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A SURVEY OF INFORMATION NEEDS AND USE BY RESEARCHERS AT BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN CITYone has to first define the term "need".b)Timeliness; andNeed is what a person ought to have. Also, itcan be defined as:c)Relevance.A circumstance under which somethingis lacking, therefore requiring some course ofaction.That which one cannot do without/thatwhich is necessary for an organization's healthand well-being.Information need is what an individual ought tohave for his work, his research, his edification,or his recreation. Laloo, (2003) added thatinformation need is an impediment preventingan individual from moving forward incognitive time and space. A person is oftenfaced with a gap that must be bndged by askingquestions, creating ideals and I or obtainingresources.It is in this respect that Jerome (2007) stressedthat academic staff/researchers needinformation in order to stimulate ideas, updatetheir knowledge and acquire new methods ofteaching. Despite this, Odusanya and Amusa(2003) cited Adimorah (1993) stressed thatthere are some factor which adversely affect theinformation needs of researchers which includebut not limited to:Timeliness simply means that recipients can getinformation when they need it, as for relevanceit means the information is relevant to the needsof the user and that it answered specifically theusers' questions of what, why, who and how?From the above, it is easy to note that ifinformation attained this attributes, then suchinformation can be utilized for the developmentof individual and the organizations.Okiy (2003) cited Neelameghan (1981) alsostated that information utilization is dependentupon the appropriateness of information that isaccessed. Appropriateness of information maybe viewed along different dimension as follow:);; Appropriateness to the purpose);; Appropriatenesscharacteristics);; Appropriateness to the medium ofinformation transfer);; Appropriateness with respect to qualitytouser'sLack of adequate resourcesAppropriateness with respect to timeand availability ofinformation, andLack of relevant source and resourcethat can answer their research problemsAppropriateness with respect toeconomic and cost of access andusabilityLack of financial resources);; Accuracy implies that information is free frommistakes, is clear and accurately reflects thedata on which it is based.Lack of search skills etc.Adetoro (2004) cited Uhegbe (2001) to theeffect that user's information needs areabsolutely necessary to the management ofinformation centres/libraries.Informationbecomes useful when it is packaged in the rightformat, delivered to the nght user at the righttime. A Librarian is duty bound to seek andbring information together from varioussources and in various forms. Access toresources must be facilitated so that the needcan be met.Several scholars and researchers have followedinformation attributes and appropriateness tostudy the level of informatlon utilization ofdifferent respondents groups. However, thepurview of the literature mdicated that majorityof these studies are carried out in westernworld, not in the context of developin gcountries like Nigeria. Though Jerome (200 I)has investigated the information needs ofscience and technology researchers and findout that lack of these attributes andappropriateness of the information available inlibraries in Nigerian universities is one of thefactors militating against the effectiveutilization of information.III. INFORMATION UTILISATIONOkiy (2003) Cited Burch and Grudaltski (.1986)to the effect that for information to satisfy therequirements of utilization, it must have threeattributes:A)Accuracy;IV. FACTORS MILITATING AGAINSTINFORMATION ACCESS ANDUTILIZATION OF RESEARCHEchezonam (2010), cited Ahiakwo (1998),pointing out that the barriers to informationaccess and utilization include lack of technicalBayero Journal of Library and Information Sciences: Volume I, Number I (Maiden Edition)27

A SURVEY OF INFORMATION NEEDS AND USE BY RESEARCHERS AT BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVEllSITY, BENIN CITYknow-how, lack of awareness, lack of adequatetelecommunication .infrastructure and thepoverty level of citizens. Others factorsidentified by Je ome (2007) include: .'2.Identify the types of informationresources that researchers -under studyuse.3.Identify the problems militating againstthe researchers in accessing andutilizing information.4.Make the necessary recommendationsto the university authorities.Unavailability of relevant informationsources,Lack oftime and funding problem,Lack of awareness about the existenceof relevant information that could be. useful,Most of the resources available are inforeign languages and no translationservices in libraries.From the above review, it is worthy of note thatidentification · of the information needs of different user groups is very important for thesuccessful provision of information services:Lack of information needs of users is posingserious challenges to the provision of resourcesand services of any given library. It is based onthis premise that this study seeks to investigatethe information need of researchers at BensonIdahosa University.VII. RESEARCH QUESTIONSI.What are the Information needs ofResearchers at Benson IdahosaUniversity?2.What are the Information resources thatresearchers under study use?3.What are the problems that militateagainst researchers in accessing andutilizing information?VIII. RESEARCH METHODOLOGYThe survey research method was used for thisstudy. The population of the study comprises ofresearchers at Benson Idahosa University. Therespondents include the lecturers in the fourfacultiesand postgraduates students in theV. RESEARCH PROBLEMuniversity. Stratified sampling technique wasused to select 50 respondents from four strata,Research is one of the most important pillarsfaculties were used as strata. In all a total of 40and live-wire of any University operations. It islecturers and 10 postgraduate were selected forin this recognition that libraries·are established·the study. The questionnaire was the onlyto support the teaching and research purpose of.instrument used to collect data for the study.the university. For libraries to be fully equippedTheresearcher uses the secretaries to the Deanswith relevant resources that will satisfy theof Faculties as an intermediary between theneeds of its users there is the need to identifythe information needs an:d type of informationres archers and the respondents.sources and resources they use. Observationshave · also shown that researchers at BensonIdahosa University are not adequatelyIX. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONSpatronizing the resources of the library. This50 copies of the questionnaire werecould be attributed to the fact that the resourcesadministered through the secretaries to theof the library are not rele ant to need of thedifferent Deans of Faculties. Out of thisresearchers. It is against this background thatnumber, 42 copies were returned and foundthis study seeks to investigate the informationuseable, representing 84% of the response rate.need of researchers at Benson IdahosaUniversity, and the type· of informationresources.Table 1: Respondent's Distribution by SexVI. RESEARCH OBJECTIVESSEXNO%MALE3071.40FEMALEI228.68TOTAL42The objectives of this study are to:I.Find out the information needs ofresearchers at Benson IdahosaUniversity.Bayero Journal of Library and Information Sciences: Volume I , Number I (Maiden Edition)28

A SURVEY OF INFORMATION NEEDS AND USE BY RESEARCHERS AT BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN CITYTable 1 shows the distribution of respondentbased on sex. It shows that 30 (71.4%) of therespondents are male, while 12 (28.6%) arefemale.Tab'e 2: Respondent's Distribution on work status%0STATUS19Table 2 shows the distribution of respondentsbased on work status. It shows that 34 (80.9%)of the respondents are lecturers, while 8 ( 19%)are postgraduate students that are currentlyworking on their master degree program.Table 3: Information needs of Resean:bencwInformationNeedInformation ongeneralknowledgeInformation onCurrent Issuesof journalsInformation onresearch workInformation ongovernmentpoliciesOthers/PleasespecifyVery oftenFreq·A.1233.3OftenFreqSomettmeFreq .%1026.316- -42s%Do 5.61538.4142.335.8466.7- -From table 3 above, shows that majority 97.6%of the respondents stated that they needinformation on their research work. Thisfollowed· by 92.2% of the respondentsindicating that they need information on Fromtable 3 above, shows that majority 97.6% of therespondents stated that they need informationon their research work. This followed by 92.2%of the respondents indicating that they needinformation on current issues of journals,66.7% stated that they need information onother areas such as professional journals,official publications, professional colleagues,Newspapers and magazines, information onprofessional association. The table also showsthat 64% of the respondents often needinformation on government policies, 59.6%stated that they need information on generalknowledge and only 16 (42.18) of therespondents emphasized that they sometimesneed information on general knowledge. Thisimplies that researchers at the Benson IdahosaUniversity have great deal of informationneeds which need to be satisfied by theuniversity library.2 33.3TOTALTable 5: Information UseNeverFreqFrequency ofinfor tion ase-%SometimesFreq%Always%FreqOftenFreq%Very OftenFreq%PeopleInformationabout,Institution & CompaniesI2.6IS39.5615.81026.3615.8Results on Scholarly researchI2.6615.4410.3615.42256.4Information for performing yourtask & about .yourfieldInformationresearchfor lcc:turing&Table 5abov - -·6shows that the respondents.indicated that they use information about theirBoyero Journal of Library and Information Sciences: Volume I, Number .I (Maiden Edition)29

-A SURVEY OF INFORMATION NEEDS AND USE BY RESEARCHERS AT BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN CITYTable 5 above shows that the respondentsindicated that they use information forperforming their task & responsibilities andinformation on lecturing and research. This isfolJqwed by 97.4%·efthe respondents who useinformation on people, institution andcompanies, while those who use the results onscholarly research and information accountedfor 97.5% and 82.1% of the respondentsTable 6: Types of Information Resources use by theResearchers in Benson ldoha nteractTextbookResearch PublicationProfessional JournalsConference PapersDissertation and ThesisColleagues and FriendsReference SourcesAbstract and IndexCD Rom SearchBulletin and PamphletsPatentsPERCENTAGEINTERMS OF .6%27%13.9%.' The above table has summarized the types ofinformation resources used by the researchersbased on the findings from the study. TheInternet has been the most used informationresources that the researchers at Benson IdohaUniven!ity used with the highest frequency of85%, this followed by text books with 78.1%while the least most use information resourcesis patent with 13.9%. This implies that theInternet is the most used information resourcesby the researchers, and the high j ercentagerecorded on the use of the Internet could be asa result of its accessibility, easy to use and theavailability and the current resources availableon the Internet. While the high percentage oftext books could be as result of . theiravailability in the library.indicated that they use information about theirfield in general. This implies that majority oftherespondents use information for one reason orthe other, but the extent of utilization is notascertained as majority use the informationvery often. This could be attributed to the factthat the information resources are notadequately provided or is not inline with theirinformation needs.Table 7: Problems militating against access and useof Information by ResearchersHindering factors toinformation utilizationfor research work.,.Lack or knowledge mation resourcesLack of adequate timeto go and seek forinformationorRelevantLackinformation availablein the libraryLack of fund to accessinformation resourcesLack of local contentsLack of ICT . /. The table above shows that majority (95.2 %)of the respondents indicated that lack ofrelevant information available in the library isthe most militating factor against their use ofinformation. This followed by lack of localcontents with 88.1 %, while lack knowledge toaccess relevant information resources with has66.7% of the respondents. Other hinderingfactors to effective information utilization areofrelevantinformationunavailabilityresources, lack of time to seek for informationand lack of fund to access informationaccounted for 52.4% respectively. In addition,the table indicated that the least hinderingfactor to information utilization according thisstudy is lack of ICT facilities, this means thereare so many factors that hinder informationutilization by researchers . at Benson IdohaUniversity.ANDVIII.CONCLUSIONRECOMMENDATIONIn conclusion, it is glaring from the findings ofthe study that researchers at Benson IdohaUniversity have information needs and theyuse variety of information resources availableto them to satisfy their needs. The results ofBoyero Journal of Library and Information Sciences: Volume I, Number I (Maiden Edition)30I

A SURVEY OF INFORMATION NEEDS AND USE BY RESEARCHERS AT BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN CITYthis small-scale study indicate that researchersneed immediate access to high-qualityinformation for their research activities. Theyneed factual material to answer questions thatexceed the scope of their routme practice.Therefore, information must be immediatelyaccessible, concise, high quality, and up-todate to the researchers.Information Centres Vol. 1 (2) 19 26.(1986).Bruchi, J. and Grudaltski, G.Information System Theory andpractice. New York: John Wiley.Echezonam, A. I. (2010). Evaluating InternetInformation. Seminar Paper presentedto the Department of Library andInformation Science Nnadi AzikiweUniversity,Awka.Understanding the researchers informationneed is important just as an understanding oftheir information seeking behaviour.Researchers need to be empowered withadequate, relevant and up-to-date informationto assist them in tfieir various roles.Jerome, ldiegbeyan-Ose, (2007). InformationResearchers agreed that they use informationNeeds and pattern of utilization byfor a variety of purposes and primarily thescience and Technology researchersInternet and books are their maJor sources ofin Edo and Delta State, Nigeria.information. Effort must not be spared inMaster's Thesis Submitted to theproviding them with the requisite types,Department of Library, Archival andsources, methods and formats that can enhance ·their information seeking behaviour. This mustInformation Studies, University ofinclude both the traditional print media and thelbadan.newer technologies offereo by ICT and theInternet.Laloo, B. T. (2002) Information Needs,Information seeking Behaviour andTo be able to do this, information professionalsneed to understand the structure of theUsers. Publication New Delhi.researchers' information needs. And since theirinformation needs are of diverse nature, theirNeelameghan, A. (1981). Some issues ininformation requirements must be captured ininformation Transfer: A Third Worldany information programme designed to servePerspective.IFLAJournal7 (1) 8 18.their need. As a result, they must be assisted inthe accessibility and use of both formal andTheinformal sources of information.Nwokedi, V. C. and Ogundare, T. (2003).identified problems must be properly solved toStudies on the information Needs andenhance access to information, oeanng in mindseeking Benhaviour of Science basedthat this is the essence of striving to understandPostgraduatestudents in a Nigeriathe researchers' information needs. LibrariesUniversity:Acasestudy of Universityand information centres' collections mustof Jos. Bornu Library Archival andendeavour to provide adequate information tocarter for the variety of information needs thatinformation Science journal Vol. 2 (11)include organizational, professional and232.personal. Tliis is because the roles which theresearchers undertake are of various forms. InOdusanya, 0. K. and Amusa, 0. I. (2003).so doing, accessibility of information willInformation Needs and Informationimprove and impact positively on librarians'seeking Habits aofScience Lecturers atand information professionals understandingof the structure of the patterns of informationOlabisis Onabanjo University, Agoneeds of researchers.Iwoye Samaru journal of InformationStudies Vol. 30 (1) 42 48.VIII. REFERENCESAdetoro, Niran (2004). Pattern of informationprovision and Needs amongcommercial motorcycle operators iriselected ljebu Towns, Ogun State.Owana journal of Library andInformation Science Vol. 1 (1) 109119.Okiy, Rose Bini (2003). Availability andUtilization of OccupationalInformation as correlates ofoccupational Income of Rural womenin the submitted to the Department ofArchival and Information StudiesUniversity oflbadan.Adimorah, E. N. 0.,(1993).InformationNeeds of Scientist and Technologists inNigeria Leading Libraries andUhegbu, A. N. (2001-). The nformation User:Issues and Themes. John Jacob'sclassic, Enugu.Boyero Journal of Library and Information Sciences: Volume I, Number I (Maiden Edition)31

consciously or unconsciously makes use of information for his/her activities. This shows that an individrud does not need to be a researcher to use information. However, as a researcher, a person's level of recognition become higher and can regard information as vital r