ACCESSING ELECTRONIC THESES AND DISSERTATIONS FOR RESEARCH BY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

Abstract

The study investigated access to electronic theses and Dissertations for Research by

postgraduate Students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The study has the following specific

objective, which includes determining the extent of accessibility of electronic theses and

dissertations on research and finding out the challenges faced by postgraduate students when

accessing electronic theses and dissertations. The study adopted quantitative research method

and cross- sectional survey research design. A questionnaire was used as instrument for data

collection. 320 respondents were selected through a proportionate random sampling technique

from a population of 1,964 Postgraduate Students from three (3) Faculties of Ahmadu Bello

University, Zaria, which were selected. Data from the survey were analyzed using mean and

standard deviation for the descriptive data and inferential statistics using the Statistical Package

for Social Sciences (SPSS). Frequency distribution tables and percentages were used for the

descriptive statistics. Finding from the study revealed that the extent postgraduate students of

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria access electronic theses and dissertations for research is quite

high and especially they access abstracts and book chapters. The main challenges faced by the

respondents while accessing electronic theses and dissertations include inadequate Internet

search skills and poor Internet connection. The study recommended that all postgraduate

students should undergo a compulsory course on how to use the various search engines to

source for information electronically. Additionally, the poor internet facilities in and around

the Ahmadu Bello University campus hamper the effective use of ETDs. The university library

management together with ICT directorate to organize compulsory training for all postgraduate

to understand various search techniques and on how to use the various search engine to source

for information electronically. Similarly, to provide strong internet connectivity to access

adequate electronic theses and dissertations permanently.