Awareness and Usage of Available Electronic Resources by Students and Faculty of Methodist University College (Mucg)

Abstract

This research explored the awareness and usage of available electronic resources by students and faculty of Methodist University College (MUCG), Accra, Ghana. The study adopted the exploratory sequential mixed methods design. The study used the proportionate stratified sampling approach to select 347 students from a population of 3000 students at the University. Also, the census technique was used in selecting 50 faculty members. The data from the observation guide was analysed thematically while data from the questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics in the form of frequency tables, means and standard deviations. The findings of the study revealed that students and faculty were aware of some of the electronic resources (Sage Journals, OPAC local, OPAC Public, AGORA, HINARI, Emerald, JSTOR, Taylor & Francis) at MUCG library. Again, majority of students and faculty revealed that they used the electronic resources they were aware of to complete their assignment, write project works, prepare teaching and learning materials, prepare assignments for students and for writing project proposals. However, comparing the electronic resources students and faculty were aware of and the actual electronic resources available at the MUCG library revealed that they were not aware of a greater number of electronic resources, hence it was concluded that students and faculty were not fully aware of available electronic resources and that the use of the electronic resources they were aware of helped them to achieve their core mandate of teaching, learning and research. It was therefore recommended that the MUCG library organises more training programs for both students and faculty to make them fully aware of the available resources in order for them to effectively and efficiently use them to support the teaching and learning process