USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AS INFORMATION SOURCES BY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS’ AT ASSOSA AND HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Abstract

This study was conducted in Assosa and Haramaya University with the objectives of examining use of social networking sites as information sources by postgraduate students‟ at Assosa and Haramaya university libraries. To address the objective, survey research method was employed. Data were collected from 220 postgraduate students of both universities, using stratified random sampling technique. While questionnaire and interview were the instruments used for primary data collection. The SPSS version 20 was the software used for data analysis, with t-test, percentages, cross tabulations, logistic regression as statistic used for the quantitative data collected. The qualitative data from interview was subjected to narrative analysis to support the quantitative analysis for the findings. The findings revealed that 90% postgraduate students used Social Network Sites (SNSs) but the frequency of usage was different. Most of Haramaya University postgraduate students use SNSs daily; whereas most of Assosa University students were used 2-3 times a week. The mostly visited SNSs were Facebook, You Tube and Google+ in both universities. The information used by postgraduate students on SNSs from both Universities was academic and non-academic information. However, most of postgraduate students used non- academic information and use non-academic SNSs due to the absence of plat forms that can enable SNSs as a source of information. Regarding contribution of SNSs for the use of information ASU PGS used for updating knowledge and entertainment activities; whereas majority of HU PGS used for updating knowledge, facilitating research work, entertaining them and sharing ideas with their teachers. Variables such as age and privacy significantly and negatively affect use of information in HU. Age, privacy and absence of awareness; significantly and negatively affect information use of ASU students whereas, computer access and place of access were positively and significantly affect the information needs of postgraduate students of ASU. The study recommended that libraries should prepare plate form that can use SNSs as a medium for facilitating library activities and higher institutions giving trainings to students as well as for librarians for better service