Availability of information Resources for Research in Agricultural Research Institutes (ARl) in NIgeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the availability of information resources for research in Agricultural Research Institutes (ARIs) in Nigeria. It was observed that despite the establishment of eighteen (18) ARIs n different parts of the country, charged with the responsibility of undertaking research into various aspects of agriculture, it seems Nigeria cannot feed its teeming population without resorting to importation. The descriptive survey research method was used for the study. The total population of the study was 1002 agricultural researchers out of which 200 was sampled using certified proportionate sampling technique which provide that 20% of the respondents from each stratum (ARI) is enough for a study made up of 1000 and above. An observation checklist was used to determine the types of information resources available in the libraries covered by the study. In addition to that the questionnaire was used to determine the adequacy of the available information resources. The questionnaire was administered and retrieved using one trained research assistant from each research institute. Data gathered was analysed using descriptive statistics showing table of availability for research question I and frequency counts and percentages for research question 2. Research question 3 was analysed based on the real limits of nominal values of the responses by researchers. The findings of the study showed that (100%) of the libraries have eleven (11) types of information resources in their stock, mostly in print format while availability of other types of information resources varied from library to library. It was also revealed that available information resources in print format were mostly outdated and inadequate. The result of the study also showed that inadequate funding of research libraries, lack of enough qualified librarians to provide , process and make available information resources, availability of required information resources locally, and high exchange rate, among others were factors militating against the provision of information resources. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the Federal Government should improve the funding to all ARls in Nigeria with a directive that at least 20% of allocations to them e spent on the development of research libraries and acquisition of current, relevant and adequate information resources in all formats.