Awareness and Use of Online Databases by Postgraduate Students in University of Calabar, Nigeria

This study is on the awareness and use of online databases by postgraduate students at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. A total of 50 postgraduate students from the faculties of Education, Science, law, and Allied Medical Sciences were selected for this study through accidental sampling. The questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection, while the Statistical Package analyzed data for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed that postgraduate students are aware of the existence of online databases at the University. It also revealed that postgraduate students make use of friends and colleagues, regular library visits, billboards in the University as a medium of awareness. The study shows that Hinari is the most frequently used online database by postgraduate students at the University of Calabar. The paper also revealed that the purpose of the use of online databases is for research, seminars, presentations, assignments, and the like. Some factors affecting the use of online databases in the University of Calabar are; lack of access outside the campus, Non-functional passwords, and slow Internet connectivity. The paper recommended the provision of current awareness services, continuous information literacy programme, and provision of free reference services such as quick response codes, mobile-optimized websites, and much more. The ICT Department of the University should also ensure excellent Internet connectivity by increasing the bandwidth.