Information and Communication Technology Competencies and Conduct of Research by Postgraduate Students of University of Calabar,

Abstract

The study determined the influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on conduct of research by postgraduate students of University of Calabar. To achieve the purpose, two research questions were asked and two null hypotheses were formulated. The study adopted a predictive correlation research design. Purposive sampling technique and census approach were used to select 99 Post Graduate Students, comprising 85 Business Education students and 14 Agricultural Education students) from 2020/2021 to 2022/2023 academic sessions in the Department of Vocational Education, University of Calabar.  A validated questionnaire titled “ICT Competencies and Conduct of Research Questionnaire” (ICTCCRQ) was the instrument used for data collection. The questionnaire was validated by three experts. A reliability index of 0.81 was obtained for the questionnaire using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient after a pilot test. Ninety five copies of the questionnaire were successfully retrieved after distribution. Research questions were answered and hypotheses were tested using simple linear regression analysis t .05 significance level. From the answers to the research questions, word processing competencies and online information search competencies influence conduct of research by postgraduate students of University of Calabar. Test of hypotheses revealed that word processing and online information search competencies significantly influence conduct of research by postgraduate students of University of Calabar. Based on the findings, it was recommended amongst others that students should master the act of searching for information online using Boolean operators and phrase searching as search strategies, as this is very vital in reviewing related literature when conducting research.