Information needs of Engineers in selected Steel Companies in Nigeria

Abstract

This research was conducted to identify the information needs of Engineers working in Federal Government owned steel companies in Nigeria. The survey research method was employed to gather required data. A population of 70 Engineers was covered by this study. However, two third (2/3), giving a total of 50 Engineers was randomly sampled and served with copies of the questionnaire. 43 (86%) copies of the questionnaire were returned and found usable. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics by which way responses and their percentages were tabulated. The findings revealed that the actual information needs of the Engineers are varied and job related as each of them indicated that they need information that is directly related to their areas of specialization. These areas include efficient use and maintenance of machines, raw materials sourcing and breakthrough into new areas of steel production, among others. The study further discovered that the information needs of Engineers are determined by a number off actors such as the work at hand and anticipation of need, etc. Finally, it was recommended that to meet with the problems of Engineers' information need, they must be trained and retrained on regular basis while adequate and current sources of information should be provided.