THE EFFECT OF THE INTERNET ON THE INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN COVID 19 ERA

1.1 Introduction

The term information seeking behaviour used here includes information searching and information gathering which means that after identifying what type of information they need they search for it and gather it from different sources following their techniques or processes of searching (i.e. a simple or complex search). Information is the act of informiong or the condition of being informed or the communication of knowledge. The American library association glossary of library and information science (ALA) define information as all ideas, gfeats and imaginative works of mind whioch have been communicated, rcorded, published and distributed formally or in formally in any format.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Information needs and information seeking behaviour of students is defined as the provision of desirable, up to data factual knowledge to the students at the appropriate time to enhance their welfare and ways or patterns pursued by them in an attempt to resolve an information need or needs. Access to information is one of the human rights and each user of it should be able to get the right information he desires at the right time and place in the way he needs it. Information as a valuable commodity can be got from the library among other places and it is necessary that librarians satisfy users needs. In public libraries, the notion of book acquisition or students literature is important. Of greater value is how the books and other materials are presented to Students for effective use. As a result, there is need for public libraries to meet with the information needs nd information seeking behaviour of lstudents. This would not only enhance performance of the students, use of libraries but would go an long way in improving the services [rendered to students in public libraries. In addition, it would make for easy storage, processing, retrieval of information, dissemination and use.

As information literacy becomes vital to functioning effectively in todays would, the public library has a responsibility in ensuring that the specific information and reference needs of students are adequately addressed. students as reference client require skilled and considered assistance to locate information relevant to both their perceived and real needs. The public libraries meet those needs through the students section of the public library. A students section is an important resource to which students have easy access to information and utilization. It provides information in various formats.

The library facilities education of students also performs vital function such as informational, educational, cultural and recreational services. Public libraries can play a major role in fostering in students the desire for education and helping them develop the skills for obtaining the kind of ever changing knowledge necessary to survive and prosper. Students by all means need information knowledge sake, self development, skill acquisition and to carry out a given assignment.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of the Internet on the Information Seeking Behaviour of University Students in COVID 19 Era

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1.3 Statement of Problems

The major tasks of higher institutions include teaching, research, and community services that have been disrupted by the COVID-19. The pandemic also disrupted the academic programmes, examinations, admissions, conferences, workshops and training, graduation programmes of higher institutions.

Information communication technology has added value to students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. ICT has become the leading source of reference materials for research and class work. However, empirical evidence NUC (2005) suggests that students in Nigerian tertiary institutions are yet to make efficient use of this innovative technology. This research is conceived to investigate the information seeking behaviour and ICT utilization status of students in Nigerian tertiary institutions with a view to establishing empirical evidence of the causes of the poor exploration of the benefits of ICT among students.

Studies abound on students’ information need and seeking behavior but none narrowed their empirical work on final year students in higher institution. Therefore, this study discusses the Effect of the Internet on the Information Seeking Behaviour of University Students in COVID 19 Era

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to determine the Effect of the Internet on the Information Seeking Behaviour of University Students in COVID 19 Era In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To identify the factors instigating the information needs of the University Students
2. To finding out the ways in which students needs are met and source of information available to University Students during COVID 19 Era.
3. Knowing the ways or patterns in which students seek information relating to their needs.
4. To determine problem encountered by students and also that of the libraries in disseminating information to University Students in COVID 19 Era.
5. To attempt to provide recommendation and suggestion for procuring information for University Students during COVID 19 Era.

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Is there any significant factor instigating the information needs of the University Students?
• What are the ways in which students needs are met and source of information available to University Students during COVID 19 Era?
• What are the ways or patterns in which students seek information relating to their needs?
• What is problem encountered by students and also that of the libraries in disseminating information to University Students in COVID 19 Era?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: The level of information available to University Students during COVID 19 Era in Abia State University is low
• H1: The level of information available to University Students during COVID 19 Era in Abia State University is high

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There is no significant factor instigating the information needs of the University Students in COVID 19 Era
• H1: There is a significant factor instigating the information needs of the University Students in COVID 19 Era

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1.7 Significance of Study

This study is meant to extend the frontiers of human knowledge and solve most of the problems encountered in public libraries when dealing with students’ information needs and information seeking behaviour. It would also be of great significance to staff of public and school/students libraries.

The study shall provide an analysis of the information seeking behavior of University students of Abia State University. This study will also be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the Effect of the Internet on the Information Seeking Behaviour of University Students in COVID 19 Era.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

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1.10 Definition of Terms

Information Needs: In 1967 information need was defined as an expression of the deficit of concreta information by an individual (collective or territorial) user solving a certain scientific or technical problem; it is said to be a necessity to acquire information about (or from) the suirendity enkvironment. Or any information a user ought to have whether the need is felt or not.

Methodology: The type of research designed to be use for this study is the survey research. Questionnaire will be distributed to students and staff of public library imo state.

Information: Is data that has been processed into a form that has meaning and is useful.

Communication: It is a process of sending or transferring information, ideas and skills from one person to another accurately and satisfactory.

Information Communication Technology: This is a systematized body of tools, technique and infrastructures for generating collecting, storing, processing and transmitting data. It involves the application of microprocessor based digital technology for effective information handing.

Information Seeking Behaviour: This defines the stimulus that produces anxiety and attitudes in order to find out information or knowledge that is missing.