Title: Influence of Web Search Training on Web Search Behaviour of Undergraduate Students of Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Nigeria
Author(s): Babalola, Yemisi T.; Salisu Dahiru
Publication Year: 2022; Volume 17, Issue 1, pages 183-194

Web has been an indispensible source of information, upon which large number of university students depends for accomplishing their academic tasks. The study examined the influence of web search training programme on web search behaviour of undergraduates of Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano. The study found answers to two research questions and one hypothesis. Single group quasi-experimental (of pretest post-test) design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 11, 023 undergraduates of YUMSUK. Convenient sampling technique was used to recruit 53 students who participated in a six-weeks long training programme and lab sessions. One set of self structured and validated questionnaire was used for data collection at both pretest and posttest levels. The study revealed that web search behaviour of the participants was relatively poor prior to the training (M=2.24); the study also revealed that web search behaviour of the participants was good after the training (M=2.82); the study further revealed that web search training had significantly influenced the web search behaviour of the participants (t(52) = 17.680; p<0.001, Eta Squared =0.857). The study concluded that formal web search training is a key in molding web search behaviour and effective web search. The Study recommended that the National University Commission (NUC) should increase credit unit for use of library course to accommodate the practical web search sessions.