Information Needs, Use and Seeking Behaviour among Academic Staff in Taraba State University, Nigeria
- July 13, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Joy, Emmanuel Omah(CLN)1, Lucky Oghenetega Urhiewhu –CLN, CMLN2
1Department of General Studies, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State Nigeria
2University Library, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Ondo State, Nigeria
Abstract: – This paper is on information needs and seeking behaviour among academic staff in Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria. The objective of this paper to know the information need of lecturers, channel or pattern of searching and problems faced by them. The population of this study are academic staff. There was no sample size because the population was not large. Descriptive survey was used for data collection in the study. A random sampling technique was used. Instrument for data collection was structured questionnaires at Taraba State University Jalingo, Nigeria. Findings showed that the number of staff in lecturers 1 & (34%) are in higher numbers. The chart shows that specialization information is the most information needs of lecturers in Taraba State University (44.97%). Internet is the most source lecturers used for information (44.49%). Workshops/Conferences/Seminars (6.55%) are another sources of information by lecturers in Taraba state university, Jalingo Nigeria. Another findings showed that non-availability of indexing and abstracting services (34.06%) are the major problems encountered by lecturers when sources for information in the university library. Another problems encountered that lecturers in the university library are up-to- date information (24.45%).
Keywords: Information, Needs, Seeking, Behaviour, Academician and Libraries
I. INTRODUCTION
The era of digital information can best be described as an era of information revolution, with the presence of information bearing materials in diverse formats. Libraries and information centres are not only equipped with materials in traditional formats but also in electronic formats offering users a vast selection. With the array of information sources available in the university library, little wonder then that the library is known as the academic heart of the university (Odiase, Unegbu, & Haliso, 2001). Information, because of its utility value gives certain advantages to the one who holds it. By virtue of the availability of research information in their possession, lecturers keep abreast of current breakthrough in all areas of teaching and research which facilitates better outcomes in research.
