Abstract

The study examines the impact of the internet as a research tool for students of tertiary institutions with a case study of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. In this age of information and communication technology (ICT), the use of internet has become norms and culture in academic sphere especially in the higher institution of learning due to its richness in academic resources. The research was anchored on Technological Determinism Theory. Survey research method was adopted in which one hundred and twenty copies of questionnaires were administered to respondents who were purposively selected within OAU. Data collected were analyzed using frequency and percentage method. The results from the analysis of the responses showed that students use internet for research, assignment, social networking, dating and e-mailing. 36.4% said internet has positive effect on academic performance of students in high extent and 31.8% of the respondents use Google.com search engine while looking for information online. Majority of the respondents submitted that lack of fund and erotic power supply are the major challenge facing students in the usage of internet. Similarly, 90.9% of the respondents concluded that the internet has enhanced the research ability of students.