Research Support and Open Access: Notes from Nigeria

This paper examines the research environment in Nigeria in relation to the developing trends in the global research community and specifically regarding research funding by government as a viable way of ensuring access to research result. The paper is devoted to examining the support available for research and researchers and exploring the concept of open access to research articles by scholars in Nigerian institutions. Also, the paper examined the level of mobile device and Internet penetration in Nigeria. Using the conceptual approach, the paper started with a brief background and proceeded to examine research support in Nigeria. The remaining sections are on the World Wide Web and information sharing, Internet access in Nigeria, open access scholarly publications, and suggestions and conclusions, which synthesized the thoughts in the preceding sections. This paper argued that the current rate of mobile device and Internet penetration can only be seen as a benefit if access to scholarly work is freely available to all. The paper concluded on the need for increased funding for research by the Nigerian government as well as both for-profit and not for profit organisations within the country as a way to achieving any developmental objectives set by the government.Ope

Information needs and information seeking behaviour of researchers in an Industrial Research Institute in Nigeria

The entire world needs and seeks information to survive and thrive in the 21st century as a result of information acquisition, with doctors, lawyers, teachers, students and even the elderly all desiring information for their everyday activities. Researchers of different disciplines working at the various federal institutes in Nigeria are no exceptions to the craving for requisite information that will enable them successfully carry out their numerous research projects undertaken towards achieving sustainable national development. The aim of the study was to investigate the information needs and information-seeking behaviour of researchers at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Nigeria. This study applied both quantitative and qualitative research approaches for the purpose of triangulation. The quantitative approach had a strong dominance over the qualitative approach in this study. This study adopted the positivist paradigm. The questionnaire, interview and observation data collection tools were the chosen tools used to collect data from researchers from the six departments of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi and five professional librarians of the institute’s library. Out of 165 questionnaires that were administered to researchers, a total of 121 were returned (resulting in a response rate of 73%). Inaccuracies were identified in seven copies of the questionnaires which were discarded and not analysed. Therefore, usable returns totalled 114 (67%). Wilson’s 1999 model of information behaviour was used as the theoretical framework. This study revealed that both formal and informal sources were consulted by the researchers. It was important to note that the internet was the information source most commonly used by the researchers to obtain information. The institute’s library was poorly used because it contained outdated library materials and was not equipped with an internet facility. The researchers opted for the use of mobile phone/iPad, personally owned or sourced internet access and business centres (supplying internet services outside the institute) to access information sources for information. The study ascertained that there was undoubtedly an instituted library officially established within the institute to provide information to researchers. But due to socio-economic and political problems faced by the country Nigeria, predominantly with respect to the outlook of poor funding of sustainable library development concerns and the government’s lack of interest in research, outdated library collections and poor information provision services have become the given at the institute’s library. This ultimately brought about pessimistic reactions from the researchers. Among its recommendations, the study suggested that funding the institute’s library in order to update and replace outdated library collections is a priority. An information audit should be carried out to ascertain the current state of ICTs within the institute and the institute’s library should be equipped with an internet facility promptly. Adopting these recommendations would enable researchers to have limitless access to items of information they need for research as they seek for information.Information ScienceD. Phil. (Information Science

ICT Update 64: Value chains

ICT Update is a bimonthly printed and on line magazine (http://ictupdate.cta.int) and an accompanying email newsletter published by CTA. This issue focuses on value chains

A smart fishing suite

A range of cell phone applications, known as mFisheries, improves market connections, supply chain efficiency and safety at sea for small-scale fishers in Trinidad and Tobago

Cybercafés Use By The Research Scientists In Agricultural Research Institutes In Ibadan, Nigeria

This study examined the use of internet by the research scientists in Agricultural research institutes in Ibadan. A descriptive survey design was adapted for the study. A purposeful sampling technique was also used to select the sample and the method produced 180 Research Scientists. A total of 162 cases were finally analysed which represented 90% of the total sample. Data was collected using a well structured questionnaire designed by researchers. Findings from the study shows a high level of awareness of the importance of Internet service as a resource for research information and other purposes and as such cybercafe is considered as a useful outfit in these Research Institutes. The study also revealed that Research Scientists have resorted to utilizing the cybercafe located outside theirrespective Institute due to: inadequate facilities intheir offices and  incessant power outage; in order to continue their research work after office hours. Finally, the study suggested that in order to improve the effective use of Internet Reasources, there must be reqular power supply as budgetary allocations to the Research Institutes can no longer sustain continous dependency on alternative power supply. The study also suggested that the Research Scientists should be assisted in procuring ICT equipment and that effort should be geared towards the provision of enhanced broadbandwith to the National Research Institutions system in order to reduce hardship being experienced by research Scientists in meeting their research information needs

Adoption and use of electronic instructional media among academics in selected universities in South West Nigeria.

Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2016.This study was conducted to determine the adoption and use of electronic instructional media among academics in selected universities in South West Nigeria. The study addressed the following research questions: What is the extent of adoption and use of electronic instructional media in selected Nigerian universities? What factors influence adoption and use of electronic instructional media? How do media literacy skills influence adoption and use of electronic instructional media? What is the moderating effect of gender, age and teaching experience on adoption and use of electronic instructional media? What challenges are faced in the adoption and use of electronic instructional media by academics in selected Nigerian universities? The Unified Theory of Technology Acceptance and Use (UTAUT) and Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory were used as the underpinning theoretical lens. The philosophical perspective was based on post-positivism. Quantitative, complemented by qualitative methods were used with the survey research design. The target population of the study consisted of academics and management staff from two purposively selected Nigerian universities in the South West geopolitical zone. Academics were drawn from the faculties of Science, Arts and Technology in the universities that made up this study. From a population of 732 academics, a sample size of 267 was determined using a published table for selecting sample sizes as put forth by Israel (1992). Additionally, the census method was used to reach 11 university management staff members comprising deans of faculties, the university librarians and directors of the Centre for Information and Technology units. The survey questionnaires were used mainly to collect quantitative data from academics while interviews were used to collect qualitative data from university management staff. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was computed using Cronbach’s alpha (α) through a test-retest reliability method. A Cronbach’s alpha (α) value of r = 0.96 was obtained. Response rates of 80.5% and 90.9% were obtained from the data collected through quantitative and qualitative methods respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 21) to generate descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was processed using the NVivo 10 package. The ethical aspect or the axiological component of this study was achieved by adhering to the ethical protocol of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Permission was obtained from the relevant authorities of the universities which fell under the ambit of this study. The findings revealed that though academics had adopted various types of electronic instructional media, this did not necessarily translate into extensive usage of such electronic instructional media. The majority of academics, however, regularly pursued innovative ways to incorporate electronic instructional media into their lectures. The findings further showed that academics used personal computers, MS Word, Internet, e- mail, mobile phones, mobile devices, Web resources, e-books and power-point presentations on a daily basis for teaching purposes. Academics used these electronic instructional media mainly for preparing lecture notes, presentation of lectures, producing assignments, course manuals, and communicating with students and colleagues. The findings also revealed that use of electronic instructional media such as LMS, plagiarism software, interactive whiteboard and social networking sites for teaching purposes was yet to be entrenched among Nigerian academics. The findings showed that facilitating conditions and effort expectancy were the strongest factors influencing adoption and use of electronic instructional media by academics for teaching purposes. The findings showed a significant relationship between media literacy skills and adoption and use of electronic instructional media. Gender and teaching experience, as moderating variables, influenced the adoption and use of electronic instructional media. Findings also revealed that behavioural intention was capable of explaining 8.6% of the variance in adoption and use of electronic instructional media. The study concluded that Nigerian academics are not using electronic instructional media as much as they should for the delivery of knowledge. The following recommendations were therefore proffered: 1) the universities need to develop a framework for the integration of electronic instruction media into the curriculum; 2) there is need to build capacity and create awareness among academics in relation to the integration of the interactive whiteboard, LMS and plagiarism software in their pedagogy; 3) universities are urged to develop institutional policy on adoption and use of electronic instructional media in order to provide clarity in areas such as as standards, strategies, best practices, staff training, infrastructural acquisition, gender equity and data/information security; 4) collaboration between faculty and subject librarians should be nurtured to create a vibrant and conducive academic and support environment that promote the use of electronic instructional media in teaching and learning. The originality and contribution of the study is situated in the domain of methodology, theory, practice and policy. For example in the area of methodology, this study’s point of departure from extant studies is that it employs the mixed method approach for data collection and stepwise multiple regression was used to determine the best predictor of technology adoption and use among academics. In this regard, the thesis makes a significant contribution towards developing a guideline for deploying instructional technology in universities or any educational setting. From the theoretical perspectives, the study validates UTAUT and DOI from the context of a developing country. The study, therefore, further advances the UTAUT and Roger’s diffusion of innovation theory in measuring the precursors of technology adoption and use in any contextual setting. With regard to practice and policy, the study provides an empirical baseline data that can be used as managerial guidelines for policy support, monitoring and evaluation in driving and promoting electronic instructional media adoption and use in Nigerian universities

Ict literacy skills and demographic factors as determinants of electronic resources use among the undergraduate students in the selected universities the Eastern Cape, South Africa

In today’s world, information is the foundation on which every strata in society is built and established. As we are in the jet age, the use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) is sine-qua-non to academic development. It is equally important to acquire skills and build capacity in ICT applications, as well as reflect on the demographic factors that determine the utilization of electronic resources among the undergraduate respondents. ICT has also evolutionalized professionalism in librarianship by providing delivery of appropriate, suitable and value-added information services in digital format. This research, therefore, investigated undergraduate students’ ICT literacy skills and demographic factors as determinants of electronic resources use, with selected tertiary institutions of learning in Eastern Cape South Africa as a case study. The study was premised on the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) with the aim of appraising undergraduate students’ ICT literacy skills and demographic factors as causative elements of e-resources utilization in designated Eastern Cape universities in South Africa, as well as to unravel the impact of the theories on the adoption of technology and the perceived utilization of the electronic resources. The application of DOI, TAM and TRA theories for this study exemplifies the acceptance and usage of technological innovations by envisioned users in ICT literacy skill and electronic resources research, and these theories formed the theoretical basis to strengthen the study. The specific x objectives of the study are: To ascertain how undergraduate students in selected Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Eastern Cape access e-resources; to determine the level of influence of ICT literacy skills on the use of electronic resources by Undergraduate students in the selected universities; to determine the regularity levels of use and problems encountered in the use of electronic resources by Undergraduate students in the selected universities; to ascertain the contributions of demographic factors on the use of electronic resources by Undergraduate students in the selected universities; and to determine the attitudes and perceptions of undergraduate students towards the use of eresources. The approach of the study was in threefold; one, general discussion regarding ICT literacy skills of the respondents and secondly the demographic factors that determine electronic resources use of undergraduate students in the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University. Finally, ICT literacy skills and demographic factors were investigated with the applicability of TAM, DOI and TRA theories Specifically, under these theories (TAM, TRA and DOI), TAM and TRA models were used to explain behavioural intention and to envisage user acceptance of technology usage (electronic resources), and to elucidate the correlation between the respondent’s (undergraduate students) perceptions, attitudes, beliefs and ultimately system utilization. DOI was conceptualized in this study as a valued tool for appraising the effect of demographic factors on the utilization of electronic resources among the undergraduate students in their academic pursuit. The major findings of the study specifies that ICT literacy skills and demographic factors determine the use of electronic resources. Hence, it is reasoned in the thesis that ICT xi literacy and demographic factors affects the frequency of electronic resources with those, for instance, who have obtained high ICT literacy skill levels when compared to others who are yet to develop their ICT literacy skills. Further, it has been disclosed elsewhere in the study that in terms of age, the younger undergraduate students (from 21 to 30 years) utilize electronic resources more regularly than their older colleagues (those who are 30 years of age and above).The study was approached with the adoption of the mixed-method research technique. The administration of a total of 377 copies of the questionnaire to undergraduate respondents in the aforementioned HEIs, (out of which 266 copies were returned), was conducted with in-depth interview conversations comprising of ten participants, with six respondents selected in the University of Fort Hare and four respondents from Rhodes University. Data acquired from the study were processed and analyzed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for the quantitative data. In the light of the theoretical frameworks of the study, research results established that the ICT experience of the undergraduate respondents greatly influences their proficiency levels. This hypothesized assertion was subjected to statistical validity test through regression analysis. The result depicts that the p-value is 0.49 (which means that p≤ 0.05), and interprets to mean that the hypothesis is accepted. Also, the findings of this study depicts that the utilization of electronic resources by the respondents is mostly for entertainment purposes (such as viewing online videos, listening to sport commentaries, music and video downloads, e-mail communications, chatting with other people) had the highest rankings from the component matrix analysis which were greater than 0.5. From the forgoing, this is interpreted to mean that the respondents possess excellent proficiency in ICT literacy skills as well as in the use of Microsoft packages. xii Also, in the course of the in-depth research interview, it was discovered that most of the interviewees have excellent proficiency in ICT literacy skills. Generally, gender is an essential element that determines accessibility and e-resource utilization of respondents to electronic resources through the home and from other sources. Furthermore, it was discovered that that language is not a determinant regarding respondents’ accessibility and e-resource utilization from other sources of access to respondents. The analysis of this study revealed that more males, who are within the active e-resource using age bracket of 21 to 30 years old access and utilize electronic resources through the residences than their female counterparts. This age bracket is followed in terms of access and use of e-resources through residences by the respondents that are 20 years and below. A chi-square test of independence was also performed to survey the level of correlation between age and access to E-resources. A small p-value (typically ≤ 0.05) indicates strong evidence against the null hypothesis, so you reject the null hypothesis. A large p-value (> 0.05) shows weak evidence against the null hypothesis, so you reject the null hypothesis i.e. X2 (3, N=53) = 7.82. The Pearson chi-square (p-value) generated was .294, which is construed to mean that it is insignificant. Therefore, the explanation is that age has no influence on access of respondents to electronic resources through cybercafé. In order to make ICT literacy skills more beneficial to the undergraduate students in the selected HEIs, recommendations were made in this study. Firstly, there is a need for mass enlightenment campaigns on the use and benefits of E-resources among undergraduate respondents, the building of capacity of the undergraduate students in the use of electronic resources ICT literacy skill development programmes, need for intervention programmes focusing on the application xiii of some E-resources and software where the students are ranked low. Further, it is recommended that female students need to be encouraged to use E-resources. Also, delivery and empowering of Wi-Fi services, as well as the provision of CD- ROM databases should be considered

Strategies for sustaining the provision of electronic information resources services in university libraries of North Central Nigeria.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Electronic Information Resources (EIRs) is trending as a system of information provision and services in libraries, an alternative to the traditional information services system. EIRs presently constitute vital sources of knowledge and information in all university libraries. The 21st century has witnessed a global revolution in university library services via the integration of EIRs, and University libraries in Nigeria are catching up to this trend. They have adopted EIRs services in the selection, subscription registration, registration validation, materials organisation, and dissemination of information resources within the libraries that are currently using EIRs. Thus, the initiatives adopted for the provision of EIRs services focusing on their sustainability by university libraries can enhance the delivery of such services if adequately employed, which is the focus of the present study. The strategies applied for sustainable provision of EIR services in University libraries in Nigeria and their implementation in university libraries in North Central Nigeria remain unknown and under-researched. Therefore, the study aimed to: assess the effectiveness of the provision of EIRs in University libraries in North Central Nigeria; investigate the sustainability of funding sources for EIRs; examine strategic planning and policies implemented to impact the sustainable provision of EIRs; examine the extent to which economic, social, and environmental strategies were employed in sustaining EIRs services in the selected libraries; and identify the challenges faced in the provision of EIRs and how libraries ameliorate these. The research questions were deduced from the research objectives. The HC Bridge Decision Model, the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) theory, and the conceptual framework were drawn from the model and theory variables that guided the study data collection. The pragmatic paradigm was the theoretical lens applied for the investigation of the research questions. The methodological approach used was a multi-method design. The study population comprises professional librarians, ICT services provider, and Library management team from the four selected University libraries of North Central Nigeria. A quantitative questionnaire was applied to collect data from the service providers, the professional librarians, and the selected ULs’ ICT support staff. The qualitative data was collected through an interview from the library management team, document evaluation on the library funding documents, strategic planning and policy documents, and the observation checklist on the available EIRs from the university web site. The study analyses applied the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) to generate frequency tables and percentages and the charts from quantitative data. Qualitative data from the interview, document analysis, and Observation checklist were analysed using thematic content analysis. The study results revealed the availability of electronic information resources, services in the surveyed libraries and their effectiveness. Nevertheless, from the management response, there is high dissatisfaction with available EIRs services in some libraries. The study further revealed that government interventions through TETFund sustain EIRs services in higher institutions in Nigeria, significantly impacting EIRs’ provision in Nigerian ULs. Despite the government efforts, EIRs services funding was inefficient. The strategic planning implementation has a low impact on providing sustainable EIR services in ULs of North Central. Similarly, the policy guide for EIRs’ services provision was also lacking. Besides, the surveyed university libraries had applied various economic, social, and environmental strategies for the sustainable provision of EIRs services. Although inherent challenges hinder the EIRs’ management in most surveyed libraries. Finally, the study recommends applying the library sustainability team for EIRs and services effectiveness and having alternative sources for adequate funds. Besides developing and implementing strategic planning and policy for positive impact on EIRs, further recommendations point out that evaluating more innovations in economic, social, and environmental strategies for sustainable provision of EIRs services, and some identified strategic measures need a thorough review.Author's Dedication on page iv