User education, adjustment factors and use of online databases by postgraduate students in Nigeria

Abstract Postgraduate students use online databases for various academic activities. However, past studies have revealed low utilisation of online databases by postgraduate students in Nigeria. The general objective of this study was to examine the influence of user education and adjustment factors (perceived enjoyment and objective usability) on use of online databases by postgraduate students of four private universities in southwest Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design of the correlational type was used, and the population was comprised of 1,067 postgraduate students in four private universities. A sample size of 513 was selected through a purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed varying degrees of usage, perceived enjoyment and objective usability of online databases among the respondents. The study established a significant relationship between: user education and use of online databases; perceived enjoyment and use of online databases; and objective usability and use of online databases. User education, perceived enjoyment and objective usability therefore influenced the use of online databases by the postgraduate students of the four universities.