Assessment of Information Literacy Indicators in Relation to Postgraduate Students’ Research Productivity in Public Universities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed information literacy indicators in relations to postgraduate students’ research productivity in public universities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study adopted a correlational research design, with four (4) specific objectives and null hypotheses. The population of the study consisted of one hundred and thirty-seven (137) postgraduate students, comprising 89 Masters and forty-eight (48) PhD students from Akwa Ibom State University and University of Uyo, respectively. The total enumeration sampling technique was used for the study since population was quite manageable. A two (2) sets of self-developed questionnaire, validated with reliability indices of 0.80 and 0.78 for the independent and dependent variables, using Cronbach’s Alpha formula was used for the data collection. The data collection process yielded a response rate of 91% from 125 respondents who completed and returned the questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using inferential statistical tool of Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) to answer the research questions, while linear regression statistic was used to test the corresponding hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that there was a strong positive significant association between the ability to recognize information needs, ability to locate information resources, and ability to understand ethical issues of information by postgraduate students relating to research productivity in public universities studied. It also showed that the ability to evaluate information sources by postgraduate students had a weak association with research productivity in public universities studied. The study recommended, among other measures that postgraduate students should improve their interest in the acquisition of information literacy skills. Furthermore, management of public universities should provide adequate infrastructural facilities such as power supply and Internet connection in order to facilitate acquisition of information literacy skills by postgraduate students for enhanced research productivity.