This study investigated the utilization of phrase search strategies in accessing library databases for research among postgraduate students in universities of technology in South-East, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design. The population consisted of 540 postgraduate students from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri and Enugu State University of Science and Technology. A sample of 230 students was selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and t-test statistics. Results of the t-test was tested at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that several library databases were available to students, including HINARI, AGORA, JSTOR, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, DOAJ, and institutional repositories. Postgraduate students utilized phrase search strategies to a moderate extent in accessing most databases, with higher utilization observed for OPAC, Z-Library, and institutional repositories. The t-test result showed no significant difference between postgraduate students in federal and state universities regarding utilization of phrase search strategies. It was concluded that postgraduate students moderately apply phrase search strategies in accessing library databases and recommended increased database subscription, improved user education, and training programs on search strategies to enhance research effectiveness.
Ugwu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.