ABSTRACT
The accessibility of electronic information
resources enhances librarians research output by providing various information
needed for research. The availability of electronic information resources
increases access and use of information materials which will be of immense
benefit to librarians in their research work. Librarians are regarded as
academics and are expected to publish like other academic staff, but it seems
that librarians record low research output when compared with lecturers or
other academic staff. The aim of this study is to investigate accessibility,
use of electronic information resources and research output of librarians in universities
in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States.
The
survey research design was adopted for the research. The population of the
study was 160 librarians from 18 universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States.
Census was used to include all the 160 librarians that participated in the
study. A self-structured questionnaire titled “Accessibility, Use of Electronic
Information Resources and Research Output questionnaire” was used to collect
data. Cronbach’s alpha reliability test was used to validate the instrument
with value ranging from 0.7 to 0.81. 89.4% (143) was the return rate of the
questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency count, tables, percentages,
standard deviation and means) for research questions while inferential
statistics ( Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and ANOVA) were
used for the hypotheses.
There was no significant relationship between
electronic information resources accessibility and research output of
librarians in the study locale (r = -0.13, N = 143, P = 0.117).The study showed
no significant relationship between electronic information resources use and
research output of librarians in universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States (r
= -0.05, N = 143, P = 0.561).The combination of accessibility and use of electronic
information resources did not
significantly influence research output of librarians in the universities (R =
.13, F 2140 = 1.30, P >0.05). Findings also revealed that
there was high level of accessibility of electronic information resources and
that librarians frequently used AGORA,
JSTOR, HINARI, E-Library, TEAL, EBSCOHOST, OARE, E-Directory and Science Direct
E-Journal. Librarians published mostly on hardcopy journals, book chapters, co-authored textbooks and
conference/seminar/workshop papers. The major challenge faced by librarians in
universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States was lack of time due to library routine tasks.
This
study concluded that most librarians in universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States have access to electronic
information resources but they do not maximize these resources for their
research work. Hence this study recommended that librarians’ routine task
should be minimized so that they can have time to embark on research activities
using the electronic information resources.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Research
output of librarians is the extent to which librarians engage in their own
research and publish articles in refereed journals, conference proceedings,
write of books or book chapters, gather and analyze original evidence, work
with postgraduate students on dissertations and class projects, obtain research
grants, carry out editorial duties, obtain patents and licenses, write
monographs, develop experimental designs, produce works of artistic or creative nature, engage in public
debates and commentaries. Research
output is a means by which librarians contribute new knowledge to the existing
body of knowledge. Research output of librarians is worthy of focus as the
quality and quantity of their publications are a determining factor in their
performance evaluation.
Research output
plays a major role in attaining success in the academia as it relates to
promotion, tenure and salary of librarians.
It has also been reported that the quality of research output by
academics in any university system depends largely on the quality and quantity
of information resources at their disposal (Popoola, 2008). Powell (1997) maintains that research and
publication help individuals to think critically and analytically.Librarians in
academic libraries are considered as academic staff, so engaging in research
has become an expected activity on their part. Despite the benefits of research output to
librarians, they do not conduct enough research and publication.
Librarians when
compared with other academic staff, record low publication output and this has
affected the rate of promotion of many librarians. This may be due to lack of access to adequate
electronic information resources, economic crises, subscription
to current journals, lack of time for research work due to the nature of
their routine work, insufficient skills in research, poor training programme on research and
erratic electric power supply, which may all lead to poor research output of
the librarians.Oduwole & Ikhizama (2007) use the
survey method to ascertain research output of librarians in Nigerian
agricultural research institutes. They found out that the librarians’ research
output, although generally low, was related to their work experience.
According
to Reitz (2005) & Powell et al (2002) research is a systematic painstaking
investigation of a topic or in a field of study often employing technique of
hypotheses and experimentation, undertaken by a person intent on revealing new
facts, theories or principles or determining skill and identification of
research problems. Research is a vital and indispensable activity in
universities and research institutions. It has become essential for a
university’s prestige as well as the career of librarians.
Research
provides a good platform for librarians to become successful academics. This is
because research develops their knowledge and reinforces the skills needed for
effective knowledge transfer. It also inspires librarians towards hard work,
fills the gaps of previous researches, and creates an opportunity for future
research. According to Rashid (2001), research is conscious effortto collect, verify,
and analyze information. Research is essentially an investigation, a recording
and an analysis of evidence for the purpose of gaining new knowledge. Research
occupies a critical role in promoting the prosperity of a nation and its
citizens’ well-being. Research output
and research productivity are often used interchangeably. According to Hoffman et al. (2014),
independent of research requirements for tenure or promotion, an increasing
emphasis on a culture of assessment and evidence-based librarianship has
contributed to greater need for librarians to conduct research.
Research
output is one of the criteria that are used for the promotion of librarians in
universities and other higher institutions of learning in Nigeria. Research
output contributes towards image building for universities as well as ranking,
it becomes highly necessary for universities to invest more on access to
information resources especially electronic resources. Output is of primary
concern to the management of every organization, including university
libraries. Thus, the need to accord high premium to the welfare of the
employees has been the major preoccupation of management. Productivity is
considered as an output of a staff on the job, measurable in terms of quality
and quantity of job performed or done (Oduwole, 2004). The quality of research could be measured,
according to Popoola (2002), by counting the numbers of books published, or
journal articles produced over a period of time.
Information
Communication Technology has brought about innovation in librarianship where
access to information is made possible to library users beyond the physical boundary
of the university library. According to Pullinger (1999), the academic
information environment has changed for both librarians and patrons, since most
of the information sources are now available and as well accessible in
electronic format, the electronic information resources have unprecedented
contribution on library collections.
Electronic
Information Resources refer to information bearing materials that provide
access to users in a digital or in an electronic format. Electronic information
resources also have been viewed by Haridasan and Khan (2009) as a resource in
which information is stored electronically and accessed through electronic
systems and networks. Electronic information resources have many functions and
benefits which can be of immense use to librarians’. Once a user is connected
to the Internet such user can link up with any part of the world for whatever
purpose the user has in mind, (Osunrinde, Adekiya and Adyemo, 2002). Okiki and
Asiru (2011) view electronic resources as the product of information
communication technologies which are found relevant to aid librarians’
performance and research process in the universities.
The
accessibility and use of electronic information resources is very important as
to the research output of librarians in universities, because it is perceived
that when these resources are accessible, the use will be easy and may
contribute to the research output and the development of the library at large.
Hence, it appears that when electronic information resources are accessible, it
may hamper the research output of librarians. This reason informed the need to
investigate the accessibility and use of electronic information resources on
research output of librarians in universities. The accessibility and use of
e-resources is dependent on the functionality of information communication
technology tools and interest within the library. Oduwole and Akpati (2003) investigate the
accessibility and retrieval of electronic information resources at the
University of Agriculture Library, Abeokuta, Nigeria. The study revealed that all members of the
university community have access toelectronic information resources and it was
easy to use and were satisfied with their research outputs.
Use
of electronic information resources according to Nawe and Kiondo (2005) the
study report that research quality had improved significantly with the use of
electronic information resources. Results of the study also revealed that the
quality of teaching and learning had improved significantly as a result of
information and communication technology (ICT) application in library
operation. Foster et al. (2008) argue that inadequate access and use of
electronic resources affectthe publication outputs of Nigerian universities in
international journals is reportedly low, and publication output is a major
indicator of productivity; this implies that academic staff in Nigerian
universities are not internationally productive.
Internet
resources such as online databases, e-books, and e-journals were among the EIRs
used for academic purposes. Other resources found to be used were CD-ROMs and
OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue). Generally, literature has shown that
there is a positive relationship between the use of electronic information resources
and improvement in the quality and quantity of research output. Nawe and Kiondo
(2005) in their study report that research quality had improved significantly
with the use of electronic information resources. Results of the study also
revealed that the quality of teaching and learning had improved significantly
as a result of information and communication technology (ICT) application in
library operation.
The
accessibility and use of the electronic information resources will be of
immense benefit to librarians in universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun State,
Nigeria. Electronic information resources will assist them to produce or
publish a good research output which can be added to existing knowledge.
Electronic information resources provide access and use according to various
literature reviews and these can broaden the mind of librarians when embarking
on research which will lead to quality research or output. The accessibility of
electronic information resources enhances librarians research output by
providing various information needed for research. It also increases access and
use of information materials that will be of immense benefit to librarians in their
research work.
Electronic
information resources are in digitized format which requires access to
computers and internet connection. Accessibility and use of these resources is
influenced by various factors. However, because of the flexibility of electronic
information resources, they have added advantage over print materials in
research conduction. Thus, the ease with which electronic information resources
is accessed and used to obtain needed information significantly influence the
degree of the use of these materials by librarians and this is turn has great
impact on the research output of librarians in universities in Ekiti, Ondo and
Osun States.
Despite
the importance of and advantages offered by electronic information resources
(EIRs) studies have identified a number of problems associated with
accessibility and use of electronic information resources, these
problems range from lack of or inadequate resources, mainly computers, poor
internet connectivity, inappropriate usage of electronic information resources
lack of appropriate skills in research among librarians. In spite of the advantages offered by
electronic information resources, not much have been explored by librarians in
their research output on this subject matter, hence the need for their study.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Research
output contributes towards image building of universities as well as ranking.
Research output is a criterion that is used for promotion and tenure of
librarians in universities and other higher institution of learning in Nigeria.
However, it seems likely that librarians record low research output when
compared with lecturers or academic staff and even the one they published does
not rank high in academics. This low
research output could be librarians’ inability to access electronic information
resources or could it be that librarians are inadequately using these
electronic information resources on their research output.
Moreover,
previous work on accessibility and use of electronic information resources may
not have focused on the possible influence which accessibility and use of
electronic information resources could have on research output of librarians in
the study locale. Therefore, this study sought to investigate accessibility and
use of electronic information resources as correlates of research output of
librarians in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States universities.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The
main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between
electronic information resources accessibility and use towards research output
of librarians in universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States, Nigeria. The
specific objectives are to:
1. identify
the level of electronic information resources that are available in the
universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun
States;
2. ascertain
the level of accessibility of electronic information resources by librarians in
the universities under study;
3. find
out the level of electronic information resources use by librarians in the area
of study;
4. find
out the research output of librarians in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States
universities;
5. examine
the relationship between accessibility of electronic information resources and
research output of librarians in the study locale;
6. determine
the relationship between the use of electronic information resources and
research output of librarians in the study locale;.
7. determine
the combined effect of accessibility and use of electronic
information resources on research output of librarians in the universities
under study and
8. identify
the challenges of research output of librarians in the under studied
universities.
1.4 Research
Questions
In
order to achieve the above objectives of the study, the following research
questions were used to garner data for the research:
1. To
what level are electronic information resources available for use by librarians
in universities under study?
2. To
what extent are electronic information resources accessible to librarians in
universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States?
3. What
is the level of use of electronic information resources by librarians in
universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States?
4. What
is the research output of librarians in universitiesunder study?
5. What
are the challenges of research output among librarians in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun
States?
1.5 Hypotheses
The
following null hypotheses were formulated to guide this study, and were be
tested at 0.05 level of significance:
H01:
There is no significant correlation between accessibility of electronic
information resources and research output of librarians in universities in
Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States.
H02:There
is no significant correlation between the use of electronic information resources
and research outputof librarians in universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States.
H03:
There is no significant effect of accessibility and use of electronic
information resources on research output of librarians in universities in
Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States.
1.6 Scope of the Study
This
study evaluated accessibility and use of electronic information resources on
research output of librarians in universities in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States
within the period of (2010 – 2015) to enable the research determine the
research output of librarians during this period. The study will focus on
librarians with first degree BLS/BLIS, Masters MLS/MLIS and Ph.D in the field
of librarianship. The study covered three states in South-West geopolitical
zone namely; Ekiti, Ondo and Osun. There are eighteen (18) universities in the
three states and the breakdowns are as follows: 3 Federal universities, 5 State
universities and 10 private universities.
1.7 Significance of the Study
The
outcome of this study would help librarians in academic institution improve
their research output through accessibility and use of electronic information
resources. Enhance librarians maximums publication output. The finding of this
study would be of immense assistance to all librarians in universities to know
the importance of electronic information resources use that wouldenhance their
research output. The research findings of this study would help librarians,
policy implementation, the government and management board of the universities
and libraries who are involved in the research work to explore information on
electronic information resources. Furthermore, findings and recommendations of
this study would add to the existing knowledge in the field of Information
Resources Management and related discipline in Information Management.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
Information Resources: They
are devices which enhance the sharing of ideas; it could be manually or
electronically. It can also be referred to as information carriers e.g. books,
journals, magazines etc.
Electronic Information
Resources: Refers to the computer mediated information
resources in electronic form that are available for use among librarians in
universities.
Accessibility
of Electronic
Information Resources: It is theability to get, locate or
obtain electronic information resource with ease in the conduct of research.
Thus, accessibility is considered in the study as a process in which librarians
can easily locate electronic information resources to aid research productivity.
Use of Electronic
Information Resources:
Refers to purpose for which these resources are used by librarians. It
is also the ability to use electronic information resources in the conduct of
research.
Librarians:
They are professionally trained persons responsible for managing, organising,
evaluating and disseminating information, providing support to members of an
academic community including students, researchers and lecturers.
Research Output: Total productivity
in term of research report of librarians within the period of 2010 – 2015. It is the outcome of publication
of librarians with first degree BLS/BLIS, Masters MLS/MLIS and Ph.D in the
field of librarianship. It also include their own productivity in terms of
research publication, number of seminars paper presented, number of workshops
conducted, conferences and training in emerging technology.================================================================
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