EXTENT OF USE OF INTERNET FOR EFFECTIVE RESEARCH AMONG POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITIES IN TARABA STATE

Abstract

The study investigated the extent of use of internet for effective research among postgraduate students in Universities in Taraba State. Three research questions guided the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study was 1,710 postgraduate students. The sample for this study consists of 300 postgraduate students drawn using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. Data were analyzed using percentages, mean and standard deviation on the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of the study showed that the extent of use of internet resources by postgraduate students for effective research is high. Nevertheless, challenges associated with postgraduate students' internet use strategies for effective research include; inadequate internet resources, non-sustainability of internet services, unaffordability of internet access, download delay among others. However, strategies revealed to enhance the internet use strategies for effective research among the postgraduate students include; clear regulation on information sourcing and dissemination, adequate internet resources, sustainability of internet services, provision of stable power supply, provision of campus wide WIFI and increase in internet bandwidth among others. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommended among others that the government and school administrators should provide internet resources and steady power supply in universities. Also, postgraduate students should be encouraged to undertake computer or ICT literacy programmes to equip themselves with needed computer literacy skills.