Demographic Variables and Lecturers’ Use of Electronic Information Resources in Selected Federal University Libraries in South-East, Nigeria

Abstract

Electronic information resources (EIRs) provide ready access to authoritative, reliable and accurate information for teaching, research and scholarly communication; yet, some lecturers underutilize the resources. This study investigated lecturers’ use of EIRs exploring the influence of age and professorial rank. Descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised 4,265 lecturers from which a sample of 428 lecturers were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data obtained from 372 usable questionnaires were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviation and z-test was used to test the hypotheses. The study revealed that lecturers’ use of EIRs was low. The respondents were asked to rate their use of EIRs; there was no significant difference between the mean ratings of lecturers below 41years and those who are 41 years and above. There was also no significant difference between the mean ratings of lecturers below professorial rank and those on professorial rank. The paper recommended that the libraries should promote maximum utilization of EIRs through provision of adequate ICT infrastructure and awareness programmes. The libraries should not discriminate EIR services for lecturers based on age and professorial rank. Young and elderly lecturers should be offered equal opportunities in terms of access to, and training on the use of electronic information resources.