening society are corruption, terrorism, poverty, drug abuse, kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, insurgency and unemployment.

If these problems must be addressed in the North Central Zone, the social science university  lecturers  must  carry  out  research  and  this  depend  on  print  and  digital information  resources  domiciled  in  the  university  libraries.  If this  objective  is  to  be achieved then the use of information resources for social science research by university lecturers in universities in North Central Zone of Nigeria must be a priority. Therefore, the question on what is required, perceived availability and criteria that influenced choice of use and extent of use is imperative. It is against this background that the researchers set out to investigate the utilization of print and digital resources for social science research in universities in the zone can the resources both in print and digital forms provide the information needed to address the social issues and problems in the society and zone?. Can it provide information that will address the missing link and to enable the zone to know what is required, available, extent of use, criteria that influence choice of use and difficulties  encountered  by  the  university  lecturers  in  social  science  research.  The researcher feels that this problem can only be un-ravel through research and once the true

picture of the library and information resources is unveiled, solutions that will promote maximum utilization of the print and digital resources for social science research will be improved.

Purpose of the Study

The study sought to determine the utilization of library and information resources for research by social science lecturers in universities, North Central Zone of Nigeria.

Specifically, the study sought to:

1   Identify the print and digital information resources required for research by social science lecturers in universities, North Central Zone of Nigeria.

2   Ascertain  the perceived availability of the print and digital information resources for research   by social science lecturers in universities, North Central Zone of Nigeria.

3   Determine  the  extent  of  use  of  various  print  and  digital  information resources  for  research  by social  science  lecturers  in  universities,  North Central Zone of Nigeria.

4   Ascertain  criteria  that  influence  the  choice  of  use  of  print  and  digital resources  for  research  by social  science  lecturers  in  universities,  North Central Zone of Nigeria.

5   Identify the difficulties university lecturers in the social science encounter in utilization of print and digital information resources for research.

6     Identify strategies for promoting maximum utilization of print and digital information resources for research by social science lecturers in universities, North Central Zone of Nigeria.

Research Questions

Based  on  the  purpose  of  the  study,  the  following  research  questions  were formulated  and subsequently guided the study:

1   What are the print and digital information resources required for research by social science lecturers in universities, North Central Zone of Nigeria?.

2   What are the perceived availability of print and digital information resources for research by social science lecturers in universities, North Central Zone of Nigeria?.

3   What  is  the  extent  of  use  of  the  various  print  and  digital  information resources  for  research  by social  science  lecturers  in  universities,  North Central Zone of Nigeria?

4   What  criteria  influenced  the  choice  of  print  and  digital  information resources  for  research  by social  science  lecturers  in  universities,  North Central Zone of Nigeria?.

5   What difficulties did social science lecturers encountered in the use of print

and  digital  information  resources  for  research  in  universities  in  North

Central Zone of Nigeria?.

6   What are the strategies  for promoting maximum utilization  of print and digital formation resources for research by social science lecturers in universities, North Central Zone of Nigeria?

Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study at 0.05 level significance:

Ho 1:  There is no significant difference in print and digital resources required by the university lecturers in the various social science disciplines.

Ho 2: There is no significant difference in the utilization of print and digital information  by      the  university  lecturers  in  the  various  social  science

disciplines.

Ho 3: There  is  no  significant  difference  in  the  utilization  of  print  and  digital information  by  the  university  lecturers  in  the  various  social  science disciplines by gender.

Ho 4: There is no significant difference in the utilization of print and digital information by the university lecturers in the various social science disciplines by rank.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study have both theoretical and practical significance. The practical significance was that it will be of importance to the various stakeholders, specifically the university communities, social scientists, university lecturers, collection development in university libraries and heads of social science collections and digital or computer centers in the universities. The results of this study can help lend understanding to explain variations in the use of information resources for social science research by university researchers in Nigeria and elsewhere. It is hoped that the findings of this study would inform members of the university community and the public the common information resources that could be used when needs arises to investigate social problems, and the gaps that need to be closed for effective deployment of information resources especially the modern devices on ICT platform for academic research by social science lecturers in universities in North Central Zone of Nigeria.

The findings of this study may be significant to university administrators, because the study will expose  the extent of the provision of information resources, resources required for social science research by social science lecturers and the outcome would enable  the university administrators provide the necessary infrastructure and facilities needed for research. The provision of such facilities would help the university lecturers in social sciences to conduct research. The university management, university library committee and the university librarians would by the outcome of this study assess what their commitments are towards the development of the social science collection in the university libraries and see where they need improvement.

The study would provide useful information on the extent of use of print and digital resources for research by lecturers in social sciences in North Central Zone of Nigeria.  The result would help the university and library administrators re-strategize and restructure their policies and services that have not been effectively and efficiently used for  research.  Identification  of  the  factors  that  affect  the  use  of  digital  information resources for research by university lecturers would help the administration  to set up machinery for training and re- training of the lecturers and library staff to acquire skills that would enable them to use and operate in the digital environment.

Findings of the study could trigger call for remedies to maximize the use of the new technology to enhance research and advance the society. It will draw the attention of the university management, university libraries, librarians and researchers to the need to update their knowledge by training, re-training, attending and organizing seminars, workshops for development and use of these resources for effective performance. The findings would serve as a guide for policy makers for effective use of digital information resources for research in the universities.

This revelation can strengthen their efforts in upgrading their facilities for research in universities, particularly in the area of study and in Nigeria in general. Finally, the result of the study will contribute to the existing knowledge and literature on the use of print and digital information resources for research in Nigerian universities, especially research  in  the  social  sciences.  The  findings  will  identify  the  needed  information resources  that  can  be  helpful  to  social  scientists,  research  organizations,  agencies, corporate  and  private  research  institutes,  study  centers  and  Social  Science  research

network programmes, as it would identify the extent of use of print and digital resources for research, social science researchers in other zones could assimilate and generate new knowledge from the study. The summary of the   practical implication suggest that the primary beneficiaries were social science lecturers and the university libraries and university management who should try to initiate improvement and implement policies or services that will facilitate research in social sciences

Theoretical significance

The theoretical significance lies on the use of theories that extended an existing body of conceptual and methodological knowledge useful in the study. These conceptual theories added to the existing knowledge through one or more of the following ways: (i) depending understanding of the topic under investigation; (ii) theory and concept testing; (iii) model building and (iv), methodology development. In addition the theoretical significance hinged on the user and universal of knowledge theory which is believed to seek the behavior of a group of people on the use of information resources through an information system or mediator ( the library).

One of the strength of this theory is that it was able to accommodate the changes that occurred such as the digital technology which was not common as at the time that the theory was propounded. It is now more relevant with the application of ICT therefore it continues to be a valid framework.

Scope of the Study

The study will cover all universities in the North Central Zone of Nigeria, including those established by federal and state governments and private organizations and individuals.  The study is concerned primarily with information resources, which are categorized  into two: print and digital  resources.  The  print  includes  books, journals, newspapers, magazines, conference papers, thesis, dissertation, government publications, reference sources, indexes, and abstracts, bibliographies. The digital resources consist of internet, e-mail, e- resources, e-books, e- journals, e- thesis, e- dissertation, social media and internet services, software applications, databases, mobile phone with wireless application protocol.

The scope of this study captured the following questions and objectives such as the print and digital resources required for social science research, print and digital resources available, extent of use of print and digital resources, factors that influence the choice of use,  and  difficulties  encountered.  In  addition,  it  tested  if  there  was  any  statistical significant difference between gender, qualification, rank, and use of the print and digital resources.

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