International Journal of Education and Social Science www.ijessnet.com Vol. 1 No.

1; August 2014

The Use of Electronic Journals by Lecturers: A Case Study of University of Ibadan,

Nigeria

HUMPHREY O. NWAOGU
Systems Librarian
Crawford University Library
Faith City, Igbesa, Ogun State.

GOODLUCK I. IFIJEH
Serials Librarian
Centre for Learning Resources
Covenant University
Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State.

Abstract

This study investigated the use of electronic journals by lecturers of University of Ibadan,
Nigeria. The descriptive survey research was adopted for the study. Questionnaire was
used as the data collecting tool for this study. The population comprise of all faculties
(Lecturers) of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of four hundred and sixty-seven
questionnaires were filled and returned.
The study found that lecturers in the University of Ibadan use e-journals for personal and
academic reasons. It was also discovered that in their quest to use electronic journals,
lecturers face such challenges as low bandwidth, poor electricity supply etc. Solutions and
recommendations were however offered.

Keywords: University Library, Lecturers, Electronic Journals, Databases, University of Ibadan

Introduction
The importance of electronic information resources in library services cannot be over emphasized. One
of the most used electronic resources is electronic journal. Bush, King and Tenopir (2004) reported that
the first e-journal was created in the form of a project undertaken "to test networking computers as a
means of improving scientific communications." In 1976, the New Jersey Institute of Technology came
out with the first proto-type E-journal named Chimo - a weekly newsletter. Most of the e-journals came
into the picture in the 1990s, the most popular of them being Psycoloque edited by Stevan Hamad in
1989. By 1992 there was OJCCI (Online Journal of Current Clinical Trials), it was the first peer-
reviewed science journal with graphics and completely searchable full text.

Literature suggests that faculty’s use of e-journals might be influenced by many factors : subject
disciplines, academic positions, their local information environment of electronic resources, their
awareness of those resources, their age, their information needs etc., (Ojedokun and Owolabi, 2003)

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As academic institutions progressed towards the 21st century, increases in student numbers, distance
learning, changes in copyright licensing and lack of funding means that they have to look more closely
at the use of electronic resources in order to meet these challenges. The "wired campus" and "virtual
university" mean more users looking for electronic resources and increased pressure on libraries to
provide these services.
It is expected that academic institutions especially universities in Nigeria provide internet access to its
entire academic and support staff members, and the university library subscribes to a number of online
databases and full text journals. Thus libraries are using technology to improve, strengthen and speed up
access to scholarly information not held locally. However, though the facilities may be available, it is
not known how extensively academic staff members utilize them. Hence this paper seeks to investigate
and assess the use of e-journals by lecturers in Universities using the University of Ibadan, Nigeria as a
case study, thereby justifying the huge resource spent in acquiring them by their various universities.
Objectives of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to ascertain the extent of use of e-journals over conventional sources
of information for academic purpose on the various universities. Specifically the paper seeks:
(a) To identify the type of electronic journals available in university libraries.
(b) To determine the frequency of usage by lecturers
(c) To ascertain the benefits of e-journal over conventional source of information
(d) To determine the impact of e-journal on output of lecturer in Nigerian Universities.
(e) To identify the challenges lecturers encounter in the use of e-journals
Literature Review
Tenopir (2003) analyzed the results of over 200 studies of the use of electronic resources in libraries
published between 1995 and 2003. The main conclusion of this review was that electronic journals have
been rapidly adopted in academic spheres, though the behaviour varies according to the discipline.
Brockman, William. S. et al. (2001) also reviewed the conclusions of several papers that used log
analysis to study the use and users of electronic journals. These papers gave contradictory conclusions
on the volume of use of subscriptions though there was a high degree of concentration in the use of the
titles and a clear preference for PDF rather than HTML format. They also provided interesting
information on the behavior patterns of users and the growing preference for searching to the detriment
of browsing as the main means of accessing information. The surveys of users of electronic journals
carried out so far have been summarized by Bar-Ilan. J, PeritzB .C and Wolman.Y (2003). They showed
that:
• Use of electronic journals increases with time.
• Age and/or academic position are inversely related to the use of electronic media and journals.
• There is a gradual reduction in the use of printed journals as users prefer and use the electronic
format more.
• With increased use, users access the electronic format more frequently.
• The use of a journal is not necessarily an indication of the preference of users. There may be an
increase in the acceptance and frequency of use of the electronic format merely because the
traditional print format is no longer easily available.

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• When respondents were asked about the advantages of electronic journals, accessibility and desktop
access, home access, ease of retrieval and hyperlinks to outside content were the arguments cited
most often. On the other hand, the disadvantages of electronic journals mentioned most often were
the lack of back issues and problems with reading a text from the computer screen. One of the
aspects most analyzed in the studies of users carried out so far is that of the variables determining
their behavior in the use of electronic resources. Ehikhamenor, F.A. (2003) asserted that different
behaviours can be identified according to variables such as discipline, age and academic position.
With regard to the discipline, it seems that teaching and research staff in exact and natural (hard)
sciences, who were in fact the first to adopt electronic journals, are the most active users of titles in
electronic format. This may be related to the fact that, according to several studies, involvement in
research is the best predictor of the use of electronic resources (Tenopir, 2003)
Palmer. and Sandler (2003 investigated the effective factors in using e-resources – Internet and optic
disc- among faculty members of Shiraz University. This research was done to find the incentives and
obstacles in using e-resources in order to adapt information system to the faculty members ‘needs. The
results show that use of both Internet and optic disc are affected by factors such as gender, scientific
rank and educational degree, amount of computer skills and instructions for using e- resources. The
barriers for using such resources were divided into individual problems and those problems resulting
from the information systems. Unfamiliarity with e-resources, need of tutorial courses and shortage of
time were found as individual obstacles, while the information systems’ problems were identified as
uneasy access, expenses, and technical and practical limitations (Cockrell and Elaine 2002).One clear
way to solve the problem of expenses and funding is through library networking of co-operation
(Ejimofo and Ohaji, 2008).
Research Methodology
The descriptive survey research was adopted for the study. Questionnaire was used as the data collecting
tool for this study. The population comprise of all faculties (Lecturers) of the University of Ibadan,
Nigeria. A total of four hundred and sixty-seven questionnaires were filled and returned. The collected
data was analyzed descriptively using statistical tables where necessary and other statistical
computations like percentage frequencies for an appropriate summary.

Data Analysis and Result

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Table 1: kinds of electronic journals available in library databases

s/n E-journals A NA NRA RA Mean S.D

1 SCIENCE DIRECT JOURNALS 105 51 112 199 2.87 1.19
22.5% 10.9% 24.0% 42.6%
2 AGORA 130 62 132 143 2.62 1.19
27.8% 13.3% 28.3% 30.6%
7 JSTOR 128 82 101 156 2.61 1.21
27.4% 17.6% 21.6% 33.4%
5 NIGERIA VIRTUAL LIBRARY 138 62 127 140 2.58 1.20
29.6% 13.3% 27.2% 30.0%
6 EBSCOHOST 137 75 135 120 2.51 1.16
29.3% 16.1% 28.9% 25.7%
3 HINARI 154 75 123 115 2.43 1.18
33.0% 16.1% 26.3% 24.6%
4 OARES 144 87 138 98 2.41 1.13
30.8% 18.6% 29.6% 21.0%
8 DOAJ 169 95 110 93 2.27 1.15
36.2% 20.3% 23.6% 19.9%
9 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 183 109 110 65 2.12 1.08
AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL 39.2% 23.3% 23.6% 13.9%
SOCIETY
10 TRANSACTION OF THE 200 106 101 60 2.04 1.08
AMERICAN PATHOLOGICAL 42.8% 22.7% 21.6% 12.8%
SOCIETY

Key: A – Available, NA – Not available, NRA – Not readily available, RA – Readily available
The table above shows the list of electronic journals available in the library databases of the
respondents: SCIENCE DIRECT JOURNALS (Mean=2.87) ranked highest by the mean score ratings
and was followed by AGORA (Mean=2.62), JSTOR (Mean=2.61), NIGERIA VIRTUAL LIBRARY
(Mean=2.58), EBSCOHOST (Mean=2.51), HINARI (Mean=2.43), OARES (Mean=2.41), DOAJ
(Mean=2.27), PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY (Mean=2.12) and
lastly TRANSACTION OF THE AMERICAN PATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (Mean=2.04).
Table 2: Categories of Lecturers who make use of the e-journals
Categories of lectures Frequency Percentage
Assistance lecturer 150 32
Lecturer II 100 22
Lecturer I 100 22
Senior lecturer 83 .17
Professor 34 7
Total 467 100.0

Table 2 shows the categories of Lecturers who use e-journals as recorded in the study: 232(49.7%)
Assistant Lecturers, 34(7.3%) Lecturers I, 199(42.6%) Senior Lecturers 2(.4%) making a total of
467(100.0%)

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Table 3: Frequency of Use by Lecturers

Frequency of patronage N %
Every day 65 13.9
Once a week 145 31.1
1-3 times a week 50 10.7
4-5 times a week 40 8.6
Once in 2 weeks 67 14.3
1-3 times a month 50 10.7
4-5 times a month 50 10.7
Not at all - -
Total 467 100

Table 3 above shows the frequency of usage of e-journals by the respondents. Majority of the
respondents (145 or 31.1%) make use of e-journals once a week..
Table 4: Impact of e-journals on the academic responsibility and pursuit of respondents

Items SA A D SD Mean S.D

It helps me do all my academic 237 154 64 12 1.68 .80
work 50.7% 33.0% 13.7% 2.6%
I need it for my academics 243 163 30 31 1.68 .86
52.0% 34.9% 6.4% 6.6%
It gives me relevant 236 170 38 23 1.67 .82
information on any subject 50.5% 36.4% 8.1% 4.9%
It helps me collect information 244 165 34 24 1.65 .83
related to my subject field 52.2% 35.3% 7.3% 5.1%
It also help to upgrade general 252 157 31 27 1.64 .84
knowledge 54.0% 33.6% 6.6% 5.8%
I can have access to related 245 167 41 14 1.62 .77
studies 52.5% 35.8% 8.8% 3.0%
It helps me in writing good 265 153 31 18 1.58 .78
literature review 56.7% 32.8% 6.6% 3.9%
It helps me in research 292 133 20 22 1.51 .79
62.5% 28.5% 4.3% 4.7%
It helps me to write a good 309 123 14 21 1.46 .76
background relevant to my 66.2% 26.3% 3.0% 4.5%
discipline

Key : SD – strongly disagree, D – Disagree, A – Agree, SA – Strongly agree

Listed above are the responses on the importance of e-journals to the academic responsibility and
pursuit of the respondents:
I can easily lay hands on required information resources (Mean=1.72) ranked highest by the mean
ratings and was followed by It helps me do all my academic work (Mean=1.68), I need it for my
academics (Mean=1.68), It gives me relevant information on any subject (Mean=1.67), It helps me
collect information related to my subject field (Mean=1.65), It also helps to upgrade general knowledge
(Mean=1.64), I can have access to related studies (Mean=1.62), It helps me in writing good literature
review (Mean=1.58), It helps me in research (Mean=1.51) and It helps me to write a good background
relevant to my discipline (Mean=1.46).
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Table 5: The advantages of e-journals over other information resources

s/n Benefits factors SD D A SA Mean S.D

1 More convenient them visiting
41 38 144 244 3.27 .94
a resources centre 8.8% 8.1% 30.8% 52.2%
5 There is wider choice of titles
33 42 194 198 3.19 .87
7.1% 9.0% 41.5% 42.4%
3 You can have a 24\7 hours 45 60 178 184 3.07 .95
access 9.6% 12.8% 38.1% 39.4%
6 It is always up to date 43 69 168 187 3.07 .96
9.2% 14.8% 36.0% 40.0%
2 You can have an off campus 54 37 203 173 3.06 .95
access 11.6% 7.9% 43.5% 37.0%
4 It helps with multimedia 39 49 223 156 3.06 .88
content 8.4% 10.5% 47.8% 33.4%

Above is response on the main advantages of e-journals to the respondents:

More convenient then visiting a resources centre (Mean=3.27) ranked highest by the mean ratings and
was followed by there is wider choice of titles (Mean=3.19), You can have a 24\7 hour’s access
(Mean=3.07), It is always up to date (Mean=3.07), You can have an off campus access (Mean=3.06) and
lastly by It helps with multimedia content (Mean=3.06).
Table 6: The challenges of using e-journals
S/N Challenging factors L.E A.E GE VGE Mean S.D
1 Lack of knowledge of and 152 100 82 133 2.42 1.21
inability to use computer 32.5% 21.4% 17.6% 28.5%
systems
2 Limited access to computer 132 144 66 125 2.39 1.16
and internet 28.3% 30.8% 14.1% 26.8%
8 Health hazards occasioned by 138 128 93 108 2.37. 1.14
the nature of radiators from 29.6% 27.4% 19.9% 23.1%
monitor
3 Too much information 142 145 93 87 2.27 1.09
retrieved 30.4% 31.0% 19.9% 18.6%
4 Speed of access is limited 158 169 90 50 2.07 .98
33.8% 36.2% 19.3% 10.7%
6 Lack of efficiency of electronic 185 143 82 57 2.02 1.03
information retrieval 39.6% 30.6% 17.6% 12.2%
7 Restrictions from vendors 183 151 82 51 2.00 1.00
39.2% 32.3% 17.6% 10.9%
5 Lack of adequate power supply 234 141 58 34 1.77 .93
50.1% 30.2% 12.4% 7.3%
9 Challenges with printing out 146 - - - .31 .46
papers 31.3%

Key :L.E – Low extent, A.E – Average extent, G.E – Great extent, VGE – Very great extent

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Shown above are the responses on the main challenges encountered by the respondents using the e-
journals: Lack of knowledge and non used to computer environment (Mean=2.42) ranked highest by the
mean ratings and was followed by Limited access to computer (Mean=2.39), Health hazards nature of
radiators from monitor (Mean=2.37), Too much information retrieved (Mean=2.27), Speed of access is
limited (Mean=2.07), Lack of efficiency of electronic information retrieval (Mean=2.02), Restrictions
from vendors (Mean=2.00), Lack of adequate power supply (Mean=1.77) and lastly by Challenges with
printing out papers (Mean=.31).
Recommendations
1. The Library needs to acquire more databases to provide more and better options for access to e-
journals
2. There is need to acquire more internet bandwidth so as to facilitate the speed of access to e –
journals
3. Provision of stable electricity supply should not be jeopardized
4. The library should also carry out user training programmes for lecturers with the aim of imbibing
internet search skills
Conclusion
This study found that lecturers in the University of Ibadan use e-journals for personal and academic
reasons. This clearly shows that academic life has been drastically changed by the advent of e-journals.
Thus, development has been fueled by t he advancement in computers and telecommunications
technology. In the past if a library did not subscribe to a journal, a researcher would have a difficult time
locating the journal from other libraries. But today, journals have become available in electronic format
through subscriptions Most times e-journals come through database aggregators like EBSCOHOST,
SCIENCE DIRECT, AGORA, etc. However, this study observed that lecturers face such challenges as
low bandwith, poor electricity supply etc. It is therefore important that relevant authorities proffer
solutions to these challenges, so that users could make effective and efficient use of e-journals.

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