ABSTRACT
This study explores awareness and utilization of open access journals for effective research by polytechnic students in polytechnic libraries in Gombe state, the research employs descriptive survey research design, consisting of an observation checklist and questionnaire administered to polytechnic students in polytechnic libraries in Gombe state, Nigeria. four specific objectives were formulated covering; availability of open access journals in polytechnic libraries in Gombe state, Nigeria, ascertain the level of awareness of open access journals, ascertain the purpose of utilization of open access journals by polytechnic students for effective research, ascertain the extent to which polytechnic students utilize open access journals for effective research activities by polytechnic students in Gombe state polytechnic, Bajoga {GSPB}, Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo {FPK}. The total population of this study consists of 1567 polytechnic students in the 2022/2023 academic year in the two polytechnics in Gombe state, north-east, Nigeria. The sample for this study is 160 polytechnic students and the sampling technique is multi stage sampling. The questionnaire responses were used to identify the level of students' awareness of open access journals, and to explore the students' utilization of the resources. Data was analyzed with the use of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation for answering the research questions. The findings of the study recommended that polytechnic budgetary allocation to polytechnic libraries should be improved so that they can subscribed to more OAJs, computer room or ICT centers should be created in department and faculties in order to ease congestion and make it easily to utilized by Polytechnic students. Polytechnic libraries should also create more user education programmes especially on utilization of OAJs, alternative source of power should be provided,
Key words: Awareness and Utilization, Open Access Journals, Polytechnic Students, Effective Research, Polytechnic Libraries.
Publication Date: 2025-12-11