Audience Perception on the Effectiveness of the Internet as a Research Tool for Students in Tertiary Institutions (a Study of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State)

This study investigates audience perception of the effectiveness of the Internet as a research tool among students of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State. The research specifically explores the extent of Internet use for academic purposes, students’ perceptions of the credibility and relevance of online information, the challenges they encounter in using the Internet for research, and the impact of Internet use on their academic practices and performance. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted to ensure fair representation across faculties and departments, and a sample size of 390 students was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. Findings revealed that the majority ofstudents rely heavily on the Internet as their primary source for academic research and assignments. Most students perceive online information particularly from academic platforms as credible and relevant to their academic needs. However, several challenges were identified, including poor internet connectivity, difficulty in identifying credible sources, and distractions from non-academic content. Despite these obstacles, the Internet has significantly enhanced students’ research independence, access to academic resources, and overall academic performance. The study concludes that while the Internet is an indispensable tool for academic research, maximizing its effectiveness requires improved infrastructure, enhanced digital literacy, and structured institutional support. Recommendations were made to address identified gaps and enhance students' productive engagement with online academic resources.