Postgraduates’ Utilization of Digital Information Resources in University Libraries and the Challenge of Information Overload

Abstract

Digital Information Resources (DIRs) are crucial for providing postgraduate students with access to essential information however, they face the challenge of information overload. This study examined how postgraduate students in selected university libraries in Southwest Nigeria experience information overload (IO) in the context of DIRs usage. A correlational survey research design was employed, with a population of 7,784 postgraduate students. The study used a stratified proportionate random sampling technique, stratifying participants using three university libraries. A 20% sample was drawn from each stratum, resulting in a total of 1,557 postgraduate students. Data was collected via questionnaire, with 1,258 completed and returned (80.8% response rate). The null hypothesis was tested at a 0.05 significance level, and three research questions were addressed. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis, while Pearson’s Product-moment correlation was applied to test the hypothesis. The findings revealed that the frequency of DIRs utilization was low ( = 2.72), while the level of IO was moderate ( = 2.68). A positive significant relationship was found between information overload and DIRs utilization (r = 0.351, p < 0.05). The study concludes that extensive utilization of DIRs is inextricably linked to the significant challenge of IO. It is recommended that university libraries should develop programs that will focus on advanced search techniques for precise information retrieval.