ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to evaluate the use of information retrieval devices for effective access of information resources by undergraduate students of College of Education, MOUAU using descriptive survey design. Four research questions which were formulated from the specific objectives guided the study. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection which was validated by experts. The data were analysed using the mean and frequency to answer the research questions. The findings from the study revealed that the available information retrieval devices in MOUAU are Card Catalogue, Abstract, Bibliography, Registers, Online Database, Search Engine, Directories, Kardex Card, Audio Tapes, Computer Hard Disk, Machine Readable Catalogue and Index. It was concluded from the findings of the study that the respondents access the retrieval devices to a High Extent (HE). Based on the findings of the study it was recommended that correct queries should be framed for each search, MOUAU management team should build an alternative means of power supply for the library, IRDs should be digitized to conform to the current standard, Internet connection with adequate bandwidth should be provided for the university library and Catalogue cards should be filled correctly and updated regularly.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
Page i
Declaration ii
Certification
iii
Dedication
iv
Acknowledgements
v
Table of
contents vi
List of
tables viii
Abstract ix
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.2
Statement of the Problem 5
1.3 Purpose of the Study 6
1.4 Research
Questions 6
1.5 Scope
of the Study 6
1.6 Significance
of the Study 7
CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Conceptual Framework 9
2.1.1 Information 9
2.1.2 Information retrieval 12
2.1.3 Information resources 15
2.1.4 Information access 23
2.1.5 Information retrieval devices in libraries 29
2.1.6 Extent of use of information retrieval
devices in libraries 34
2.1.7 Challenges associated with
the use of information retrieval
Devices in libraries 35
2.1.8 Strategies for enhancing the
use of information retrieval devices in libraries. 37
2.2
Review of Empirical Studies 39
2.3 Summary of Literature Review 43
CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Design of the Study 45
3.2 Area of the Study 45
3.3 Population of the Study 45
3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique 46
3.5 Instrument for Data Collection 46
3.6 Validation of Instruments 47
3.7 Method
of Data Collection 47
8
3.8 Method
of Data Analysis 48
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
4.1
Data Analysis 49
4.2 Summary of Major Findings 53
4.3 Discussion of Findings 54
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1
Summary of the Study 57
5.2
Conclusion 58
5.3
Educational Implications of the Findings 59
5.4
Limitations of the Study 59
5.5
Recommendations 60
5.6
Suggestions for Further Studies 60
References 62
Appendices 68
LIST OF
TABLES
1:
information Retrieval Devices 46
2:
Mean responses on the Extent of use of Information Retrieval Devices 47
3:
Challenges undergraduates face in accessing retrieval devices 48
4:
Solution to the Challenges 49
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In this era of information overflow occasioned by the
advent of information and communication technology (ICT), there is need for
effective information retrieval systems in libraries and information centres
for optimal exploitation of available information resources. Libraries are
reputed for collecting and storing different formats of information for use.
However, if there is no effective means of retrieving these information, chaos
and frustration set in and such a library loses its reputation.
Information Retrieval (IR) can be a very broad term,
because even searching for contacts in a mobile phone is a form of information
retrieval. According to Manning (2008),
information retrieval in information science parlance can be defined as finding
information that satisfies an information need from within large collection.
Information retrieval provides linkage between the information seeker and
information resources.
The central mission of any library is not only to
acquire, organize, preserve and provide access to relevant information but also
ensuring their quick retrieval and satisfactory use. Effective information
retrieval (IR) is a prerequisite to the successful attainment of the goals,
functions and objectives of any library and information centre. The field of IR
today involves not only librarians, information officers and documental list
but also operation researchers and computer programmers among others.
Information Storage and Retrieval (ISR) evolved to expedite the prompt
retrieval of information. In order to facilitate prompt and easy access to the
library information resources, the librarians have developed varieties of
information retrieval tools such as catalogue, abstract, library index,
bibliographies, Kardex, OPAC and other finding tools (Muhammad, 2011). These
bibliographic devices constitute the basic tools for the control of library
collections in libraries.
According to Spack and Willet (1997), the term
Information retrieval was coined in 1952 and gained popularity in the research
communities from 1961. At that time, Information retrieval’s organizing
function was seen as a major advance in libraries that were no longer just
storehouses of books, but as places where information was catalogued and
indexed. The concept of information retrieval presupposes that there are some
documents or records containing information that have been organized in an
order suitable for easy retrieval.
An information retrieval system is designed to
retrieve the documents or information required by the user community. It should
make the right information available to the right user. Thus, an information
retrieval system aims at collecting and organizing information in one or more
subject areas in order to provide it to the user as soon as it is asked for.
Lancaster in Chowdhury (1999) comments that an information retrieval system
does not inform i.e. change the knowledge of the user on the subject of his
enquiry; it merely informs him of the existence or nonexistence and whereabouts
of documents relating to his request. The information retrieval system serves
as a bridge between the world of creators or generation of information and the
users of that information.
Two
broad categories of information retrieval systems have been identified by
Manning (2008). They include:
•
In-house or offline Information retrieval
•
Online Information retrieval
In-house information retrieval systems are set up by a
particular library or information centre to serve mainly the users within the organization.
An example of an in-house database is the library catalogue. Online public
access catalogue (OPAC) provides facilities for library users to carry out
online catalogue searches, and then check the availability of the item
required. By online information retrieval systems, we mean those that have been
designed to provide access to remote databases to a variety of users. Such
services are available mostly on commercial basis, and there are a number of
vendors that handle this sort of service.
Writers such as Vigil (1998); Manning (2008), Abdullah
and Bin-Ismali (2010) in times past have suggested that an effective and
reliable information retrieval system must have provision for:
•
Prompt dissemination of information;
•
Filtering of information;
•
The right amount of information at the
right time;
•
Browsing;
•
Getting information in an economical way;
•
Current literature;
•
Interpersonal communication; and
•
Personal help.
In a typical library environment there are two
categories of users, the library and information personnel and the end users.
Library and information personnel often act as intermediaries and they may also
act as end users seeking for information for their own use or for decision
making (Aina, 2004). The end users include the library user community who enjoy
the numerous services of the library (Nnadozie, 2007).All information retrieval
systems should be user oriented. As such the interest of every user should be
given due importance at every point of information storage and retrieval. Libraries have been in existence since the
beginning of writing and have served as a repository of the intellectual wealth
of society. As such libraries have always been concerned with storing and
retrieving information in the media it is created on. As the quantities of
information grew exponentially, libraries were forced to make maximum use of
information retrieval methods to facilitate the storage and retrieval process.
In the works of Su (1994), Large and Behesti (1997),
Online Public Catalogues (OPAC) were first used in mid 1970s, it was only at
the beginning of the next decade that a significant number of libraries
switched from card catalogues to automated catalogues. However, those first
catalogues were usually modules linked to the automated circulation system and
had brief catalogue records and very limited functionality.
Online public catalogues (OPAC) are the interfaces
that help users communicate with the collection(s) of a library. Typically OPAC
allow users to search the library’s catalogue, and also provide other
facilities, such as checking borrower records, reserving reading materials,
library news bulletins, and so on. Several changes have taken place and OPACs
have improved significantly since then. Internet resources vary significantly
in terms of their content (text, numeric, audio, image video, etc.), file
format, availability, URL (uniform resource locator) or the address of a web
page and so on. Some new rules and guidelines are required to help cataloguers
make information retrieval easy and effective.
In the light of the foregoing, the study intends to
investigate the information retrieval devices for effective access of
information resources by undergraduate students of College of Education in
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The user of any library is the raison d’être for the
library. It is stating the obvious to say that every potential user should know
where information resources are within the most convenient and efficient way.
The importance of use of information retrieval devices
include; eliminating the frustration of the user, and making the right
information available to the right user. It facilitates easy location,
identification, trace and access to needed information resources. It also helps
to secure and maintain order in libraries. These in turn will reduce search
complications and retrieval complexities and lead to gain time and effort. It saves
the time of the user as well.
The effects of not using IRD are making the search of
the user difficult; it leads to user frustration and also creates chaos and
tends to complicate retrieval of information of the user. Thus, one of the keys
to successful exploitation of any library information resources lies drawing up
precise IRs
Since information resources can be derived from
several sources, different kinds and forms, which might include among others
databases and software, electronic, audio-visual and printed items, like Thesis, Journals,
Textbooks, Workshop papers, Technical reports, Conference proceedings etc, these
volumes of information created, generated and stored are immense that without
adequate knowledge of information retrieval devices, the retrieval process for
an information user would be cumbersome and frustrating. This then makes it
necessary to ensure a stable and functional Information Retrieval System (IRS).
This is supported by Alemna (2000) who stated that “in Africa, it appears that
there are so much information within our borders that we can use to assist us
in our developmental process, but without better methods to filter, retrieve
and manage this potentially unlimited influx of information; users face
information overload and they require tools to explore the vast universe of information”.
It is in view of this that, the researcher has set out
to find out how Undergraduate students in MOUAU use information devices for
effective access of information resources.
1.3
PURPOSE
OF THE STUDY
The main purpose of the study is to determine the
extent of use of information retrieval devices that are used for accessing information
resources by undergraduate students of College of Education, MOUAU. The
specific objectives are to:
1.
find out the types of information
retrieval devices available in MOUAU Library for effective access of
information resources;
2.
determine the extent of use of information
retrieval devices for effective access of information resources in MOUAU Library
by undergraduate students of College of Education;
3.
identify the challenges associated with
the use of information retrieval devices for effective access of information
resources in MOUAU Library by undergraduate students of College of Education;
and
4.
Suggest strategies for enhancing the use
of information retrieval devices for effective access of information resources
in MOUAU Library by undergraduate students of College of Education.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research
questions would be answered in this study
1.
What information retrieval devices are
available in MOUAU Library for effective access of information resources?
2.
To what extent are undergraduate students
of College of Education accessing information retrieval devices in MOUAU Library?
3.
What are the challenges undergraduate
students of College of Education in MOUAU face accessing information retrieval
devices in MOUAU Library?
4.
What are the strategies for enhancing access
of information retrieval devices by the undergraduate students of College of
Education?
1.6 SCOPE
OF THE STUDY
This study is on the use of information retrieval
devices for effective access of information resources by undergraduate students
of College of Education, MOUAU. It explores the various information retrieval
devices in the MOUAU library, their use and challenges faced when using the
retrieval devices.
1.7 SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
The finding of this study
will be of immense benefit to undergraduate students, all categories of library
users, library managers, library system designers and other users.
The study would increase the
understanding of information retrieval devices by undergraduate student. Undergraduates
with information retrieval skills should be able to recognise information need
for learning and research, distinguish ways of addressing gap and locating
information stored in electronic resources. Moreover, they should be able to
perform literature searches, organise and communicate the information
retrieved, satisfactorily in their research work.
Library users: They
generally will benefit as the study would highlight those necessary processes
and practices that would ensure timely and efficient information retrieval and
would therefore promote effective use of library materials.
Library managers: The study would be of immense
benefit to library managers who are the promoters of information retrieval
devices. Library managers would understand and manage those bottlenecks that
challenge effective information retrieval. They will also need this study in
order to effectively plan on the ways of handling library staff and library
resources to achieve their set goals.
Library system designers: The library system
designers will benefit from the study as they will know the bibliographic items
needed to be input in the library catalogue system.
Other researchers: Other researchers would find the
study useful as it will add to existing literature in information retrieval
devices.
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