The usability traits of theses and dissertations as sources of information to agriculture students

Abstract

The study was carried out on 124 students using cross-sectional survey. Questionnaire was used to determine why agricultural students at different levels of study use thesis and dissertation as a source of information. The study shows that thesis and dissertation is considered and used as a source of information by Bachelor of Agriculture students and their Masters of Agriculture counterpart only. There was a positive relationship between students’ level of study and usability traits of thesis and dissertation, whereas, no relationship was observed between area of specialization and usability traits of thesis and dissertation. Use of thesis and dissertation was high among animal scientist when compared with other areas of specialization. Thesis and dissertation was mostly used occasionally as a reference material, more peculiar to students during their terminal stage of study. It was recommended that use of thesis and dissertation should be fostered when students are halfway into the university.