Law undergraduates’ learning style and e-databases use in two Nigerian universities

Abstract

The study examined law undergraduates’ learning style and electronic databases use in two Nigerian universities (University of Lagos and Adeleke University, Ede). Descriptive survey design was employed for the study. The study population comprised 680 and 387 law undergraduates at 400 and 500 levels in the two universities respectively. Purposive sampling technique was used to cover law undergraduates at these levels and only 272 and 155 respectively consented and participated in the study. A self-structured questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Out of 427 copies of the questionnaire administered, only 371 copies (constituting 86.9%) were found usable for the study. Thereafter, descriptive and regression methods were employed to analyse the gathered data. The findings showed that e-databases remain an important information system used by law undergraduates and the students demonstrated similar learning style irrespective of nature of the university. It is noted that provision of e-databases is a requirement stipulated by the Council of Legal Education as a means of complementing information resources which serve as prelude to law training in Nigeria. The need to conduct evaluation usage among law undergraduates was recommended as a means of strengthening the electronic databases and services, while librarians identify their challenges and how to further encourage the use of e-databases.