Accessibility and Utilization of Electronic Information Resources for Research Activities in Agricultural Research Institutes in Kaduna State, Nigeria

The study investigated the level of accessibility and utilization of electronic information resources in Agricultural Research Institutes in Kaduna state. The major objective of the study is to ascertain the access, purposes and extent of utilization of EIRs for research activities in IAR, NAPRI and NAERLS. The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional survey on a sampled 187 researchers from the population of 373 research scientists using Israel, Glenn (2003) table of determining sample size. Data were collected using questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study used Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Information Technology (UTAUT) model to assess the success of introduction of technology to research activities in Agricultural Research Institutes. The findings revealed a high level accessibility of electronic information resources and high extent rate of utilization for research activities. Research scientists access relevant EIRs on the Internet through passwords obtained from the institutes’ libraries and Agricultural CD-ROM for their research activities. E-books and E-Journals, On-line databases and CD-ROM/DVD are used for Laboratory and/or Field Research purposes to ensure qualitative research. The Regression Analysis rejected the null hypothesis which found that accessibility of EIRs have statistically significant correlation with utilization (r=0.763, N=127, r2=0.582 p<0.031) for enhancing research activities in Agricultural Research Institutes in Kaduna State. The general conclusion of the research is that high level of accessibility of EIRs and high extent rate of utilization will significantly enhance research activities. The study recommended ARIs in Kaduna state should indulge the timely interventions of stakeholders in investments on ICT infrastructural facilities, computer networks and provide more access point and improve the networking facilities in the institutes