Impact of Internet on Postgraduate Research
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The manifest aim of this study was ostensibly to:
- Study the impact of the internet for research in institution of higher learning.
- Asses the usefulness of the internet as a tool for interactive research on postgraduate studies.
- Determine the benefit of the internet in advancing research abilities and techniques of postgraduate students.
- Find out the achievements and the level of its impact on postgraduates.
- Evaluate the postgraduate wiliness and readiness to use the internet as a research tools.
- Find out the level of use of interest among postgraduate.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
The Internet is an inseparable part of today’s educational system. The academic increasingly depends on the Internet for educational purposes (Gupta & Sanocki, 2002). It was observed recently that majority of academic and research institutions provide Internet service to students, teachers, and researchers (Kaur, 2008). Advancement in technology is also another factor that brings major impacts on education (Underwood 2003).Many tertiary institutions around the world are expanding their investment in information technology (IT), especially the Internet, and are actively promoting Internet usage in tertiary education (Al-Nuaimy, Zhang & Noble, 2001; Gupta & Sanocki, 2002) The use of the Internet for learning is seen as a means to improve accessibility, efficiency and quality of learning by facilitating access to resources and service as well as remote exchanges and collaboration (Kamba 2009). Within the Nigerian context, many people have attributed students’ non-challant attitude to reading which culminates in mass failure of students in examinations to the use of the Internet (Alakpodia 2010). Internet’s seemingly infinite information offers access to up-to-date research reports and global knowledge so it has become an important component of electronic services in academic institutions. Therefore, the Internet has become a valuable tool for learning, teaching and research (including collaborative research) in Nigeria (Nwokedi, 2007). Ogedebe (2012) in his study found that 79% of the respondents accepted that their academic performance has been improved by using the internet, while 13% believed otherwise, 8% made no response to that question. The study also revealed that 65% of the respondents were computer literate, while 29% were not, 6% of the respondents neglected the question. The study further revealed that 8% of the respondents believed that their GPA has been improved remarkably as a result of the internet, 6% agreed that their GPA has been declining, 28% responded that it aids them in preparing better for CA and semester examination while 22% were indifferent about the options and therefore did not respond. In the study of Aqil and Ahmad (2011) it was found that 47 (52.64%) users rated the utility of Internet based information services as average for their academic purposes, while 36 (39.56%) users rated the Internet as high. Moreover, 6 (6.59%) and 2 (2.19%) rated it as low and very low respectively. Wagner (1998) saw internet as a forum that promote group discussion which is time and distance independent. The World Wide Web service provided by the internet with over 5 million web sites allows students from all disciplines to source for relevant information.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine impact of internet on postgraduate research. FUTO forms the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
TEST OF HYPOTHESIS
H0: there is no impact of the internet for research in institution of higher learning
H1: there is impact of the internet for research in institution of higher learning
H0: there is no benefit of the internet in advancing research abilities and techniques of postgraduate students
H2: there is benefit of the internet in advancing research abilities and techniques of postgraduate students
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain impact of internet on postgraduate research. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of internet on postgraduate research
Summary
This study was on impact of internet on postgraduate research. Two objectives were raised which included: study the impact of the internet for research in institution of higher learning, asses the usefulness of the internet as a tool for interactive research on postgraduate studies, determine the benefit of the internet in advancing research abilities and techniques of postgraduate students, Find out the achievements and the level of its impact on postgraduates, evaluate the postgraduate wiliness and readiness to use the internet as a research tools and find out the level of use of interest among postgraduate. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from FUTO. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The Internet has opened the door to a new way of learning. The wealth of information available therein exceeds that of any physical library. Of the various uses the internet can be put to, academic purpose occupies the highest enviable position as far as students are concerned. However, they face a lot of challenges using the internet for academic purpose. Such as incessant power outage and the disgusting network failure. The need exist for tertiary institutions to acquire high powered generators which will serve as backup in case of power outage. Cybercafé managements should see the need to invest more funds, not only for opening such, but also for proper maintenance. If cybercafés are provided with wireless access points, it will become possible for users to browse within the environments and thus enhance access to information needed especially to enhance academic performance. Tertiary institution should ensure that adequate internet services are been provided in their respective libraries, so as to enable students meet their information needs
Recommendation
More cybercafés should be licensed to operate within the campus Lecturers should do more in inculcating the habit of using the internet to students by giving them assignments that will compel them to use it academic purposes
Orientation training progammes should be organized by tertiary institutions at regular intervals so that the maximum users can improve their excellence or proficiency in the use of the Internet for academic purposes. More efficient technical staff should be appointed and they should always be present in the Internet section for expert advice.
References
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