Abstract
The main objective of the study was to examine the information literacy skills, search strategies and information needs of the postgraduate students of Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze; specifically, the study ide ntified the information literacy skills acquired by the postgraduate students; found out the information search strategies used by postgraduate students; ascertained the information needs of the postgraduate students and ways for the enhancement of information literacy skills and search strategies of students. Descriptive survey design method and a total population of forty (40) Professional Diploma in Education students were used for the study. The instrument for data collection was 40 copies of questionnaire and the data was analyzed with the use of mean scores. The results revealed that information literacy skills; access to online information, evaluation of information, critical thinking and receiving trainings on information literacy, are crucial for academic success in the digital age. The result also showed that postgraduate students rely heavily on Google for research. Furthermore, the result revealed that the information needs of postgraduate students include: academic research resources, professional development, funding and grant writing resources, collaboration and networking and well-equipped library. Finally, the result recommended conducting academic research workshops for postgraduate students, organizing professional development trainings, provision of funding and grant writing resources, encouraging peer-to-peer learning among postgraduate students, equipping the digital library well to serve the postgraduate students' internet needs as ways for the enhancement of information literacy skills.
Keywords: Information Literacy Skills, Search Strategy, Information Needs, Postgraduate Students.
Publication Date: 2025-05-01