Web-based Information-Seeking Behaviour as Determinant of Electronic Information Resources Utilisation by Medical Students in Federal Universities in South-west, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined web-based information-seeking behaviour as determinants of electronic information resources (EIR) utilisation by medical students in Federal Universities in South-west, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, and a sample of 324 medical students was selected using a stratified sampling technique. A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data from 324 respondents, of which 301 copies were filled out and returned. Data collected for the two research questions were analysed using frequency counts, percentages and mean, while inferential statistics of multiple linear regression were used to test the only null hypothesis of the study. The study found that the overall extent of EIRs utilisation by medical students is high (overall average mean = 2.98, SD = 0.41). The results further showed that medical students in federal universities in South-West, Nigeria exhibit a high level of web-based information-seeking behaviours (overall average mean = 3.11, SD = 0.27). The results of the tested hypothesis confirmed that web-based information-seeking behaviour has no significant influence on electronic information resources utilisation by medical students in federal universities in South-West, Nigeria (Adj. R2 = .0.000, F (8, 292) = 0.990, p>0.05). The study recommends that universities should integrate digital literacy training into medical education curricula to improve students’ ability to effectively navigate and utilise institutional EIRs. Also, workshops and hands-on training should be organised regularly to teach students how to access, search, and retrieve academic information from electronic databases.