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ACADEMIC PROJECTS

ACADEMIC PROJECT

What is an Academic Project?

Academic ProjectAn academic project is a formal document whose major sections include an abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusions and recommendations. The process of writing and presenting an academic project is guided by certain rules. These rules may vary depending on the level of education, institution, or the supervisor. OpenBook offers high standard academic project writing services strictly following the rules provided in order to represent the students’ contribution to the body of knowledge.

Formulating a Project Title of a Project

A comprehensive project title should be brief and must identify the population of interest, and the independent and dependent variables. Students should also adhere to the stipulated requirements related to the length of the project title.

Preparing an Abstract

An abstract should provide a summary of the academic project. Generally, an abstract is placed before the table of contents. A comprehensive abstract should highlight all the essential aspects of the project. Students should be cautious not to exceed the required length of the abstract that is estimated at 150-250 words. A comprehensive summary should highlight the project’s hypothesis, objectives, methodology, and findings.

Guidelines for Writing the Introduction

In the introduction section, the student should highlight the problem area and discuss its significance. A comprehensive introduction should contain the research questions, objectives, and hypotheses that will guide the academic project. Students should distinguish an introduction from a literature review. Whereas the introduction utilizes existing literature to highlight a problem area, the section does not synthesize the referenced studies.

Conducting a Literature Review

Conducting a Literature ReviewLiterature review forms the second chapter of dissertations and theses. A comprehensive literature review highlights students’ ability to identify relevant scholarly works and synthesize their findings. Literature reviews should utilize current articles to inform future readers of the existing knowledge and establish a context for conducting their intended academic projects. The contents of a literature review should correlate to the formulated hypothesis and research questions. For example, an academic study may be intended to improve on the existing knowledge related to the implementation of bed alarms as a fall prevention intervention. Consequently, the accompanying literature review should synthesize the current knowledge related to the utilization of bed alarms in hospital settings. A student should highlight the existing knowledge gaps in the available literature that justify the proposed academic project. For instance, previous studies may have investigated the influence of bed alarms in preventing falls among geriatric patients. A student may identify a need to narrow the focus of their research to geriatric patients who have been diagnosed with chronic mental illnesses. A comprehensive literature synthesis should highlight the existing knowledge gap related to the limited studies that focused on a specific population.

Guidelines for Writing the Method/Approach Section

The methodology section should contain a discussion of the design and project implementation plan. The method section should be detailed and comprehensive to promote replicability. A project’s methodology comprises the intended population, setting, instrumentation, data collection, data analysis, and ethical considerations. A subsection may be introduced to discuss the formulated project procedure. The procedure should highlight all the executed steps and treatments performed on the independent variables to study the changes in the dependent variables. The methodology section should also highlight the proposed data analysis techniques. Students should identify the software used and data analysis tests conducted to guarantee the replicability of their academic projects.

Guidelines for Writing the Findings and Discussion Sections

The length of the findings section often varies between qualitative and quantitative projects. The findings of a qualitative study may be lengthy because of the need to discuss the identified themes and their correlation to the formulated research questions. In the case of quantitative research, the findings ought to be tabulated because they fundamentally comprise statistics. The findings section should be followed by a discussion of the implications of the concluded academic project. The discussion section explains the observed outcomes. A comprehensive discussion should highlight the identified limitations and provide a basis for conducting future studies.

Factors to Consider When Writing an Academic Project

Factors to Consider when Writing an Academic ProjectStudents may sometimes have several ideas on their academic project but no specific research question. Our writers, therefore, come in handy to help you identify a topic that will address specific research questions. They do so by thoroughly examining previous Scholarly sources to identify areas that need further research. After identifying a topic, the next important stage is to refine your topic to bring out what issue you are investigating. Our writers offer expert help to enable you bring out your argument and clearly outline the problem or gap you want to address.

Conducting literature review is an important step in project writing. You need to be able to demonstrate why your research is important and how it will expand on knowledge in that particular field. Our company helps you conduct a literature review, which is a review of material that has already been published in relevant peer-reviewed journal articles and books. Our writers through years of experience are keen on using references that you or your supervisor recommended and that are most recent and relevant to your project. There are ethical considerations for all academic projects regardless of methodology. When offering help in writing academic projects, our writers help you strengthen your project by addressing ethics that govern project writing. Our writers understand that academic projects that do not observe ethics may be rejected.

Why Seek our Project Writing Services?

Our writers are time conscious. We deliver your work within the given time-frame. Once you order your Project Writing Services, you can follow up the writing progress with OpenBook Project Team and communicate any changes you may like. OpenBook Project Team ensures deadlines are met. In addition, our writers are experts and will, therefore, ensure quality and integrity of your research by meeting the standard project writing requirements. Our writers avoid use of casual language in project writing as it may portray lack of expertise.

To ensure thoroughness, an editor is assigned to supervise your work after you make your project writing services order. The editor ensures your work is done thoroughly with every instruction taken into account. OpenBook Project Team is also responsible for ensuring you are satisfied with our services by following up to see if you may need any revisions on your work. OpenBook does not charge extra cost for work revision. In case you would like to make an inquiry on help in writing academic projects, feel free to contact us on whatsapp number: 2348028999115 or click

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THE EFFECT OF REWARD SYSTEMS ON CORPORATE PERFORMANCE (A CASE STUDY OF ZENITH BANK, KADUNA SOUTH)

ABSTRACTS

The inability of the management of Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc, Kaduna South, to effectively reward their employees necessitated the determination of the effect of reward system on the performance of the organization. Survey research design was used for the study, the data collection tool employed by the researcher was the questionnaire, a population of 28 respondents were used for the study, complete enumeration sampling was adopted because the population was a manageable size and the chi-square statistical tool was used to analyse the collected data. The findings of the study revealed that intrinsic and extrinsic rewards impacts employee performance. It was against this back drop that the researcher concluded that effective reward system impacts the performance of employees in Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc, Kaduna South, Kaduna State. Based on that, the researcher recommended that the management of the organization of study should redesign the present reward system, employ the usage of joint consultation between management and employees so as to determine the most effective reward strategy and the usage of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards as it positively impacts the performance of the organization.

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Paying employees for productivity has been the cornerstone of industrial and business development for centuries. Financial reward has always been important in managing employee’s performance, but over the last 25 years other elements of compensation have developed to provide employers with a broad scope to reward, and thus motivate employees. Armstrong and Taylor (2010) states that performance is defined as behavior that accomplishes results. Performance management influences performance by helping people to understand what good performance means and by providing the information needed to improve it. Reward management influences  employee performance  level  which  can on the long run foster the actualization  of an organization’s goals and objectives.

  The purpose of this research study is to attempt to identify how these reward systems impacts employee performance in an organization. Torrington (2011) describes the importance of workplace rewards as clearly central to the employment relationship. While there are a lot of people who enjoy working and who claim they would not stop working even if they were to win a big cash prize in a lottery, Most people  work  hard because of the nature of the reward  system  used in an organization. How much employees are paid and the nature of reward system  used  to reward deserving  employees is essential (Torrington, 2011)

The rewards that we apply to both individual and team performance is critical in determining how effective  employees are. Wilson, (2003) describe rewards and their purpose as including systems, programmes and practices that influence the actions of people. The purpose of reward systems is to provide a systematic way to deliver positive consequences.  Its fundamental purpose is to provide positive consequences for contributions to desired performance.  Defining the concept of human resource management in the mid-1980’ led to a greater appreciation for the value your workforce could make to the overall business goals of the organization and how it could be groomed and cultivated to add most value to competitive advantage. This made the usage of  effective  reward systems necessary.  Weightman (2004) argues that “the importance of reward management  is to  ensure the optimum performance of employees .”

Rewarding employees is associated with the motivation of the workforce of organization for better performance. However, what type and mix of rewarding tools to use is a challenge for organizations. Several studies have demonstrated that rewards have positive impact on employees’ commitment level. It is one of the factors that increase employee engagement in the workplace, which is the key element in the work performance (Furtado, 2009).

It is the concern of organizations all over the world to adopt effective human capital strategies to enhance their productivity. It is clear that employee’s productivity in the expanding organization is a key factor in  a organization . Employees technically known as human resources in modern organization are rightly considered as the most important assets for banking industry success, (Lawler & Worley, 2006).Therefore, effectively rewarding  them is important. 

The rationale behind the use of reward to employees is that motivated employees become satisfied in terms of fulfilling their wants, both financial and non financial; failure to do so,   employees will be tempted to leave the organization. (Azasu, 2009). On one hand,  some employees prefer receiving intrinsic rewards in terms of praise and recognition for certain work accomplishments, while other employees are happy with extrinsic reward in terms in salaries, bonus and incentive offered to employees (Lawler, 2008, Sajuyigbe, Bosede & Adeyemi, 2013)

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

        The basic aim of every business organization is to achieve objectives, goals or targets successfully. Goals set by organizations will be in vain if much attention is not paid to reward   of employees for successful accomplishment of set tasks. In other to achieve set goals and objectives successfully, there is the need to focus on different reward   packages. Reward systems should be attractive to employees so as to ensure a high productivity level.

The researcher observed that the management of Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC, Kaduna South, Kaduna State has failed to adopt the usage of effective reward systems.  This organization has failed to apply the usage of reward systems that aligns the need of the organization with that of employees. They have failed to apply the usage of extrinsic reward elements like money, remuneration, promotion and performance bonuses familiar to Nigerian employees. They do not use intrinsic reward packages like additional responsibilities and challenging jobs that can spur the performance level of higher level employees. This by extension has negatively inhibited the performance of this organization.

 Employees are the life blood of every business organization; therefore their welfare should be of paramount interest to business organizations. If management does not invest much into the welfare of their workers, issues like low commitment to work, low morale and low productivity of employees are bound to evolve. This could directly impact the long term growth and survival of these business organizations and the banking industry.

The non-challant attitude of the management of Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State towards effectively rewarding their employees cannot be ignored. It is against this back drop that this study seeks to ascertain it’s effect on organizational performance.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

  1. What is the reward system currently used in Zenith Bank of Nigeria PLC, Kaduna South, Kaduna State?
  2. What is the view of employees on the reward system used by Zenith Bank of Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State?
  3. What is the effect of extrinsic reward (remuneration, bonus, salary and promotion) on the performance of Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State?
  4. What is the effect of intrinsic rewards on the performance of Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State?

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The broad objective of the study is to determine the effect of reward system on the  performance of Zenith  Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State

The Specific objectives are:

  1. To determine the reward system currently used in Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State
  2. To determine employee view of reward system used by Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State.
  3. To determine the effect of extrinsic reward (salary, bonus and promotion) on the performance of Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State.
  4. To ascertain the effect of intrinsic rewards on the performance of Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State.

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOPTHESIS

The following hypothesis were formulated by the researcher:

Hypothesis 1

Ho:  There is no significant relationship between the reward systems currently used in Zenith Bank and  employee performance.

Hi:  There is significant relationship between the reward systems currently used in Zenith Bank PLC and  employee performance.

Hypothesis 2

Ho: There is no significant relationship between employees view of reward system used by Zenith Bank of Nigeria PLC and organizational performance.

Hi: There is significant relationship between employee’s view of reward system used by Zenith Bank of Nigeria PLC and organizational performance.

Hypothesis 3

Ho:  Extrinsic reward (salary, bonus and promotion) has no significant effect on the performance of Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State.

Hi: Extrinsic reward (salary, bonus and promotion) has significant effect on the performance of Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State.

Hypothesis 4

Ho: Intrinsic rewards  has no significant effect on the performance of Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State.   

Hi: Intrinsic rewards   has significant effect  on the performance of Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC Kaduna South, Kaduna State.

1.6 Significance of the study

        The study was carried out to enable all staff, especially those in management positions of the organization of study to understand and appreciate the effect of reward system on employee performance.

The study will also be of immense benefit to other Nigerian business organizations as it will give them an insight of the effect an effective reward system has on the performance of employees.

 The study will also be of immense benefit to students as well as future researcher who intend to carry-out a related study as it will serve as an existing body of knowledge.

1.7 SCOPE

This study is centered on the impact of reward system on the performance of Zenith bank Nigeria Plc, Kaduna South, Kaduna State as the organization of study.

1.8   LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The following limitations were encountered by the researcher during the study:

  1. Time Constraint: This posed a problem as the combination of the research work with other academic activities was not an easy task.
  2. Respondent Apathy: This posed a problem as the employees of the organization of study found it difficult to divulge certain information. However, the researcher was able to overcome it by convincing the respondents to divulge the information.

1.9   ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

The study was organized into five chapters. Chapter one introduced the study by giving the background information on the research problem, objectives, the scope and limitations of the study. Chapter two dealt with the review of relevant literature and the theoretical framework of the reward system in organizations. Chapter three discussed the research methodology adopted for the study and relevant justifications. Chapter four presented the findings on the impact of reward systems on employees’ performance in Zenith bank PLC. Chapter five also presented the conclusion drawn from research findings and recommendations.

1.10 ORGANIZATIONAL CORPORATE PROFILE (HISTORY OF THE BANK)

Zenith bank was established in May 1990. It started its operation in July the same year. It became a Public Limited Company on June 17th 2004. The bank currently has a share holder base of over one million and is currently the bank with the highest shareholders’ in Nigeria. Its head quarters are in Lagos. It has over 500 branches and business offices including the one located in Kaduna South, Kaduna State. The bank has built a brand as a reputable international, financial institution, recognized for innovation, superior customer service and performance.

1.11 DEFINITION  OF TERMS

REWARD SYSTEM: This is group renewal structures responsible for incentive salience (i.e, wanting, desire or craving) pleasure (i.e, hedonic liking) and enforcement learning (i.e, positive reinforcement)

EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE:

Employee performance is a composite assessment of how well organization employees performs on their most important parameters

CORPORATE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS : This is a subset of business analytics/  business intelligence  that is concerned with the  health of the organization  which has traditionally been measured in terms of financial  performance . However, in recent years the concept health of corporate health has become broader

PERFORMANCE: This is the act of contributing ones measure to output and production

BANKING INDUSTRY: It is the section of the economy devoted to the holding of financial assets for others, investing those financial assets as leverage to create more wealth, and the regulation of those activities by government agencies.

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MARKETING LIBRARIES SERVICES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

 

ABSTRACT

This study examined marketing libraries services for sustainable development of academic libraries in Kaduna State Nigeria using Kaduna State University (KASU) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria as a case study. The field survey research design was used in this study. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. The population of this study consist of all undergraduate library and information science students of Kaduna State University (KASU) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. A sample size of two hundred (200) undergraduate students in library and information science in two universities in Kaduna State. A total of one hundred and fifty one 151 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved and analyzed with simple table percentage, mean and standard deviation. It was found that there is need for marketing library services according to academic librarians to achieve the objectives of the library and to enlighten the users on the relevance of library use; several services were available for marketing; several techniques are been employed in marketing library services. It was also evidenced from the findings that the major problems militating against effective marketing of library services include: inadequate fund and lack of effective communication between librarians. The study revealed several strategies in enhancing of marketing library services, these strategies are trainings, seminars and organizing workshop to educate librarians on marketing library services. The study recommended that: More funds should be allocated to develop of libraries by parent organizations and Library management should expose librarians to marketing library services through trainings, conferences.

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METHOD OF COMBATING BOOK THEFT AND VANDALISM IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: A CASE STUDY OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

METHOD OF COMBATING BOOK THEFT AND VANDALISM IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: A CASE STUDY OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

ABSTRACT

This study examine the book theft and vandalism in Ahmadu Bello University Library. The study uncovered not only methods of` eradicating theft and vandalism in the library understudy, but also the cause(s) of book theft and vandalism, how book theft and vandalism are committed, how book theft and vandalism affected the administration of the library understudy and ways or methods book theft and vandalism can be prevented from the library system. Some of the strategies identified include; increased public awareness and staff training on collection protection, provision of security personnel within and outside the library premises, provision of adequate photocopying services, provision of more access to information resources, periodical searching of students hostels, introduction of stop and search method, installation of security cameras and provision of electronic resources. The study recommends provisions of adequate photocopying services in the library, the use of electronic books in the library, placing plain clothed security staff in different location of the library, consistent provision of library materials with the national University commission; ration (10.1) that is 10 books per students and honouring the provision of national policy on education by the authorities of higher learning in Nigeria.

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background to the Study

Theft and vandalism of library materials is ill wind that blows no one any good. In the most recent times, the problem of theft and vandalism of library book has assumed an alarming dimension. In a study of security problem of university libraries, Nwamefor (1974) described theft and vandalism as anti –social acts which are universal and persistent in spite of orientation talks during freshmen week on care and treatment of books.

Library users seem to have devised various means of vandalizing and stealing of library materials. It does appear that library fraudsters are introducing more complex and sophisticated methods of stealing and vandalism books each time library authorities identified and put measures in place to check already existing methods. That libraries have lost most of its valuable reading materials to theft and vandalism is not on understatement. This practices is not limited to one library alone but cuts across the various types of libraries and this call for concern. To buttress this point Adebayo and Sakor (1999) in a related study quoted Zeidbsy (1987) who observed that: between 1979 and 1989 alone, America academic library reported theft and missing materials including book valued at $ 1.1 million in plates, engraving, books and manuscripts.  

According to Ogunyade (2005), Theft and vandalism of books are certainly not new development of our time. Such acts can be traced as far back as 539BC in Egypt when the Persian conquerors removed rolls of papyri from the library of Rames 11 around 41BC. During the Middle Ages library books were chain –locked to prevent them from theft.

From the earliest time to the present, librarian are bothered on how to ensure the protection of library materials from theft and damage. As custodians of library materials and resources, librarians own an obligation to their patrons and users to preserve the library stocks.

Theft and vandalism of library books is a problem for libraries all over the world. It is costly and descriptive for both libraries and library patrons. Book theft is the intentional removal of books from the library in an unauthorized manner.

According to Ogunyade (2005) in many libraries where periodic or regular stock taking is carried out, it was discovered that many books were lost resulting from theft and vandalism are enormous. Typically, libraries lost between 5 and 10% of their collections annually to theft and vandalism.

The threat to intellectual property through theft and vandalism has posed tremendous challenges to the library profession worldwide. According to Jackson (1991), incidents of theft, non –return of materials and vandalization of library stock are on the increase.

According to Izundu (2006), theft and vandalization of library materials is an ill wind that blows no one any good. In the most recent times, the problem of library book theft and vandalism has assumed an alarming dimension. In a study of security problems of university libraries. Harry (2010) reveal that these antisocial activities are more pronounced for almost all third world countries. Ajegbomogun (2004) sees theft and vandalism as a common phenomenon in Nigerian universities and if not checked will create a serious threat to Nigerian library’s collection and preservations.

According to Akor (2013), libraries have been seen as one of the pillars of civilization. No nation can function effectively without the use of a library. The term library means a collection of educational materials organized for use. The word is derived from the Latin word Liber which mean a book. This is a good reason to believe that the root concept of library is deeply embedded in our ways of thinking about the world and coping with its constraints. In its primary role as guardian of the social memory, there are many parallels with the ways in which the human memory orders, stores and retrieved the information necessary for survival.

Alokun (2003) affirm that libraries are essential established to cater for the information needs of different categories of users which covers different economical, social and cultural aspects.

In order to achieve its purposes libraries have to put their best in securing, managing and preventing libraries collections from theft and vandalisation to meet the demand of its heterogeneous clientele.

Library users seem to have devised various means of mutilating and outright stealing of library materials. It does appear that library fraudsters are introducing more complex and sophisticated methods of theft and vandalism each time library authorities identified and put measures in place to check an already existing method.

Gojeh (1999), book vandalism loss reduces the efficiency of libraries in terms of materials resources. Library users become disappointed, frustrated and even losing confidence in the sorts of services provided in the library. He further observed that: vandalism of books, and book theft cost most libraries a considerable sum of money. Some mutilated books must be replaced while others that are badly and mired must be sent to the binding for major or minor surgeries

Akor (2013) stated that the crimes, which are committed by some users of the academic libraries, have deprived many others from fully achieving their information need. Vandalism, mutilation, defacement, theft etc are problems regularly encountered by the users of these libraries.

That problem of theft and vandalism of library materials has crept into Ahmadu Bello University Library system is no exaggeration but confirmed that the ascertain of the researcher that theft and vandalism are not limited to one library alone, but cut across board. But the question is what are the possible methods library fraudsters devise to vandalize and allegedly remove books from the library and what strategies can be put in place in order to combat the library fraudsters devise.  

According to Billington (2014), to develop a strategy to address the array of concern associated with the preservation and safekeeping of cultural heritage assets, the library of congress has identified four (4) interrelated components:

  1. Physical security
  2. Bibliographic controls
  3. Inventory control
  4. Preservation

Traditionally, when we thought of security of our collection, we focused on physical security controls. In developing a comprehensive collections security program, there is need to integrate the other three components as well. But physical security remains key. We must ensure the security of our facilities so that our staff, visitors and library collections are safe.

According to Billington (2014), the integrated library system was successfully launched in 1999, to enhance the library bibliographic and item tracking controls. In the same year (1999), the preservation program preserved close to 500,000 items, working in a number of areas, including mass deacidification, conservation treatment, microfilming and binding. These measures will serve the mandates to preserve the library of congress collection for use.

For the purpose of the study, it is assumed that library users exists in the academic library understudy. These users cause damage to library materials. This study will cover the various means and devices to safeguard library materials from being vandalized by obnoxious and antisocial library users.

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THE INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN GOVERNMENT OWNED HEALTH CERTRES IN CHIKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT

This is a research project on information seeking behaviour of medical practitioners in government owned health centres in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The research was aimed at finding out the information needs and seeking behaviour of Medical Practitioners in Government Owned Health Centres in Chikun Local Government Area. The research adopted survey method of research due to the nature of the topic, the instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire, literature review, were on theories of information seeking behaviour, information needs and information seeking behaviour of medical practitioners, information sources of medical practitioners and problems medical practitioners face in accessing information. A sample size of 90 from a population size of 122 Local Government health workers working in 23 local government area in Kaduna State was used. The data collected were analysed and interpreted by means of tables and percentages, among the findings are that medical practitioners have needs for information, medical practitioners rely mostly on personal textbooks, periodicals, television broadcast and discussion with colleagues as method of getting information, among the recommendations are that establishment of Public Library Services in rural areas of Chikun Local Government Area of  Kaduna State, Training of Medical and health practitioners on the method of information seeking should be put in place.

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AVAILABILITY AND USE OF REFERENCE INFORMATION RESOURCES BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY AND JOHN HARRIS LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

The study was designed to investigate the availability and use of reference information sources by undergraduate students. Also, attempt was made to ascertain the extent of use and benefit of reference information source to the students. Data was collected through the use of questionnaire administered on 102 samples randomly drawn from the Ambrose Alli University and University of Benin. The data were analysed using simple percentage. Findings revealed that prominent reference information sources like encyclopaedia, abstracts, dictionaries, bibliographies, index and almanac are more in these institutions’ libraries. Result showed that a relationship exist between the users of reference information and reference librarians in the library. It was found that the extent of use of reference materials is still relatively low especially among student users. Materials such as government documents, year book, abstract, atlas, maps, and almanac are rarely utilised. Meanwhile, the reference information sources available in the institutions served useful purpose. The respondents highly acknowledge their benefits especially reference materials like bibliographies, index, encyclopaedia, dictionaries, yearbooks and handbooks. Lastly, result showed that there are many problems associated with the use of reference information sources by undergraduate students amongst which are: ignorance or lack of knowledge about library reference service, ill attitude of reference librarians, lack of indigenous materials, lack of funds, and poor power supply. In the light of the above, conclusion was drawn and it was recommended that efforts should be made to acquire specific information sources that the users need but not available in the library.

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USE OF ICTS IN STUDENTS’ RECORDS MANAGEMENT IN KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY

ABSTRACT

The use of ICTs in the management and safe keeping of students records should become the order of the day as it has many benefits in the academic and university cycle, as it is providing timely access and easy retriever of student information. This study investigated the use of ICTs for students records management in Kaduna State University. A descriptive survey research design was adopted and questionnaire was used for data collection. The sample of the study was drawn from the population through multi-stage sampling whereby five (5) faculties were randomly selected and thereafter a total sample size of 120 questionnaire were retrieved and analyzed using tables, percentages, mean, standard deviation and frequency counts. Findings show that ICTs are available and accessible to records managers as they use it to store students records such as the students results (Summary sheets) 100% and student transcripts (100%). Finally, it was revealed that epileptic power supply (100%) and poor maintenance culture (98%) are the major challenges hindering the use of these ICTs by records managers in the university. It was recommended that the university and governing bodies should provide constant electricity to enable records managers use the available ICTs, it was also recommended that the value of proper maintenance culture be taught in the university.

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USE OF ICTS IN TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study surveyed use of ICTs in Technical Services Division of selected university libraries in Edo State. The population of the study was all the 108 professional and para-professional librarians of John Harris Library, University of Benin, Benin City and Ambrose Alli University Library, Ekpoma. The research adopted the descriptive survey design and questionnaire was used for data collection. Total enumeration sampling techniques was adopted due to the manageable size of the population. Out of the 108 copies of the questionnaire administered, 106 were retrieved and analysed using simple percentage, mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that majority of the respondents indicated computers, scanners, networking equipment, printers, internet facilities, photocopiers, multi-media equipment and barcode reader are the available ICTs for carrying out routines in technical services division in university libraries. Findings also showed that the ICTs used to a high extent are computers, scanners, internet facilities, photocopier and barcode reader. It was discovered that the factors behind the use of ICTs include ease and increased accessibility to library materials, reduction of duplication of effort, accuracy and the promotion of high quality service delivery. Also, the present study found that the effects of using ICTs include speedy processing of library materials and ease in sorting and determining already processed library materials. Finally, findings showed that the challenges and constraints facing the use of ICTs in technical services division of university libraries include lack of technical know-how and incessant electric power outage. Recommendations based on the findings include that the parent institutions of university libraries should provide supporting infrastructure for the use of ICT such as stand-by power generators and power inverters to check incessant power outages and that librarians should be given proper training in the use of ICT in carrying out library routines.

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USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) AS A TOOL FOR INFORMATION SERVICE DELIVERY IN SELECTED UNIVERSITY LIBRARIANS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Information and Communication Technology has become the rave of the moment in global socio-economic affairs. It has become so important that every country, organization or institution no matter how highly or lowly placed want to identify and embrace it. This research work was on the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a tool for information service delivery in University libraries. The population of the study were all the university library in Edo State which included University of Benin Library, Ambrose AlIi University Library and Samuel Adegboyega University library, and the professional librarians i.e. those with BLS above in library and information science. The research instrument used was the Questionnaire. The data collected data analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The analysis showed the majority of the respondents have working experience between 1-10 years. The study revealed that ICTs are used in Catalogue and classification, Interlibrary information sharing, Registration of library users, Reference services e.t.c. thus so, as majority of the respondents (see table 6) agreed. It also revealed that these facilities are in good working condition. In view of these, the following were recommended as a means to check challenges that were found during the study. The body responsible for funding academic libraries should ensure that the amount budgeted for the library is completely utilized in developing the library, and not diverted. The library should also develop some fee-based service such as, selective dissemination of information, abstracting and indexing services to individuals etc. this will help them generate funds internally to augment what is being allocated to them for the acquisition of additional ICT facilities to enable larger number of users to access them.

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USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF AUCHI POLYTECHNIC LIBRARY)

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the use of information and communication technology in academic libraries in Nigeria. Auchi Polytechnic library was used as a case study in this research. The importance of library as an institution has been realized. The Objectives of this study were (a) ascertain the extent of use of ICT in Auchi Polytechnic library (b) to find out the level of utilization of ICT (c) to identify the problems encountered in the use of ICT in Auchi Polytechnic library and (d) to give recommendations for effective use of library. The nature of this study was descriptive. The population of this study consisted of all the registered users of Auchi Polytechnic library. One hundred and twenty students were selected randomly as sample. A self developed questionnaire consisting of 13 items was used as instrument for data collection. It was concluded that in spite of the huge problems bedeviling ICT application in the Nigerian academic library setting, the prospects and possibilities are abundant as academic libraries are experiencing greater improvements in the areas of teaching, learning, research and communities activities. It is also indicated that the internet had greater impact on students’ projects writing as ICT has made it possible for Nigerian academic libraries to use the internet for search engines. The study recommends that individuals should be sensitized on the availability of ICT facilities and be encouraged to use them for their personal and library services. The government must also increase the funding of academic institutions. This is imperative seeing that some of the private institutions owners lukewarm attitude is inspired by similar attitude on the part of government. It is only when the funding of academic institutions is increased that the academic libraries in Nigeria will have the required funds to increase ICT applications and support with local infrastructure such as LAN and local data bases such as electronic cataloguing systems and e-publication.

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