SEARCH ENGINES, ACCESSIBILITY OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES AMONG COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCE STUDENTS, UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE

Access to electronic information resources is believed to enhance medical students’ academic engagement, research skills, and performance. Search engines emerged to render the responsibilities. However, if accessibility is disrupted, students’ activities could be negatively altered.This study investigates the influence of search engines and accessibility of electronic information resources (EIRs) on academic activities among 585 medical students at the College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. Employing a correlational survey design, a sample of 233 students from seven departments was selected using multi-stage sampling. Data were collected via a validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83) with a 93% response rate and analysed using descriptive (mean, standard deviation) and inferential (logistic regression) statistics. Findings reveal high engagement in literature reviews, research projects, and exam preparation (x̅= 1.91–1.93), but low participation in evidence-based medicine assignments and journal clubs (x̅= 1.40–1.49). EIR accessibility is low, with multimedia resources moderately used (x̅ = 1.63) compared to online journals and e-books (x̅= 1.24–1.39). YouTube is the most used search engine (x̅ = 1.84), while academic search engines like Google Scholar are underutilized (x̅ = 1.26). Logistic regression indicates significant relationships between multimedia search engines (OR = 2.48, p < 0.001), Google Scholar (OR = 1.68, p = 0.001), and EIR accessibility, and between multimedia resources (OR = 2.29, p < 0.001), e-books (OR = 1.79, p < 0.001), and academic activities. Low digital literacy and institutional barriers limit EIR use. The study concluded that search engines play significant roles in accessing EIR and enhanced academic activities depend on extent to which EIR are used through accessibility. It is recommended that mandatory workshops, promotional campaigns, and provision of digital infrastructure should be the priorities of libraries with financial support from governments.