Use of Information Retrieval Tools Among End Users: A Case Study in South Western Nigeria
Ajiboye, B. A, Owolabi, K. A, Bamigboye, O. B, Oyedipe, W. J
International Journal of Information Studies, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2013.
DOI: 
Link: https://www.dline.info/ijis/fulltext/v5n1/ijisv5n1_1.pdf
Abstract:
The paper investigates the use of Information Retrieval Tools (IRTs) by the postgraduate students of selected
universities in southwestern Nigeria. The study made use of descriptive survey and was carried out over a period of four
months between January and May, 2012. The sample size comprises of 2,100 postgraduate students which were randomly
selected from different faculties and served with copies of the questionnaire. A total of 1,923 copies of useable questionnaire
was retrieved which represents 91.6% response rate. The responses were collated and analyzed using frequency counts and
simple percentages. The outcome shows that respondents make use of IRTs for various purposes and that their university
library user education and information literacy program forms the main source of their knowledge of IRTsâ€™ usage. This shows
that their university libraries play major role in assisting the respondents to make use of IRTs. Other findings show that the
main IRTs made use of by the respondents is the Internet Search Engines. Other findings of the study also revealed that the use
of the tools has impacted positively on their social and academic life and also broaden their global knowledge of diverse
issues. The major constraint to their use of the tools is that of Internet fluctuations. The paper concludes with recommendations
on the need to give training on the use of IRTs of students especially library-based ones.