Relationship between Information Literacy Skills and Research Output of Academic Staff in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between the information literacy skills of academic staff in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and their research output. Methodology: Correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population of study comprised of 1,038 which included all the academic staff in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The sample size consists of one hundred and fifty eight (158) respondents, selected through proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Five research questions guided the study and three hypotheses were tested at 0.05% level of significance. Two instruments comprising achievement test and research output index were used for the study. Mean was used to analyzed the data obtained from research questions one and two, Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to answer research question three, four and five while the hypotheses was tested using person’s correlation coefficient. Findings: The major findings of the study are as follows: The level of information literacy skills possessed by the academic staff in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka is moderate. The test for hypothesis indicates that there is a significant and positive relationship in the level of information literacy skills possessed by the academic staff in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and their rank. The research output of academic staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka is high. The test for hypothesis indicated that there is significant and positive relationship in the research output and the rank of lecturers’ in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. There is also significant relationship between the information literacy skills possessed by the academic staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and their research output. The test of hypothesis further indicates that there is positive correlation between the information literacy skills possessed by the academic staff in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and their research output. Implications: High research output and moderately skilled in information literacy implies that the academic staff in NAU is following the new trend that is required for their creative output though not at the maximum level; the academics in NAU publish as not to perish and keep researching as it is a means of contributing their quota to the existing wealth of knowledge. Value/Originality: The study’s educational value rest on the recommendations that the academic staffs probably should lay more emphasis on the quality of the research output that is being produced. The academic staff should avail themselves of the available information technology training and workshops so as to enhance their information literacy skills. The university management should come to the aids of the academic staff by sponsoring their information literacy training and workshops where most of these skills will be acquired.