The nature and trends of agricultural research development in Africa : an informetric study

The study recognizes Agriculture as the mainstay activity of most economies in Africa and analyses research nature and trends in the discipline by using descriptive informetrics and focusing on seven indicators, by using the AGRICOLA and ISI-E databases from 1991 to 2005. We observed that research output in the discipline is much higher in South Africa and Kenya, and research collaboration is greater than non-collaborative research output and collaboration is less among African countries. The most popular research domains were found to exist in environmental science, soil science, plant/crop production and [agricultural] economics. Helpful conclusions and recommendations for an Agricultural policy, capacity and research orientation have been made

Editorial

No Abstrac

Routine radiographic findings in clinically healthy edentulous jaw bones of patients seeking their first set of complete denture prostheses

Objective: To describe the role of routine radiographic examination of clinically healthy completely edentulous jaws prior to fabrication of the first set of complete dentures.Design: Cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study.Settings: The departments of Conservative and Prosthetic Dentistry, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine/Oral Pathology, Dental Maxillofacial Radiology of the School of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi.Results: One hundred and eighty eight records were examined of which only 47(25%) had radiographic records. One hundred and fifty two significant radiographic findings and indices were recorded, which included retained roots, impacted teeth, significant radioluscencies and radiopacities, calcified stylohyoid ligament, extensive alveolar bone resorption, condylar changes and mandibular cortical index.Conclusion: This study confirms the high diagnostic yield of routine preprosthetic treatment radiographic examination. It also puts into perspective various anatomical indices in the jaw which, with proper interpretation, may determine or influence management decisions and prognosis in individual patients

Editorial

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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

LGBT Challenging and Reproducing Sexual Hegemonies: Stories from the Kenyan LGB Communities

LGBT studies in Kenya are unpopular since they are considered ‘uncomfortable territory’. This paper covers stories of people in samesex relationships against a backdrop of homophobia in Kenya. It is based on a study which explored same-sex practices in traditional Kenyan communities, homophobia and same-sex practising individuals. The methodology involved focus group discussions with 20 elders, and face-to-face questionnaires administered in eight towns through a random sampling of 605 people. Twelve same-sex practising people were selected through purposive sampling. They gave their stories with consent, and names were changed to maintain confidentiality. Research findings revealed that homophobia was more common in older than younger individuals. Same-sex practising people and gender minorities accounted for 22 per cent of the population subjected to questionnaires. From the same-sex practising stories, ten of which are featured here, it was found that the respondents had gone through difficult phases in their lives where they struggled to find acceptance and fulfilment. They had challenged explicitly or implicitly, the sexual hegemonies within the wider society breaking away from either a heterosexual existence or finding a more balanced harmonious existence, where they could allow themselves to question and explore their sexualities, in relationships of their choice

Physics Practical Work and Its Influence on Students’ Academic Achievement

In Kenyan secondary schools, form two is an important class for all students. The students choose relevant subjects to study in form three and four. Physics is compulsory at form one and two but optional thereafter. Performance in the subject at the end of the secondary school is usually dismal. Majority of students lack motivation for most activities related to the subject. Few boys and even fewer girls opt to study this subject. The teacher centered mode of study has often been reported as the culprit leading to this problem. This study investigated whether structured practical work can aid the process of learning the subject. Specifically, the study sought to find out the difference in academic achievement in physics between students taught using intensive practical activities and those taught using conventional teaching methods, mostly theoretically. The findings were analyzed ovarally and gender wise.  The study involved two groups from sampled average performing secondary schools in Kakamega South Sub-County-Kenya. The quasi-experimental pre-test, post test non- equivalent group research design was adopted. The study period covered term two and three. The end of form two term one physics examination scores formed the pretest. The cumulated result on the chosen topics at the end of form two formed the post test for both groups. Two instruments were used to collect data. These are End of Term One Form Two Examination (EOTOFTE) and the Performance Test on the Chosen Topics (PTCT). Validity of the instrument was ascertained with the aid of experienced secondary school physics teachers and science education instrument construction experts. Reliability of the Performance Test on the Chosen Topics determined using Kuder Richardson KR-20 was found to be 0.95. The performance on the pre-test result was comparable for both experimental and control groups. The results of the post-test were analyzed using the t-test, Analysis of Variance and Chi-Square. Experimental group recorded better performance than the control group. The study helped in determining the value of experimentation in physics instruction. It is hoped to help shape policy on the nature and quality of practical work to be encouraged in secondary school physics instruction. The study was aimed at contributing towards realization of needs to resolve problems w               3q2         1`inherent in physics reflected in the poor performance in the subject. The findings are formed on the basis of dynamic and creative instructional strategies since good learner’s intelligence and skills can be expressed if better instructional methods are in place. Keywords: Science Concept, Science instruction, Science Process skills, Practical Work, Average Performing Schools

A comparison of the research and publication patterns and output of academic librarians in eastern and southern Africa from 1990-2006:a preliminary study

This paper compares the research and publication patterns of academic librarians in eastern and southern Africa. The study confined its scope to publications produced between 1990 and 2006. Bibliometric techniques through content analysis were used as a research method. Two online databases, namely LISTA and WORLDCAT were used for publication searches. Names of academic librarians were retrieved from their respective academic library websites and used as keywords for retrieving data from the two online databases. A total of 866 academic librarians, i.e. 755 from southern Africa and 111 from eastern Africa, were identified and their research publication records analysed. The results indicate that in terms of publications per librarian there was no significant difference between southern Africa and eastern Africa; South Africa was the most productive country in terms of publications; the University of Botswana Library was the most prolific library; Muswazi from the University of Witwatersrand and Pienaar from the University of Pretoria were the most productive academic librarians; academic librarians in eastern Africa preferred publishing in foreign journals while those from southern Africa published more in domestic journals led by South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science; the publication output of the two regions was inconsistent (up-down trend) during this period; the main subject area of librarians in both regions was Information Technology; most academic librarians from both regions preferred publishing individually; and the most published type of document in both regions was journal articles