Perceptions of Postgraduate Students on Accessibility of Print and Electronic Information Resources at Mahatma Gandhi Library

Abstract

The increase in research output in the 21^st century has made postgraduate students to adopt new ways of information searching and this has had a bearing in the way they perceive and use library information resources in both formats. This has made it critical to establish their perceptions in order to ensure that university libraries invest only in those resources that have the potential to support post graduate research. The study therefore sought to determine perceptions of post graduate students (PGs) towards accessibility of print and electronic information resources (EIRs). The study reviewed current research study findings on perceptions under the main theme on accessibility. It was based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) advanced by Albert Bandura in1986. A descriptive research design was adopted. Independent variables constituted a comparison on the use, accessibility, relevance and preference towards choice of format between print and EIRs. Dependent variable was use of print and EIRs. The target population was 3159 postgraduate students enrolled for Business Administration program in the School of Business (SOB) at the UoN. Convenience sampling, which is one of the non-probability sampling methods, was applied to identify a representative sample size for PGs enrolled in the Business Administration progam, SOB. Using Yamane Taro (1967) mathematical formula, a sample of 97 respondents was drawn. The questionnaire was the main data collection tool. Validity was ensured through conducting a pilot study at Technical University of Kenya (TUK) using a pilot data of 10 PGs. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient value greater than 0.7 was used to test reliability of the questionnaire. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically while Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics via Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23 and presented through percentages, frequencies, pie charts, tables and graphs. Logistical and ethical considerations were strictly adhered to. The profound study findings were that majority of PGs across age highly used both information formats and that these formats would continue to coexist supplementing each other. However, divergent views of a few alluded to the fact that technology will obliterate print resources thereby pointing to emergence of paperless libraries and therefore, future studies need to explore this notion further. The study recommended that university libraries continuously endeavor to acquire a hybrid collection so as to fully support PG studies as none of these information resources is exclusive of the other. It also gave key suggestions for further research especially, a study on students’ perceptions towards the use of both information resources in this era of university education realignment where Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) reforms are taking centre stage to drive competencies.