CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
This chapter provides an overview of the research findings and their
discussion, structured into the following subheadings:
Questionnaire Response Rate
Analysis of the Respondents' Bio-data
Answering of the Research Questions
Discussion of Findings
Questionaires Response Data
Table 1: Questionaires Response Data
Number of
Number of
Percentage of
Questionnaires
Questionnaires returned questionnaires returned
Administered
200
176
88%
1
Out of the 200 questionnaires distributed to the respondents, 176 were
collected and found to be usable, resulting in a 88% response rate. This
response rate is deemed satisfactory for the study, surpassing the generally
accepted response rate of 60% for most research studies.
Analysis of the Respondents' Bio-data
Gender distribution of the Respondents
Table 2: Gender Distribution of the Respondents
Gender
Frequency
Percentage %
Male
63
36
Female
113
64
Total
176
100
Table 4 reveals that the study had a higher participation rate from female
respondents (64%) compared to male respondents (36%). This suggests that
female students were more actively involved in the study than their male
counterparts.
Age of the Respondents
Table 3: Distribution of the Respondents by Age
Age
Frequency
Percentage %
20 years and below
50
28
2
21 - 25 years
93
53
26 years and above
33
19
Total
176
100
The age distribution of the respondents is presented in the table. The data
indicates that 28% of the participants fall within the 20 years and below.
53% fall within the 21-25 age bracket, 19% belong to the 26 years and
above. This suggests that a significant majority of the respondents are
between 21 – 25 years old.
Marital Status
Table 4: Distribution of Respondents by marital status
Marital Status
Frequency
Percentage
Single
151
86
Married
25
14
Total
176
100
Table 4 reveals that the distribution of respondents by marital status. The
data indicate that 86% are single and 14% are married. This suggest that a
significant majority of the respondents are single.
3
Levels
Table 5: Distribution of Respondents by levels
Levels
Frequency
Percentage
100l
43
24
200l
73
42
300l
56
32
400l
4
2
Others
0
0
Total
176
100
Table 5 reveal that the distribution of respondents by level.The data indicate
that 24% are 100l students, 42% are 200l students, 32% are 300l students,
2% are 400l students. This suggest that a significant majority of the
respondents are 200l
Answering of Research Questions
Research Question 1: what are the factors affecting he accessibility of
information in digital library?
Table 6: Factors affecting the accessibility of information in digital
library
SA
A
4
D
SD
TOTAL
N
% N
%
N
The availability of ICT
105
infrastructures enhances
my experience in
accessing digital library
resources
A user-friendly and
97
efficient search interface
improves my ability to
find information in digital
libraries
Proficiency in digital
102
6
35
20 24
48
literacy skills positively
8
%
N
%
N
%
14 12
7
176
100
27 12
7
12 176
100
42
24 18
10 14
8
176
100
52
30 25
14 12
7
176
100
9
0
0
176
109
0
0
0
176
100
0
5
11
5
5
impacts my utilization of
digital library resources
The Search tools/
techniques makes
information accessible
87
4
Locating and accessing
176
0
0
0
Availability of high speed 151
8
25
14
internet is crucial for
6
9
0
information resources is
easier than physical
library catalogs
accessing digital
5
resources
Adequate technical
176
1
support and assistance are
0
essential
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
176
100
Table 6 revealed responses to statements where "Strongly Agree" is the
majority response. The results indicate that respondents highly value factors
that contribute to the effectiveness of digital libraries. The majority strongly
agree that a user-friendly and efficient search interface improves their ability
to find information (60%), proficiency in digital literacy skills positively
impacts their utilization of digital library resources (55%), search tools and
techniques make information accessible (58%), and the availability of ICT
infrastructures enhances their experience in accessing digital library
resources (49%). These findings highlight the significance of user-friendly
interfaces, digital literacy, and robust ICT infrastructure in optimizing the
digital library experience for users.
Research Question 2: what is the extent of usage of digital library for
information access?
Table 7: Extent of usage of digital library for information access
VHE
HE
6
LE
VLE
TOTAL
N
%
N
%
N
%
N
I frequently use digital library
as a primary source for
accessing information
112 64 35
20
21 20 8
Digital libraries play a
significant role in my
academic or professional
information-seeking activities
I find it convenient to access
digital resources from the
library's online platform
108 61 40
The majority of my research
or study materials come from
digital library collections
110 63 37
digital libraries enhance my
overall information access
experience compared to
traditional libraries
103 59 41
% N
%
5 176 10
0
23
19 11 9
5 176 10
0
105 60 43
24
18 10 10 6 176 10
0
21
16 9
13 7 176 10
0
23
17 10 15 9 176 10
0
Table 7 reveal responses to the questionnaire on the extent of usage of
digital libraries for information access. The majority of respondents indicate
that digital libraries play a significant role in their academic or professional
information-seeking activities (64%) and that they frequently use digital
libraries as their primary source for accessing information (61%).
7
Additionally, most respondents find it convenient to access digital resources
from the library's online platform (60%). The majority also indicate that the
majority of their research or study materials come from digital library
collections (63%), and they believe that digital libraries enhance their overall
information access experience compared to traditional libraries (59%). These
findings highlight the significant role of digital libraries in facilitating
information access and the positive perceptions of respondents towards their
usage for academic and professional purposes.
Research Question 3: what is the impacts of digital library for information
access?
Table 8: Impacts of digital library for information access
SA
A
D
N
% N
%
N
Digital libraries have
significantly improved
my access to information
107
6
36
21 19
Accessing information
resources 24/7 is
convenient for my
information needs
Digital libraries have
expanded my knowledge
in accessing a wide range
98
45
48
SD
%
N
TOTAL
%
N
%
11 14
8
176
100
26 21
12 12
7
176
100
27 19
11 15
9
176
100
1
5
6
94
5
3
8
of resources
Searching for information 101
in digital libraries is more
efficient compared to the
traditional method
It saves my time in
176
accessing information
5
38
22 18
10 19
11 176
100
0
0
0
0
100
7
1
0
0
176
0
0
Table 8 presents the responses to statements where "Strongly Agree" is the
majority response. The findings suggest that digital libraries have a
significant positive impact on respondents' information access and
knowledge expansion. A majority of respondents strongly agree that digital
libraries have expanded their knowledge by providing access to a wide range
of resources (61%), significantly improved their access to information
(56%), allowed convenient access to information resources 24/7 (53%), and
made searching for information more efficient compared to traditional
methods (57%). These results underscore the crucial role of digital libraries
in enhancing information access, convenience, and efficiency for users..
Research Question 4: what is the challenges affecting the accessibility of
information in digital library?
9
Table 9: Challenges affecting the accessibility of information in digital
library
SA
i experience computer
breakdowns when accessing
digital information in the
library
Slow internet connectivity
A
D
SD
%
N
TOTAL
N
%
N
%
N
% N
98
56 38
22
22 13 18 1 176 10
0
97
55 41
23
hinders my ability to access
%
0
20 11 18 1 176 10
0
0
digital library materials
Lack of digital literacy skills
has hindered my ability to
effectively use the digital
library
94
I encounter issues with server
instability while accessing
digital library resources
91
frequent power disruption
affects my access to digital
library resources
92
53 42
24
20 11 20 1 176 10
1
52 44
25
22 13 19 1 176 10
1
52 43
24
0
21 12 20 1 176 10
1
10
0
0
Inadequate number of
89
51 46
computers to use the digital
26
22 13 11 1 176 10
1
library in John Harris
Table 9 presents the challenges experienced by respondents, with "Strongly
Agree" as the majority response for each statement. These challenges
include slow internet connectivity hindering access to digital library
materials (56%) an inadequate number of computers in John Harris for
digital library use (55%), encountering issues with server instability while
accessing digital library resources (53%), frequent power disruptions
affecting access to digital library resources (52%)), a lack of digital literacy
skills hindering effective use of the digital library (52%), and experiencing
computer breakdowns when accessing digital information in the library
(51%). These findings indicate that these challenges are prevalent among the
respondents, with a majority strongly agreeing with each statement..
Discussion of findings
This section discusses the findings of the study. The findings are discussed
drawing inferences from author’s views in the literature review and relating
them to the findings of the study. The discussion is presented under four (4)
subheadings following the purpose of the study
Factors affecting the accessibility of information in digital library
Table 6 revealed the factors influencing information accessibility in digital
libraries underscores the significance of ICT infrastructures and digital
literacy skills in enhancing the accessibility of information, efficient and
user-friendly search interface was noted crucial in making information
accessible. This finding align in the agreement of Ogunshola(2005) with the
11
0
recognition of digital libraries as a vital response to the growing demand for
improved information availability and accessibility through technology.
Extent of usage of digital library for information access
Table 7 indicates a high extent of usage of digital library. The finding is in
agreement with Aguoli (2002) who the pivotal role of digital libraries in
modern information-seeking behaviors and align with the concept of digital
libraries enabling users to access systematically organized information
resources.
Impact of digital library for information access
Table 8 revealed that digital libraries have brought about significant
improvements in their access to information, offering added convenience
through 24/7 availability, expanding their knowledge through a diverse
range of resources, and providing more efficient search methods compared
to traditional approaches. These findings highlight the transformative shift
represented by digital libraries, as noted by Estalin and Luis (2016),
breaking free from the constraints of physical boundaries and distributing
knowledge resources globally.
Challenges affecting the accessibility of information in digital library
Table 9 revealed the challenges impacting the accessibility of information in
digital libraries reveals a multifaceted landscape which encompasses an
experienced minimal issues with computer breakdowns, significant
concerns arose regarding slow internet connectivity, highlighting the critical
need for reliable internet access and lack of digital literacy skills emerged as
a notable obstacle hindering the effective accessibility of digital resoueces,
server instability, recurrent power disruptions, and insufficient computer
availability were recognized as potential barriers to accessing digital library
resources. These findings align with the complex matrix of obstacles within
the realm of digital libraries, as previously articulated by Aguolu and Aguolu
12
(2002), Fezaa (2013), and Uutoni (2014).
13