Digital literacy and online information searching strategies as determinants of electronic resources’ use among undergraduates of selected universities in Nigeria

Abstract

Electronic resources are acquired in line with global best practices to impact the academic performance of undergraduates in higher educational institutions. However, literature has shown that electronic resources are not optimally used by undergraduates in Nigeria. This study, therefore, assessed how digital literacy and online information searching strategies determine electronic resources' use among undergraduates of selected universities in Nigeria. The probability sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents for the study. The multi-stage sampling method was used to select 450 students from the three selected universities which formed the sample size of the study. Data was collected using the questionnaire on the digital literacy level of the students and the Tsai (2009) Online Information Searching Strategies Inventory (OISSI). A total of 450 copies of the questionnaire was administered, while 383 copies were filled, returned, and found valid for analysis. Findings showed that the undergraduates had a high level of digital literacy and their use of electronic resources was high. Online Information Searching Strategies Inventory and Digital Literacy jointly predicted the undergraduates’ electronic resources’ use significantly. This study, therefore, recommends continuous digital literacy skills training for undergraduates in Nigerian universities which would make them gain knowledge of the requisite skills necessary for the optimal use of electronic resources.