Analysis of Contents of Tanzanian University Library Websites

A study was carried out between January and February 2013 to analyze the contents of 16 university and university college library websites in Tanzania using content analysis method. The consolidated data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and presented in tabular form. The study findings revealed that although many university library websites have some commonalities, these websites miss many important features. Some library websites have very little content that do not provide a real picture about their collections, resources and services. The websites also lack uniformity despite many similarities that university libraries possess. There is poor presentation of details on e-resources and library services. It is recommended that the design of library websites should be driven by the information needs and seeking behaviour of target users rather than technology or library functions. Website designers should make use of current and emerging technologies to provide library users with opportunities to locate and retrieve information efficiently. Furthermore, library websites should be updated regularly in order to respond to users’ changing needs. Recommendations on future research are also provided.Keywords: library website, university, library services, Tanzani

Usage of E-resources in Postgraduate Research at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences: A Citation Analysis

A citation analysis was conducted to examine the use of e-resources in postgraduate research at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Tanzania. A total of 549 masters dissertations produced between 2002 and 2011 were examined. Collected data were analysed in Microsoft Excel. The findings indicate that a total of 30,405 references were extracted giving an average of 55.4 references per dissertation. References to print journal articles accounted for 70% of the total references. E-resources made up only 5.2% of the total references and citations to e-journals were even fewer (0.3%). The highest citation to e-resources was recorded in 2008 and there were no e-journal citations for the years 2002 and 2004. In general, the number of e-journal citations has remained very low during the ten years period. The findings therefore paint a picture that eresources were underutilized by postgraduates at MUHAS. However, there is possibility that some of the journal articles cited were retrieved from CD-ROMs databases or retrieved from the web but they were cited as print sources due to lack of skills in using correct citation styles. It could also be that students incorrectly cite secondary references. It is recommended that universities should intensify provision of information literacy programmes (including the use of various citation styles) for students and staff as well as promoting the use of e-resources. Future research may combine citation analysis and other methods to establish reasons for the low usage of e-resources.Keywords: citation analysis, bibliometrics, dissertations, e-resources, Tanzani

Information needs and seeking behaviour of Tanzanian forestry researchers in the electronic environment

This study examined information needs and seeking behaviour of Tanzanian forestry researchers in the growing global electronic environment. A questionnaire based survey was conducted in three forestry research institutions. The findings indicated a wide range of information needs among forestry researchers in the studied institutions. Findings also revealed that researchers depend mostly on printed sources but evidence also suggests that they use electronic information resources such as CD-Rom databases and Internet services in varying levels. Researchers depend mainly on their institutional libraries, other forestry research institutional libraries as well as those of international and governmental organizations to meet their information needs. The paper recommends that there is a need to improve forestry research institutional libraries and that they should be networked in order to facilitate resource sharing. University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal Vol.6(1) 2004: 78-8

African Web-Based Animal Health Information: Analysis Of Online Databases

This paper examines the coverage of animal health information published on the web from Africa or about Africa using content analysis method. A total of 27 agricultural academic indexing and abstracting online databases were selected for the study. African animal health information was determined according to the specific objectives, which included the available scientific content, the ease of locating information once the site is found and the currency of information. Literature review was undertaken to identify challenges and opportunities for African scientists to publish on the web. The study reveals that the representation of African animal health information on the web was generally low by 8.28%. This implies that the web is dominated with the information from developed world. The paper recommends that African scientists should utilize both open access repositories and journals to increase accessibility of the local animal health content on the web.University of Dar Es Salaam Library Journal Vol. 9 (1) 2007: pp. 1-1

Parliamentarians access to information: a case of Dodoma Parliamentary Library in Tanzania

The study investigated the current status of the Dodoma Parliamentary Library with regard to performance and effectiveness in providing relevant information to members of parliament. A case study was employed as the studywas based on one specific library. In gathering data, the triangulation method was used including questionnaires, interview schedule, and personal observation as data gathering instruments. Findings of the study established that generally the status of the library in providing information to Parliamentarians was not good. The library provided weak information services grouped in three sections namely; technical, reference, and circulation and lending services. In order to effect their duties parliamentarians mainly need political and policy related information, general news and scientific and technological information. The performance of the Dodoma Parliamentary Library was mainly affected by inadequate facilities such as computers, inadequate funds, few trained staff, few collections and inadequate information sources in different media and formats. Other factors include lack of information literacy skills and low morale of reading culture among parliamentarians. Consequently, several recommendations were made: increasing library space, recruiting more well trained library staff, automating library, improving and diversifying library collection, conducting information literacy and information technology training to the parliamentarians, requesting the government to allocate more resources to that library, giving library staff time to conduct research to improve their services, and requiring the library to have a policy for effective planning of activities. University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal Vol.6(1) 2004:44-5

Energy access is needed to maintain health during pandemics

Energy plays a central role in responding to emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, from ensuring adequate healthcare services to supporting households during lockdowns. Protecting the renewable energy industry and its contribution to providing sustainable energy access for all must be an urgent priority in the current crisis

An International Survey of Veterinary Students to Assess Their Use of Online Learning Resources

Today's veterinary students have access to a wide range of online resources that support self-directed learning. To develop a benchmark of current global student practice in e-learning, this study measured self-reported access to, and use of, these resources by students internationally. An online survey was designed and promoted via veterinary student mailing lists and international organizations, resulting in 1,070 responses. Analysis of survey data indicated that students now use online resources in a wide range of ways to support their learning. Students reported that access to online veterinary learning resources was now integral to their studies. Almost all students reported using open educational resources (OERs). Ownership of smartphones was widespread, and the majority of respondents agreed that the use of mobile devices, or m-learning, was essential. Social media were highlighted as important for collaborating with peers and sharing knowledge. Constraints to e-learning principally related to poor or absent Internet access and limited institutional provision of computer facilities. There was significant geographical variation, with students from less developed countries disadvantaged by limited access to technology and networks. In conclusion, the survey provides an international benchmark on the range and diversity in terms of access to, and use of, online learning resources by veterinary students globally. It also highlights the inequalities of access among students in different parts of the world

Minding the gap: an assessment of the quality of course information available on the websites of African universities

Deciding which university to attend and what course to study are essential choices for prospective students. Given Universities’ websites have been considered a vital source of information for prospective students, this study explores the quality and quantity of information about undergraduate programs available in African Universities. The study adopts the ALARA Model of Information Search on website, a novel methodology, which brings together case study research, stakeholder roleplay and netnography. Taking the role of a prospective student, the research explores the availability, location, accessibility, relatability and actionability (ALARA) of information provided on University websites. The study found that prospective students are short-changed as the Universities are not providing enough information for them to decide. More than 70 per cent of the best Universities in Africa did not provide any information for their prospective students about the programs they intend to study. The study offers both theoretical and managerial implication. It extends knowledge about marketing higher education, understanding student information search. The study also highlights implication for University Managers, Academic staff, Marketing Communication Team, Information and Communications Team and other teams responsible for developing and updating the Universities’ website with current and relevant information about the programs offered by the University