FUDMA International Journal of Library Science and Information Management

Federal University Dutsinma
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Availability and Use of Social Media Platforms for Academic Activities among Postgraduate Students in Universities in Katsina State, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.57233/fudmajlis.69c9110aaaff8
Pages: 236-245 Volume: Vol. 5 | Issue: No. 2 Published: March 29, 2026

Abstract

This study examined the availability and use of social media platforms for academic activites among postgraduate students in universities in Katsina State, Nigeria. Two objectives guided the study: to identify the social media platforms available to postgraduate students for academic activities and to determine the academic purposes for which these platforms are used. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 4,655 postgraduate students in selected universities in Katsina State, with a sample of 323 respondents determined using the Research Advisors (2006) sampling table. Proportionate stratified sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Social Media Platforms for Academic Activities Questionnaire (SOMPAAQ). The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach’s Alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.889. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation with a benchmark of 2.50. The findings revealed that several social media platforms such as WhatsApp, YouTube, ResearchGate, Zoom, and Academia.edu were widely available to postgraduate students for academic activities. The results also indicated that postgraduate students use social media platforms for various academic purposes including communication with supervisors, sharing academic materials, searching for research articles, participating in academic discussions, attending webinars, and improving academic writing. The study concludes that social media platforms play a significant role in supporting postgraduate academic activities. It is therefore recommended that universities should encourage the academic integration of social media platforms and provide appropriate digital support to enhance their effective use for research and learning.

Keywords: Social Media Platforms; Academic Activities; Postgraduate Students; Digital Learning and Universities in Katsina State.
How to Cite:
Gambo Umar Danmusa et al. (2026). Availability and Use of Social Media Platforms for Academic Activities among Postgraduate Students in Universities in Katsina State, Nigeria. FUDMA International Journal of Library Science and Information Management (FIJLSIM), Vol. 5(No. 2), 236-245. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.57233/fudmajlis.69c9110aaaff8
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