RESTRUCTURING LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH AS A PRACTICAL APPROACH FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Purpose: In Nigeria, many research efforts and particularly in Library and Information Science (LIS) have not been practically focused to yield desired results for national development. Thus, the need for restructuring of LIS Research to meet the global developmental growth metrics. This study focuses on restructuring LIS research as a practical approach for national development in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: A survey research design is adopted for this study while the postgraduate LIS students in two selected universities in Nigeria constitute the study population. The choice of postgraduate students is appropriate as a result of high notch topics and high impact nature of research topics and the quality process of postgraduate research in Nigerian library schools. A purposive and total enumeration was adopted to sampled 225 respondents using a self-designed questionnaire to elicit information. Collected data were analysed using frequency counts and percentages of IBM Statistical Package in Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Findings: Findings from the study revealed in-depth and adequacy of the LIS postgraduate research components while the majority of the respondents disagreed that the research methods on the programmes are practically oriented for National development. It also showed that the research is relevance but are not presented to appropriate establishments for implementation towards National development. Similarly, the findings indicated that LIS PG research is capable of enhancing national development and are practical towards national development with respondents supporting the need for LIS postgraduate research restructuring for national development. Practical implication: Restructuring of postgraduate research in LIS will promote development through effective information service delivery through a guided and implementation of research findings and promote accelerated development considering the significance of information in the society. Originality/Value: Therefore, the study recommended postgraduate in LIS curriculum overhauling, regular training and workshops for lecturers involving in postgraduate programmes and regular seminar for postgraduate students in the areas of research for national development. Keywords: Library and Information Science (LIS), National Development, Practical Approach, Research, Restructuring, Postgraduate Paper type: Empirical Research