AN ASSESSMENT OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' CHALLENGES, SOLUTIONS AND SKILLS IN UTILIZATION OF DIGITAL REFERENCE RESOURCES IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Abstract

This research assessed the challenges, solutions, and skills related to the utilization of digital reference resources by postgraduate students in federal universities within the North Central, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, guided by three research questions. The population of the study consisted of 8,727 postgraduate students across three universities, with a sample size of 871 selected for participation. A self- developed structured questionnaire was used to gather data, and 593 validly completed responses were returned. Respondents rated their agreement with various items on a Likert scale. Data analysis involved the use of mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that while digital reference resources significantly enhance research in university libraries, postgraduate students face challenges such as limited access to digital facilities, insufficient training on digital resource utilization, and a lack of awareness of available digital tools. However, solutions such as increased training opportunities, improved access to resources, and the integration of digital literacy into academic programs were identified. The study concluded that while digital reference resources are crucial for academic advancement, postgraduate students should actively engage in self-improvement training, especially through online platforms, to enhance their competence in utilizing these resources. The study recommends that universities provide more structured training and support to help students overcome challenges and improve their digital literacy.