Exploring the information needs and seeking behaviour of final-year students of the University of Africa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The research studied the information needs and seeking habits of final-year students at the University of Africa, Bayelsa State. For this study, the authors chose a descriptive survey design. A total of 251 final-year students formed the study population. Total enumeration sampling was employed so that every member of the population took part in the study for better data representation. The questionnaire was used to obtain information from the students. The questionnaires were distributed to 201 final-year students, and 193 of them were collected and processed. Data were examined through frequency counts, simple percentages and means. The study confirmed that final-year students have diverse information needs, which include information on project writing, course-related information, exam-related information, NYSC-related information, and job-related information, among others. The Internet/digital resources, print resources, past project works, and academic advisers were the most important sources consulted by final-year students. Lastly, the study established that poor Internet connectivity, time constraints, lack of awareness of the resources in the library, inconsistent power supply, and inadequate resources in the library were the major challenges faced by final-year respondents when seeking information. The study emphasizes the varied information needs and preferred sources of final-year students at the University of Africa, Bayelsa State, while also highlighting the substantial barriers they face in accessing the information they require. The authors recommended that the university should improve Internet connectivity and electricity supply, while the library should enhance awareness campaigns regarding the available library resources. Moreover, the library should also acquire more information resources based on their information needs and the preferred sources mostly consulted by final-year students.