Towards Evidence-Informed Agriculture Policy Making: Investigating The Knowledge Translation Practices Of Researchers In The National Agriculture Research Institutes In Nigeria, Isioma N. Elueze

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This study investigated the knowledge translation practices of researchers in the National Agriculture Research Institutes of Nigeria and the utilization of research knowledge by policy actors in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Nigeria. Data for the study was obtained from agriculture researchers and the policy actors through questionnaires and interviews. In addition, bibliometric and content analysis were carried out on documents from the research institutes and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to gauge the transfer and use of knowledge by the researchers and policy actors respectively. Out of about six hundred questionnaires that …

Alternate Academy: Investigating The Use Of Open Educational Resources By Students At The University Of Lagos In Nigeria, Daniel Onaifo

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Abstract

Open educational resources (OER) are increasingly used to support pedagogical initiatives and learning needs at institutions of higher education across the globe. In this thesis, I examined key issues in the use of OER by students at the University of Lagos in Nigeria. Specifically, I examined how much awareness the students have of OER, their attitudes toward OER, and the benefit they derive from using the resources. I also examined the specific motivations behind their use of the resources as well as the challenges they face in doing so. A mixed methods research design, consisting of two data collection …

Understanding Collaborative Sensemaking For System Design — An Investigation Of Musicians' Practice, Nadia Conroy

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There is surprisingly little written in information science and technology literature about the design of tools used to support the collaboration of creators. Understanding collaborative sensemaking through the use of language has been traditionally applied to non-work domains, but this method is also well-suited for informing hypotheses about the design collaborative systems. The presence of ubiquitous, mobile technology, and development of multi-user virtual spaces invites investigation of design which is based on naturalistic, real world, creative group behaviors, including the collaborative work of musicians. This thesis is considering the co-construction of new (musical) knowledge by small groups. Co-construction of new …

Different Approaches For Different Folks, Alexandre Fortier

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This thesis sought to describe the influence of Need for Cognition and Need for Cognitive Closure on the information behaviour of undergraduate students. Following a mixed-methods design, qualitative data were collected first to provide insights into the relationship. The second phase used an information behaviour scale developed for this study. Results were subjected to a factor analysis to identify different aspects of information behaviour, which were then used as the dependent measures in a series of analyses of variance with two traits as independent variables.

Need for Cognition, as indicated by the results of the first phase, influences the general …

Creating Context From Curiosity: The Role Of Serendipity In The Research Process Of Historians In Physical And Digital Environments, Kim Martin

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Serendipity, the word used to describe an unexpected encounter with information, people, or objects, has drawn much scholarly attention since its 1754 coinage by Horace Walpole. Historians commonly use this term when describing unexpected encounters during their research. However, historians have also been shown to be meticulous, organized researchers whose work is unlikely to contain elements that are unexpected. This thesis is an investigation of serendipity as it is recognized, defined, and experienced by historians in both physical and digital environments. Article One presents a grounded theory analysis of 20 interview transcriptions, Article Two presents a combination of grounded theory, …