Institutional factors influencing utilisation of Research4Life databases by National Agricultural Research Institutes scientists in Nigeria

Abstract

This study is part of a doctoral thesis aimed at investigating the influence of institutional factors on utilisation of Research4Life databases by NARIs scientists in Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey design of the correlational type. The study population consists of 1,205 research scientists in the 15 NARIs from which a total of thirteen (13) institutes and 1,062 research scientists were selected adopting cluster, simple random and stratified random sampling techniques. The questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. It consists of 105 questions arranged in five sections. Simple percentage, mean, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance were used to analyse the data. Result indicates that the six institutional factors were significant and the institutional factors influenced utilisation of Research4Life databases. Accessibility of databases, availability of password and fast Internet access made significant contributions to utilisation of Research4Life databases. NARIs management has critical roles to play in providing access to Research4Life databases in research scientists’ offices and their libraries as well as providing fast Internet access and in-house-training in the institutes. The librarians should register for Research4Life databases and make the user names and passwords available to all their bona fide users.