Abstract: This study investigates the effectiveness of the Internet as a tool for research and assignments among students. Guided by the Technological Determinism Theory and the Source Credibility Theory, the research adopts a cross-sectional survey method. Data were collected through questionnaires administered using a quota sampling technique, targeting students across different academic levels (ND-HND). The analysis, employing descriptive statistics and presented in tables, reveals significant findings. A striking 98.2% of respondents have access to the Internet, predominantly via smartphones, and 72.3% of them spend between 6 to 10 hours online daily. The study highlights a strong preference for the Internet over traditional literary resources, with 95.7% of students extensively using it for research purposes. Additionally, 98.2% of respondents affirm that the Internet has considerably enhanced their academic performance, particularly in research and assignments. The findings underscore the Internet’s superior effectiveness as a research tool compared to traditional library resources. The study concludes that the Internet is not only a vital research resource but also a catalyst for improved academic performance, urging educational institutions to support and enhance students’ digital literacy and online engagement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Table of Contents vi
Abstract vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study_________________________________________1
1.2 Statement of the Problem_________________________________________4
1.3 Objectives of the Study___________________________________________4
1.4 Research Questions _____________________________________________5
1.5 Significance of the Study_________________________________________6
1.6 Scope of the Study______________________________________________6
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms___________________________________6
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction___________________________________________________7
2.1 Conceptual Framework__________________________________________7
2.2 Review of Empirical Studies_____________________________________ 29
2.3 Theoretical Framework _________________________________________33
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction___________________________________________________37
3.2 Research Design_______________________________________________37
3.3 Research Method_______________________________________________38
3.4 Population of Study_____________________________________________39
3.5 Sample Size___________________________________________________39
3.6 Sample Procedure______________________________________________39
3.7 Instrument for Data Collection____________________________________39
3.8 Validity and Reliability of Research Instrument______________________ 39
3.9 Data Collection Process_________________________________________40
3.10 Data Analysis_________________________________________________40
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.0 Introduction _________________________________________________41
4.1 Data Analysis: Demographic Information __________________________41
4.2 Data Analysis: Research Questions Related ________________________42
4.3 Summary of the Findings_________________________________________49
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.0 Introduction_________________________________________________51
5.1 Summary___________________________________________________51
5.2 Conclusion_________________________________________________52
5.3 Recommendations___________________________________________54
5.4 Limitations to the Study______________________________________56
References
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Over the past two decades, the Internet has profoundly reshaped human activities and interactions, revolutionizing numerous facets of life, including communication, social interaction, and academic pursuits. Traditionally, examinations were conducted on paper, and students relied heavily on physical libraries, newspapers, magazines, and journals for their academic resources. However, with the advent of digital technologies, there has been a significant shift towards computer-based testing (CBT), e-libraries, and the broader use of the Internet as a comprehensive academic resource (Oladiran, 2019).
The Internet has become an indispensable tool in modern education, transforming how students at Osun State Polytechnic (OSP), Iree, and other institutions globally access and engage with information. It offers an unprecedented volume of data and resources, making it a crucial component in the academic toolkit of today’s students (Adeleke, 2019). This vast repository of knowledge enables students to conduct extensive research and develop a deeper understanding of various subjects with just a few clicks or taps.
The proliferation of the Internet and the rise of powerful search engines like Google and Bing have dramatically simplified and accelerated the process of gathering and sharing information. Online platforms such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and numerous other research databases and tools have become essential for academic work (Fred, 2019). These platforms provide easy access to scholarly articles, books, and other educational materials, making the Internet a more convenient and efficient research medium compared to traditional libraries. Alexa.com, for example, consistently ranks Google as the most utilized Internet platform worldwide, reflecting its pivotal role in modern research (AlexaRank, 2017).
Marshall McLuhan’s concept of the “Global Village” underscores the transformative impact of the Internet. McLuhan, a visionary Canadian scholar, foresaw a world where information and communication technologies would connect people globally, creating a “community” where knowledge and news could be shared instantly across distances. This vision has been realized through the Internet, which facilitates the availability of countless online journals, articles, and educational resources on virtually any topic (Charlie, 2021). Furthermore, tools like Grammarly and plagiarism detection software enhance the quality and integrity of academic work, underscoring the Internet’s comprehensive utility in education.
The dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of the 21st century and beyond is deeply intertwined with technological advancements. As Kur (2014) posits, technological revolutions drive societal progress, and the Internet plays a crucial role in this ongoing transformation. The ease with which students can access and synthesize information online empowers them to produce higher quality academic work compared to those who rely solely on traditional resources (Rajesh & Ritu, 2014). This capability is crucial in an era where the ability to quickly identify, evaluate, and integrate information is highly valued.
The accessibility of the Internet breaks down barriers that once confined research to physical locations such as libraries or archives. Today, students at OSPOLY Iree and other institutions can conduct research from virtually anywhere, provided they have an Internet connection. This flexibility supports continuous learning and allows students to engage with their studies on their terms, significantly enhancing their academic experience (Affum, 2022).
Given the transformative impact of the Internet on educational practices, this study aims to explore the effectiveness of the Internet as a tool for research and assignments among students at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. It seeks to understand how digital tools and resources are utilized by students, and how these tools enhance their academic performance and research capabilities. The study also examines the extent to which students rely on the Internet for their academic work and how this reliance shapes their learning processes and outcomes.
As the digital age continues to evolve, the Internet’s role in education becomes increasingly prominent. This study is positioned to provide valuable insights into the digital habits and preferences of students in a contemporary academic setting. By investigating the effectiveness of the Internet as a research and assignment tool, the study contributes to a broader understanding of how digital technologies can be harnessed to support and enhance educational outcomes in higher learning institutions.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The Internet has become an indispensable tool for students across all disciplines, serving as a primary resource for research and assignments. However, many students lack the necessary skills to effectively utilize the Internet for these purposes. This includes the ability to evaluate websites, discern reliable sources, and employ advanced search techniques. The plethora of information available online can often be overwhelming, and not all of it is credible. Consequently, students may produce inaccurate and unreliable work, calling into question the effectiveness of the Internet as a research tool in academic settings.
A significant issue is the over-reliance on general search engines like Google, encapsulated by the common phrase, “don’t ask me, ask Google.” While convenient, this approach can lead students to overlook critical academic resources such as specialized databases and peer-reviewed journals. Moreover, there is a growing concern that students are not sufficiently equipped to critically assess the information they find online. This includes distinguishing between trustworthy and unreliable sources and recognizing potential biases in the content.
These deficiencies can have serious implications. Students may struggle to locate credible information necessary for their academic success and risk being misled by inaccurate or biased data. The frequent use of sources like Wikipedia, which is often not accepted by academic supervisors, further exacerbates these issues.
Given these challenges, it is essential to investigate how effectively students at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, leverage the Internet for their academic work. This study aims to explore the competencies students possess in using the Internet as a research and assignment tool, the extent to which they rely on it, and how it influences their academic outcomes. By understanding these dynamics, the study seeks to identify areas for improvement and suggest strategies to enhance the effective use of the Internet in academic research and assignments.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of internet as research and assignment tool among Osun State Polytechnic (Ospoly) students Iree. The specific objectives are:
- To examine the extent to which Osun State Polytechnic students use the Internet for research and assignment.
- To ascertain the perception of Osun State Polytechnic students towards the Internet as a research and assignment tool.
- To investigate the effectiveness of the Internet as research and assignment instrument compare to traditional library resources.
- To establish the extent to which the Internet has enhanced Osun State Polytechnic students’ academic performance, research and assignments.
- To determine the major challenge that Osun State Polytechnic students encounter when using the Internet as a research tool.
1.4 Research Questions
In order to explicate the aforementioned objectives, the listed questions provide answers to the research problem:
- To what extent do Osun State Polytechnic students use the Internet for research and assignment?
- What is the perception of Osun State Polytechnic students towards the Internet as a research and assignment tool?
- How effective is the Internet as research and assignment instrument compare to traditional library resources?
- To what extent has the Internet enhanced Osun State Polytechnic students academic performance, research and assignments?
- What is the main challenge that Osun State Polytechnic students encounter when using the Internet for research and assignment?
1.5 Significance of the Study
Conducting this research is very significant in a number of ways apart from fulfilling academic requirements e.g. The research of this kind becomes necessary as its findings will provide the public with comprehensive and broad knowledge of what could be the impacts of internet on the readability and research among Nigerian students.
- This research will help government to benefit from the suggestion and recommendations offered by the study if applied, as it would lead to an improvement in the education policies, programme and implementations.
- The Nigerian students will find this research useful as it will enable them to know how to effectively employ the internet for academic advancement rather than frivolity
- Thus, the value of this study will be beneficial to the management team, students, future researchers.
- The management and lecturers of tertiary institution will use this research to create programmes and formulate better lecture materials or study guides that include internet and other emerging media to aid learning, teaching and communication.
- The outcome of this research will lead to a better understanding of the Internet more, its uses towards academic performance. It will also enable students to know their flaws and make corrections to it. The output of this research work will also add to the current literature on the Internet usage in academic generally.
- Future researchers and scholars who many what to carry out research in this area or related aspect will find this materials very useful and serve as reference material while the findings will serve as eye opener to parents and guidance’ eyes on the need to monitor their children on who they do on the Internet.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The study which investigates the effectiveness of the Internet as a research and assignment tool shall be narrowed in scope to Osun State Polytechnic, Iree students. Thus, the geographical scope of this study shall be within Osun State Polytechnic (Ospoly), Iree. The choice of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree students is due to its proximity to the researcher, inadequate time to study all students in Osun State among other logistics. Equally, in this century, almost all students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and world all over are making use of the Internet for one purpose or the other. However, the demographical variables of the respondents will be examined before the administration of the data collection instrument.
1.7 Operational Definitions of Terms
Effectiveness: In this research, effectiveness entails how effective is the Internet as a veritable platform for conducting research and assignment among students of tertiary institutions like OSPOLY.
Internet as Research Tool: In this research, it refers to the use of the Internet for gathering, researching, reading, sharing, storing and retrieving of academic ideas and other related subject matters among Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.
OSPOLY: In this study, it refers to students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.
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