Digital Library - An Inevitable Resource for Modern Day Research in Developing Countries

Research in any area requires an extensive collection and study of relevant literature. The research literature may be found in different libraries dispersed at different geographical locations. The conventional library systems pose some potential difficulties in acquiring timely information and therefore impede the research activity. This paper presents use of digital libraries in carrying out cost-effective and quality research. With technology innovations, a commensurate progress is required in the development and maintenance of the knowledge base. Statistics have shown that the research activity has increased with the digitization of the information and its easy availability to the researchers especially in developing countries. The digital library has thus become an inevitable source of information for researchers around the globe especially in developing countries to maintain the pace of research in a highly competitive world

Uncovering Web search tactics in South African higher education

Background: The potential of the World Wide Web (‘the Web’) as a tool for information retrieval in higher education is beyond question. Harnessing this potential, however, remains a challenge, particularly in the context of developing countries, where students are drawn from diverse socio-economic, educational and technological backgrounds. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the Web search tactics used by postgraduate students in order to address the weaknesses of undergraduate students with regard to their Web searching tactics. This article forms part of a wider study into postgraduate students’ information retrieval strategies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus, South Africa. Method: The study utilised the mixed methods approach, employing both questionnaires (Phase 1) and structured interviews (Phase 2), and was largely underpinned by Bates’s model of information search tactics. This article reports and reflects on the findings of Phase 1, which focused on identifying the Web search tactics employed by postgraduate students. Results: Findings indicated a preference for lower-level Web search tactics, despite respondents largely self-reporting as intermediate or expert users. Moreover, the majority of respondents gained their knowledge on Web searching through experience and only a quarter of respondents have been given formal training on Web searching. Conclusion: In addition to contributing to theory, it is envisaged that this article will contribute to practice by informing the design of undergraduate training interventions to proactively address the information retrieval challenges faced by novice users. Subsequent papers will report on Phase 2 of the study

Challenges on the domestication of oil and gas insurance in Nigeria

This dissertation examines the challenges of domesticating oil and gas insurance in Nigeria. The methodology adopted is both quantitative and qualitative, using questionnaire and interview to generate required data for the research. The research identified some challenges preventing domestic insurers from insuring oil and gas risks to include inadequate capital, lack of expertise and technology, inconsistencies in government policies, poor regulation and lack of innovation. Other findings revealed that the industry is male-dominated, ages of the experienced personnel in oil and gas departments are between 40 and50 and all are well educated and also with knowledge in Local Content Act. The research contributes to knowledge by using primary data from practitioners in oil and gas, which is a departure from earlier studies. It also seeks the review of the Act to make it insurance-friendly, provides new methods of practice, and brings to the attention of the umbrella association, Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), the need to foster cooperation among practitioners to merge or form pools to reduce capital challenges and avoid leakages in premium through connivance of practitioners with foreign firms. With this, more premiums will be retained to increase the needed capacity to domesticate more oil and gas insurance in Nigeria

Internet use among university students in Kenya : a case study of the University of Nairobi

The researcher investigated internet usage among students at the University of Nairobi using a quantitative case study method. A questionnaire-based survey was done among 381 students and face-to-face interviews were conducted with the university‟s library staff. The research findings indicate that the students' level of awareness about the internet services offered at the university was high. The students had good basic computer and internet skills; however, they lacked more advanced skills and this negatively affected their use of internet resources. The students used the internet for various purposes, including to study, teach and do research; to communicate; and for social interaction. The major recommendations of the study include providing formal internet training and adequate facilities; implementing a better, inclusive policy on internet use; and better co-ordinated university efforts. Free internet access should be made available to all the university students, if not all members of the university community.Information ScienceM.A. (Information Science

Use of Web in Tertiary Research and Education

The increasing level of official and academic information on Aboriginal issues on the Web enhances its utility in research and teaching. Aboriginal communities can also share Indigenous knowledges and perspectives, disseminate information to other indigenous communities and access the benefits of the knowledge society by adopting ICT. The use of search engines can save time in research and reveal trends in policy perspectives reflected by language