Role of ICT in Enhancing Research Writing Competencies Among Final Year Students at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State

The study began by examining how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be used to improve research-writing skills in final-year scholars in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State. The research was grounded with clear objectives, four research questions, and four hypotheses. The descriptive survey design was used and data collection was done at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education located in Rivers State, Nigeria. The target population was 5,000 final-year students pursuing a range of programmes in the university. A sample of 300 students was obtained out of this population to take part in the study. The data were obtained using a carefully designed questionnaire that was meant to measure the perception of the students in regard to the role of ICT in strengthening their research-writing skills. The instrument was administered in two phases: the pilot test with the sample of about 30 students, which helped to identify and address the possible problems, and the full deployment to the chosen sample of 300 subjects. The questionnaire was administered either face-to-face in the classroom or through the online system, depending on the availability and preference of the students. The instrument validity was also guaranteed by expert review conducted by experts in the field of educational technology and research writing and it ensured that the questionnaire had the ability to measure the constructs of interest. The content validity was also checked by covering all the relevant aspects of ICT and research-writing competence. Cronbach alpha was used to test the reliability; a coefficient of 0.70 and above was considered satisfactory. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics, that is, mean values and standard deviations. The results of the research suggest that the university needs to provide extensive training programmes that are based on ICT competencies related to research writing. These programmes might involve workshops and seminars that will familiarize students with various digital tools and resources. Moreover, there is need to invest in ICT infrastructure by the institutions to ensure that there is a reliable access to computers, high-speed internet, and academic databases. Lastly, incorporating ICT training in the curriculum of all courses that can be applied would highlight its critical importance in promoting academic performance and improving research-writing skills.