A seventeen-year Research Topic Dispersion and Methodological Choices among LIS Postgraduates in Tanzania

The study explored research topics dispersal and research strategies of Library and Information Science (LIS) postgraduate students in Tanzania from 2000-2017. Data were collected from the East Africana research repository section of the UDSM Library and the Information Studies Programme (ISP) offices from June to November 2017. A total of 269 LIS dissertations were assessed using content analysis to classify research topics. Findings revealed topics extensively researched were information dissemination, information access and information seeking behaviour. Least researched topics were information privacy and ethics, reading habits and encouragement, copyright and Information policy. History of information science and librarianship, quantitative and qualitative research, multimedia, webometrics, human–computer interaction, systems analysis, digital security, internet crime and information licensing and fair use were not researched. In addition, mixed research approach was mostly preferred by students but experimental and action research were least used. The study contributes in LIS education mapping in Tanzania and likely the first study to show topics selection based on globally accepted LIS classification schemes. The study gives an insight on research topics and research strategies used in higher learning organizations (HLIs) in Tanzania and arguably most developing countries. Findings may improve quality of research offered in LIS schools by supporting LIS postgraduate training and establishing library technology hubs and laboratories to match the world LIS research trend and order

Institutional Repository Initiatives in Tanzania: Opportunities and Challenges

The changing model of scholarly communication on knowledge sharing and dissemination has brought a new demand for creation of digital repositories to facilitate collection, preservation and archival of scholarly assets created by academics within academic and research institutions. This study investigated the perceptions of the Tanzania academic communities on establishing Institutional Repositories (IR), It also assessed the ICT basic infrastructures and technical capabilities for hosting IR in 10 higher learning institutions in the country. Furthermore, the study assessed the opportunities and challenges for establishing IR. The findings revealed that there is varying perceptions among academics on establishing IR. The findings further revealed that most institutions, although had adequate ICT infrastructure, they had slow Internet connectivity. The study noted lack of technical expertise on managing Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). It also revealed that the majority had limited knowledge about the Open Access. The findings revealed a number of challenges including, low bandwidth, unstable power supply, lack of awareness on IR, lack of knowledge on Intellectual Property Right (IPR), lack of repository policy and lack of funds to run repositories. Furthermore, results show a number of opportunities such as: government’s efforts to create enabling environments to improve Internet connectivity and growing number of institutions establishing repositories. This study therefore recommends increased advocacy on creation of local content repositories, creation of awareness to academics, researchers, students and institutional top leaders. Collaboration between IR managers and IT personnel in managing IR should also be encouraged

Information needs of women in small scale businesses in Tanzania: a case study of Dar es Salaam Region

This paper examines information needs, information seeking behavior of small scale business women in Tanzania and sources of information they use, problems encountered in accessing information and training needs. The study was carried out in Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam Region. The findings revealed that lack of access to information is one among several problems small scale women entrepreneurs face when trying to develop their businesses. It revealed that although women need access to information on business skills, business opportunities, market and technology, such information is inaccessible to them. University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal Vol.6(2) 2004: 1-1

Academic Staff Awareness of Institutional Repositories (IRs) in Tanzania Universities

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the awareness of Institutional Repositories (IRs) among academic staff in Tanzania’s universities. The study employed descriptive research design and mixed methods approaches. The study was conducted in four institutions: The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences(MUHAS), Sokoine University of Agriculture(SUA) and Saint Augustine University of Tanzania(SAUT). It employed both qualitative and quantitative techniques to collect, process and analyse data. The study found that most of respondents were not conversant with strategies used to collect scholarly works for their universities IRs. Besides, they were not aware of self-archiving practices of their scholarly works in their respective university IRs. The findings further indicate that, institutional websites and academic colleagues are the main sources of information on IRs. The study recommends implementation of diverse marketing strategies and conducting regular training, workshops and seminars to improve awareness, skills and knowledge about IRs among academic staff