Access and Use of Information Resources for Learning and Research by Undergraduates Students of Federal Universities in Katsina State

Abstract

This study investigated access and use of information resources for learning by the undergraduate students of Federal Universities in Katsina State. The objectives of the study are to examine the extent of students` access to the information resources as well as investigating the frequency of use of the information resources by the undergraduate students in the Federal universities` libraries in Katsina State. The study was underpinned by information seeking professional model developed by Leckie 1996.  Survey research design was employed for the study. The population of the study comprised 10,591 of the federal universities involved in the study. A sample of 370 respondents was drawn based on Krejcie and Morgan`s Table of sample size determination. Questionnaire was the research instrument used for the collection of data. The quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS statistical tool/software. The study found out that most information resources are not easily accessible to undergraduate students of the universities involved in the study. The study further found out that most of the undergraduate students used printed information resources frequently other than non-print resources. The study therefore, recommends that there is need to provide adequate accessibility tools such as catalogue, abstract, indexing, classification among others to promote easy access to the available information resources among undergraduate students. The universities` libraries should provide different information resources such as databases, internet, e-books among others for frequent use to foster learning and research.