Information literacy skills of postgraduates in two public universities In Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper assessed information literacy skills of postgraduates of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey research design of ex-post-facto type was used. The population of the study comprised 2,089 postgraduates, out of which a sample of 337 was selected using multistage sampling technique. A validated questionnaire with a Cronbach alpha reliability of 0.78 was used to collect data for the study. 337 copies of the questionnaire were administered but only 331 copies were retrieved. This gave 98.2% response rate. Findings revealed that the sampled postgraduates possessed high level of information literacy skills needed to complete postgraduate study and research. Poor supervisor/research students’ relationships, financial constraints, inadequate power supply and Internet access fluctuations were identified amongst others as challenges. Findings further revealed that there was significant difference in the perceived information literacy skills of postgraduates in terms of age and programme of study but insignificant in terms of gender. The study recommended exposure of postgraduates to information literacy instructions irrespective of gender, age and programme or faculty of study and that information literacy instructions should be handled by competent and experienced librarians amongst other recommendations.