AVAILABILITY AND USE OF SERIALS FOR RESEARCH BY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated availability and use of serials for research by postgraduate students in university libraries in Benue State, Nigeria. Four (4) objectives and corresponding research questions were raised to guide the study. The study employed a survey research design where entire population of 387 library registered postgraduate students of 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 academic sessions in 3 (three) universities were used for the study. A structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection which was self-developed by the researchers and validated by three experts. Data was collected by the researcher’s and a response rate of 387 (100%) was recorded and used for the data analysis. Descriptive statistics of Percentages and Mean Scores were used to answer the research questions. The result of the findings revealed that although Serials were readily available for research activities, the level of currency of serials for postgraduate students was fair and extent of serials used for research activities was moderate in the universities under study. Result also revealed among others that difficulty in locating needed serials, inadequate storage facilities, journals articles not indexed for easy access and inadequate power supply, lack of awareness of serial materials and poor attitude of library staff towards users among others. Based on the result of the findings, it was concluded that serials are available in university libraries in Benue state. The study finally recommended among others that, awareness programs on available serial publications in the library should constantly be organized for students to increase the level of awareness of information provision in the library and postgraduate students should be encouraged to use serial publications for research work as well as other academic purposes.