SOURCING OPEN ACCESS ELECTRONIC DATABASES FOR SCHOLARLY USE BY LECTURERS IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

Some Nigerian female writers have devoted much time to fictionalising patriarchal society in which men This study examines the utilization of open access electronic databases by faculty members and librarians at the University of Africa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 50 respondents (40 lecturers and 10 librarians) through a structured questionnaire, achieving an 85% response rate. The findings reveal a high level of usage of open access databases for scholarly research, with faculty members identifying significant benefits, including enhanced access to academic resources, increased research visibility, and support for teaching activities. However, challenges such as inconsistent power supply, poor internet connectivity, and limited digital skills were identified as barriers to effective use. In addition, this study highlights various free electronic databases available for scholarly use, such as the National Virtual Library of Nigeria (NVLN), Project Gutenberg, and PubMed Central, emphasizing their importance in providing access to educational materials. The effectiveness of subscription-based versus open-access databases is discussed, noting that while subscription databases offer curated, high-quality content, they often face underutilization due to awareness and training gaps. Conversely, open-access databases democratize access to information but require critical evaluation of their content quality. To enhance research capabilities in Nigerian universities, a multifaceted approach is recommended, focusing on awareness and training, infrastructure improvement, collaboration among institutions, and the establishment of institutional repositories. By addressing these areas, Nigerian universities can effectively integrate open-access databases into their frameworks, promoting academic growth and innovation.