PERCEIVED ROLE OF THE INTERNET AS A RESEARCH TOOL AMONG FINAL-YEAR STUDENTS OF MASS COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

Abstract Perceived Role of the Internet as a Research Tool Among Final-Year Students of Mass Communication Department This study examined the perceived role of the internet as a research tool among final-year students of the Mass Communication Department. The rapid development of internet technology has significantly transformed academic research, making information more accessible and easier to retrieve. The study aimed to determine how final-year Mass Communication students perceive the internet in terms of accessibility, reliability, speed, and usefulness for academic research. It also examined the frequency of internet usage, the purposes for which students use the internet, and the challenges they encounter while using it as a research tool. The study adopted the survey research method, using a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of final-year students in the Mass Communication Department. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentages and frequency tables. The findings revealed that most final-year students perceive the internet as a very important and convenient research tool due to its speed, availability of diverse information sources, and ease of communication. However, the study also found that some students face challenges such as poor internet connectivity, high cost of data subscription, and difficulty in identifying credible sources online. The study concluded that the internet plays a significant role in enhancing academic research among Mass Communication students, as it provides quick access to journals, articles, and other relevant academic materials. The study recommended that students should be trained on how to access credible academic databases and online libraries, and that institutions should provide affordable and reliable internet access to students to improve the quality of their research work. Keywords: Internet, Research Tool, Mass Communication Students, Academic Research, Information Access.