Influence of Computer Literacy on Postgraduates Use of E-Resources in Nigerian University Libraries

Abstract

This study investigated how computer literacy predisposes postgraduate students to use e-resources. The survey research design and multi-stage sampling technique were used to select 2726 postgraduate students from 16 Nigerian universities. A questionnaire and computer test was used to collect data and data was analysed using percentages and Pearson’s product moment correlation. The postgraduates computer literacy level was average (56.3%). They used only few of the e-resources in their libraries and the frequency of usage was low (weighted average Y = 2.45) Computer literacy had positive relationship with postgraduates’ usage of e-resources that was positive, very strong and significant (r= .740; df=2284; p< .05 ). This shows that the more the postgraduates’ are exposed to computer literacy skills, the better the use of e-resources for their researches. Computer literacy is necessary to influence use of e-resources by the postgraduates’ and therefore, computer literacy programme should be introduced for new entrant postgraduates.