Research Article

AWARENESS AND USE OF INFORMATION SEARCH STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING ACTIVITIES BY DIPLOMA STUDENTS IN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

Hamza ABBA1*, Rukkayya Yunusa MOHAMMED2, Ashiru HAFIZU3
1 Department of Library and Information Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
2 Bilya Sanda Library, Al-Qalam University, Katsina State, Nigeria
3 Department of Library and Information Science, Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic Kazaure, Jigawa State, Nigeria.
* Corresponding author: abbahamza2017@gmail.com
Published: Jun, 2026
Pages: 93-100
Views: 14
Downloads: 17

Abstract

The study investigated the Awareness and Use of Information Search Strategies for Learning Activities byDiploma Students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The objectives are to determine the extent to which DiplomaStudents are aware of information search strategies for learning activities in the Institute of Education, AhmaduBello University, Zaria and to identify the information search strategies that Diploma Students use for learningactivities. Quantitative research methodology was adopted and cross-sectional survey research design was usedfor the study, the population of the study comprised of all two hundred and fourty-one (241) diploma students inInstitute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2023/2024 academic session, one hundred and thirtytwo(132) were used as sample size, while one hundred and four (104) where fully retrieved and used for dataanalysis using simple random sampling technique. A questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection.Descriptive statistical tools (Frequency distribution and percentage) were used. The study found that diplomastudents at the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, demonstrate a clear awareness patterncharacterised by positive awareness on phrase searching, keyword searching, Boolean operators, database/sourceselection, and subject heading searching. Also, the actual utilisation of information search strategies mirrors theawareness patterns, with students predominantly employing basic techniques including phrase searching, keywordsearching, and Boolean operators. The study concluded that diploma students at the Institute of Education,Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, demonstrate adequate awareness and usage of basic search strategies like phrasesearching and keyword searching, but show significant deficits in understanding and applying advancedtechniques such as field-specific searching, citation chaining, and search query refinement. It was recommendedthat the Institute of Education should develop and implement a scaffolded information literacy curriculum thatsystematically builds students' search strategy competencies from foundational techniques during orientationthrough intermediate strategies in early courses to sophisticated approaches in upper-level coursework across thediploma program duration. The university library should establish an embedded librarian program that assignsdedicated information professionals to research-intensive diploma courses, enabling regular classroom presence,course-integrated instruction, and accessible one-on-one consultation opportunities to address the extremely lowutilisation of expert/librarian consultation.

Keywords

Awareness Diploma Students Information Search Strategies Institute of Education Learning Activities.

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How to Cite

ABBA, H., MOHAMMED, R. Y., & HAFIZU, A. (2026). AWARENESS AND USE OF INFORMATION SEARCH STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING ACTIVITIES BY DIPLOMA STUDENTS IN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA. Journal of Educational Research and Development, 21(1), 93-100.

H. ABBA, R. Y. MOHAMMED, and A. HAFIZU, "AWARENESS AND USE OF INFORMATION SEARCH STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING ACTIVITIES BY DIPLOMA STUDENTS IN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA," Journal of Educational Research and Development, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 93-100, June 2026.

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