Use of Serials for Research by Postgraduate Students in University Libraries in Benue State, Nigeria

This study investigate use of serials for research by postgraduate students in university libraries in Benue State, Nigeria. The main purpose of the study was to determine the use of serials for research by postgraduate students in university libraries in Benue State, Nigeria. 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 three (3) universities in Benue State was used for the study because the population is manageable and accessible to the researcher. Thus, there was no sample. Two (2) research questions were raised and a null hypothesis formulated in line with the objectives to guide the study. The research instruments was a structured questionnaire which was subjected to face and content validity. Cronbach Alpha method was used to determine the internal consistency of the questionnaire items and the analysis yielded a Cronbach Coefficient Alpha of 0.80. The questionnaire was administered by the researchers and a response rate of 387 (100%) was recorded. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages (%), mean ( ) and standard deviation (SD) to answer research questions while inferential statistics of Chi-square was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the findings revealed that Serials were readily available for research activities in university libraries in Benue state. Findings also revealed that majority of the postgraduate students were challenged among others, by 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. Results further revealed that the null hypothesis tested was rejected which implies that the opinions of postgraduate students differed significantly on the use of serials for research activities. Finally, conclusion and recommendations were made based on the findings of the study.