Awareness And Use Of Social Media Network In Information Search And Retrieval By Library And Information Science Students In Tertiary Institutions

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Abstract

Today, information has been seen as heavily stressed factor that shapes the society, particularly the introduction of social media technology. This study therefore examined the awareness and use of social media network in information search and retrieval by library and information science students in tertiary institutions of Benue state, Nigeria. Five (5) research objectives were formulated for this study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population for this study comprised of undergraduate students in University of Agriculture Makurdi, University of Health Technology, Otukpo Benue State, and Benue State University Makurdi. Israel (2003) sample size model was used to calculate the sample size with precision levels of 5% and confidence level of 95% and the recommended sample size was three hundred and eighty-five (385).A simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample from the population. The self-designed questionnaire was divided into five sections. Content-related approach of validation was conducted to ensure validity of the instrument while Cronbach alpha was used to test the reliability of the instrument and the overall reliability coefficient of the instrument is r= 0.679. The collated copies of the questionnaire were analysed with the IBM SPSS version 21.0. The presentations of the data for the research objectives were done using frequency counts and percentage table. The findings of the study shows Facebook as the most preferred social media tools by undergraduate students. The findings further revealed that there is a high usage of social media among undergraduate students. The findings also showed that the major purposes of using social media by undergraduate students are to connect with friends and for academic activities. However, the findings generally show that there is a significant relationship between purpose of using social media and information search and retrieval behaviour of undergraduate students. Since the benefits attached to using social media cannot be overemphasized,among numerous recommendations based on the findings, the study therefore recommended that, university management should ensure that they integrate social media applications into their learning and teaching system.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate the awareness and use of social media network in information search and retrieval by library and information science students in tertiary institutions of Benue state, Nigeria. Specifically, the objectives of the study include to;

Identify social media networks preferred by library and information science students;
Determine the extents of social media usage by library and information science students;
Examine the purpose of social media usage among library and information science students;
Study the information search and retrieval behaviour of library and information science students on social media networks;
Investigate the influence of social media usage on information search and retrieval of library and information science students.

Research Questions

The following research questions are formulated to guide this research:

What social media networks are preferred by library and information science students?
What is the extent of social media usage by library and information science students?
What is the purpose of social media usage among library and information science students?
What is the the information search and retrieval behaviour of library and information science students on social media networks?
What is the influence of social media usage on information search and retrieval of library and information science students?

Chapter Five

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 SUMMARY

Based on the results emanating from the answers to research question and test of the hypothesis, the major findings of the study as revealed by the analysis are as follows:

Most of the social media application are being used by the students, although, there is degree in the variation of their usage. However, the library and information science students are frequent users of social media applications.
Among the varieties of social media application used by library and information science students, Facebook has the highest usage. However, there is low usage of LinkedIn and 2go.
Library and information science students in Benue state majorly uses social media to connect with friends. However, they also use social media for educational purposes like updating knowledge in their field of study, get relevant information pertaining to their studies, facilitate e- learning and connect with course-mate.
Based on the findings, the information searching and retrieval behaviour of library and information science students on social media are eventful. There are different behavioural attitude exhibited by library and information science students which include both psychological and emotional.
There is a significant relationship between purpose of using social media and information behavior of library and information science students in selected universities in Benue state, Nigeria.

5.2 CONCLUSION

In addition to the available empirical evidences, this study has been able to established empirical evidence on the influence of social media usage on information searching and retrieval behaviour of library and information science students in Benue state. Specifically, the type of social media application used by library and information science students, the extent of use, purpose of use, information behaviour on social media and the influence of social media on information behaviour of undergraduate students were established. Therefore, it is believed that establishing this evidence would result in understanding the information behaviour of library and information science students on social media thereby contributing to the initiation of policies that has to with their socio-educational activities.

5.3 RECOMMENDATION

Based on the findings of this study, the following are recommended;

The benefits of social media can never be overemphasized; therefore university management should ensure that they integrate the social media applications in library service delivery and learning system. For instance, the library can offer reference services on library social media platforms.
Students should embrace the use of social media for academic purpose such as sharing of ideas, communication and searching for academic information.
The library management should embrace the use of social media for current awareness services, selective dissemination of information and other services in the library.

If possible, library should create a unit of social media librarian that will be receiving and answering queries via library social media handles.

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Related Field(s):

Communication and Media Studies (58), Computer Science Education (312), Information Technology (253), Library and Information Science (342), Library Studies (341), Computer/IT (139)