INFORMATION NEEDS AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITIES IN BENUE STATE

The study investigated the information needs and research activities of postgraduates in universities in Benue State. Two specific objectives with corresponding research questions guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for the study was 3821 postgraduate students in the three universities in Benue State (Benue State University, University of Agriculture, Makurdi and University of Mkar, Mkar). The sample size of 362 postgraduates from the three universities under study was selected using proportionate stratified and convenience sampling techniques. Data collected was analyzed using Frequency Counts, Percentages, Means and Standard Deviation. Findings of the study revealed the research activities of postgraduate students in universities in Benue State to include: academic information, employment information, entertainment information, jobs update and global information, information for personal development and political information among others. The findings also revealed the methods used by library staff in meeting the information needs of postgraduate students in university libraries in Benue State. The methods used are: internet; conference; library; Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI); Current Awareness Services (CAS). It was concluded that Library information resources are vital ingredients in academic libraries for meeting the information needs of postgraduate students. The study recommended that the University management should ensure adequate funding of university libraries to enhance the availability of information resources; University libraries should provide programmes that could train their students in up-to-date 21st century skills of information retrieval; University Library management should ensure that its staff develop positive attitudes towards users for effective dissemination of information on new trends in the library