Federal Universities Research Articles

Evaluating the NCCE Computer Science Minimum Standard Objectives in Federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria

Evaluating the NCCE Computer Science Minimum Standard Objectives in Federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria

Scrum method assessment in Federal Universities in Brazil

Goal: Assess the Agile Methodology Scrum in a software development project at Federal universities in the Southeast Brazil. Design / Methodology / Approach: The method in this paper is multiple case studies and a qualitative approach. The data collection was performed using a questionnaire with open and closed questions based on the constructs of the literature review. Six Federal universities were selected in two states in the Southeast Region, based on previous contacts with institutions, and the analysis unit was the Information of Technology Centers or the Superintendent of Information Technology. Results: It was noticed a low level of maturity in the use of agile methods in a great part of the universities and a high turnover of the team components, due to the scholarship students who participated in the research. In the open questions, it was noticed a very strong relationship between a set of subattributes: improvement in response time, cost and time reduction, increased of equipment performance and increase in added value. In the closed questions, it was noticed that Scrum had a better performance in the following sub-attribute samples: communication, collaboration, productivity, and time reduction. Limitations of the investigation: The number of interviewers in the universities, to provide deeper analysis for the case studies. Practical implications: The subattributes can be indicators to measure the performance of Scrum in corporations. Originality/Value: While previous studies focus on the application in large companies and in classes of Graduation Programs at universities, this paper focuses on administrative operations in the universities.

Factors Affecting the Development of E-Library in Universities in Nigeria

This study investigated the factors for the development of electronic library in university libraries in Southern Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive research design with a population of 107 which comprised all the systems librarians, electronic librarians and digital librarians in the federal, state and private universities in Southern Nigeria. An online questionnaire using Google form was the main tool for data collection with a total of 107 librarians who responded appropriately. The study revealed that ICT tools, information resources and facilities were used for the development of e-library in university. The findings also showed that there was a general consensus among the respondents concerning ICT tools and resources that were used for the development of e-library such as: CD-ROM, wireless network, and interactive board, office and electrical equipment, information resources (e-book, e-journal, e-newspaper) and subscription to databases. The findings further revealed that funding, authentication, digital preservation process, copyright issues, training, and ease of access were challenges affecting the development of e-library in Nigeria. The researchers therefore recommended that universities, colleges of education and polytechnics in Nigeria should endeavor to develop its e-library by considering the findings in order to achieve its mandate of delivering quality information services to the library patrons.

Challenges of Rendering Effective Library Services to Users in Select University Libraries in South-South, Nigeria

This study investigates the challenges of rendering effective library services to users in selected university libraries in South-South, Nigeria. A descriptive survey method was adopted for the study in line with the objectives of the study as the instrument used in collecting data. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study consists of 116 librarians in all the federal universities libraries in South- South Nigeria. A total of 116 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 94 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved using descriptive statistics mean and percentage mean score of 2.5 and above and percentage score of 50% were considered as acceptable. The study revealed that the benefits of rendering effective library services to library users are academic advancement, research, reading and promotion. The study also shows challenges for rendering of library services to library users to be obsolete materials, poor budgetary allocation, lack of infrastructural facilities and poor recruitment process. Strategies to render effective library services to library users are acquisition of current materials, adequate budget to the library, provision of infrastructures and sound recruitment of staff. The study recommends that acquisition of current materials is critical to good library service delivery, robust budget to the library, provision of state of the art infrastructure facilities and recruitment of competent personnel. The findings of this study will help library management whose libraries are lagging behind to provide all the basic materials/infrastructures needed for effective library services. Also, transforming academic libraries will enhance the capability of libraries to contribute positively to the reality of knowledge in the society in contemporary Nigerian society.

Formal Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intention of Female Students in Nigeria Universities

This study determined the effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention of female students in Nigeria universities. A survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study constituted final year female students across six federal and state universities in the south-western Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to choose respondents among the students. To this end, final year female students across the Universities formed the respondents of the study. The study used Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) the technique of data analysis was processed on SmartPls2. Based on the empirical analysis of the study, findings revealed that the relationship between formal entrepreneurship education and the entrepreneurial intention of final year female students in the universities yields positive and significant impact. The study therefore concludes that entrepreneurship education has a positive and significant effect on the entrepreneurial intention of final year female students in the universities.

Food habits and the prevalence of obesity and hypertension among the students of federal college of agriculture, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Food habits and the prevalence of obesity and hypertension among the students of federal college of agriculture, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Library Marketing Indicators on Students’ Patronage of Information Services in Federal Universities in South-South Nigeria

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of library marketing indicators on students’ patronage of information services in federal universities in South-South Nigeria. Ex-post facto research design was used for the study. The population of the study was all the 31273 registered undergraduate library users in federal universities library in the 2021/2022 academic session. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a sample of 790 students for the study. A researcher developed questionnaire named “Library Marketing Indicators and Students’ Patronage of Information Services Questionnaire” was used in collecting data for the study. The instrument was face validated by three experts. Cronbach Alpha was used to determine the reliability of the instrument and a coefficient of .82 was obtained. Mean was used to answer the research questions while independent t-test was used to test the hypotheses of the study. The findings of the study indicated that there is significant influence of library marketing indicators on students’ patronage of information services in federal universities in South-South Nigeria. It was recommended among others that librarians need to acquire marketing skills that will enable them effectively brand their libraries and the information services the library offers as this marketing strategy influences students’ patronage of information services.

Factors Affecting the Technology Skills and Job Performance of Library Professionals in Nigerian Universities

This study investigated the factors affecting technology skills, and job performance of library professionals in selected public universities in southwest Nigeria with the aim of finding out the level of technology skills, and job performance of the library professionals. Twelve public academic libraries comprising state and federal universities were selected for the study, and the total enumeration technique was adopted to examine 376 library staff consisting of academic librarians and library officers. Questionnaire was used for the data collection. Descriptive analyses were employed, and the results were presented in tables using frequency counts and percentages. It was found from the findings that the majority of the respondents were self-efficient in handling the technology facilities while some were just craving self-technology development. Erratic power supply and inadequate funds, among others were factors affecting the technology skills and job performance of the library professionals. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that library management should prioritize the constant acquisition of technology facilities, continuous ICT training be organized for library professionals, adequate funds be allocated to the libraries, and the factor of erratic power supply be resolved by providing stable power supply.

Investigating the Effect of Chart on Second Language (L2) Igbo Learners’ Performance in Igbo Language Word Formation in Nigeria Colleges of Education: A Case Study of Federal College of Education Okene

This research study focused on investigating the effect of charts on the second language (L2) Igbo learners in Igbo language word formations in all the colleges of education in Nigeria using Federal College of Education Okene as a case study. Federal College of Education Okene is in the Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State. It is the general poor performance of all second-language Igbo learners that led to this research work. The researcher thought it wise that the use of instructional materials despite the level might help. With this, this research was carried out on the effect of charts on learners’ performance in Igbo language word formation by second-language Igbo learners in Colleges of Education. This research study has three research questions and three hypotheses that were based on the purpose of the study. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design. The learners were in two groups. The groups are the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group was further subdivided into two groups. They are text chart groups and un-text chart groups. From the population of 130 students, 70 students comprised of 38 females and 32 males were selected. A pre-test and post-test were given. The instrument for data collection was the Performance Test in Igbo Language Word Formation (PTIWF), and which has 20 items multiple questions in it. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions while analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypothesis at the level of 0.05. This research study showed that those taught with charts performed better than those taught without charts. Again, the un-text chart group performed better than the text chart group, and the female equally did better than the male counterpart. The researcher equally proffers solutions by giving out some suggestions on the way forward which include that, they curriculum planners should ensure that different instruction materials especially chart is included in their curriculum planning and learners must be involved in the production of their teaching aids.

Scientific and Technological Priorities in the Federal Spatial Development Policy in Russia

The need to activate and increase the effectiveness of science and technology policy in the modern conditions of the development of the Russian economy requires, among other things, the definition of spatial priorities of such a policy. It is proposed to assess the spatial component in the federal science and technology policy according to its compliance with such requirements as the widest possible coverage of territories with potential for scientific and technological development by federal support, the correctness of the assessment of such potential, the presence of a well-built system of support tools and compliance of higher education with the needs of scientific and technological development. It is shown that there are unresolved problems in each of these areas, including those related to the shortcomings of official statistics (there is no information on the actual number of researchers in the equivalent of full employment, on the structure of university students), with the disunity of measures to support scientific and technological development of territories (technological special economic zones, science cities, techno-parks in the field of high technologies, state scientific, innovative scientific-technological and scientific-educational centers), in some cases, insufficient elaboration of such measures. As a result, the geography of federal support for scientific and technological development develops spontaneously, spatial priorities of such a policy are not defined, the location of federal and national research universities does not always correspond to the location of research centers. The article suggests ways to solve these problems, including the development of a spatial strategy for scientific and technological development and embedding it into a new strategy for the spatial development of the country.

Academic self-efficacy of students from federal public universities in the interior of the states of Amazonas and Santa Catarina at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic

Academic self-efficacy of students from federal public universities in the interior of the states of Amazonas and Santa Catarina at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic

Institutional Factors for Institutional Repositories Usage by Lecturers in Federal Universities in Nigeria

The objective of the study is to investigate the influence of institutional factors on and institutional repositories’ usage by lecturers in federal universities in Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive design. A total of five hundred and forty copies of questionnaire were administered on respondents from the selected federal universities in Nigeria. The population of this study comprised all lecturers in the federal universities selected for this study totaling 7,591. The multi stage sampling procedure and purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire. The instrument tagged “Institutional Factors and Use of Institutional Repositories’ Questionnaire (IFUIRQ)” consists of three sections. The test-retest method was employed using the Cronbach’s reliability technique to determine the reliability of the instrument. Findings from the research revealed organizational culture, environmental and motivational factors as the dominant and prevalent institutional factors that support research in federal universities in Nigeria while inaugural lectures, seminar papers, photographs, notebooks, illustrations and drawings and newspapers were the most prevalent types of information materials available in the knowledge and institutional repositories of Federal universities in Nigeria. The study further revealed that the major purposes of using institutional knowledge repositories by the lecturers include; for preparation of seminar/lecture notes, writing papers/proposals, seminars presentations, research works and lecture series. This research established occasional institutional repositories’ usage by the lecturers and a significant positive relationship between institutional factors and institutional repositories’ usage such that an improvement in institutional factors would lead to increase in institutional repositories’ usage. It is recommended that the formulation and implementation of adequate university-wide policy that would encourage and supports institutional repositories’ usage by the university management.

Awareness and perception of cybersecurity among librarians in federal universities in South-West, Nigeria

This study investigated awareness and perception of cybersecurity among librarians in federal universities in South-West, Nigeria with the aid of descriptive survey research approach. Questionnaire was used to elicit information from 179 librarians and system librarians, out of which 167 (93.3%) copies of the questionnaire were duly completed and returned. The data collected were analyzed using frequency count, percentages and Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis to test for the significant relationship between awareness and perception of cybersecurity among librarians tested at 0.05 level of significance with the aid of SPSS Version 21. The study revealed that the level of awareness of cybersecurity among librarians in Federal Universities in South-West, Nigeria is moderate. The findings also revealed that to a high extent are librarians in federal universities in South-West, Nigeria are aware of the potential cyber threats and attacks to library resources. The study showed that librarians perceived that deliberate attack to destroy sensitive data in the library database is unjust (mean=1.62), the use of the computer in committing crimes is unjust (mean=1.61) and that having an unauthorized access to data and other computerized systems (hacking) is considered unjust (mean=1.56). The study revealed that hardware skill (mean= 3.21), software skill (mean=3.10), operating system skills and programming language skills (mean=3.01) were the main librarians’ information technology skills to secure library resources. The study further showed that librarians make use of technical security measures in the libraries through access control and password security (mean=3.26), through video surveillance (CCTV system) (mean=3.25) and through installation of updated software (mean=3.11); and the use of non-technical security measures in libraries are through burglary protection and fire extinguishers (mean=3.16) and architectural considerations (mean=3.07). The study also showed that crashing of a computer due to virus, malware, hackers etc (mean=2.99), lack of fund (mean=2.94) and lack of trained information technology (IT) manpower (mean=2.91) were the main challenges encountered in securing information resources against cyberattacks by librarians. There is no significant relationship between awareness and perception of cybersecurity among librarians in Federal Universities in South-West Nigeria. The study recommended that Government should provide adequate fund for universities to run their library effectively. Many universities experiences lack of fund to improve their library. Meanwhile, to provide appropriate security measures in libraries, there is a need of availability of funds.

Investigating electronic media viewing by undergraduates in federal universities in Southwestern Nigeria

The study investigated electronic media viewing among undergraduates in selected federal universities in Southwestern Nigeria with a view to identifying the contents viewed, purpose of viewing and attitude exhibited during viewing. The survey research design was adopted for the study while questionnaire was used as the major instrument of data collection. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a total of 723 undergraduates across 3 federal universities in Southwestern Nigeria to constitute the sample for the study. The data were analysed with frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that movies, entertainment news, general news, games, e-books and educational programmes are the major electronic media contents which undergraduates in Nigerian universities viewed and that the undergraduates viewed electronic media content for the purposes of information, entertainment and socialisation than for academics. On the attitude exhibited by the undergraduates while viewing electronic media, finding from the study established listening to music, social networking and text messaging as major attitudes exhibited. The study also established the multi-tasking abilities of the undergraduates. The study recommended that undergraduates should use electronic media technologies properly for widespread educational purposes and that university authorities should strategically engage the undergraduates in purposeful electronic media usage for assignments, projects and term papers, among others in order to reduce excessive use of electronic media, thereby redeeming their time for gainful exercise.

Perfis de comprometimento organizacional em universidades federais: Características sociodemográficas e ocupacionais

ABSTRACT Purpose: Based on the three-dimensional model of Meyer and Allen (1991), this study outlined organizational commitment profiles (OCP) for public service workers working at two federal universities, as well as sociodemographic and occupational characteristics associated with these profiles. Originality/value: OCP emerged as part of the Brazilian research scenario on organizational commitment (OC), as well as discussions that approached the implications of such profiles, in the public sector and public higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach: The research methodology included quantitative, descriptive, and field-based approaches. In the study, 470 respondents worked in administrative areas of two federal universities in Northeast Brazil in three occupational categories: technical servants, managers, and outsourced workers. The techniques used were exploratory factor analysis and latent profile analysis. Findings: As a basis for modeling the factorial structure of the OC scale (affective, normative, and continuance dimensions), four OCP were identified: uncommitted, affective-continuance commitment, moderate, and affectively committed. The uncommitted were primarily men and workers with less job tenure. The majority of the affective-continuance commitment and affectively committed were occupied by technical public servants and outsourced workers, while managers concentrated on the affective-continuance commitments.

The doors remain half open: working students at federal universities

Resumo O artigo analisa o perfil ocupacional dos estudantes das universidades federais segundo as seguintes clivagens: estudante-ocupado, estudante-desocupado e estudante-não-trabalhador. Deste modo, conseguiu-se identificar perfis socioeconômicos distintos e assimetrias que afetam o modo como os estudantes ocupados e, sobretudo, os desocupados acessam as oportunidades acadêmicas e a vida universitária. Tomando-se os microdados das Pesquisas de Perfil da Andifes, conclui-se que as portas das Ifes permanecem semiabertas para estudantes que trabalham e para estudantes que, embora não estejam trabalhando, estão em busca de trabalho, o que os torna ainda mais vulneráveis e dependentes de políticas públicas de assistência e permanência.

Intenções de graduandos de Medicina em face dos preditores de fixação: Programa Mais Médicos na Bahia

Abstract: Introduction: The quantitative deficit and inequalities in the distribution of doctors exacerbate the global health workforce crisis. Many policies have been adopted to face the problem, with the ‘Mais Médicos’ Program standing out due to its scope. Objective: This study aimed to characterize, among undergraduate medical students in the state of Bahia, the intentions of future medical specialty and professional retention in priority areas defined by the More Doctors Program (PMM), according to the predictors indicated in the literature. Methods: This is a cross-sectional exploratory study conducted with medical students from four federal universities in the state of Bahia. Results: The study predominantly included students aged 20 to 24 years, with a lower socioeconomic profile in relation to previous studies, born in small and medium-sized municipalities in the state of Bahia, who mostly stated their option for medical residency in specialties other than the basic areas after graduation. An inequality was observed between the percentage of students who intended to work in Primary Care and those who wanted basic specialties, with the option for Family and Community Medicine being even lower. Female students clearly predominated among those who desired basic specialties and who envisioned a future employment in Primary Care in this state. Conversely, male students mostly chose specialties in other areas, especially those who had financial aspects as the main motivation for career choice. Final considerations: The study added knowledge to the body of literature on changes in medical training in the country and the effects of policies leading to a generalist professional profile that meets the social needs of the population.

Information and communication technology adoption and electronic information resource usage among university-owned senior secondary school students in southwestern Nigeria

Electronic information resources (EIRs) usage by students involves accessing and utilizing electronic sources and services for knowledge acquisition, entertainment and learning purposes. However, extant literatures have shown that most of the students in Nigeria do not use these information resources adequately. Previous studies focused largely on accessing and utilisation of IRs among students in tertiary institutions with little emphasis on secondary school students, particularly those in university-owned secondary schools. This study, therefore, was carried out to examine the adoption on EIRs usage among students in Federal university-owned senior secondary schools in southwestern Nigeria. The survey design of ex post-facto type was utilised. The university-owned senior secondary schools from five federal universities in southwestern Nigeria were purposively selected. Six hundred and seventy- four Senior Secondary School II students in the five schools were enumerated. The instruments used were: Information Communication Technology Adoption (r=0.70) and IRs Usage (r=0.77) scales. This was complemented with a focus group discussion session with 10 students in each school. Quantitative data were subjected to descriptive analysis, Pearson’s product moment correlation at 0.05 level of significance, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. The respondents’ age was of 16.0±2.0 years, 50.6% were males and 68.1% were from the sciences. The ICT adoption level was high ( ̅=2.90) against 2.50 criterion mean. Information resources were used on a regular basis within the interval of 26-50 on the test of norm table. The sources of accessing the IRs were Internet (85.4%), mobile phone (77.8%), television (71.5%), e-books (50.9%) and educational software (49.1%). The ICT adoption (r=0.58), correlated significantly with IRs usage. ICT adoption predicted IRs usage (F(3;670) =24.26; Adj. R2=0.366), accounting for 36.6% of its variance. The ICT adoption (β=0.52) contributed to IRs usage. Instability of network services, information overload, inadequate technical support and restrictions of ICT tools use were challenges facing IRs usage among the students. Information and communication technology adoption influenced information resources usage among students of university-owned senior secondary schools in southwestern Nigeria. Therefore, there is need for the provision of functional and effective network services and enactment of flexible rules on information and communication technology tools.

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

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.

Sociodemographic and occupational profiles of organizational commitment in federal universities

RESUMO Objetivo: Esta pesquisa objetivou delinear os perfis de comprometimento organizacional (PCO) de diferentes trabalhadores do serviço público, em duas universidades federais, tomando como base o modelo tridimensional de Meyer e Allen (1991), e discutir características socio-demográficas e ocupacionais associadas a tais perfis. Originalidade/valor: Os resultados permitiram a emergência de novos PCO no cenário de pesquisa brasileiro sobre comprometimento organizacional (CO), assim como discussões que abordam as implicações de tais perfis, considerando o cenário do setor público e das instituições de ensino superior (IES) públicas. Design/metodologia/abordagem: Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa, descritiva e de campo. O campo de pesquisa foi constituído por 470 respondentes de três categorias ocupacionais distintas: servidores técnicos, gestores e terceirizados, atuantes em áreas administrativas de duas universidades federais do Nordeste. Utilizaram-se as seguintes técnicas: análise fatorial exploratória e análise de perfis latentes. Resultados: Considerando a estrutura fatorial da escala de CO (dimensões afetiva, normativa e de continuação), foram delineados quatro PCO: descomprometidos; comprometidos de combinação afetivo-continuação; moderados; e comprometidos afetivamente. Os trabalhadores com menor tempo de serviço e do gênero masculino predominaram entre os descomprometidos. Os servidores técnicos e os terceirizados predominaram entre os comprometidos de combinação afetivo-continuação e os comprometidos afetivamente, enquanto os gestores concentraram-se entre os comprometidos de combinação afetivo-continuação.