Use of Boolean search strategy for accessing the databases of university of technology libraries by postgraduate students in South-East, Nigeria

Abstract

Library databases provide accurate and current information resources that enhances and promote the research output of postgraduate students in Nigeria universities. The databases contain millions of electronic information resources, that required a good information search like Boolean search strategy for easy retrieval. This study focused on the use of Boolean search strategy for accessing the databases of university of technology libraries by postgraduate students in south-east, Nigeria. The purpose of the study is to identify the types of library databases available in the university of technology South East and to determine the extent of utilization of these library databases using Boolean search strategy. The researcher adopted descriptive survey design. The population for the study was 540 post graduate students in the faculties of engineering while the sample used was 230 from both universities. Structured questionnaire and observation checklist was the instrument used for data collection. The instrument was administered to the respondent directly by the researcher. The data collected was analysed using mean and standard deviation. Based on the analysis, it was found that a good number of library databases are available in both federal (Federal University of Technology, Owerri) and state (Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani) universities of technology. The findings showed that the students utilized Boolean search to a moderate extent in accessing most of the databases. It was recommended that the library management should sensitize the postgraduate students by creating further awareness through training, provision of adequate network facilities and to encourage postgraduate students to improve on their research skill individually in order to utilized the available library databases.