Influence of Information Use on Academic Productivity of Lecturers in Babcock University, Nigeria

Abstract

The quality of teaching, research and publications of lecturers depends on the quality of the information sources and services used by them. When quality information sources are available and lecturers put them to effective use, their work can improve. In spite of this, it is observed that lecturers do not maximally utilize information sources. As a result of this, there is under-productivity of some lecturers. It is in the light of this, that this study investigated information use and academic productivity of lecturers in Babcock University. The study adopted a descriptive research design. A total enumerative sampling technique was used with research instrument tagged: “Information use and academic productivity questionnaire”. Out of 209 copies of questionnaires distributed for data collection, only 148 of them were returned with 71 percent of response rate. The findings indicated that there was a positive relationship between Information Sources Availability and Academic Productivity of lecturers (r = .463**, N= 148, P < .05); significant relationship between Information Sources Utilization and Academic Productivity of lecturers (r = .535**, N= 148, P < .05); and significant positive influence of information availability on lecturers information use (r = .688**, N= 148, P < .05).As up-to-date, relevant and timely information sources are made available to lecturers; their academic productivity may keep on improving. This paper recommends therefore, that library administrators ensure that timely, relevant and up to date information sources are made available coupled with the modern information technology facilities for lecturers to use so that their academic productivity can  be better.

Key words: information availability, information utilization, academic productivity, lecturers, information seeking behavior