Information needs and seeking behaviour of mass communication students in Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study investigates the information needs and seeking behaviour of mass communication students in Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The population of the study comprised forty-seven (47) undergraduate students of Department of Mass Communication. A ‘Google form’ questionnaire was sent for data collection out of which forty-three (43) (91.49%) filled and returned. Findings of the study revealed that the major information needs of mass communication students are for self-study and presentation. As for information seeking behaviour, it was established that the major behaviour exhibited by the students are browsing the Internet, attending conferences, seminars and workshops and browsing contents of journals, newspapers and magazines. It was also revealed that the Internet, mass media and social media are the major channels of seeking information by the students. Findings further revealed that even though electronic resources are the preferred format by the students to satisfy their information needs, print and audio-visual resources are also highly used by them. It was recommended that universities should provide funds for acquisition of relevant and current print and audio-visual resources to meet the information needs of mass communication students; universities should improve Internet connectivity for enhanced easy access to information resources by the students; an improved and continuous training of students on information retrieval skills thus supporting them to meet their information needs