Assessment of the influence of intrinsic motivation on undergraduate students' usage of library facilities in the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria

Abstract

PurposeThis study assessed students' intrinsic motivation (basic psychological needs) as predictor of their usage of library facilities in the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted the quantitative case study approach. The population of this study consisted of all undergraduate students in the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria. The systematic random sampling was used in selecting a sample of 129 students. A research question and four hypotheses were raised in the study. Two instruments were adapted and used for data collection: the “Intrinsic Motivation Inventory” (IMI) and “Students' Usage of Library Facilities Scale,” with Cronbach’s alpha reliability indexes of 0.87 and 0.78, respectively. The collected data were analysed using descriptive (frequency counts and percentages) and inferential statistics (linear regression and correlation) at 0.05 alpha level.FindingsFindings of this study revealed that the extent of usage of library facilities in the university is low; the three basic psychological needs—perceived competence, autonomy and relatedness—significantly predict students' usage of library facilities; significant relationship exist among gender, perceived autonomy and usage of library facilities.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to undergraduate usage of library facilities in the Federal University Oye-Ekiti. The quantitative case study research type was adopted, with a sample of 129 students. Data were collected using adapted questionnaires and analysed quantitatively using the SPSS.Practical implicationsThe results of this study have implied that the three basic psychological needs influence students' usage of library facilities. Therefore, it is paramount that management of universities and university librarians foster students' intrinsic motivational variables for their enhanced academic performances. Also, faculties and academics by the outcome of this study are to maintain and sustain a functional social network, social interactions and collaborative works among students, while inculcating and improving the levels of students' competences, autonomy and relatedness. Further, the study has hinted the need for university management, librarians and academics to be professionally trained on promoting and sustaining students' competences, autonomy and relatedness. The universities are to continuously organise orientation and enlightenment programmes for both the old and the newly admitted students on the import, impact and usage of university libraries amidst its facilities.Originality/valueFew studies have been carried out on students' usage of academic libraries especially with regard to their attitudes; however, the challenge of underutilisation of library facilities by students are yet unresolved. There is a dearth of literature regarding the influence of intrinsic motivation (the basic psychological needs) on usage of library facilities among tertiary learners, especially in Nigeria.

Value generation from academic activities in a public higher education: A lean perspective

“…Another type of academic activities, which may be considered from an exogenous perspective to the institution, are also important to be considered as influence factors. Those factors include aspects such as course accessibility (either in person or at distance), value-added knowledge generation, teaching strategies and schemes and the abilities and competences that teachers must have to teach their classes (Elliott & Shin, 2002;Moosmayer & Siems, 2012;Osiesi et al, 2023;Spooren et al, 2007). Professionals involved with the formulation of educational policies and educators themselves understand that it is essential to evaluate students' learning outcomes, by respecting the relation between high-quality teaching and value generation (Zlatkin-Troitschanskaia & Shavelson, 2019).…”

“…The discussions on academic activities in public HEIs enhance the importance to consider the HEIs' intrinsic aspects that may influence the perception of its users and that can influence their value perception and satisfaction (Meynhardt & Jasinenko, 2020;Moosmayer & Siems, 2012;Osiesi et al, 2023;Pesando, 2018;Spooren et al, 2007). For example, the increase in cultural diversity among university students is notorious, where it shows a drastic change in characteristics related to age group, social class and gender, among others.…”

“…For example, the increase in cultural diversity among university students is notorious, where it shows a drastic change in characteristics related to age group, social class and gender, among others. The public HEI infrastructure is usually one of the key items considered by the federal evaluation agencies, but the HEIs need to adapt to new demands and user needs, not only in matters related to their physical structure but also in terms of knowledge, flux of knowledge and what the students expect from the learning experience at their new HEI (Capano & Toth, 2022;Osiesi et al, 2023;Rahman, 2019;Schleich et al, 2006;Souza et al, 2015;Tetteh, 2019).…”

“…We have explored how this Brazilian public HEI uses its own resources to form competent and adapted professionals to the market realities (Osiesi et al, 2023). We have defined the content of value generation management practices and presented the framework of the study by linking together eight key dimensions (infrastructure, curriculum activities, extracurricular activities, teaching practices, secretarial support, cognitive abilities, social skills and market integration).…”