INFORMATION NEEDS AND INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF FINAL YEAR UNDERGRADUATES, FACULTY OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

This study explores the information needs and information-seeking behavior of final year undergraduates in the Faculty of Education at the University of Benin. The research aimed to identify the specific information needs of these students,  analyze their information-seeking behavior patterns, investigate the challenges they face in accessing relevant information and propose solutions to these challenges. The findings indicate that students primarily need assistance from librarians, access to related project and thesis works, online repositories, research guidance, job opportunity information, and details about postgraduate programs. Their information-seeking behavior is characterized by a heavy reliance on electronic resources, a mix of online and traditional materials, urgency in information retrieval, peer consultations, and a preference for familiar resources. Major challenges identified include time constraints, financial difficulties, limited access to specialized databases, socio-emotional stress, and insufficient digital literacy skills. Proposed solutions include comprehensive information literacy programs, development of institutional repositories, time management support, and promotion of authoritative databases and open access journals to enhance the credibility and accessibility of information. These insights can inform strategies to support final year students in effectively meeting their academic and professional information needs.