ASSESSING THE AWARENESS, AVAILABILITY AND USE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICES BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF LAFIA

This study investigates the awareness, availability and utilization of information resources and its influence on the research output of undergraduate students at Federal University of Lafia. Information resources play a pivotal role in academic research, serving as vital tools for students to access current knowledge, develop research skills, and contribute meaningfully to their fields of study. The objectives of this research include assessing the extent to which undergraduates utilize available information resources and examining the impact these resources have on their academic research output. The research employed a descriptive survey design, with a total population of 385 undergraduate students. From this population, a sample size of 200 respondents was selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The findings of the study reveal that although most students have access to a variety of information resources, the level of utilization is moderate, with certain challenges hindering full exploitation of these resources. Furthermore, the study demonstrates a positive relationship between the effective use of information resources and enhanced research output. The study concludes with recommendations for improving access to, and usage of, information resources, aiming to boost undergraduate research productivity at the Federal University of Lafia.