Investigating the Influence of New Media on Information Retrieval Patterns Among Undergraduates in Tertiary Education: an in-Depth Examination at Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the influence of new media on information retrieval patterns among undergraduates in tertiary education, with a specific focus on students of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa. The rapid advancement of digital technologies has significantly transformed the way students’ access, retrieve, and utilize information. New media platforms such as social media networks, search engines, e-libraries, academic databases, and multimedia tools now serve as primary sources for academic and personal information needs. The study adopted a quantitative research design using the survey method. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample size of 360 respondents, selected through stratified random sampling across various departments and levels of study. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and percentage distribution to examine the patterns, preferences, and frequency of new media usage among the respondents. Findings revealed that a majority of students rely heavily on platforms such as Google, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Google Scholar for academic research, assignment completion, and collaborative study. The study also identified challenges such as data costs, poor internet connectivity, and the credibility of online information as constraints to optimal new media usage. The research concludes that new media has significantly influenced the information retrieval behavior of undergraduates, offering both opportunities and challenges. It recommends that tertiary institutions invest more in digital infrastructure and training to help students navigate new media effectively and responsibly for academic advancement.