Abstract
There is an inequality in developed and developing countries' research output in highly reputable databases. One way to reduce this inequality is to encourage researchers in developing countries to use online digital tools. This article examines the contribution of lecturers' awareness and knowledge to utilising the free online digital tools (FODT) available for literature review in the field of education. A correlation research approach involving 180 academic staff in tertiary institutions in southern Nigeria was adopted, using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. A structured questionnaire elicited the participants' awareness, knowledge, and utilisation of the free online digital tools available for literature review. The findings indicate a low level of awareness, knowledge, and utilisation of the FODT. The two regression models revealed that the lecturers' level of awareness and knowledge accounted for significant contributions to the level of the lecturers' utilisation of the FODT. These results demonstrate a link between lecturers' level of awareness and knowledge to their utilisation of the FODT. It was recommended that stakeholders in research and education create awareness of the availability of these FODTs, carry out workshops on how to use them and replicate this study in other developing countries.