Qualitative Study on Information Retrieval Support for Postgraduate Students at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria: Challenges and Strategic Interventions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.2026539Keywords:
Information Literacy and retrieval; postgraduate students; Ahmadu Bello University; Nigeria; digital librariesAbstract
The digital transformation of academic libraries has fundamentally restructured information access, shifting scholarly discovery from physical card catalogues to sophisticated online databases and institutional repositories. At Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, postgraduate students navigate this evolving landscape while simultaneously managing information overload and intense academic pressures. The strategies these students employ for information retrieval significantly influence their research efficiency and overall academic success. Synthesizing evidence from existing literature, this paper reveals that ABU postgraduate students utilize a hybrid repertoire of retrieval mechanisms including OPAC, institutional repositories, and Google Scholar yet consistently encounter formidable obstacles: erratic internet connectivity, prohibitive bandwidth costs, and inadequate search competencies. Critically, the majority of students lack formal training in Boolean logic and advanced search techniques, resulting in information overload and what scholars term "library anxiety." These barriers are not merely technological but are deeply embedded in pedagogical approaches and institutional support structures. This paper proposes a multi-pronged strategic intervention framework: mandating a credit bearing information literacy course, enhancing off campus access infrastructure, establishing peer led research support clinics, and investing in continuous professional development for librarians. With targeted training and robust support systems, postgraduate students can more effectively navigate the digital information ecosystem, thereby enhancing research output and scholarly productivity.
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