Analysis of social media use among academic libraries

Social Media (SM) has found uses and application in academic library for various services and functions. This assertion was to be determined among Nigerian university libraries in terms of what platforms, average number of posts, engagement in terms of like, share, comment of users, number of likes on the SM account, type of information disseminated on SM. The result shows a low use of SM among the sampled university libraries in terms of number of SM accounts operated, number of posts, level of engagement in terms of like, share and comment to post from the university libraries’ SM accounts. Also low number of likes for the SM, type of information disseminated is also very low. Most university libraries do not even have any SM accounts. Recommendations were made as to how to improve on the use of SM platform, services that can be rendered on it, how to make it more engaging, and the type of information that should be sent with the frequency of posting messages

Users’ knowledge and use of library services: A case study of Bowen University Library

The need to understand users level of knowledge and use of various library services is very important; issues of library resources has been much researched compared to library services. The research employs descriptive survey research method and a self-developed questionnaire (UKAUS) was administered to 450 students of 200-500 level of Bowen University across three departments in different faculties. The data was analysed using descriptive analysis: mean, percentages, regression and spearman correlation. The findings showed that the students have a good knowledge of the library services and use of the services. Knowledge of library services mean value is greater than that of the use. The two hypotheses tested also shows significant relationship between knowledge and use of library services. It was recommended among other things that library should do more in area of creating/impacting knowledge of various library services and also to bridge the gap between the knowledge and the use

Attitude of undergraduate students to information literacy: Bowen University experience

The study investigated the rationale behind undergraduates’ apathy for information literacy (IL) programme at Bowen University, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study and a multi-stage sampling method was used to select a sample size of five hundred participants spread across disciplines and levels of study. A questionnaire containing closeended, structured items was used to gather data from the respondents and descriptive analyses, including percentages and frequency count were used to analyse the data collected. Three research questions were developed and answered and three research hypotheses were tested through the instrument. Results show that students’ attitude to information literacy significantly influences their information literacy skill and students’ perception of information literacy significantly influences their information literacy skills. Although perception of IL does not predict influence of IL on students, attitude to IL determines the influence of IL on students’ information literacy skills. The study further revealed that the erroneous equation of technology literacy with information literacy was largely responsible for students' lukewarm disposition to information literacy. The study concludes by recommending a paradigm shift from the traditional teaching delivery to a technology-driven, interactive pedagogy that will ginger the interest of the students and thus effect the desired attitudinal change to IL

Use of Information Resources by Student Nurses

Introduction: Information is crucial to the learning process and students explore various sources to meet their information needs. Methodology: This work employed descriptive research design using a self-developed questionnaire to gather data from student nurses on the various information resources they use. Result: The results of the research show that prints materials are the major information resources used by the students, who are active users of the library. Asking colleagues and librarians ranked highest among sources contacted for information. Ease of access and availability of information resources in the library were the most favoured characteristics when looking for information. Student challenges when accessing information resources include lack of time, location of library and attitude of library staff. Discussion and Conclusion: Based on the findings, increasing information searches beyond print resources, collaboration between nursing faculties and librarians, periodic updates from the library, and training in the area of information access among are recommended

Knowledge and Use of Social Media among Nigerian Librarians

Purpose: the purpose of the work was to investigate the knowledge of Librarians about Social Media and how they are using it. Methodology: the methodology employed for this work is descriptive research design using a self-developed questionnaire which is carefully compared with available literatures. Twenty-six different tertiary institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, school of nursing) covering four states in the south west Nigeria was used. SPSS and frequency count using tables, graph and charts were adopted for the analysis. Findings: from the analysis of the result it was found that about half of the Librarians are yet to have in-depth knowledge of SM; Facebook is the still the most common while Skype, Twitter, and LinkedIn were not very popular among them. Facebook is also the mostly used SM, the duration spent on SM weekly is small and the major hardware used is phone and personal laptops. The usual place of accessing SM address is the Library/office. Majority of the Librarians have 2 SM account and the major uses are chatting and gisting. Uploading, reading of blogs or posting of other people and asking of questions have a low response. Conclusion and Recommendation: based on the findings, recommendati

Optimization of Protection Condition on the Stability of Castor (Ricinus communis) Oil Based Biodiesel using Response Surface Methodology

The effects of designed protection conditions such as different antioxidant (propyl gallate, PG and Pyrogallol, PY), antioxidant concentration (30 – 600 ppm), temperature (30˚C -120˚C) and storage period (3 – 5 days) on the oxidation stability of castor biodiesel were investigated. Using the American Standard for Testing Materials (ASTM) recommended protocols to determine the changes in the physicochemical properties (acid value, p-anisidine value, peroxide value, totox value, density, kinematic viscosity and refractive index ) of the castor biodiesel were measured and protection conditions optimized using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) according to the Box–Behnken Design (Design Expert version 11 Statistical Software). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed results indicated the nature of antioxidants; concentration levels and temperature were the most important factors in the biodiesel oxidation, whereas the day of storage was one of the lowest factors. The changes in some important physicochemical values are indication of degradation occurring in the biodiesel under the set storage condition. The optimal conditions for better protection against biodiesel degradation were propyl gallate with the concentration of 316.634 ppm, temperature of 57.874 oC for 4.166 days produced refractive index of 1.515 oC, acid value of 1.423, p-anisidine value of 21.068 and Totox was 1.842 with the overall desirability of 1.000. The overall results showed that castor biodiesel could comply with the standard with PY being more effective than PG. The combined use of these antioxidants did not show, especially at low concentrations, a synergic or additive effect, which makes the mixture of these antioxidants unsuitable to improve the oxidative stability

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

BackgroundThe Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling and measurement properties of the WHQ. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated using a modified, exploratory, instrumental design model.ResultsIn the qualitative phase, 10 structured interviews and six focus groups took place with a total of 47 investigators across six countries. Themes related to comprehension, response mapping, retrieval, and judgement were identified with rich cross-cultural insights. In the quantitative phase, an exploratory Rasch model was fitted to data from 537 patients (369 excluding extremes). Owing to the number of extreme (floor) values, the overall level of power was low. The single WHQ scale satisfied tests of unidimensionality, indicating validity of the ordinal total WHQ score. There was significant overall model misfit of five items (5, 9, 14, 15, 16) and local dependency in 11 item pairs. The person separation index was estimated as 0.48 suggesting weak discrimination between classes, whereas Cronbach's α was high at 0.86. Triangulation of qualitative data with the Rasch analysis supported recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ items 1 (redness), 3 (clear fluid), 7 (deep wound opening), 10 (pain), 11 (fever), 15 (antibiotics), 16 (debridement), 18 (drainage), and 19 (reoperation). Changes to three item response categories (1, not at all; 2, a little; 3, a lot) were adopted for symptom items 1 to 10, and two categories (0, no; 1, yes) for item 11 (fever).ConclusionThis study made recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ for use in global surgical research and practice, using co-produced mixed-methods data from three continents. Translations are now available for implementation into remote wound assessment pathways

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population