ANALYSIS OF GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE USE OF LIBRARY ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES (EIR) IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analyses gender differences in the frequency of use of Library electronic information resources such as the Internet, online databases, online public access catalogues, electronic journals, and electronic books, as well as issues that work against students' use of these resources. It also examined the types of electronic information resources used by students based on gender. The study was conducted in Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The research employed a survey design, with a population consisting of 5332 undergraduate students at the 300 level; 400 level from Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State, and a sample size of 372 undergraduate students selected using proportionate stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The study was guided by seven objectives and corresponding research questions, and five hypotheses were developed and tested at the 0.05 level of significance. A structured questionnaire served as the data-gathering tool. Using the Cronbach Alpha method, the questionnaire's reliability was determined, and a reliability coefficient of 0.84 was found. Frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, and independent t-tests were used to assess the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance and to answer the research questions based on the obtained data. The findings revealed a significant difference in the frequency of use of electronic information resources between male and female undergraduate students in tertiary institutions. No significant difference in the use of the internet between the male and female students was observed. The study revealed that there is a gender differences in tertiary institutions’ utilization of ICT resources. The study recommends that library administrations should promote female students' interest in using electronic information resources through seminars and workshops. Library staff should also provide digital literacy to help female students to access electronic resources, to enable them enhance their access to electronic resources.