1.1 Background of the study.
Uttor (1999) defined information as data
value in planning, decision making and evaluation of any programme. He
goes further to say that it is a data that have been subjected to some
processing functions capable of answering user’s query be it recorded,
summarized, or simply collected that would help decision making. It is
well understood in terms of books, journals, magazines, public and
private sector documents of all kinds, whether published for mass
circulation or unpublished and restricted or confidential in nature,
results of research efforts which are made available to colleagues in
form of reports, books articles and non-printed materials. From all
these definitions, it is apparent that information is crucial to man’s
survival.
Looking at the history of mankind, we
find that each century has witnessed different transformations.
Accordingly, there has been new emphasis and shift in educational
processes (Mangal, 2001, p.1). Education is an activity or process,
which modifies the behavior of a person from instinctive to human
behavior (Taneja, 2003, p.9). This definition reveals the innate truth
that education aims at discovering aptitudes as well as to progressively
prepare man for social activity; because of this, education through
which the basic needs (food, shelter and clothing) are provided is
necessary for the survival of the society.
Inspite of the fact that institutions of
higher learning in Africa are generally aware of the impact, if not
indispensability of ICT on teaching, learning and research, ICT is still
rarely utilized to enrich teaching and learning activities in many
universities because of the absence of connectivity in the institutions.
institutions In another dimension, even when the connectivity is
available, the level of accessibility and utilization is still poorly
low. In some institutions, students’ access is still generally poor,
while only the teachers and support staff use the ICT facilities can be
described as an individual’s way and manner of gathering and sourcing
for information for personal use, knowledge updating and development.
Faire-Wessels (1990:361 in Kakai et al, 2004) referred to it as the way
people search for and utilize information.
Kakai et al. (2004) observed that, often
students’ information seeking behaviour involves active or purposeful
information as a result of the need to complete course assignment,
prepare for class discussions seminars, workshops, conferences, or write
final year research papers. To (Fister, 1992:168) undergraduate
students may be smart people, but they are still finding the process of
research intimidating. Fister explained that these students do not learn
the basic information skills; they only end up using trial and error
methods of research. This limits their capabilities to satisfy their
needs. Wilson’s 1996 model noted that in the process of seeking
information, problems are encountered (Mellon, 1986).
Study habits is a well planned and
deliberate pattern of study, which has attained a form of consistency on
the part of the students towards understanding academic subjects and
passing examination (Pauk, 1962; Deese, 1952; Akinboye, 1974 cited by
Oyedeji). Therefore, study can be interpreted as a planned program of
subject matter master. According to Crow and Crow, (2007), the chief
purposes of study are: to acquire knowledge and habits which will be
useful in meeting new situations, interpreting ideas, making judgments
creating new ideas and to perfect skills. Therefore, successful
achievement in any form of academic activity is based upon study,
interpretation and application. Everyone has different study habits. All
often, students perform poorly in school simply because they lack good
study habits. In many cases, students do not know where to begin. Those
students in high school who succeed especially well usually study alone
and follow a study technique that has been worked out by them and that
incorporates desirable procedures. Good health, sufficient sleep,
appropriate exercise and nutritious diet are essential to achievement of
good study results. Study conditions that are unfavorable include
inadequate lighting, extremes of temperatures, humidity, poor posture,
subnormal physical conditions and emotional disturbance.x
1.2 Statement of the problem.
Information seeking behaviour habit is
important in the life of a student. It guarantee success in his/ her
studies. Therefore the need arise to compare the information seeking
behaviour of social science students and education students of Lead city
University.
1.3 Objective of the study.
The main objective of the study is to
compare the information seeking behaviour habit of social science
students and education students of Lead City university.
1.4 Research Questions.
What is the meaning of information?
What is Information seeking behaviour?
What is the information seeking behaviour of social science students compare to that of education students?
1.5 Significance of the study.
The study will help in examining and
comparing the information seeking behaviour habit of social science
students and education students in Lead City university. This study will
also help to determine effective measures to improve information
seeking behaviour habit among students of Lead city university.
1.6 Scope of the study.
This study focus on the comparative
study of information seeking behaviour habit of social science students
and education students of Lead city university.
1.7 Limitation of the study.
This study is limited to social science students and education students of Lead city university.
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