Abstract
This study investigated the challenges associated with the utilization of library online
databases for enhanced research output among postgraduate students of the Faculty of
Education in Universities in North Central Nigeria, hence the paper was guided by one
specific objective. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with data collected from
343 postgraduate students across eight universities using cluster 5 of the Utilization of
University Library Online Databases Questionnaire (UULODQ) adapted from Ubagu (2025),
comprising 15 items rated on a four-point scale. Mean, standard deviation, and paired-sample
t-test (p ≤ 0.05) were used for analysis. Findings revealed that all 15 challenge items were
agreed upon by respondents, with mean scores ranging from 3.06 to 3.57. The most critical
challenges identified were incessant power outage, slow internet connectivity and retrieval
speed, lack of user/ICT skills, problem of restricted access to some databases, and lack of
sustained subscription of those library databases. The null hypothesis of no significant
difference between state and federal university students on the challenges experienced was
accepted (t = -1.21, df = 341, p = 0.23), indicating that these challenges are pervasive across
all institutional types in the region. The study concludes that infrastructural, institutional, and
skills-related barriers collectively constrain postgraduate students' ability to effectively
utilize library online databases, and recommends a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder
response to address these challenges.
Keywords:Utilization, Libraryonline databases, Postgraduate students, Research output.
Publication Date: 2026-10-31