Perceived Effect of Social Networking Sites on the Academic Performance of Undergraduates of Library and Information Science in a Nigerian University.:- Juliet Onuoha

Abstract

The studyfocused on the effect ofsocial networking sites (SNSs) on the academic performance using undergraduates of Library and Information Science (LIS), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) as a case study. The researchers sought to know the SNSs utilized and the purposes they serve the undergraduates as well as their effect on the academic performance ofthe undergraduates. The study adopted the descriptive survey designof correlational type. A sample of 169 undergraduates were randomly selected from a total population of 422 undergraduates of LIS, MOUAU. A selfstructured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected was analyzed usingfrequency counts and mean scores. Based on the results, the researchers found the use of different SNSs, such as Facebook (3.58), WhatsApp (3.54), Instagram (3.30), etc. The undergraduates make use of the SNSs to make newfriends (3.46), reach out to course-mates (3.46) and because theirfriends are using them (3.27), among other purposes. It was alsofound out that these SNSs affect the undergraduates in the areas of distraction when reading (3.27), increases communication skills (3.19), decrease in Grade Point Average (GPA) (2.99), etc. Based on tire fact that these SNSs leads to decrease in the Grade Point Average (GPA) of these undergraduates, which is a yardstick for measuring undergraduate's academic performance, the study concludes that SNSs have negative effect on the academic performance of undergraduates of LIS, MOUAU and recommends the organization of seminars and symposia by the University avoid the negative effects of these SNSs on their academic performance, amongotherthings. Keywords: Social Networking Sites, Academic Performance, Undergraduates, Library and Information Science, University. Nigerian