Determinants of Undergraduate Students’ Attitude and Perception towards the Use of Electronic Information Resources (EIRs) among Undergraduate Students in Selected Universities in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the attitudinal behavior and perceptions of undergraduate students in University of Fort Hare and Rhodes, towards their utilization of e-information resources (EIRs). The essence was to ascertain whether their attitude and perception have a positive or negative impact on e-resource use in selected universities in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The purposive and proportionate stratified random sampling techniques were employed in selecting the study population and sample size while questionnaire and oral interview were used as instruments for data collection. The findings revealed that the respondents usually encounter difficulties which negatively influence their attitudes and behavior towards e-resource use. They assume that additional special computing skills are required before one can be competent enough to effectively utilize these resources. In carrying out this research, a total of 377 copies of the questionnaire were randomly distributed to undergraduate students in all the faculties of both institutions, and the results were analyzed using the Statistical Package of the social Sciences (SPSS Version 32). Additionally, hypotheses were tested in order to validly make assertions based on the collected data, and the results state that perception and attitude of undergraduate students affect their utilization of E-journals. Recommendations were made, and these include the need for mass enlightenment campaign on the use and benefits of E-resources among undergraduate students through training and re-training, seminars, and workshops.

Attitude of Students about E-resources for Academic and Research Work in Agriculture Universities of Uttar Pradesh

“…Thus, it can be concluded that students (Post-Graduate and Ph.D. level) of agriculture universities had a positive and favourable attitude towards e-resources but require proper exposure and training at the right time for the better utilization of all e-resources. The present findings are in line with the findings of Kumbar [13], Radjagopal and Chinnasamy [14], Novamaka [15], Sepahpanah et al [16], Oresanya and Oresanya [6], Viswanathan and Sasireka [17], Kumar and Anjaiah [18], Anhwere [19], Mishra [8] and Olatoye et al [20] who indicated that majority of the scholars agreed that Electronic information sources provide predecessors different opportunities for career development and -resources make life easier and comfortable by e-shopping, e-ticket, ebanking etc. Whereas, Borthakur and Chandra [21] reported that majority of respondents (90%) viewed viruses, hackers, and pornographic websites as the three biggest drawbacks of using the internet, followed by misuse (80%), harm to Indian culture (70%), time wastage (60%) and contribution to the web world (50%).…”

Cyber ethics adherence and the use of electronic information resources by undergraduates in public universities in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria

“…According to Quadri et al (2014), undergraduates use EIRs to retrieve accurate, adequate, relevant and up-to-date information for class assignments, seminars, writing term papers and projects. Olatoye et al (2020) attributed the patronage of EIRs by undergraduates to the fact that e-information resources are time-saving and have the capacity to provide users with advanced functionality features beyond what is achievable in printed format. Similarly, Andreou (as cited in Omeluzor et al , 2016) also describes some of the advantages of using EIRs to include: quick search, ability to make complicated searches using a combination of keywords, enables simultaneous searching and saving of multiple files by users, possibility of being printed and can be updated more often than printed tools.…”

“…Nevertheless, literature have indicated that the undergraduates use EIRs and services much more than any other category of students in the university (Olatoye et al , 2020). Consequently, it can be presumed that they are more prone to plagiarism, violation of copyright laws and other unethical issues.…”

“…Consequently, it can be presumed that they are more prone to plagiarism, violation of copyright laws and other unethical issues. This is especially so as universities do not deny legitimate access and use of EIRs by any student (Olatoye et al , 2020). Buttressing this view, Masrom et al (2012) opine that EIRs have further increased the tendency of undergraduates to misuse information by engaging in plagiarism, copyright breaches and other legal and moral issues as they continually navigate and evaluate various electronic information sources to complement their academic work.…”