Assessment of Availability, Level of Utilization of Information Resources among Postgraduate Students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Abstract

The availability and utilisation of information resources are crucial for academic success,
particularly among postgraduate students. This study explores the dynamics of information
resource availability and utilisation among postgraduate students in Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria. The study employed a descriptive survey method with a questionnaire. The population was
12,356, and a sample size of 622 was selected using the research advisor table, out of these, 539
questionnaires were returned, and the responses were analyzed using tables and percentages. The
objectives were to assess the availability of information resources, evaluate their level of use in
research, and identify challenges faced by students in accessing these resources. Findings
revealed that commonly available and used resources include books, journals, newspapers,
theses/dissertations, and seminar/conference papers, all with a 100% response rate. In contrast,
encyclopedias, offline and online databases, indexes, and abstracts were the least available and
utilized. Journals had the highest usage (mean score: 4.0000), followed by online databases
(3.7291). The least-used resources included e-newspapers, government publications, pamphlets,
yearbooks, and atlases/maps, with mean scores below 2.2. The major challenges identified were
time constraints, poor study environments (each with a mean of 3.7291), and high publication
costs (3.2709). Lesser issues included delays in manual processes, lack of awareness about
available resources, poor electricity supply, and limited assistance from library staff. The study
concludes that most postgraduate involved were early-career professionals more actively engaged
in library services. It recommends increased university funding to improve access to underutilized
resources, such as encyclopedias and databases. It also emphasizes the need for stronger library
orientation programs and awareness campaigns to improve students’ knowledge and use of
available information resources for better research productivity.