Students’ use of academic research databases in polytechnics libraries in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper showcased the extent of students’ use of academic research databases in polytechnics libraries in Delta State Nigeria. The paper adopted the descriptive survey design, and a simple random technique was adopted to select 700 student. A structured questionnaire was distributed to the respondents, in which only 519 was successfully retrieved and these were used for data analysis. The different types of academic research databases, the extent of their usage, the reasons why the institutions under investigation choose these databases, and also the constraints students faced in their usage in polytechnic libraries in Delta State Nigeria were discussed. The study reported that, there are few academic research database been subscribed to by these institutions under investigation, there is low level on the extent of academic research database usage by students of the three polytechnics in Delta State Nigeria and Issues such as lack of related database, lack of skills in handling search engines, erratic power supply, lack of database subscription are some of the constraints faced by the students in the polytechnic libraries in Delta State Nigeria. This paper addressed the types of academic research databases use and went further to reveal the extent of usage, the reasons why these institution under investigation choose the particular databases and further reveals the constraints faced by students of Polytechnic libraries in Delta State Nigeria. The findings of the study will inform librarians and academic institutions in developing countries to see the need to make ready provision for academic research databases for student consultations in other to improve their academic performances. The study reported the students’ use of academic research databases in polytechnics libraries in Delta State Nigeria.