Digital Commons Network^™

Assessment Of Information Needs Of Rice Farmers In Tanzania; A Case Study Of Kilombero District, Morogoro, Ronald Benard, Frankwell Dulle, Honesta Ngalapa

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

This paper aims at assessing the information needs of rice farmers in Tanzania using rice producers in Kilombero District as a case study. The study was carried out in four purposefully selected villages in Kilombero District, Morogoro Region. The study used a sample size of 80 respondents.The study employed a case study research design and used a combination of methods to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Data were collected by using documentary review, questionnaires, focus group discussions and personal observations. Quantitative data were analysed by using SPSS, while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The results of …

Exploratory Study Of Online Refrence Services Of Libraries In Nigeria, Helen Nneka Eke Mrs, Vincent Onyeacholam Ekwelem Mr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study reports an experiment that examines the availability of online reference services in libraries in Nigeria. 500 questionnaires were randomly distributed among Nigerian Library Association(NLA) conference attendees. The respondents were drawn from different types of libraries. A total of 311 questionnaires were usable, resulting in a 62 percent response rate. Data’s were analyzed using percentage cross tabulation. The majority of the participants in Nigeria indicated that they are not aware of the existence of Online Reference Services (ORS), yet the project has been in existence for years .The present study was conducted to address five research questions. First, what …

Gender Differences In Internet Usage Among College Students: A Comparative Study, S Thanuskodi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In today’s work environment there is a drastic change in the way how information are shared as well as networking and socializing take place in every society. No doubt that the Internet has become a powerful tool for communication purposes, to exchange ideas, and even used in participation in local, national and international networking. The history of the Internet emerges back in 1960s when several computer scientists were hired by Pentagon to build a system to decentralize communication network. As a result the Arpanet was born. Over time the network grew rapidly to interconnect numerous universities, research centers as well …

Faculty Perceptions And Practices In Health Sciences Information Literacy Instruction In Tanzania, Edda Tandi Lwoga Dr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study assessed the information literacy (IL) instruction perceptions and practices of faculty at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania. An online survey was distributed to all faculty members in five schools and one institute at MUHAS (235 in total) from 2011 to 2012, with a response rate of (34.5 percent). The study findings show a general support for IL development, and its importance in enabling students to do library-based research. To a large extent, faculty believed that the IL competencies of students, including their ability to find, use and evaluate information, was average at the lower …

Awareness And Use Of Lobbying And Advocacy As Strategic Approach For Improving Library And Information Services In Imo State, Nigeria., Oyemike Victor Ossai-Onah

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study gives an insight into awareness and use of lobbying and advocacy as strategic approach for improving library and information services in Nigeria with special reference to libraries in Imo state. A well-structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection with a sample size of forty (40). The study reveals that librarians in Imo state are aware of the place of lobbying and advocacy in improvement of library and information services. The head librarians in the various libraries were identified to be involved in lobbying and advocacy. The reasons for integrating lobbying and advocacy into library and information …

User-Perceived Quality Of Selected Tanzanian Public University Websites, Alfred Said Sife, Grace Emanuel Msoffe

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

A study was conducted to assess the quality of websites of five selected public universities in Tanzania. The main purpose of the study was to understand the quality of university websites from users’ perspectives. This study employed a 22-item instrument measuring four dimensions of web quality namely technical adequacy, information quality, service ability and web appearance. Data were collected through email survey and they were analyzed using SPSS and Ms Excel. The study findings show that, of the five university websites evaluated, the SUA website ranked the highest followed by that of UDSM. The websites of SUZA, OUT and MU …

Internet Access And Usage By Undergraduate Students: A Case Study Of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria, Sowemimo Ronke Adekunmisi, Emmanuel Babatunde Ajala, Abiodun Olaide Iyoro

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study was carried out in order to determine Internet access and usage by the undergraduate students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria. A review of literature was done on information and communication technologies (ICTs) and its importance in education. A description of Internet and its actual use by lecturers as well as students were also reviewed. Data was obtained from 200 undergraduate students of the institution with the use of a questionnaire. Information collected showed that majority of the cyber cafe around the university environment were privately owned and despite this, students accessed the Internet from their pocket money. It …

Web Search Behaviour Of Postgraduate Students At Sokoine University Of Agriculture, Tanzania, Alfred Said Sife

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

A study was conducted on the Web search behaviour of postgraduates at Sokoine University of Agriculture. Specifically, the study sought to understand the search characteristics of postgraduates, reasons for using the Web, usage of various web features, web search skills and problems faced while using the Web. The study population comprised of all postgraduates pursuing masters and doctoral programmes at SUA. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire that were distributed randomly and they were analyzed using SPSS. The findings indicate that most postgraduates were experienced Web users and they accessed the Internet mostly through their own modems. Most students relied …

Internet Access And Use Among Undergraduate Students Of Bowen University Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria, Aderonke O. Otunla

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study examined the internet access and use among undergraduate students of Bowen University Iwo, Osun state, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used. The population comprises of 4,800 undergraduate students out of which 300 students were randomly selected from various faculties, 298 questionnaires were correctly filled and analyzed. The result of the findings shows that all respondents access and used the internet. Major access was through their mobile phones with 52.7%, only 6.4 accessed through University Digital centre while none from the library. Respondent used internet daily with 68.9%, 41.6% used internet between 7-9 hours a week and experience …

Effect Of Self-Concept, Knowledge Sharing And Utilization On Research Productivity Among Librarians In Public Universities In South-West, Nigeria., Sarah Okonedo, Sunday Olarenwaju Popoola

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Research is subsisting and necessary part of modern university, therefore the significance of publication in the growth and development of the library profession cannot be overestimated. This study focused on the effects of self-concept, knowledge sharing and utilization on research productivity of librarians in public university in South-West Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted; a total of one hundred and seven-four (174) respondents were selected for the study and 134 copies of the questionnaires were returned and virtually used for the study. The result showed that the level of publication of librarians is moderately high. There was relative effects of …

Internet Use Among Undergraduate Students Of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Nigeria, Olubanke Mofoluwaso Bankole, Babalola Stephen Oludayo Mr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study sought to determine the extent of internet access and use by students of Olabisi Onabanjo University(OOU), Ago Iwoye, Nigeria. A descriptive questionnaire survey was employed to obtain data from a sample of 1140 undergraduate students of OOU from March to April, 2010 with a total of 1066 validly retuned representing response rate of 91.3%. Additional information was also obtained with an informal interview and observations. The results showed that almost all the respondents (97.6%) had accessed the internet, with mean internet use experience of 4.2 years. Majority of the respondents, i.e. 66.1% accessed the Internet from cybercafés outside …

Access And Awareness Of Ict Resources And Services In Medical College Libraries In Puducherry, S. Dhanavandan, S. Mohammed Esmail, M. Nagarajan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is widely considered as the most important revolution humankind has experienced since the industrial revolution and the development of movable type printing techniques. A country's development depends on the extent of use, speed of access, and skilled application of ICT systems. Computer and communications technologies have drastically changed the entire human activities including library and information field. Now a days -libraries are deeply engaged to modernize operations & activities to provide fast, integrated, interactive and comprehensive services. In the same direction with IT thrust the concept of digital library has emerged substantially. Various universities …

The Role Of University Libraries In Enhancing Local Content Availability In The Nigerian Community, Chimezie Patrick Uzuegbu

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction

What is local content? According to Abdul Waheed Khan, in his paper presented in a UNESCO and World Summit on the Information Society, "Local content is an expression and communication of a community's locally generated, owned and adapted knowledge and experience that is relevant to the community's situation". Bhattacharjee (2001) says that local content is generally defined as a work which is produced under the creative control of nationals of the country. Meanwhile, the economist definition of local content is that it is the proportion of input which comes from the country itself, as opposed to those imported. Observing …

Factors Affecting Information And Communication Technologies (Icts) Use By Academic Librarians In Southwestern Nigeria, Yacob Haliso

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) improves service provision of librarians. In spite of this, it is observed that librarians in Nigeria do not maximally utilize the ICTs. Consequently, the communities of scholars complain of the poor information services provision by librarians. It is in the light of this that this study investigated factors that may be responsible for the poor utilization of the ICTs in the Southwestern Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive research design. A total enumerative sampling technique was used. The finding indicated that lack of organizational commitment towards ICT acquisition constituted the highest barrier …

Internet Services In Nigerian Private Universities: A Case Study, Isaac Echezonam Anyira

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study investigated the accessibility and use of Internet services in Nigerian private university system. The survey method was used for the study and data were collected with questionnaire from 240 respondents. Data were analyzed using frequency count and percentage. the findings are that: majority of the staff and students do not have access to the Internet as a result of ineffectiveness of the institution's Internet facility; cybercafés and personal laptops are their main Internet access points; Internet use is motivated by lack of materials in the library and the convenience of Internet use; staff and students use the Internet …

Size And Quality Of Information Sources And The Use Of Library Services In A University Library, Akobundu Dike Ugah

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study investigated the size and quality of information sources and the use of library services in the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike library. The case study research design was used for the study. The population was made up of 1,000 library-registered users in the university library. A sample size of 200 was selected using the simple random sampling technique. The study concluded that the independent variables of size and quality have influence and significant relationship with the use of library services. The study recommended that the information sources be improved in terms of size and quality.

Use Of The Internet In Government First Grade College Libraries In Bidar District, D. B. Patil

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Internet has revolutionized the world of information. It is one of two technological innovations that have greatly influence the development of communication strategies and practices in both the general and the business communities of the world. The first was the invention of the printing press, Gutenberg’s invention served to democratize the possession and transmission of texts, made the production of books much easier and cheaper than the manuscript method it replaced. The Internet provides new horizons for the researcher. A potentially vast population of all kinds of individuals and groups may be more easily reached than ever before, across geographical …

Computer And Internet Facilities Use In Distance Education: A Survey Of Sandwich Students Of University Of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, Samson Oyeniyi Akande

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Education is an agent of transformation and change. Many people who cannot afford traditional educational delivery have opted for distance education.Distance education emphasizes electronic communications and use of ICT facilities, but few studies have been conducted to investigate the level of use of computer and Internet facilities by sandwich students in Nigerian universities. "Sandwich students" take an extra year to complete their degrees. The extra year is spent gaining relevant work experience.This study investigates the extent to which the sandwich students make use of computer and Internet facilities for their programme using the University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, as a case …

The University Library, Information Provision, And Use By Policymakers In Olabisi Onabanjo University (Oou), Nigeria, Abiodun O. Odunewu

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Availability and timely access to information is indispensable in policy formulation and implementation. It is often believed that a library is as good as its patronage. This study is an attempt to relate the level of patronage of Olabisi Onabanjo University Library by its policymakers to its information delivery capability. A questionnaire was used to gather data, with 102 copies administered at the senate level and 18 copies administered at the Governing Council level. A total of 89 copies were returned, representing an 80 percent response rate. The study reveals inadequate patronage of the library by policymakers. The study concludes …

The Use Of Information Sources And Services And Its Effect On The Research Output Of Social Scientists In Nigerian Universities, S.O. Popoola

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This article investigates the effects of the use of information sources and services on the research output of social scientists in the Nigerian federal government-owned universities. Simple cluster sampling with equal allocation method was used for sample selection. A self-developed questionnaire with a reliability coefficient (α = 0.78) was used for data gathering on 315 social scientists, of which 281 responded. The study found no significant difference between male and female use of information sources in social science research. The mean number of journals read on a regular basis by the respondents is seven. They occasionally use electronic information services …