Awareness and Adoption of Digital Research Support Tools among Postgraduate Students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study examined the awareness and adoption of research support tools (RSTs) among postgraduate students at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. The objectives were to: find out the level of awareness of research support tools by postgraduate students in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, identify the research support tools adopted by postgraduate students for theses and dissertations writing, and ascertain the extent to which postgraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria adopt the research support tools for theses and dissertations writing. A quantitative methodology and cross-sectional survey design was employed, targeting a population of 3,717 postgraduate students from the 2021/2022 academic session. A sample of 370 students (10%) was selected, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Findings revealed uneven tool awareness, with high recognition of ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Mendeley, contrasted by low awareness of Zotero, QuillBot, PaperPal, and EditGPT. Adoption patterns mirrored this trend: ChatGPT recorded the highest adoption rate, followed by Mendeley and Grammarly while other tools showed minimal usage. The results further indicated that awareness did not directly translate into adoption. The study concludes that while some tools, particularly AI‑based and widely accessible platforms, are gaining popularity among postgraduate students, overall adoption of research support tools remains low. The study recommends structured awareness programmes, integration of RSTs into postgraduate research curricula, institutional endorsement of selected tools, and policy frameworks to promote responsible use, especially concerning AI‑powered applications.