TIME MANAGEMENT AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN TWO FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN THE SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

ABSTACT

This  study was designed  to  investigate  the time management  and  academic  performance  of library and information science undergraduate students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Univerrsity  of  Nigeria.  The  purpose  was  to  determine  time  management  and  academic performance  of  library  and  information   science   students.  Five  research   questions   were formulated to guide the study and the population of the study comprises of 342 undergraduate regular students from 100, 200, 300, and 400 level offering Library and Information Science as a course in the above mentioned institution. The study employed the use of descriptive survey research design. The validity of the research instrument was established by three experts in the department of Library and Information Science. The research instrument is a structured questionnaire which contains 87 items from cluster A- E. Data obtained from the questionnaire was analyzed using mean and percentages and this formed the basis of the detailed analysis, conclusions and recommendations. The findings of this study revealed the need for effective time management among students. On the basis of the findings the researcher made the following conclusions;   library   school   curriculum   should   be   revisited   to   include   programme   like symposium, training, counseling and seminars on semester basis to bring out an expansion in teaching  areas  through  the  inclusion  of  time  management  courses,  library  and  Information science educators should re-skill and cope with the new requirement in order to advance the profession to greater height and retain the relevance and identity in a rapidly developing information  society. On  the basis of the conclusions  made, the researcher recommends  that students  should  get  a daily planner and  study time table  and  stick to  it, they should  avoid distractions at all cost, most especially, when they are in a conducive place of study, students should also develop a god study habit in order to understand how long he/she can study for effective outcome. However, there is the need for increased allocation of funds for universities and library schools in colleges and universities across the country for the development of infrastructure like conducive class rooms for study and a good library where students can consult materials that will increase their knowledge of what has been taught in class and also for the purpose of research.

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

University education can also be seen as the training provided by universities in order to prepare people to work in various sector of the economy or areas of culture. University education  provides  training primarily in  the most important  areas of the humanities  and natural  science.  (http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/University+Education> University Education<h>). Education for library profession is a revolutionary process. The core of the curricula is the people in relation to the information itself. There is a need to produce library and information science graduates with sophisticated management and policy and  planning  skills  and  the  vision  to  translate  core  values  of  today  and  tomorrow’s information world.

Goetz, Adler and Gibney (1998), describe education as formally concerning the methods of teaching and learning in schools or school like environment. This is the direct opposite of informal education, which indigenous education applied and which tended to be participatory. Education is both a process of teaching, training and learning, especially in schools and colleges.  Library and information science (LIS) is a subject of study in the field of librarianship that is concerned with the principle and practices of library and information operation and administration as well as their study (Goetz, Adler and Gibney, 1998). LIS degree program is a discipline concerned with the study of principles, skills required for systematic collection, organization and the use of society’s information resources in libraries

(Ozioko and Nwabueze, 2010).

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Library and information science is the study of issues related  to libraries and the information fields. This includes academic studies regarding how library resources are used and how people interact with library systems (Macan, 2010). The organization of knowledge for efficient retrieval of relevant information is also a major research goal 0f library and information science. Basic topics in library and information science include the acquisition, cataloguing, classification and preservation of library materials. The objectives of library and information  science  according  to  Macan  (2010) are to: have  a broad perspective  on  the principles   of  librarianship   and  information  provision,  have  an  understanding   of  the management   of  libraries   and   other  information   agencies,   comprehend   the   principle underlying  the  organization,  retrieval  and  management  of  information,  have  enhanced practical skills in ICT, to face the crucial challenges of ICT, to meet the existing demands of the new information era, to pursue in a variety of library and information service contexts.

Education  and  training  in  library  and  information  science  shall  contribute  to: behavioral altitudes and understanding and information needs of individuals and institutions, problem solving methodology, online information skills, expertise in the use of electronic information, research theories and practices, in-depth understanding of information organization, marketing and using information retrieval systems, analytical abilities to access information  and  to understand  the principles  of the organization  of knowledge, practical knowledge in information retrieval, indexing, cataloguing and classification and information management in various professional contexts.

Library and information science students are those who offer library and information science as a discipline in the university. Though, this study is focused on LIS undergraduates. A Student according to the dictionary definition is a person who studies a particular academic

subject, one enrolled  at a university. LIS undergraduate  students  in  this study are those persons formally engaged in learning, those that are enrolled in the university. Students are expected to possess certain attributes that can help in enhancing their academic performance. These  are: Altitude,  academic  skills,  ability,  self-discipline,  good  behavior  etc.  If  these attribute are put to use, it is expected that that there will be a balance in their academic performance. A good student should possess the ability and willingness to learn new subjects even when the subjects are of no interest to them because it is obvious that most students run away from courses which they don’t pick interest in thereby resulting in poor performance of the students. Therefore, students should  put in more effort to  learn. Another attribute  is academic skills such as ability to read comprehensively, write effectively, speak fluently, and communicate  clearly are the key areas in which library and information science students must be proficient in order to achieve a high performance. Self-discipline is another attribute that cannot be over emphasize. Often times, students tend to delay assignment, not sticking to their study time, not attending classes or lectures etc may negatively impact the ability of a student to achieve academic performance goals. Students should also learn to ask doubts at a spot rather than living with it for the purpose of clarity.

Furthermore, understanding rather than memorizing concepts is an issue that most students joke with. A lot of surveys suggest that students must understand the concept of any topic taught in class rather than just memorizing them. The memorized facts and theories will stay in student’s memory probably for the period of their exams or until they leave school, college or university. Once out of school, the student will totally forget the core concepts that they learned. Therefore, it is essential a good student understands the concepts not only for examinations but also for the future so that when they leave the university, they will have the

knowledge  of whatever they are doing in organizations  they may find themselves. Most employees today are not productive in their place of work and this could be traced to the fact that probably these employees when in school had poor performance. Therefore, students should endeavor to know and understand whatever they are taught in class if they must attain the standard expected of them.

Academic performance generally, refers to how well student is accomplishing his or her tasks and studies, but there are a number of factors that determine the level and quality of student’s academic performance. These factors are grades and attendance. Grades according to Sharmol (2012) are ‘the most well-known indicator of academic performance. Grades are the student’s score for their classes and overall tenure. Grades are most often a tally or average  of  assignment  and  test  scores  and  may  often  be  affected  by  factors  such  as attendance’. Grading scales varies in universities. Common scales include a percentage from

1-100, lettering systems from A-F, and grade point average (GPA) from 0-4.0 or above. Therefore, it will be difficult for a student to perform well in class if the student doesn’t attend  lectures.  Academic  performance  according  to  the  Cambridge  University  Reporter (2003) is frequently defined in terms of examination performance. In this study academic performance will be characterized by performance in tests, in course work and performance in examinations of LIS students.

Time is a priceless resource and continues to pass by without coming back. There are many things we dream to do and have to do in the midst of competitive conditions in life. For those who cannot perform the necessities of time management effectively are likely to fail or become  unhappy  (Mercanlioglu  (2010)  and  Shellenbarger  (2009).  Ailamaku  and  Gehike (2003) defined time as the quality of nature which keeps event from happening all at once.

Time is universal and it is precious and valuable to all and sundry. It could be a natural factor for  lamentation  or regrets,  joy, success  or  failure,  frustration,  disappointment,  hope  and victory.   (Adebisi, 2007), According to Olaniyi (1998), time is a unique resource which is available to all at equal amounts. It cannot be accumulated like money or stockpiled like raw materials. It cannot be turned on or off like machine or replaced like a man. It is irretrievable.

Time  management  According  to  Sanberg  (2001)  is  the  efficient  and  effective utilization  of  a  student’s  time  to  achieve  academic  performance  goal.  It  is  the  art  of arranging, organizing, scheduling and budgeting one’s time for the purpose of generating more effective  work and productivity.  Obi (2003), notes  that time management  involves identifying  tasks  to  be  performed,  as  well  as  planning,  and  scheduling  organizational activities, prioritizing such activities, allocating time to the tasks according to the degree of importance in enhancing productivity. According to Olaniyi (1998), Time management is the efficient and effective utilization of library and information science students, lecturer’s, HOD or an administrator’s corporate time to achieve their set goals. “Time management involves identifying  tasks  to  be  performed,  planning  and  scheduling  organizational   activities, prioritizing  such  activities,  allocating  time  to  the  tasks  according  to  their  degree  of importance in enhancing productivity”(Obi 2003).

With good time management skills, a good student will be able to control his time and his  life,  control  his stress  and  energy  levels,  maintain  a balance  between  school  work, personal and family lives. Also, time management skills can help students in Nigerian universities  to  set  up  their  priorities  and  schedule  time  to  those  priorities  to  avoid lopsidedness in their academic performance. This study is expected to help students to make better use of their available time in the form of do’s and don’ts because time management

can be referred to as a tool that can enable students to focus on what to do as regarding school  work,  how  much  time  to  allocate  to  activities,  on  how  activities  can  be  done efficiently and on when the time is right for a particular activity.

Oluchukwu  (2003)  reiterated  that  time  management  like  any  other  skill  can  be learned. The degree of efficiency and success in teaching and learning in the class room depends on the adequacy of the planning and use of time. While emphasizing on the time management skills, Oluchukwu (2003) enumerated the following as consequences of lack of time management skills that can lead to poor performance: continuous lack of, or inadequate time for carrying out essential duties, lack of direction, purpose and commitment; increased misunderstanding and confusion, frequent stamped or panic measures to beat dead lines; lack of coordination and conflict in schedules, timing activities and even in interpersonal relation.

The  concept  of  time  management  comes  from  Frederick  Winslow  Taylor’s  early analysis of motion and time studies of workers. Taylor is known as the Father of scientific management who formalized the principles of scientific management and rational efficiency in the beginning of the industrial era.    He pointed out the key factors of productivity as Standardizing work, tools and maintenance techniques hence a great dissection of work tasks into different actions and the timing of each action based on repeated stopwatch    studies. Taylor’s aim was to reduce unproductive work task and reduce the amount of time allocated to waste. ‘Time’ that Taylor considers approximately 100 years ago as the determinative factor of efficiency, is now a concept that has to be  emphasized today as  people need    to keep  up  with  evolving  and  improving  their  economic    situation.  We  can  say  that  if competition gets even more intense, the most powerful source of competitive advantage is time.

The term ‘time management’ became familiar in the 1950’s and 1960’s as referring to a tool to help managers make better use of available time. The tools were based on practical experience  in  the  form  of  ‘do’s  and  don’ts’.  The  term  appears  to  indicate  that  time  is managed  but  actually  activities  are  managed  over  time.  Time  management  is  self- management with an explicit focus on time in deciding what to do; on how much time to allocate to activities, on how activities can be done more efficiently and on when the time is right for particular activities Obi (2003).

Time management is focused on solving problems. example of common problems are; distractions, being unable to deal with procrastination, deadline pressure, lack of self discipline, ambiguity of personal goals, not being able to say ‘no’, excessive social relations, indetermination.   According   to   Olaniyi   (1998),   the   single   most   important   asset   an administrative manager, head of department or any organizational leader can posses is the skill in managing time. Time management skills are very essential for result oriented people. Akomolafe (2005) submitted that people who use these techniques routinely are the highest achievers in all works of life. Therefore, if library and information science students can use time  management skills effectively,  they will be able  to  achieve  good  grades  leading  to increased academic performance. Complains of ‘no time’ among   students often   result in students  not reading their books just because some students seem to engage themselves in activities that are not directly related to their primary assignments which in one way or the other affect their performance. Time management is the efficient and effective utilization of a student’s time to achieve good academic performance.

Federal Universities are institutions  of higher learning which are funded by the federal  government.  Examples  are;  University  of  Nigeria,  Nsukka  (UNN)  and  Nnamdi

Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU). Universities are established to produce skilled manpower and good performance in higher education is expected to bring positive growth (Hornby,

2000). Undergraduate students in Nigerian  Universities  appear entangled on how best to manage time effectively and efficiently in their academic pursuit in order to ensure performance.  Given the competing myriads of responsibilities  of students, the researcher wants  to  determine  how  time  management  can  affect  library  and  information  science students’ academic  performance  in two Federal University library schools in south –east geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

Statement of the Problem

The problems of undergraduate students in Nigerian Universities include time management with regard to study habits, note taking, internet skill, the elimination of distraction and assigning a high priority to study. These are the few activities performed by today’s undergraduate students, which act as barrier between them and their academic performance. And due to miss management of time they lag behind. This study will help to analyze the positive or negative impact of time management on academic performance of students. It will also help to make some decision about changes we would like to make to use our time more effectively. “There is no one right way to manage our time; however; it is important to get to know our self, so we can make good decisions about how to use our time. The concern of this study is to examine the ways students of library and information science can manage their time very well towards achieving a good academic performance in the university and the key to enhancing individual students’ academic performance. Students can feel like they are continually racing against time and out of control of their days. If students have too much to do, they may feel overwhelmed and not know when to start. The various

strategies that students can use in order to achieve their goals is setting up priorities, time scheduling, reduction of time wastage, avoiding procrastination among others. According to George and Janas (2000), good time management means analyzing what needs to be done, setting priorities, determining the best and most effective way to do work and eliminating things that waste time. Academic performance which is measured by examination results is one of the major goals of a school. Evidence in research has shown that in any school system, academic performance is the priority of students as well as the teachers or lecturers. Several studies  have  shown  that  factors  such  as  motivation  and  study  time  have  impacted  on student’s achievement. It is obvious that some students perform highly and others do not perform well. However, the concern is about those who do not perform well because if this poor performance goes unchecked, the university may lose its reputation, which may result in loss of confidence in university graduates of the institution under study. There are instances where employers have shown that employees are not productive due to lack of commitment and  that  they are  undisciplined  in  time  related  issues.  This  scenario  could  be  traced  to students who graduated with poor performance from the university. If this behavior goes unchecked, the organization may not achieve its goals and objectives. Time management is essential for every achiever in life.

The situations  described  here  cause concern.  Poor time  management  may be  the reason why some students fail to attain the standards expected of them as could be seen from their  Grade  Point  Average  (GPA).  No  studies  have  been  carried  out  yet on  this  which justifies the present study. Hence the researcher wants to establish the influence that time management practices have on  library and information  science students  in University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Purpose of the Study

The general purpose of this study is to determine the time management and academic performance of library and information science students.

The specific objectives are to:

1.   Identify areas of library and information science program in which time management can be employed in Federal Universities in South-East Nigeria

2.   Determine  time  management  strategies  that  can  improve  LIS  students’  academic performance

3.   Find out the extent to which time management strategies has improved LIS students academic performance

4.   Identify time management problems of LIS students in their academic performance

5.   Proffer   appropriate   strategies   for   enhancing   time   management   for   improved performance of the students.

Research Questions

The study will provide answers to the following questions:

1.   What  are  the  areas  of  library  and  information  science  program  in  which  time management can be employed in Federal Universities in South-East Nigeria?

2.   What are the time management strategies that can improve LIS student’s academic performance?

3.   What  is  the extent  to  which  time  management  strategies  has enhanced  student’s academic performance?

4.   What are the time management problems of LIS student’s academic performance?

5.   What are the strategies for enhancing time management for improved performance of the students?

Significance of the Study

It is expected that the findings of this study will be beneficial to: students, lecturers, academic officers, and researchers.

For students, findings will be used to impart program like seminars and symposium through which students will be taught and have a better understanding of time management as an important tool to achieving academic performance. It will help them focus on what to do, how much time to allocate to activities, on how activities can be done efficiently and when the time is right for a particular activity. The finding of the study will also be used to direct, train, and counsel better means of imparting time management skills on the students. It will enable students to solve common problems like: inability to deal with distractions, deadlines, ambiguity of personal goals, pressure, procrastination, lack of self discipline, not being able to say no, excessive social relations and indetermination. Furthermore, students will have a better understanding of the need to identify task to be performed, prioritizing their activities in order to achieve a high Cumulative Grade point Average (CGPA) which is a measure of academic performance. If a student effectively controls his time, he will be able to devote a balanced attention to personal and academic problems.

The findings of this study will be of immense benefit to lecturers in that; it will enable them to determine the performance of their students in examinations. If students fail exam, it shows the lecturers did not assist them to manage their time well.

A lot of research has been done on academic performance of students but there is scarce information about academic performance of LIS students at University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The outcome of the study will enable the researcher to make recommendations to not only the Universities under study, but also policy makers,

especially  those  in  Academic  offices  and  the Ministry  of Education.  These  people need relevant information policies and strategies to improve academic performance of students in institutions of higher learning.

Finally, the study will be of great benefit to other researchers who may want to carry out a research on topics related to the one under study.

Scope of the Study

The study is focused on time management and academic performance of library and information science students in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. Both are in the South- East geo–political zones of Nigeria. This research focused on students who offer Library and Information Science as a course in the University. Time management has an expansive field of study but the scope is by the choice of topic. The study will involve the analysis of areas of LIS program were time management can be employed, identify time management problems of LIS students in their academic  performance,  determine  the time  management  strategies  that  can  improve  LIS students academic performance, find out the extent to which time management strategies as improved academic performance and finally proffer appropriate strategies for enhancing time management for improved performance of the students.

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