DIGITAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL EFFICIENCY AMONG STUDENTS IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN CROSS RIVER STATE.

Abstract

The study sought to examine contribution of digital resource management and information retrieval efficiency among students in public institutions in Cross River State. To achieve this purpose, three research questions and hypotheses were raised to guide the study. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design to select a total 1342 students from five tertiary institutions in cross river state in the study area. Reliability was determined using Cronbach alpha and the coefficient of the scales were high indicating consistency. Questionnaire titled digital resource management and information retrieval (DRMIRQ) was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using simple regression and the result showed that effective meta management ensures accurate and comprehensive description of digital resources, facilitating enhanced discoverability and retrieval. Robust digital preservation practices ensure the longevity and accessibility of digital assets, preserving scholarly knowledge for future use. Access control mechanisms protect sensitive information and regulate resource access, maintaining data integrity and supporting compliance with regulatory requirements. System integration consolidates diverse digital systems, improving interoperability and streamlining access to integrated resources, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and user experience. Based on the findings, it was recommended that iinstitutions should adopt standardized metadata schemas and best practices to improve consistency and completeness in resource descriptions, thereby facilitating more precise and efficient information retrieval.