Assessing the Information Seeking Behaviour of Researchers at the Okavango Research Institute, Botswana

The Okavango Research Institute (ORI), a branch of the University of Botswana (UB), located in the North Western region of Botswana, serves researchers in the natural and social sciences. ORI researchers need information to support research that contributes towards sustainable use of Botswana’s wetlands, which includes the Okavango Delta and other related wetlands. This study investigated the information seeking behaviour of ORI’s researchers. The aim of the study was to understand how they seek information, the information sources they use, and the problems they encounter when seeking information. Since ORI is a small institution, all the organization’s researchers were included in this study, which used a quantitative research method in the form of a survey. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The results showed that researchers in ORI seek information that is closely aligned to their research fields. The majority of researchers seek information to conduct research, write articles for publication, and to update their knowledge. Most of the researchers indicated that they prefer searching the internet and accessing the library remotely to satisfy their information needs. They reported poor internet connectivity, outdated library materials, and lack of time and skills to search for information as some of the challenges to successful information seeking. The study therefore recommends that acquisition of relevant and current information sources in appropriate formats be priortised and that library staff undertake information literacy skills sessions for researchers

SERVICE QUALITY GAPS AND CHALLENGES IN THE ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN KENYA

Abstract The subject of service quality has been widely researched in various sectors and the academic libraries are no exception. University libraries in Africa, in Kenya in particular, are therefore required to re-examine and justify their very existence within the academic institutions. This study seeks to establish the level of service quality in Kenyan academic libraries by analysing, evaluating and assessing the level of service quality in the academic libraries. Applying the Gap model suggests there are gaps/shortfalls within the service delivery process thus resulting to users’ dissatisfaction. Descriptive survey research method is employed; and guided by the study’s research objectives, a combination of f qualitative and quantitative methods were employed for this study using questionnaires, interviews, and observation as data collection instruments. . From the entire list of accredited universities in Kenya as of 2015, a sample of 10 (ten) institutions was purposively selected. In each institution external (library users) and internal (librarians) users were targeted. Findings from the study revealed that academic libraries are faced by a myriad of challenges: a growing and divergent user population, limited range of information resources/services, poor infrastructure, inadequate staff working areas and tools, limited budgets, heavy bureaucratic tendencies, lack of top institutional management support, poor leadership by the departmental heads, and poor market orientation strategies; nonetheless they’re endowed with a rich pool of well-trained information professionals, large market for their services, and customer goodwill, all of which are under-exploited. In addition, the findings revealed that academic libraries are ill prepared to provide specialised services for People with Disabilities (PWDs). Recommendations include: increased budgetary allocations, acquisition of more diverse information resources, change in the management of the academic libraries (this may include, creating an enabling environment for optimal operation/functioning; improved organizational communication, effective supervision by the Commission for University Education (CUE), and introduction of a policy framework on the operations of the academic libraries

Issues and trends in the provision of public library services in Nigeria: A literature survey

The philosophy, orientation and nature of public library are routed in the responsibility of disseminating diverse and current information services to the members of its community. Waller and Mcshare (2008) posit two major challenges in the provision and use of public library services which are; lack of obtaining a thorough understanding of the nature of the environment which bothers majorly on information provision and use; and the development of policy frameworks that clarifies institutions goals and brings coherence to diverse and sometimes conflicting policy demands. This paper looks at issues and trends concerning some of the challenges bedeviling the provision and utilisation of public library services in Nigeria such as in-appropriate policies, lack of sufficient professionals, inadequate facilities and services and lack of awareness and proper understanding of the concept of public library services which led to non-use of the available services by potential users. Yield shift theory of satisfaction phenomena was used to explain the satisfaction phenomenon of public library services by users. Identified challenges were discussed and recommendations made towards developing a framework for improved public library services in Nigeria

Issues and trends in the provision of public library services in Nigeria: A literature survey

The philosophy, orientation and nature of public library are routed in the responsibility of disseminating diverse and current information services to the members of its community. Waller and Mcshare (2008) posit two major challenges in the provision and use of public library services which are; lack of obtaining a thorough understanding of the nature of the environment which bothers majorly on information provision and use; and the development of policy frameworks that clarifies institutions goals and brings coherence to diverse and sometimes conflicting policy demands. This paper looks at issues and trends concerning some of the challenges bedeviling the provision and utilisation of public library services in Nigeria such as in-appropriate policies, lack of sufficient professionals, inadequate facilities and services and lack of awareness and proper understanding of the concept of public library services which led to non-use of the available services by potential users. Yield shift theory of satisfaction phenomena was used to explain the satisfaction phenomenon of public library services by users. Identified challenges were discussed and recommendations made towards developing a framework for improved public library services in Nigeria

Is indigenous knowledge accessed and used by agricultural researchers and extension workers in Zimbabwe?

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is knowledge which has been developed and accumulated over time by a community and has been passed down over generations. It is represented in most spheres of human activity: in agriculture, traditional and alternative medicine, human and animal health, forestry and botany. This article discusses how Indigenous Agricultural Knowledge (IAK) is accessed and used by agricultural researchers and extension workers in Zimbabwe. We review the relevant literature, largely focused on IAK, to support a case study in Zimbabwe that responds to the following four research questions: What is the importance of IAK to agricultural research and extension in Zimbabwe? How frequent is IAK utilised? What are the sources of IAK and what are the types of IAK in use in the country? We conclude that IK is relevant in modern day agriculture and should be given sufficient attention in general and by researchers and extension workers. We conclude that the documentation and integration of IAK into research, and education and training is essential.Innovation, No.44, June 201

Barriers and facilitators for implementation of automated home medication dispensers in home care from Dutch professionals' perspective:a qualitative study

Introduction and aims:Present-day home care needs to be more efficiently organized in view of the aging of the population and the current nursing shortages. Ensuring safe medication use is part of the challenge. The number of required visits could be reduced if automated home medication dispensers (AHMD) are adequately implemented. However, the barriers and facilitators for implementation are unknown. This project explored determinants (barriers, facilitators, or both) for implementing AHMD in home care, from Dutch home care nurses' perspective.Methods:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 home care nurses. Determinants were identified through thematic content analysis. The first four transcripts were coded inductively. Then, a code tree was developed based on the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases checklist, consisting of seven domains. Each code/determinant was then labelled as a barrier, facilitator, or both.Results:The most relevant domains were innovation factors, individual health professional factors, and patient factors. The most frequently mentioned barrier was the required unplanned visits when patients did not withdraw medication within the scheduled time limit (alarm). According to our respondents, carefully assessing patients' eligibility (e.g., learnability) and properly instructing and guiding them will help prevent these alarms from occurring. Next to these determinants, motivating patients to start using an AHMD and professionals having sufficient knowledge and confidence were the most frequently mentioned facilitators.Conclusion:This project provided an overview of 78 determinants from nurses' perspective for implementation of AHMD in home care. This can form the basis for developing strategies for implementing AHMD in home care. Further research is recommended to investigate the perceived determinants from the patients', relatives', and informal caregivers' perspectives, and to prioritize the determinants from all perspectives

Visibility of University of Zululand and Moi University Researchers in Web of Science and Scopus from 2003 to 2013

This paper reflects on the representation of the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) and Moi University (MU)’s research publications in WoS (Web of Science) and Scopus between 2003 and 2013 as an indicator of active research engagement, quality, and international visibility. Research quality, visibility and collaboration theories were interrogated to inform this study. The research questions posed in this paper were: Do the researchers’ publications appear in the databases and to what extent? How has the publication trend of the universities changed from 2003 to 2013? In which subject areas/domains did they publish? What is the citation impact of their publications? What is the subject coverage of the publications? The study employed descriptive and analytical bibliometrics through content analysis as a research method. Data for the duration of 2003 - 2013 was downloaded from the two databases by author affiliation and captured in Excel by author, rank, discipline, title of paper, and source/type of the publication, and they were analysed by using relevant quantitative techniques. The results reveal that the publications of most of the researchers (approximately 70%) were not indexed in the databases. The publication subject coverage at MU was largely in the Health Sciences/Medicine, while Physical Sciences coverage was stronger at the University of Zululand. A strong research niche area emerged in the area of Medicine at Moi University. Citations and the h-index for both universities in the databases were largely low, but some impressive impact seemed to occur in the medical and biochemical research domain. There are possibilities for research collaboration and evidence of quality research emerging from the two institutions. A niche research area and collaboration in Medicine/Health Sciences is feasible