INFORMATION SOURCES UTILIZED FOR RESEARCH WRITING BY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

Abstract

This study explored the types and sources of information utilzed by Postgraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for research writing. The study adopted the Information Activities in Work Task theory as theoretical framework. A qualitative case study research design purposively selected 10 students from the Department of Library and Information Science that have overstayed on the Postgraduate programme. The study revealed that the types of information needed by postgraduate students for research writing are information related to their research topics and information related to research in general. This study also found three sources of information that are available to postgraduate students of the Department of Library and Information Science for research writing to include: i) Electronic Information Resources ii) Physical Library Resources and iii) Human Sources. The two constructs of the Information activities in Work Task theory explained the types of information needed and the sources of information available to postgraduate students of the Department of Library and Information Science for research writing. The study then recommended that the Department should organize regular workshops and seminars focusing on research methodologies, data analysis techniques, and academic writing. Also, the Department should establish mentorship programmes where experienced researchers could guide students through the research process and information literacy. And that the Department should also provide institutional access to essential research materials, software, and databases that Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Library Complex subscribes to. The study concluded that research writing constitutes a complex task and the information seeking behaviour of Postgraduate students is one of the reasons they overstay on the Postgraduate programmes.