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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Factors influencing information-seeking strategies and sources used by oil palm scientists in Nigeria
Author:Obasuyi, LukeISNI
Year:2007
Periodical:African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science
Volume:17
Issue:2
Pages:79-87
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:scientists
information
special libraries
Abstract:This study investigated the influence of educational qualifications and tasks performed on the sources of information used by oil palm scientists in Nigeria. Awareness of library tools and strategies employed in locating primary information was also surveyed. Scientists from the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), universities and oil palm industries across the country were grouped into three groups: PhD, MSc and BSc. The tasks performed by the three categories of scientists were research, teaching and administrative work. A questionnaire was used to gather data, and a 95 percent usable response was obtained. Most of the respondents were men. The scientists used the library occasionally to obtain research related information, especially when they have specific jobs at hand. The scientists with PhD and MSc used journals mostly, while those with BSc used textbooks, indicating that educational qualifications influenced the type of information sources used. The tasks the scientists performed also influenced the sources of information they used and awareness of the various information-seeking strategies influenced the use of such strategies. In order to improve access to information for the benefit of the scientists in the oil palm industry in Nigeria, Internet access is recommended. User education for services offered by the library, such as SDI and Current Contents, should be provided to create awareness of these services and encourage their use. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]
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