The study investigated perceived utilisation of serial resources by postgraduate students in university libraries in North Central, Nigeria. Three objectives which were to identify the types of serial resources utilised by postgraduate students, determine factors influencing research productivity, and determine perceived relationship between utilisation of serial resources and research productivity guided the study. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The sample was 234 postgraduate students from selected universities in North Central, Nigeria were used due to its manageable size. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled “Perceived Relationship between Utilisation of Serial Resources and Research Productivity of Postgraduate Students in Private University Libraries in North Central, Nigeria Questionnaire (PRUSRRPQ)”. The instrument was validated by experts in Measurement and Evaluation and Library and Information Science, while a pilot study produced a Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient above 0.80. Data collected were analysed using mean, standard deviation. Postgraduate students utilised various serials such as journals, abstracts and indexes, conference proceedings, theses, annual reports, e-book collections, and newspapers. The study revealed that serials are used by postgraduate students. The findings also established a strong perceived relationship as serials enhanced research quality, publication output, collaboration, efficiency, and academic visibility. The conclusion was that effective utilisation of serial resources significantly contribute to improved research productivity of postgraduate students in private universities in North Central, Nigeria. The recommendation is that private universities should provide adequate and current serial resources, improve ICT facilities, and organise information literacy programs to enhance effective utilisation of serial resources for improved research productivity.
Abubakar Musa Abdullahi (Fri,) studied this question.