Information Research: an international electronic journal
Introduction: This paper examines the provision of digital information resources in academic libr... more Introduction: This paper examines the provision of digital information resources in academic libraries with focus on university libraries in Nigeria. Method: A descriptive survey design was used. The population of the study was 744 certified academic librarians working in the three tiers of universities (federal, state, and private) as contained in the list maintained by the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Analysis: The data were analyzed quantitatively through the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS), using percentages, mean scores, and standard deviation. Results: Access to digital information resources in libraries is low due to non-implementation of real time provision of information resources to users, emanating from lack of library management software that would drive the process, professionals’ lack of skills in implementing digital information services, and lack of relevant formal institutional digital i...
Conflict in simple terms, means a state of disagreement, controversy or opposition. It could also... more Conflict in simple terms, means a state of disagreement, controversy or opposition. It could also mean the existence of a prolonged battle, struggle or clash between two or more parties. Obegi and Nyamboga (2008), quoting Nicholas (1992) described conflict as situations where two people (or groups)
The realities of the present era of globalization and information and communication technologies ... more The realities of the present era of globalization and information and communication technologies (ICT) culminating to the African Virtual Library and information Network (AVLIN) have made it expedient that African information professionals should be able to develop, showcase and make accessible African indigenous information to the knowledge world. This literature- based opinion paper has tried to identify with the view of the conference organizers that -Major digital initiatives involving African content are currently being undertaken by non-African organizatiosn without widely accepted protocols and agreement- and therefore, argues that there is a serious need for a theoretical and policy framework necessary to provide a basis for systematic training of library and Information science professionals to place African knowledge in a pedestal that will make it accessible to the world of knowledge. It was found out that the library schools in most African Universities are ill-equipped ...
The study examined the challenges of accessibility of information resources by the post-graduate ... more The study examined the challenges of accessibility of information resources by the post-graduate library users of the University of Nigeria Nsukka. The descriptive survey research design was adopted using the questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of 200 respondents drawn from a population of 1113 post-graduate library users of the Nnamdi Azikiwe library, using the proportionate stratified sampling technique. The findings revealed that library resources were not easily accessible to the students as a result of inadequacies emanating from out-datedness of resources; ineffective bibliographic organization and ineffective library services. It was recommended among others that electronic /online information resources should be made available in the library to help researchers have access to current materials. Also the library collection should be well organized to ensure that the catalogue and other bibliographic access resour...
The realities of the present era of globalization and information and communication technologies ... more The realities of the present era of globalization and information and communication technologies (ICT) culminating in the African Virtual Library and Information Network (AVLIN) have made it expedient that African information professionals should be able to develop, showcase and make accessible African indigenous information to the knowledge world. This literature-based opinion paper has tried to identify with the view of the conference organizers that “Major digital initiatives involving African content are currently being undertaken by non-African organization without widely accepted protocols and agreement”. The paper argues that there is a serious need for a theoretical and policy framework necessary to provide a basis for systematic training of library and information science professionals to place African knowledge on a pedestal that will make it accessible to the world of knowledge. It was found that the library schools in most African universities are ill-equipped to train p...
The study explored the state of electronic information resource sharing among university librarie... more The study explored the state of electronic information resource sharing among university libraries in Southern part of Nigeria, highlighting the prospects and the challenges. The study was an empirical research which adopted the descriptive survey as the design. The questionnaire was used to collect data from the population comprising university librarians of the 37 public universities in Southern Nigeria. It was found that the university libraries had diverse kinds of electronic information resources and some ICT facilities but lacked web-based OPAC and library management software, which are fundamental for e-resource sharing. They could not engage in any meaningful form of structured resource sharing initiative as a result of lack of institutional policies and standards. This implies that access to information is endangered where the libraries are unable to collaborate to bridge the gap between the information-rich and information – poor libraries -– a scenario which conversely wo...
Introduction Acquisition of skills in effective use of information is seen as a necessary require... more Introduction Acquisition of skills in effective use of information is seen as a necessary requirement for students' optimum performance in learning. The availability of diverse and more complicated information resources, occasioned by the advances in information and communication technologies (ICT), has brought about additional challenges on the students, who have to learn how to obtain and effectively use information from these sources for maximum performance. This has necessitated a shift in the method of teaching from the traditional approach to resource-based approach requiring the impartation of information literacy skills in students. Information literacy has been identified as the basic foundation of learning in an environment of abundant information resources occasioned by the advances in technological development. Igbo and Imo (2010), citing Bruce (2002), have observed that the complexities of the information and communication technologies (ICT) have brought about the r...
Africa has been ranked low among the other regions of the world on the production and communicati... more Africa has been ranked low among the other regions of the world on the production and communication of research findings. Many have attributed this to poor research culture in the continent, while others blame it on lack of research sponsorship through grants. However, a major issue that is yet to be examined is the visibility of existing research in the region to the international research community. Theses and dissertations are very important research productions that are critical for sustainable national development. Unfortunately, their visibility is not certain to the global scholarly community. The study was conducted to examine the potential of electronic theses and dissertations in promotion of scholarship in Africa and to propose strategies for the full development and adoption of electronic theses and dissertations in African universities.
The paper examined the impact of technology variables on access to information by undergraduates ... more The paper examined the impact of technology variables on access to information by undergraduates in the digital libraries of federal universities in Nigeria. The study was an empirical research which adopted Ex-post-facto as the design. The questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 1,506 respondents drawn, using a multi-stage technique, from the population of 30,121 undergraduates in addition to the entire 21 library staff of seven federal universities purposively selected from southern Nigeria. Focus group discussion and interview sessions were also used to complement the questionnaire responses. Data generated were analysed using frequency and percentages. Responses from the focus group discussion and the interview were analysed qualitatively. The findings revealed that technology variables such as system usability, interface design and content usefulness make a low impact on the undergraduates’ access to information. It was recommended among others that training pro...
Africa has been ranked low among the other regions of the world on the production and communicati... more Africa has been ranked low among the other regions of the world on the production and communication of research findings. Many have attributed this to poor research culture in the continent, while others blame it on lack of research sponsorship through grants. However, a major issue that is yet to be examined is the visibility of existing research in the region to the international research community. Theses and dissertations are very important research productions that are critical for sustainable national development. Unfortunately, their visibility is not certain to the global scholarly community. The study was conducted to examine the potential of electronic theses and dissertations in promotion of scholarship in Africa and to propose strategies for the full development and adoption of electronic theses and dissertations in African universities.
Information Research: an international electronic journal
Introduction: This paper examines the provision of digital information resources in academic libr... more Introduction: This paper examines the provision of digital information resources in academic libraries with focus on university libraries in Nigeria. Method: A descriptive survey design was used. The population of the study was 744 certified academic librarians working in the three tiers of universities (federal, state, and private) as contained in the list maintained by the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Analysis: The data were analyzed quantitatively through the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS), using percentages, mean scores, and standard deviation. Results: Access to digital information resources in libraries is low due to non-implementation of real time provision of information resources to users, emanating from lack of library management software that would drive the process, professionals’ lack of skills in implementing digital information services, and lack of relevant formal institutional digital i...
Conflict in simple terms, means a state of disagreement, controversy or opposition. It could also... more Conflict in simple terms, means a state of disagreement, controversy or opposition. It could also mean the existence of a prolonged battle, struggle or clash between two or more parties. Obegi and Nyamboga (2008), quoting Nicholas (1992) described conflict as situations where two people (or groups)
The realities of the present era of globalization and information and communication technologies ... more The realities of the present era of globalization and information and communication technologies (ICT) culminating to the African Virtual Library and information Network (AVLIN) have made it expedient that African information professionals should be able to develop, showcase and make accessible African indigenous information to the knowledge world. This literature- based opinion paper has tried to identify with the view of the conference organizers that -Major digital initiatives involving African content are currently being undertaken by non-African organizatiosn without widely accepted protocols and agreement- and therefore, argues that there is a serious need for a theoretical and policy framework necessary to provide a basis for systematic training of library and Information science professionals to place African knowledge in a pedestal that will make it accessible to the world of knowledge. It was found out that the library schools in most African Universities are ill-equipped ...
The study examined the challenges of accessibility of information resources by the post-graduate ... more The study examined the challenges of accessibility of information resources by the post-graduate library users of the University of Nigeria Nsukka. The descriptive survey research design was adopted using the questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of 200 respondents drawn from a population of 1113 post-graduate library users of the Nnamdi Azikiwe library, using the proportionate stratified sampling technique. The findings revealed that library resources were not easily accessible to the students as a result of inadequacies emanating from out-datedness of resources; ineffective bibliographic organization and ineffective library services. It was recommended among others that electronic /online information resources should be made available in the library to help researchers have access to current materials. Also the library collection should be well organized to ensure that the catalogue and other bibliographic access resour...
The realities of the present era of globalization and information and communication technologies ... more The realities of the present era of globalization and information and communication technologies (ICT) culminating in the African Virtual Library and Information Network (AVLIN) have made it expedient that African information professionals should be able to develop, showcase and make accessible African indigenous information to the knowledge world. This literature-based opinion paper has tried to identify with the view of the conference organizers that “Major digital initiatives involving African content are currently being undertaken by non-African organization without widely accepted protocols and agreement”. The paper argues that there is a serious need for a theoretical and policy framework necessary to provide a basis for systematic training of library and information science professionals to place African knowledge on a pedestal that will make it accessible to the world of knowledge. It was found that the library schools in most African universities are ill-equipped to train p...
The study explored the state of electronic information resource sharing among university librarie... more The study explored the state of electronic information resource sharing among university libraries in Southern part of Nigeria, highlighting the prospects and the challenges. The study was an empirical research which adopted the descriptive survey as the design. The questionnaire was used to collect data from the population comprising university librarians of the 37 public universities in Southern Nigeria. It was found that the university libraries had diverse kinds of electronic information resources and some ICT facilities but lacked web-based OPAC and library management software, which are fundamental for e-resource sharing. They could not engage in any meaningful form of structured resource sharing initiative as a result of lack of institutional policies and standards. This implies that access to information is endangered where the libraries are unable to collaborate to bridge the gap between the information-rich and information – poor libraries -– a scenario which conversely wo...
Introduction Acquisition of skills in effective use of information is seen as a necessary require... more Introduction Acquisition of skills in effective use of information is seen as a necessary requirement for students' optimum performance in learning. The availability of diverse and more complicated information resources, occasioned by the advances in information and communication technologies (ICT), has brought about additional challenges on the students, who have to learn how to obtain and effectively use information from these sources for maximum performance. This has necessitated a shift in the method of teaching from the traditional approach to resource-based approach requiring the impartation of information literacy skills in students. Information literacy has been identified as the basic foundation of learning in an environment of abundant information resources occasioned by the advances in technological development. Igbo and Imo (2010), citing Bruce (2002), have observed that the complexities of the information and communication technologies (ICT) have brought about the r...
Africa has been ranked low among the other regions of the world on the production and communicati... more Africa has been ranked low among the other regions of the world on the production and communication of research findings. Many have attributed this to poor research culture in the continent, while others blame it on lack of research sponsorship through grants. However, a major issue that is yet to be examined is the visibility of existing research in the region to the international research community. Theses and dissertations are very important research productions that are critical for sustainable national development. Unfortunately, their visibility is not certain to the global scholarly community. The study was conducted to examine the potential of electronic theses and dissertations in promotion of scholarship in Africa and to propose strategies for the full development and adoption of electronic theses and dissertations in African universities.
The paper examined the impact of technology variables on access to information by undergraduates ... more The paper examined the impact of technology variables on access to information by undergraduates in the digital libraries of federal universities in Nigeria. The study was an empirical research which adopted Ex-post-facto as the design. The questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 1,506 respondents drawn, using a multi-stage technique, from the population of 30,121 undergraduates in addition to the entire 21 library staff of seven federal universities purposively selected from southern Nigeria. Focus group discussion and interview sessions were also used to complement the questionnaire responses. Data generated were analysed using frequency and percentages. Responses from the focus group discussion and the interview were analysed qualitatively. The findings revealed that technology variables such as system usability, interface design and content usefulness make a low impact on the undergraduates’ access to information. It was recommended among others that training pro...
Africa has been ranked low among the other regions of the world on the production and communicati... more Africa has been ranked low among the other regions of the world on the production and communication of research findings. Many have attributed this to poor research culture in the continent, while others blame it on lack of research sponsorship through grants. However, a major issue that is yet to be examined is the visibility of existing research in the region to the international research community. Theses and dissertations are very important research productions that are critical for sustainable national development. Unfortunately, their visibility is not certain to the global scholarly community. The study was conducted to examine the potential of electronic theses and dissertations in promotion of scholarship in Africa and to propose strategies for the full development and adoption of electronic theses and dissertations in African universities.
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of research findings. Many have attributed this to poor research culture in the continent, while
others blame it on lack of research sponsorship through grants. However, a major issue that is yet to
be examined is the visibility of existing research in the region to the international research community.
Theses and dissertations are very important research productions that are critical for sustainable
national development. Unfortunately, their visibility is not certain to the global scholarly community.
The study was conducted to examine the potential of electronic theses and dissertations in promotion
of scholarship in Africa and to propose strategies for the full development and adoption of electronic
theses and dissertations in African universities.
of research findings. Many have attributed this to poor research culture in the continent, while
others blame it on lack of research sponsorship through grants. However, a major issue that is yet to
be examined is the visibility of existing research in the region to the international research community.
Theses and dissertations are very important research productions that are critical for sustainable
national development. Unfortunately, their visibility is not certain to the global scholarly community.
The study was conducted to examine the potential of electronic theses and dissertations in promotion
of scholarship in Africa and to propose strategies for the full development and adoption of electronic
theses and dissertations in African universities.