Library Visits and Orientation Programmes as Predictors of Research Competency Among LIS Postgraduate Students in Selected Universities in Southwest, Nigeria

This study examined library visits and orientation programmes as predictors of research competency among postgraduate students in selected universities in Southwest Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 175 LIS postgraduate students drawn from selected universities, and total enumeration sampling technique was used. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire, while data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that postgraduate students demonstrated a moderate level of research competency (Mean = 2.99) on the four-point scale. Library visits had a mean of 3.04, indicating a moderate level, while participation in library orientation programmes also had a mean of 3.04, indicating a moderate level. The regression analysis showed that library visits and orientation programmes jointly predicted research competency (R = 0.862, R² = 0.743, F(2, 172) = 248.77, p < .001), accounting for 74.3% of the variation in research competency. Library visits had a stronger predictive influence (β = 0.468, p < .001) than orientation programmes (β = 0.337, p = .004). The study concluded that regular library engagement and structured orientation programmes are important for postgraduate students’ research competency. It recommended strengthening postgraduate research workshops, improving supervision and mentorship, establishing research support units, improving access to physical and digital resources, and making library orientation programmes practical, interactive, and compulsory.