3,017 research outputs found
Towards an improvement of LIS graduates ICT skills and employability needs in Kuwait
The aim of this research was to explore the ICT skills of LIS students in Kuwaiti HE
that are potentially defined by the job market. These skills are deemed essential for
the employment of LIS graduates in different job market sectors. As a result, the ICT
skills of current LIS students, the needs of employers, and the LIS curriculum in
Kuwait were all investigated. In addition the factors that had an impact on students
ICT skills were also investigated.
To fulfil the research aim and objectives, mixed research methods were employed.
The research subjects were employers, LIS students, and teaching staff. Their views
were sought through qualitative and quantitative methods that included: 54 semistructured
interviews; 225 self-administered questionnaires; these were supplemented
by three focus groups; and content analysis of relevant web sites, reports, and LIS
syllabus to provide further documentation and analysis.
The main findings of the research were: (1) overall the students had knowledge and
basic ICT skills, but they lacked advanced searching and internet navigation skills.
85% of the students did not have enough ICT skills; their ICT skills level was selfrated
as intermediate or beginner ; (2) the research investigated negative factors
such as: unsuitable teaching and learning environment, negative attitudes, social
influences, and lack of resources; (3) the students most preferred teaching and
training method was group training ; (4) the employers identified further ICT skills
and non-ICT skills that LIS graduates should possess for employability; (5) gaps were
found in the curriculum and in teaching and training the ICT courses such as: course
content was inconsistent; did not reflect the needs of the job market and were
outdated; an imbalance between theory and practical training, courses had different
outline and little use of the English language hindered the students ICT skills
improvement and ICT use. In addition, work placement needed careful consideration.
Recommendations based on the research findings and conclusions were made to the
DLIS in Kuwait and stakeholders. Future ideas were identified for further research
Special Libraries, July 1980
Volume 71, Issue 7https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_sl_1980/1005/thumbnail.jp
Academics' knowledge and use of electronic information resources (EIR) at the University of Bahrain
Electronic Information Resources (EIR) can be seen as invaluable teaching and
research tools, which complement print-based resources and enhance the learning and
research processes in any academic institution.
The aims of this research were to investigate, analyse and discuss the use of and needs
for EIR and existing training in promoting and enhancing the quality of teaching and
research activities amongst academic staff at the University of Bahrain.
Extensive quantitative, qualitative and theoretical methods were used to identify and
analyse academic staff EIR skills, knowledge and awareness.
The population of the study is made up of all the full-time faculty members working
at the University of Bahrain. A total of 593 questionnaires were distributed and 466
completed ones were returned, giving an overall response rate of 78.5%, and these
were used for the purpose of the study.
The result of the study revealed that printed resources are the sources of information
most used for teaching and research. The colleges of Law, Art and Education had the
lowest percentages of usage of EIR compared with other colleges. Work overload,
lack of awareness, low skill levels, slow servers, ineffective communication systems,
language barriers and a preference for print resources were among the primary
constraints that affected academic staff uptake and use of electronic resources in
teaching and research.
One-to-one training was the preferred training method for those academics wishing to
enhance their EIR skills. It was recommended that there is a need for greater
promotion from the upper level decision-makers at the university if they wish to see
greater use of electronic resources in teaching and research. Strategic conceptual models designed to provide solutions to the current problems and
to help in setting policies and decisions for the effective use of EIR in teaching and
research are given
Research and development in science and technology in GCC countries: role of information centres and libraries
This research study identifies the role of library and information centres at the major science
and technology related universities and research institutes in the six GeC countries i.e.
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, in relation to the
institutes/organisations research and development activities. It also had a comparative aspect
in that it examined information resources and information services available in the
institutes/organisations under study with users perceptions on the effectiveness and efficiency of library and information services. A survey research design utilizing questionnaires was
chosen as the most appropriate and effective method for gathering the data needed with
intensive interviews with academe, Deans/Directors of Library Information Centres and R&D personnel to answer the study's research questions. The different populations were queried
including the Chief Executives of institutes/organisations, Deans/Directors of Library and
Information Centres and selected R&D personnel associated with them. It was found that in
spite of large library collections and a number of de-centralised library systems in all the
universities, information services available to the R&D personnel were inadequate. The
fmdings of this investigation provided the means for the development of the proposed
regional and national library/information network systems for successful library and
information services model presented in this study. As an alternative a GeC infonnation
subsystem GCC-SIST has been recommended along with emphasis on an electronic
information system
A plan for the establishment of a national bibliographic network for Kuwait in the light of international and local standards
This research was carried out in order to gather information on the current situation and
practices of libraries in Kuwait so as to investigate the possibly of designing a model for
establishment of a national bibliographic network in the State of Kuwait. As context for the
research, background is provided on national bibliographic networks in developed countries and
in the Arab World, together with consideration of the role of a national library in such a network.
In order to gather data, three questionnaire surveys (for library administrators, cataloguers and
automation specialists) were distributed to all types of libraries in Kuwait. Information was
sought on the composition and training of staff, the nature and extent of library resources and
databases, the degree of automation of systems and services, and the nature of co-operation and
resource sharing. Opinions were also sought on the feasibility of establishing centralised
cataloguing and the implementation of a national bibliographic network. Follow-up interviews
were also carried out, and professionals in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were consulted for
advice on practical solutions and recommendations for an effective national bibliographic
network.
The findings of the questionnaire surveys indicated some deficiencies that Kuwait libraries face:
the absence of a leadership role by the national library; lack of a deposit law for national
publications that would ensure a collection that would provide central focal point for a national
information infrastructure; coverage by the national bibliography is neither comprehensive nor
adequate; there are no formal systems of co-operation for resource sharing; implementation of
standards for bibliographic services has been ineffective; many libraries still lack automated
systems; lack of professional staff was noted by all sectors. Nevertheless, respondents were
positive in their concern for needing strong leadership, adequate financial support for the national
library, and expressed a desire for co-operation, which was felt to be possible even under the
current circumstances. Based on the findings of the survey and experience described in the
literature, it is concluded that a national library is the most appropriate body to develop and
maintain the bibliographic databases that would be the centre of national bibliographic network.
A model for such a network is presented, discussing the links to different libraries in the country
and the duties and responsibilities of the national and other libraries in attaining successful
functioning of the network. Recommendations are made for the functioning of the proposed
national bibliographic network
Information behaviour of Kuwaiti legal professionals
This thesis reports results of a research study into the information behaviour of Kuwaiti
legal professionals. The main aims of the research were to investigate the information
behaviour and the information needs of Kuwaiti legal professionals, and examine
whether the existing legal information sources and services meet their needs.
The theoretical framework for this research was derived from the investigation of
information behaviour in general, and studies of legal professionals in particular. Wilson's
(1996) model of information behaviour was also used to develop the conceptual
framework of this research. This model takes into account four types of information
seeking behaviour: active search, passive search, passive attention and ongoing search.
This model helped in formulating research questions and hypotheses and the design of
data collections methods. It was used also as a tool for organising the interpretation and
discussion of the research findings.
The research methods were designed from a user-centred perspective, including using
data collection methods that are supportive of user-centred research. Triangulation was
used in data collection by the use of questionnaires, interviews and critical incidents
technique. The participants of the research included legal academics, legal practitioners
such as state lawyers, prosecutors and private lawyers, law librarians, legal publishers and
legal database producers in Kuwait.
The results showed that a personal collection is the source used most by Kuwaiti legal
professionals. The majority did not use electronic sources such as databases and the
Internet. A large percentage also did not use law libraries. The majority of academics
sought information themselves, whereas the majority of practitioners relied on the
assistance of others. The majority of respondents had no training on the use of
information sources. The majority also relied on internal communication as a channel for
information exchange more than external communication.
The majority of respondents scanned between one or two journals, although journals
should be among the major information sources for legal professionals. On the other
hand, newspapers ranked first for serendipity for both academics and practitioners. New
books were ranked as a first source by practitioners for updating information, whereas
journals were ranked first for academics.
These results showed the information seeking problems of the legal professionals. This
led to the development of the interface requirement for the design of a prototype
Kuwaiti Legal Information System (KLIS) interface. The aim of the system was to
provide relevant and up-to-date information, and links to other information sources and
services in order to improve communication channels at both national and international
level. The system also sought to be cost-effective. Finally, a heuristic usability evaluation
was undertaken by consulting a number of experts on the system's usability and contents.
Conclusions are drawn and recommendations for further research and to stakeholders are
made
Foreign language learning needs in higher education: Reasons for convergence and accountability
Needs analysis is a relevant issue in language teaching as its final aim is to enhance the language learning process by setting realistic course objectives. This paper briefly reviews past and present approaches to the concept of “needs” and “needs analysis” in foreign language (FL) methodology with particular reference to the higher education context and the post-Bologna reform. It discusses the complex interplay of addressing target and
learning FL needs by gathering data from different stakeholder groups and making use of different data collection instruments. Then, it explores current trends in needs analysis research and explains how “competences” and “profiling” have surpassed “needs” and “needs analysis” in the educational systems under the European Space of Higher Education. Last, this study addresses the implications of adopting a more critical, quality-driven
approach to FL needs analysis with a view to attaining a more participatory and accountable higher education
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