INFLUENCE OF USE OF ACADEMIC SOCIAL MEDIA ON RESEARCH INFORMATION GATHERING ACTIVITIES OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE EDUCATORS IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES.

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of the use of Academic Social Media on research information-gathering activities of Library and Information Science (LIS) Educators in Nigerian Universities. This study was guided by three objectives and corresponding research questions and includes the type of ASM used for research information-gathering activities, frequency of use, and extent of the use of ASM for research information gathering activities among LIS educators. A descriptive survey research design was used and the target population consisted of 348 LISE in 37 University-based Library Schools in Nigeria. A sample size of 258 LISE was drawn from the population using the multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale was designed in line with the research questions. 30 copies of the validated, corrected and returned questionnaire was pretested using the Cornbrash alpha method, and the following reliability coefficients were obtained: in the 3 sections of the questionnaire: 0.836,0.917 and 0.885 respectively A total of 258 copies of the questionnaire were administered on respondents (online) through their respective e-mails. The response rate showed that 190 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved. Percentage, frequency counts, and mean scores were used in the analysis of data. Results showed that Google scholar was the most utilised ASM and that the frequency of use of ASM was low and Research Gate was the most frequently used platform which they visited weekly. Reviewing research literature was the major information activity to a very high extent. The study concluded that the low frequency of use of ASM may be a result of work overload among LISE The study recommended that management of university-based Library Schools in Nigeria should encourage LISE to patronise other ASM for enhancement of research activities.