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 X = 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.