Browsing by Author "Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie."

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Access to and use of electronic information resources in the academic libraries of the Lesotho Library Consortium.
(2017) Sejane, Lefuma.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
The study presents the findings of a survey regarding access to and use of electronic information resources in academic libraries of the Lesotho Library Consortium (LELICO). Nine institutions were studied, namely; the National University of Lesotho; Lesotho College of Education; Lesotho Agricultural College; Lerotholi Polytechnic; Centre of Accounting Studies; National Health Training College; Lesotho Distance Teaching Centre; Lesotho Institute of Public Administration and Management, and Institute of Development Management. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model by Venkatesh et al., (2009) underpinned the study, using the main variables or constructs of direct determinants of intention, being; Facilitating Condition (FC), Effort Expectancy (EE), Performance Expectancy (PE) and Social Influence (SI), also the direct determinants for use behaviour, User Behaviour (UB) and Behaviour Intention (BI). The study adopted the post-positivists paradigm and mixed methods were used; that is, qualitative and quantitative approaches. The self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the librarians (systems librarians, subject librarians and acquisition librarians), while the two semi-structured interviews were conducted with the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Directors and Rectors, University Librarian, and Library Directors. Response rate of 69.6% for librarians, 44.4% for PVC, Directors or Rectors and 56% for University Librarian and Library Directors were achieved. To analyse quantitative data, the SPSS Version 20.0 was used, while qualitative data was analysed by sorting, classifying and arranging data which were examined in relation to combined thematic content analysis. To ascertain reliability and validity of the instruments, pre-testing was done of both the instruments for librarians and the Library Director of the University of KwaZulu-Natal Library, in Pietermaritzburg. The research study was guided by the ethical protocol of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which was adhered to. It was established that the type of e-resources accessed and used by academic libraries of LELICO included: e-mail, search engines, websites, Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), e-journals, full-text databases, reference databases, institutional repositories (IRs) and Compact Disc-Read Only Memories (CD-ROMs). The study established that e-resources which were accessed and used mostly were e-mail, search engines and websites, followed by the OPAC, e-journals, full-text databases, IRs, reference databases. The study further found that main uses of e-resources were for communication, to support teaching and learning activities, such as professional research, assignments and lecture requirements. The findings showed that awareness of e-resources was mainly through formal engagement, such as library orientation and through informal engagement such as colleagues. The following strategies were in place: IRs, Open Access (OA), Information Literacy (IL) programme as well as library orientation sessions to improve on the access to and use of e-resources. It has been further revealed that challenges such as budget cuts, low internet bandwidth, lack of up-to-date Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, inadequate searching skills, shortage of staff and high cost of subscription fees posed many of the threats to access to and use of e-resources in the institutions libraries. The findings revealed lack of guidelines and e-resources collection development policies. The study concluded that access to and use of electronic information resources in the academic libraries were influenced by how e-resources were accessed, systems in place, effectiveness of the consortium, challenges facing libraries and strategies in place. The study recommended the establishment of e-collection development policies, guidelines and procedures for budget allocation, conducting of needs assessment to selection, collections maintenance, evaluation and resource sharing formulated to be implemented to enhance the efficient management of e-resource collection by providing selection procedures, requirements, standards and specifications in terms of Information and Communication Technologies(ICTs) infrastructure, equipment and human resource recruitment. The findings of the study influenced the formulation of e-resources collection development policies in academic libraries of the LELICO. The research is a strong platform for critical knowledge exchange and engagement and the presentation of results enhanced the understanding of the current realities and status in relation to access to and use of e-resources in the higher education setting particularly in the academic libraries. Furthermore, the study makes significant contribution in the areas of policy, theory and practice regarding access to and use of e-resources. The present study contributes to the body of knowledge, information and literature, especially in the context of Lesotho.
The adoption and use of peer reviewed electronic journals by academics at selected Zimbabwean state universities.
(2014) Machimbidza, Takawira.; Mutula, Stephen M.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
The study investigated the adoption and use of peer reviewed electronic journals by academics at selected Zimbabwean State Universities. The investigation grew out of the realisation that despite several efforts that were made by different university libraries in Zimbabwe to enhance access to peer reviewed electronic journals, the use of such journals among academics remained very limited. Specifically, the study determined the level of awareness of peer reviewed electronic journals by academics, established academics‟ extent of use of the resources, assessed the attitudes and perceptions of academics towards the resources, determined factors that influence the behaviour of academics in Zimbabwean State Universities towards the resources, and investigated the strategies used by state universities libraries in Zimbabwe to promote use of peer reviewed electronic journals by academics. The study was underpinned by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) whose constructs of Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, and Facilitating Conditions and moderating factors of gender, age, experience, and discipline proved valuable to the tackling of research questions and analysis of data. The study embraced both the positivist and interpretivist paradigms and adopted the quantitative and qualitative approaches within a survey research design. The population consisted of 794 academics from three state universities in Zimbabwe: National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), and Midlands State University (MSU). The population also included 24 professional librarians from the same universities who were all considered as respondents for the study. The sample size for academics was 363. Data were collected by questionnaires from academics and interviews from professional librarians. The overall response rate was 58.4% for academics with 212 questionnaires being returned out of the 363 that were sent out whereas 22 professional librarians were interviewed out of the targeted 24. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data were processed using the Nvivo package. The study found that while the majority of academics in the three universities were aware of the existence of peer reviewed electronic journals in their institutions they did not have intimate knowledge and awareness of the resources. The study also established that the majority of academics at Zimbabwean State Universities had adopted electronic journals but their level of use was low as measured by the number of articles consulted per week, frequency of use, and the major source of information for academics. Attitudes and perceptions of academics towards peer reviewed electronic journals were generally on the positive side with many academics regarding the resources as important for their work. However, academics in Zimbabwe were frustrated by many barriers that militated against their use of electronic journals. The study also found that state universities libraries in Zimbabwe depended on a number of strategies to promote use of electronic journals. However, there were weaknesses in the way these strategies were implemented as they were largely not personalised. The study also established the best fitting UTAUT model, isolating Performance Expectancy and Facilitating Conditions constructs as the most crucial determinants of adoption and use of peer reviewed electronic journals in Zimbabwe. The study recommended establishment of strong and fluid communication channels between university libraries and academic faculties as this would result in effective induction processes that would enhance the awareness of peer reviewed electronic journals by academics. Universities were urged to review the information they were giving to academics to determine its relevancy and adequacy in generating in-depth awareness of electronic journals. Universities were also urged to employ more personalised marketing and promotion strategies to augment the broad based strategies they were using. The use of social media in promotion was also emphasised. Top administrators of universities were encouraged to take a leading role in encouraging use of electronic journals. University libraries were urged to review the model they use to subscribe to peer reviewed electronic journals and embrace one that enables more access to full text electronic journal articles and facilitate participation of academics in selection of resources. Universities were urged to eliminate all forms of barriers that militate against the use of electronic journals by academics and institute continuous training programmes to improve the skills of users. Universities were also encouraged to increase research funding as this had the effect of improving usage of peer reviewed electronic journals.
African identity in the making : the role of the centre for African literary studies as a special collection of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2016) Polak, Fiona Margaret.; Stilwell, Christine.; Underwood, Peter Graham.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
Libraries contain many collections but professional practice has long recognised the concept of ‘special collections’. The Centre for African Literary Studies (CALS) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) initially came into being to house the Bernth Lindfors Collection, the private collection of a retired professor of English from the University of Texas in Austin. Special collections can be hindered in their ability to fulfil their role as custodians of heritage and conveyors of knowledge owing to a number of factors, such as policy decisions and/or elements included in existing policies. The directors of such centres often have ambition but are handicapped in their ability to carry out their plans by various administrative challenges which can put the centres at risk. In terms of the research problem central to the study, this study explored exactly what the role of CALS as a UKZN special collection constitutes and in what way the Centre is able to fulfil its role in facilitating and enabling African Studies at UKZN and in the broader community. The study investigated these potential challenges, including factors which impede access, such as ‘hidden collections’. Challenges included financial constraints, staffing, collection development policies (including Africanisation), repatriation of collections, preservation strategies, and accessibility, including physical and space issues, and digitisation. The study employed methodological triangulation which included a literature search, documentary analysis, and survey research using questionnaires and interviews. The population constituted undergraduate and postgraduate English- and isiZulu-speaking students and researchers who have used CALS; present and ex-staff members; the original owners of the two largest CALS collections; the initial founders of CALS; as well as the current and ex-directors. The study ascertained that CALS was originally established as a separate centre on the Pietermaritzburg campus to “symbolically” make a statement, and as branding to attract postgraduate students in South Africa doing research in African literary studies to Pietermaritzburg. This would give the humanities in Pietermaritzburg “the edge in a highly competitive market”. The study established that CALS is underutilised by postgraduate students and researchers. The majority of usage is from isiZulu-speaking undergraduates, owing to the establishment of the isiZulu Literary Museum at CALS, which has proved successful in drawing isiZulu-speaking undergraduate students. The researcher was only able to identify a handful of national and international researchers which undermines the original motive for the establishment of CALS which is to facilitate and promote the study of African literature and thus enable UKZN in its endeavour to become “The Premier University of African Scholarship”. The most significant finding of the survey was the original noble vision of the founders to create a centre that boosts the humanities and African literature at UKZN and especially on the Pietermaritzburg campus, has been restricted by funding and staffing constraints. The Centre was established as an external funding centre that has proved unsustainable. This has had a negative impact on the endeavours of CALS’s directors who, despite great effort, have been significantly handicapped in their endeavours to manage CALS through lack of institutional support, funding and staff tenure.
An examination of information ethics standards in the management of open access electronic information resources (OAEIR) by Zimbabwean university libraries.
(2024) Hogo, Howard.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
The information society has given university libraries new technological tools and platforms to connect with their clients, eliminating the need to constrain what the library publishes and provision of access to its clients. However, it also unlocked many unanswered ethical questions and dimensions. The proliferation of open access electronic information resources (OAEIR) has created more significant ethical challenges for Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals, from the privacy, accuracy, property, and access to ethical standards, more so from the African cultural perspective. LIS professionals' adoption of information ethics standards, ethical dimensions and associated dilemmas are increasingly becoming topical issues in the information society due to the proliferation of OAEIR. The study was conducted to determine the adoption of information ethics standards in managing OAEIR by LIS professionals. Additionally, the study sought to determine information ethics dilemmas encountered by LIS professionals in executing open access electronic information management processes. Finally, the study sought to establish contextual information ethics standards that LIS professionals could implement in the open access electronic information management processes. The study adopted the deontological ethics theoretical framework and PAPA information ethics framework to thoroughly interrogate the library information processes, which are creation, organisation, and dissemination. The study used a pragmatism worldview as a research paradigm, a mixed methods research approach, and a sequential explanatory research design. The study population was drawn from LIS professionals serving in nine Zimbabwean university libraries. The study used the census survey sampling techniqu e and purposive sampling for operational level LIS professionals and managerial level LIS professionals, respectively. Additionally, the study used document analysis, which looked at OAEIR related policies and standard operating procedures. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis procedures were employed through descriptive statistics analysis and the SPSS, and thematic content analysis, respectively. The findings revealed that there was generally a lack of information and awareness on information ethics available to LIS professionals. University libraries' affiliation to the LIS code of ethics was viewed in terms of being members of either AfLIA or IFLA, but with no clear policy guidelines on how they would draw from these institutions’ codes. Local professional associations such as ZimLA and ZULC were not doing enough to conscientise LIS professionals on the profession's ethics. Resultantly, university libraries lacked clear policy direction regarding LIS professionals' ethical obligations in electronic content, affecting how ethical issues were being implemented in everyday electronic library workflow operations. Information management in this contemporary library environment and the information-seeking behaviour of library clients have created many ethical dilemmas for LIS professionals. The electronic information revolution has created many problematic ethical grey areas for LIS professionals, and generally in all PAPA, in the management processes of OAEIR. LIS professionals' application of ethical standards in the day-to-day management of OAEIR was influenced by duty-based principles at the library level, aided by experience. LIS professionals' culture greatly impacted the adoption and application of ethical principles and decisions in the management of OAEIR, ushering in an African culture ethical dimension. The available global codes of ethics standards for LIS professionals applied to LIS professionals in Zimbabwe in a broader sense, hence the need for a contextualised code of ethics framework. The study's findings contribute towards awareness, perception, and adoption of information ethics standards by Zimbabwean university libraries and other local affiliated associations, including managing ethical dilemmas emanating from the management of OAEIR. The study findings contribute a cultural dimension to the deontology ethics theoretical framework, thereby enhancing appreciation of the theory. The findings also contribute to more research on information ethics in relation to the LIS profession, especially from the African perspective, in addition to the offering of the discipline in LIS studies across the country and beyond, especially as viewed through the eyes of the contemporary library field.
An analysis of user education programmes in selected University libraries in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2017) Idoniboye-Obu, Tamunotonye Ibimina.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
This study presents the results of the survey research on the topic: An analysis of user education programmes in selected university libraries in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The study was conducted in four university libraries in KwaZulu-Natal. They are: Durban University of Technology (DUT); Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT); University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and University of Zululand (UNIZULU). Three of the four institutions under study are multi-campus institutions which operate academic libraries for the various programmes on their campuses. The conceptual frameworks/principal theories that informed the study were: the draft guidelines on information literacy by the Committee for Higher Education Librarians in South Africa (CHELSA) (Esterhuizen and Kuhn 2010); and the guidelines for instruction programmes in academic libraries approved by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) of 2011; and the information literacy competency standards for higher education approved by the American Association for Higher Education 1999. These are guidelines that help to direct service providers while administering UEPs to their users in the libraries. The theories were the information search process (ISP) model which was developed by Kuhlthau in the 1980s and 1990s and has been used to examine theoretical concepts within the library and information science discipline, and the relational model of information literacy developed by Bruce in 1997. The study used a mixed method approach for data collection, adopting both qualitative and quantitative methods. Since the population was small, it carried out a census of all population elements. The population comprised two main cohorts: subject librarians and library management staff. The main instrument for the collection of quantitative data was a self-administered questionnaire which was administered to the subject librarians (subject librarians and training librarians). The second cohort comprised university librarians/directors, campus/branch librarians, principal librarians and an information service manager/manager academic services. This cohort was interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. The quantitative data was coded manually and analysed with the help of SPSS software Version 23.0 and used to produce charts, frequency tables and cross tabulations where necessary. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Both instruments were pretested to determine reliability and validity. The pretesting of both instruments involved twelve (12) librarians working in both South Africa and Nigeria. Five of the pre-test participants were lecturers; two were post-doctoral fellows in the same Information Studies discipline in the School of Social Sciences of the University of KwaZulu-Natal; and the other five were librarians working in different universities in Nigeria but who at the time of the study were doctoral students in the Library and Information Studies in the School of Social Sciences of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus. The pretest was designed to ensure there was clarity of questions and to eliminate any in the research instrument. The response rate for subject librarians was 46 out of 49 respondents (93.8%) while that for library management staff was 70% (See Table 5.1). The study found out that all four university libraries operate formal user education programmes (UEPs) although the concept of formal UEPs was interpreted differently by some of the subject librarians who sought to interpret it as credit bearing. It was also revealed that out of the four university libraries only one library operated its UEPs on the basis of a policy document according to the interview responses; all the others said there was no separate policy for the library aside from the university’s one. In other words, the university policy document formed the basis of UEPs. This implies a possible lack of adherence to national and international library standards. Another finding of the study was that all four university libraries deliver similar content in their UEPs and UEPs are for all categories of users of the library ranging from under-graduate to academic staff. It was also revealed that UEPs were benchmarked against their institutions’ standards and goals before consideration of local or international library standards like those of LIASA and ACRL outside their institutions. The study also revealed that UEPs in all four university libraries were evaluated by various means (as per section 5.4.20, Table 5.9). The findings of the study further revealed that in all four university libraries, with regards to population of staff in terms of gender, there were more females than males (as par section 5.2.3 and section 5.5.1, Table 5.15). In terms of originality, the study was conducted in four university libraries in KwaZulu-Natal which has not been researched before. The study discovered that user education is still regarded as a critical activity by libraries and it is the foundation upon which users are able to build information knowledge and skills to be able to effectively use all the resources and facilities provided by the library. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made: for UEPs to be relevant in this 21st century, constant evaluation is needed to upgrade its value to benefit users; there should be separate UEPs for postgraduates and undergraduates; there be designated subject librarians for UEPs in order to effectively deliver the programmes to users. Another recommendation from the study is that a policy document be developed in all university libraries to guide the development and execution of the UEPs to ensure the desired outcomes are achieved when the programmes are evaluated. It is also recommended that libraries do more to market and advertise UEPs to enable students entering into higher institutions to benefit from them by being able to use all resources and facilities in the library to the fullest.
Developing guidelines for performance appraisal of subject librarians in KwaZulu-Natal academic libraries
(2004) Neerputh, Shirlene.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
A common theme emerging in the library world today is that quality service in the library and information center is dependent on the quality performance of personnel. Prior to conducting performance appraisals, managers need to ascertain the core performance criteria for quality service provision. This study is important because academic libraries are undergoing radical changes with an emphasis on accountability. In particular, South African tertiary education is faced with dwindling resources and an increased emphasis on accountability. There appears to be no formal or informal guidelines for appraising the value of subject librarians performing information services in KwaZulu-Natal academic libraries. It is this problem which this study addressed. The problem investigated in this study is located in the following KwaZulu-Natal academic libraries: Durban Institute of Technology (DIT), Mangosuthu Technikon (Mantech), University of Durban-Westville (UDW) , University of Natal, Durban (UND) and University of NataL, Pietermaritzburg (UNP) and the University of Zululand (UniZul). The purpose of the study was to emphasize the importance of performance appraisals for subject librarians employed in KwaZulu-Natal academic libraries and develop initial guidelines for performance appraisals for subject librarians. The scope of this study is placed within the library human resource management perspective and deals with developing and training librarians for enhanced service delivery within the above tertiary institutions. Thirty nine subject librarians (from a total of forty three) were surveyed by means of a self administered questionnaire which was distributed via e-mail. The study was able to establish the important aspects of performance appraisal for subject librarians from the literature review, and to make recommendations in respect of developing guidelines for appraising subject librarians in academic libraries. An initial guideline for conducting performance appraisal for subject librarians in KwaZulu-Natal will consist of appraising job tasks, key performance areas (KPAs), determining the relevant competencies, skills and behaviour traits. The major findings of the study were that there appears to be generally a lack of commitment to performance appraisal in KwaZulu-Natal academic libraries. A large majority of the respondents indicated that their libraries did not have guidelines for performance appraisals of subject librarians. The important aspects of performance appraisal for subject librarians were identified in the study. Key performance areas (KPAs) for subject librarians comprised of reference services, instruction and teaching, management and organisation. The competencies included knowledge of the total information environment as well as customer services. The majority of the respondents indicated that patron surveys were the most important indicator of performance of subject librarians in KwaZulu-Natal academic libraries.
The effect of problem-based learning on medical libraries in South Africa.
(2008) Ngcobo, Eunice Nonhlanhla.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
The study investigated the effect of problem-based learning (PBL) on medical libraries in South Africa. PBL, as a teaching/learning method, has been used in medical schools throughout the world for the past twenty or more years. It was introduced into South African medical schools in the early 1990s. Its impact was felt beyond the academia. Libraries, as engines of the institutions at which they are based, were greatly affected by the introduction of PBL.
The effect of the crisis in scholarly communication on university libraries in South Africa.
(2010) Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.; Stilwell, Christine.
The study examined the effect the crisis in scholarly communication had on university libraries in South Africa. The crisis in scholarly communication or the 'serials' crisis as it is better known to librarians has affected many academic libraries worldwide. The monopoly commercial publishers have on the academic serial/journal market has resulted in high priced subscriptions and many libraries have simply cancelled subscriptions or limited the purchase of monographs (books) to pay for ongoing journal subscriptions. A study population consisting of 17 university libraries in South Africa was surveyed by means of an online questionnaire to establish how university libraries in South Africa were affected by the crisis in scholarly communication. The research questions underpinning the study examined the cause of the crisis together with its characteristics, the factors that influenced journal cancellations, the effects of open access on journal cancellations, institutional support for open access repositories and the funding of university library budgets. A total of 12 university libraries (representing 70.6%) responded. Telephonic interviews with the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Directors or Deans of Research at selected universities were conducted to gather supplementary data as well as verifying some points that emanated from some of the responses to the questionnaire. Results were analysed in terms of frequency of responses and graphically displayed in the form of pie charts and tables. Interpretation of the results reveals South African university libraries, like most academic and research libraries world wide, have been adversely affected by the crisis in scholarly communication. On an annual basis university librarians are faced with hard choices in terms of deciding which journals to cancel. In terms of South Africa, open access initiatives are in the early stages of development and as university librarians have not embraced such initiatives, the benefits are not being realised. Thus university libraries in South Africa are dependent on paid-for journal subscriptions. Maintaining these subscriptions will be more and more difficult as a result of the high cost of such subscriptions and the fluctuating rand. To mitigate some of these difficulties experienced university librarians should make a concerted effort to facilitate access to local research by way of institutional repositories and free content available via open access initiatives. Recommendations for university libraries and librarians are made in light of the results of the survey and the literature review. These recommendations relate to the library budget, librarians knowledge of their library collections, librarians administering and maintaining institutional repositories and facilitating access to open access content.
The effects of climate change in preserving the past and enhancing the future of legal deposit in South Africa.
(UNISA, 2013) Nsibirwa, Zawedde Gulikomuseesa.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.; Stilwell, Christine.
With the current problems of global warming and climate change, preservationists are applying green construction principles to depositories and archival facilities (Henry 2008:3; Kim2008; Nsibirwa 20 12:73).Collections stewards, architects and engineers face design challenges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop an adaptive response to climate trends (Henry 2008:3).A2012 study by Nsibirwa (2012) of the preservation of, and access to, legal deposit materials found that climate change can affect the buildings that are the most important source of security to the materials stored in them. One of the objectives of the doctoral study on which the article is based, was to find out what activities and strategies are used to preserve the materials, as well as to provide a way forward in the preservation of South Africa's cultural heritage. The units of analysis in this study were four legal deposit libraries and three official publications depositories. In this study the population comprised a total of 17members of staff: three heads of libraries and 14 librarians. The survey of legal depositories found that preservation activities are generally underdeveloped as a result of various factors, including insufficientfunding. Yet, there is a greater need than ever for preservation, since predictions are that temperatures, rising seas, rainfall and flooding will continue to increase due to climate change and global warming. These conditions will lead to a shift in approaches to preservation, including looking at what poses the greatest threat when it comes to climate change. The study found that depositories may need to revert to some ancient as well as new sustainable approaches to offset the effects of climate change. The article puts forward a number of practical solutions to ensure that the environment in which materials are kept, is suitable.
Electronic resources use by distance learners at University of Namibia.
(2014) Hamutumwa, Meameno Utuna Nampa.; Mutula, Stephen M.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
Universities are embracing technology and moving towards electronic resources information to facilitate research and learning. This has led to the belief that a significant number of resources used by library users in academic libraries lie in the virtual environment. Consequently, library users are required to acquire sufficient information, and information and communications technology (ICT) skills and competencies. Driven by the need to clarify the use and non-use of electronic resources by library users, the main objective of this this study was to investigate the use of electronic resources by distance learners at University of Namibia. The study therefore addressed the following research questions: What are the attitudes and perceptions of distance learners towards electronic resources? What electronic resources are available to distance learners at UNAM? What is the level of awareness of the learners about electronic resources available in the UNAM Library? What ICT competencies do distance learners have to effectively use electronic resources? What is the level of use of electronic resources by distance learners? What factors hinder the use of electronic resources by distance learners? And, what recommendations are needed to improve the use of electronic resources by distance learners? The study was underpinned by the post-positivist paradigm and used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. To determine attitudes, beliefs and behaviour of distance learners towards electronic resources, the study made use of the survey research design methodology. The population of the study comprised of distance learners, CES lecturers, centre coordinators, and UNAM Library staff. Data presentation laid out in this study was obtained through the use of survey questionnaires, interviews and observations. In assembling the data for analyses, the study utilised MS Excel and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to generate frequency counts, percentage and descriptive statistics for the quantitative data gathered, and employed the use of ATLAS.ti™ software and content analysis to analyse qualitative data. For reliability and validity, data collection instruments in this study were peer reviewed, pre-tested and triangulated. For the purposes of ethical considerations in research of this kind, the University of KwaZulu-Natal research ethics protocol were adhered to, and permission also sought from the University of Namibia to carry out the study in its distance learning centres and University Library. The findings arrived at in this study revealed that distance learners were positive about electronic resources due to prior experience, high self-efficacy and the various benefits derived by using them. However, they did not make use of e-resources subscribed to due to high cost, poor internet connectivity, electricity outages, lack of sufficient computers, and low levels of computer skills. As such, they preferred print resources. The results also indicated a very low level of awareness among distance learners about the electronic resources available in the library. It further showed that most learners lacked computer skills, searching skills, and sufficient training in the use of ICT and electronic resources. Moreover, many distance learners were self-taught or assisted by their peers in the use of electronic resources. Distance learners who used electronic resources acknowledged that it facilitated and assisted them to complete the tasks of writing assignments, research papers and research projects. The learners also characterised factors that inhibited them from effectively using electronic resources such as bandwidth bottlenecks, travelling long distances to the library, lack of skills, cost of accessing the internet and lack of awareness about the availability of electronic resources. Drawing from the research finding and results, the study construed that perceived usefulness, self-efficacy; subjective norms and facilitating conditions affect behavioural intentions of distance learners to use electronic resources. Moreover, these constructs are the most influential in determining the use of electronic resources. Given this, the study also arrived at the conclusion that the inadequacy of ICT infrastructures and facilities, the lack of awareness, and the lack of ICT skills and competencies, are all contributors to the learners‟ negative attitude towards the use of electronic resources, therefore, the reason why they preferred print resources. Against the backdrop of the study‟s conclusion, the researcher proffered key recommendations to improve policy, practice, skills and infrastructural development. These recommendations include the need for learning centres to be equipped with adequate ICT facilities and internet connectivity to meet the learners‟ information needs, especially with regard to accessing e-resources. The study further recommended that learners be equipped with relevant skills and competencies to make use of electronic resources, the implementation of an electronic resources collection development policy, and the improvement of the ICT infrastructure. Based on the research findings of this study, further suggestions were advanced for research to be conducted in the areas of: technology adoption by full time students at UNAM, the impact of access to e-resources and academic achievements, and e-resources use patterns among different genders, information seeking behavior of distance learners with regard to electronic resources, among others. Likewise, the study proposed the need for additional researches that would mostly use qualitative approaches to gain comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the use of electronic resources by distance students. From the general findings arrived at in the study, valuable contributions that could enable the UNAM Library to re-focus its services to better suit the needs of the distance learners have been identified. In adopting the contributions and recommendations made in this study, UNAM Library will gain an in depth understanding on those important factors that are needed to promote the use of electronic resources by distance learners in a developing country context such as Namibia. In this light, UNAM library can therefore make wise investment decisions in e-resources to derive maximum value for its users.
Evaluation of students' use of print and electronic resources at the University of Malawi College of Medicine.
(2005) Mawindo, Diana Mphatso.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
The proliferation ofinformation available in electronic format has been perpetuated by rapid technological advances. Users have a choice between print and electronic resources. At the same time, the use of these resources is determined by what is available to the users and what the users prefer. Problems that users encounter when accessing these resources determine the use of print and electronic resources. The current study evaluated the use of, and preference for, print and electronic resources by students at the University of Malawi College of Medicine. The study population comprised 179 undergraduate students. A self-administered questionnaire was used to establish the students' use of, and preference for, print and electronic resources, reasons for their preferences and the problems they encountered in accessing print and electronic resources. An interview schedule was used to elicit background information from the College Librarian on issues of budgeting, technological infrastructure, licensing and copyright agreements, archiving and library staff and training. Questionnaire results were quantitatively analysed and presented in terms of frequency tables and graphs. Interview results were analysed qualitatively. The study findings show that the students used both print and electronic resources. However, print resources were more heavily used than electronic ones. The students also preferred print resources to electronic. A lack of sufficient computers and low levels of computer and information literacy contributed to the underutilisation of electronic resources. Recommendations in terms of technological infrastructure, user training, staff training, user support and archiving were made based on the findings of the study.
Examining the relationship between conceptualisation and practice of research support by librarians in selected Zimbabwean universities
(2018) Pasipamire, Notice.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
This study was carried out to examine and gain insight into the relationship between conceptualisation and practice of research support by librarians in Zimbabwean university libraries. This was mooted after realising that librarians practising research support were struggling to make a positive impact on the scholarly work of researchers. To facilitate the investigation, the study employed the Theory of Action: espoused theories and theories-in-use by Argyris and Schön (1974) as the fulcrum. Mission statements, strategic documents and policies of selected libraries were examined as conveyors of espoused theories to gain understanding of how research support was conceptualised. Services and facilities offered to researchers were examined to establish theories-in-use of librarians practising research support. Interviews and questionnaires were used to gather data about research support services. A constant comparison approach was used in analysing mission documents and interview scripts using the ATLAS.ti 8.0 software. The comparative analysis allowed for the development of subcategories and broad themes which facilitated the development of statements of claims for both conceptualisation and practice in each of the bounded cases. Meta-claims were developed from iterative cross-case comparison of findings from individual libraries investigated. Findings and conclusions showed that libraries conceptualised and espoused an information role in support of researchers which emphasised traditional services such as resource provision and training. Research support was practised using the Resources, Liaison and Shared Service models where services and facilities such as literature search, e-resources training, and institutional repositories were dominant. Practice of research support was conducted within a collaborative and technologically driven environment. Librarians reported ambiguity in the roles which they should play in the transitional research environment. Comparative analysis between conceptualisation and practice of research support meta-claims revealed several congruent and incongruent aspects which helped to explain why librarians were not being effective in support of researchers. It was discovered that librarians encountered several unusual experiences ranging from low attendance in training to antiquated policies. It was further established that librarians dealt with these unfamiliar experiences in practice using the Single Loop Learning strategy which emphasised the technical operating environment under which research support was being practised without necessarily questioning the goals, values and policies that inform the practice of research support. Contribution of this study to practice includes encouraging librarians to be reflective practitioners who should be sensitive to their operating environments in order to swiftly respond to new trends.
Information and communication technology (ICT) knowledge and skills of subject librarians at the university libraries of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2002) Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.; Stilwell, Christine.
The study is based on the assumption that there is an underutilisation of ICT resources in the university libraries of KwaZulu-Natal amongst subject librarians due to a lack of appropriate ICT knowledge and skills. The subject librarian's role has changed rapidly in recent years, in response to new forms of information and new methods of teaching and learning. Therefore, for subject librarians to perform their roles effectively and efficiently in such a demanding electronic environment they will need the necessary ICT knowledge and skills, that is, they will have to be computer literate. Also, the explosion of electronic information requires subject librarians to continuously update their knowledge and skills. A study population consisting of 43 subject librarians, in the university libraries of the Universities of Durban-Westville, Natal (Durban and Pietermaritzburg), and Zululand were surveyed by means of a mailed questionnaire to establish in what ways the subject librarians were using ICT, what the level of lCT knowledge and skill was amongst the subject librarians, what the ICT education and staff training and development needs were amongst the subject librarians and what problems the subject librarians faced in the use of ICT. A total of 3l subject librarians (representing 72.1 %) responded. Results were analysed in terms of frequency of responses. Results are graphically displayed in the form of pie charts and tables. Interpretation of the results reveals a low level of lCT knowledge and skill amongst subject librarians and a general lack of formal training for ICT amongst the subject librarians. Problems experienced by subject librarians were the result of a lack of ICT knowledge and skills and training. Recommendations for lCT education and staff training and development are made in light of the results of the survey and the literature review.
Information literacy in the classroom : assessing the competency of Western Cape teachers in information literacy education.
(2012) Zinn, Sandra Edna.; Stilwell, Christine.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
This study investigated teachers’ competency in mediating information literacy in the classroom. At the heart of the problem was teachers’ own understanding of information literacy and their competency in information literacy education. The significance of the study is based on the following premises: information literacy is inferred in all the national curriculum statements; first year university students are expected to be able to learn independently from information resources, access and use information increasingly available online only, and write assignments based on research papers but their preparation at the school level appears inadequate and disparate; the education ministry has queried teachers’ lack of abilities in teaching research assignments and projects, often the vehicle for information literacy; and school librarians, the traditionally accepted purveyors of information literacy education, are scarce in South Africa making teachers the default information literacy educators. Further support for the study comes from the international literature: there is continued vocalization of the importance of information literacy through its association with inquiry-based learning. In teacher education certain assumptions have been questioned such as teachers’ innate abilities to mediate information literacy through their subject; and trainee teachers not needing information literacy education. Twenty nine participants in an information literacy education course at the University of the Western Cape formed the purposive sample. A mixed methods approach combined quantitative and qualitative modes of research and data. Data collection methods and tools included a pre- and post-course questionnaire, journals, interviews and assignment artefacts. The overriding mode of inquiry for the current study was qualitative. The principal theories guiding the study are constructivism, inquiry-based learning, and the process-based approach to information seeking behaviour. The important elements of an inquiry model, that incorporate information literacy, such as process learning, asking good questions, motivation, scaffolding, mediated learning and metacognition formed the kernel of the study. The study achieved its purpose in showing in a nuanced way that teachers, having undergone information literacy education, could teach their learners information literacy to a greater or lesser extent using a guided inquiry project. The course intervention saw participants progressing from a limited, unclear understanding of information literacy to having a satisfactory grasp of information literacy (education). Formerly, participants presented learners with a research project accompanied sometimes with a list of instructions, but only saw the completed project at the end. The course taught participants that information literacy needs to be made explicit in the classroom. One of the biggest challenges was using web-based information. The research shows that teachers need to be conversant and comfortable in the web environment and this conversion takes time and persistent breaking down of barriers. Using a change agency continuum, the study shows the participants’ varying degrees of change of beliefs from transmission teaching to using a guided inquiry approach. In comparing a (school) librarian’s approach to information literacy to the teachers’, the most glaring differences were teachers’ initial acceptance that information literacy occurs instinctively; that libraries were storehouses of “stuff” such as books; that textbooks are adequate for research projects; and that the ethical use of information was inconsequential. The study suggests that alternative sociological theories such as ICT for Development or Chatman’s Information Poverty could better explain the historical effect of teachers’ unequal access to information and the challenge of educating teachers in information literacy education in developing countries. The study recommends that all teachers receive information literacy education as part of their pre-service teacher training and that practicing teachers receive effective in-service training in mediating projects in the classroom. Teacher education policy documents need to make more explicit reference to information literacy education. The absence of the position of school librarian requires serious consideration as the lack of access to an organised, functioning school library continues to thwart literacy and information literacy.
The information needs and information seeking behaviour of adult diabetic patients at Addington Hospital, Durban.
(2012) Naidoo, Prabavathy.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease associated with high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. (The three types of diabetes are: Type 1 diabetes which is onset in juveniles and is characterised by deficient insulin production and the patient requires daily administration of insulin; Gestational diabetes is onset and first detected during pregnancy and Type 2 diabetes is typically found in adults who are 40 years and over and results from the body's ineffective use of insulin). Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease that can be prevented and managed by following a particular eating plan, exercising correctly and by the correct administration of medication. With relevant knowledge, lifestyle changes and information, type 2 diabetic patients can improve and manage their condition effectively. Hence information provision is especially important for the management of diabetes. The current study investigated the information needs and information seeking behaviour of adult type 2 diabetic patients at Addington Hospital in Durban. The study was conducted on the patients who attend the Diabetic Clinic at the Hospital. A better understanding of the information needs and information seeking behaviour of diabetic patients can contribute to their successful management of diabetes. Longo's 2010, Health Information Model provided the conceptual framework for the study. The study adopted both a quantitative and qualitative approach. Both methodologies were used to assist in gaining an insight into the research. It was envisaged that the use of both methodologies would enhance and increase the validity and reliability of the data collected. A population of 69 adult patients with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes were individually interviewed. The healthcare professionals, which included the Medical Officer and four nursing staff at the Diabetic Clinic and the hospital's diabetic Dietician, completed the self-administered questionnaires. The data was entered into a computer and analysed using SPSS. The data was analysed in terms of frequency of results and presented in the form of tables, bar graphs or pie charts. Four themes emerged from the study: (1) Reliance on the diabetic doctor for diabetic education; (2) the active and passive patterns of information seeking; (3) patients' fear of the consequences of diabetes; and (4) the value of the Department of Health's and the Dietician's packaged information. The results of the study indicated that certain factors influenced the patients' decisions about their diabetes self-management. Their current needs influenced their need to seek out information and in most instances they sought this information out from the diabetic doctor. They could not afford the recommended foods for diabetics and besides obtaining their information from the pamphlets and hand-outs provided by the hospital, they obtained their information from traditional mass media. The study concluded that the patients relied heavily on the information provided by the doctor, the dietician and the hand-outs and pamphlets that are available at the clinic. Without an understanding of the effects of information on type 2 diabetes patients, we have an incomplete picture of how information changes the patients' behaviour, which is of primary concern in healthcare information. The study therefore recommended that future research should investigate the effects information has on type 2 diabetes patients and their behaviour. Recommendations that were drawn from the conclusions of the study were that the Diabetic Clinic and Hospital should consider approaching the South African Diabetes Association (SADA) with regard to volunteering their services and facilities to the patients at the hospital. The Clinic should also consider playing a video/dvd recording on diabetes in the patient waiting room. The Diabetic Clinic should also consider inviting a podiatrist to speak to the patients about foot care.
Information needs and information seeking behaviour of private practicing lawyers in Swaziland : a case study of the Law Society of Swaziland.
(2018) Mathabela, Ntombikayise Nomsa.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
Information needs and information seeking behaviour of lawyers in terms of accessing well-resourced legal information collections is essential in their daily professional lives. The lack of legal information access by lawyers through their professional organization’s information service negatively affects the provision of competent legal services. This study endeavoured to empirically investigate the information needs and information behaviour of private practising lawyers in Swaziland regarding accessing legal information and the role played by their professional body, the Law Society of Swaziland (LSS) to meet their information needs. The study applied the pragmatism paradigm and used a mixed method approach by adopting and triangulating qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. The population of the study was confined to all lawyers outside the civil service and corporate organizations in Swaziland, the Law Society executive officials and librarians in library collections that had legal information resources. A survey research design was used, with a survey questionnaire and interviews as tools. For reliability and validity of the results, a co-efficiency test on Cronbach Alpha was run on the findings of the questionnaire. A census sampling of all lawyers in private law firms registered with the Law Society of Swaziland was undertaken. About 170 questionnaires were distributed and 128 returned, giving a 75.3% response rate. Interviews with seven librarians and seven Law Society executive officials were conducted, giving a response rate of 100% and 77.5% respectively. Quantitative and qualitative data obtained were captured using Census and Survey Processing System software (CSPro7) and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. Further, the qualitative data was also analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings showed that a majority, 52% lawyers are in the Hhohho region followed by 42% in Manzini, while there is only 2% in the other two regions. Of this, a majority, 81% were male and a majority were in the age group of 26 to 45 years. Most, 65% were attorneys with 0 to 5 years’ experience in practice. Further, a majority 86% of the lawyers hold a basic law degree. The findings indicated that 100% lawyers need and use legal information for legal advice, disputes and negotiations, drafting legal documents, and representing clients, followed by 88% for legal research, 84% administration of estates and 66% administrative duties. On information resources used, the results showed that 100% are textbooks, while 99% are cases, statutes, constitution, with 98% unreported cases. Other resources highly used are reference material (88%), law journals (83%) and 81% government publications. The lawyers, 97%, access legal information from other colleagues, while 94% from their personal collection, and 87% from online databases. Further, 83% access it from their law firms. However, the results show that very few access legal information from the libraries in the country. The results showed that 43% access it from the University of Swaziland library, while 5% use public libraries or court library and only 2% access the Law Society library. Both the lawyers and the interviewed librarians identified several challenges in accessing legal information. The majority (53%) lawyers noted lack of time as their major challenge, followed by inadequate or outdated resources and lack of adequate electronic resources in all the collections they access. In relation to the Law Society library, the major challenge noted is that 77% are not aware or even use it. Findings in the study as confirmed by the librarians showed that the libraries faced challenges like lack of material, lack of funds and a lack of needs specification by the lawyers. The study also reveal that 86% lawyers used the internet for legal information and further 95% access Google. In addition, a majority, 98% are comfortable with both the electronic and print formats resources. A majority (70%) rated their ability to search legal material by themselves as good. Consequently, the study recommend that there is need for the establishment of online legal information access for lawyers through the Law Society library and improving awareness, utilization and acquisition of legal resources.
Information seeking behaviour of humanities/arts international postgraduate students in public universities in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.
(2014) Majyambere, Moise.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
The study investigated the information seeking behaviour of Humanities/Arts international postgraduate students in public universities in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Three public universities participated in the study, namely the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), University of Zululand (UNIZULU) and Durban University of Technology (DUT). The study applied a survey approach which included both quantitative and qualitative methods. The data collection tools were a self-administered questionnaire for the international postgraduate students, a focus group discussion with students who were not given questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the Heads of International Students Office (HISOs) at the surveyed universities. Research tools were triangulated with the aim of obtaining richer data. Pre-testing of research tools, evaluation of research methods, and consideration of ethical issues were discussed to ensure validity and reliability of research findings. The quantitative data were collected through questionnaires and were analysed using SPSS, while the qualitative data were drawn from the individual interviews and focus group discussion and were analysed using thematic content analysis. The overall response rate was 91.9% (218 out of 237 sample size). The study was informed by Wilson’s (1999) model of information behaviour. The findings of the study revealed that international postgraduate students had academic and personal information needs at the host universities. Students who participated in the study were all from African countries (excluding South Africa). The study discovered the main areas of information needs for the respondents were predominantly the information services related to the registration process; learning and research purposes based on university protocols; English language competency as a medium of instruction; and information literacy and computer skills. Students had to secure compulsory documents required for registration such as a passport with a valid study permit, medical aid insurance cover, proof of payment of tuition fees and payment of an international levy before they could be registered. In addition, new international postgraduate students had to secure a South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) accreditation to register. The study noted that accommodation was a major personal need and affected academic studies for many international students staying off-campus since they were not able to access the library facilities and had limited use of the Internet services from campus. The study revealed different sources of information used by surveyed students to satisfy their academic information needs. The library resources and services were mentioned by 100% of the participants as the main source for their academic needs. The Internet was the most used source for both academic resources and social motivation to communicate with colleagues and relatives back home and helped to overcome distance. The study noted that students were involved in both active and passive information seeking behaviour depending on the nature of the need. It was indicated that students had actively consulted supervisors for guidance regarding research projects and also obtained support from subject librarians to search for information. Students had however also passively received information from their colleagues while interacting with them and obtained information from the Internet. The study revealed problems related to limited English language proficiency of international students based on their academic backgrounds. The study identified other problems experienced by international postgraduate students such as their limited information literacy and computer skills, shortage of the Internation Students Office (ISO) staff and slow service, delays in renewing study permits, poor medical aid services, high tuitions fees, regular increase in the international levy, lack of awareness of available university services, and lack of a policy document regarding international students. The study revealed that support offered by the host universities should be improved in order to promote the information services delivered to the international postgraduate students. Participation in the orientation programme for all international students must be made compulsory. The study recommends that the ISOs should improve liaison with the Home Affairs Department, Momentum (Ingwe) and CompCare. The study also recommends that the universities should increase the number of residence rooms and assign a staff member to deal directly with accommodation problems of international students. The major outcome of the study was an information behaviour model of international postgraduate students. The study concludes that a policy document regarding services for international students should be formulated and communicated to all appropriate bodies especially key service providers and international students.
Institutional repositories as platforms for open access in South African universities : the case of University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2019) Mutsvunguma, Grace.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
For a long time, academic libraries struggled to provide access to scholarly literature, including that which was produced by their own academic community due to paywalls. However, with the growth of internet technology that enables faster and free dissemination of information, universities are embracing institutional repositories (IR) because they are an economic means of sharing scholarship worldwide. This study examined the development, and extent of use of the repository by academics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN), so that strategies to improve usage could be recommended. This investigation grew after the realisation that access to scholarly literature has particularly been a major obstacle in Africa and the developing countries mainly because of tight library budgets. As repositories promote open access (OA) to scholarly literature within the global research community, it is viewed as Africa’s solution to improved access to scholarly communication. Informed by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, this study employed the mixed method paradigm, where quantitative data was collected from academics and qualitative data from interviews. Documents were reviewed to corroborate field data. The findings revealed that the repository has consistently been growing in terms of size and diversity. The signing of the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities in 2012, the appointment of the IR Librarian in 2014 to manage IR duties, the draft OA policy, ongoing OA marketing and promotion activities and the availability of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure were found as positive developments on the growth of the repository. Extent of use of the repository by academics was measured using UTAUT variables: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions. Findings revealed that most academics believed that using the IR would benefit them but many of them had little to no knowledge about the university’s IR and their role in developing it. There was a general lack of skills amongst academics on self-archiving. A majority of academics believed that it would be easy for them to use the repository, especially if high profile researchers in the field, fellow academics, the university and research funders were positively influencing them to use the repository. Findings on ICT infrastructure necessary to support self-archiving, showed that UKZN had adequate infrastructure in place but academics believed that facilitating conditions in the form of rewards would encourage them to participate. Academics' attitudes on the IR was positive, but use was hindered by a lack of knowledge, fear of plagiarism, uncertainty of preservation and integrity of their work and the availability of other suitable platforms where they could share their work. Strategies recommended to improve IR use at UKZN included implementing an OA mandatory policy, strengthening OA education and IR training programmes to improve academics awareness, devising a reward system to recognise academics that were self-archiving, taking advantage of social factors to influence academics into using the IR and concerted efforts from the government, research funders and universities on OA. The study concludes that there is potential to improve IR use at UKZN and to enhance the access and visibility of its scholarship to the global research community.
Investigating the optimisation of South African university library budgets in an austerity environment.
(2023) Chatikobo, Chiratidzo Nyadzai.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
South African Research University Libraries (SARULs) strive to provide essential information resources to support their universities' learning, teaching, research, and community engagement functions. However, the ever-tightening library budgets reduce library resources in South Africa (SA) and worldwide. The existing optimisation strategies appear to be short-term, spontaneous, and unsustainable. There is, therefore, a need to develop long-term sustainable optimisation strategies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimisation of South African university library budgets in an austerity environment. In so doing, the following research objectives were pursued: firstly, to determine if austerity budgets were the only problem causing the shrinking of library resources. Secondly, this study sought to establish what optimisation strategies were in place and their sustainability. Thirdly, to investigate if the Theory of Constraints (TOC) could be used successfully to optimise SARULs’ budgets in an austerity environment. This study adopted the qualitative research approach and employed in-depth interviews to collect primary data from purposively sampled respondents through WhatsApp, Skype, and Microsoft Teams. The study’s target population consisted of 42 respondents selected from six research universities in SA according to the Carnegie Cooperation of New York (CCNY) classification. The universities were Rhodes University (RU), Stellenbosch University (SU), University of Cape Town (UCT), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), University of Pretoria (UP), and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Data on the reasons for shrinking library resources and optimisation strategies were collected. Thematic content analysis was used to clarify the meaning of the qualitative data. Qualitative data collected were analysed using ATLAS ti.22. The findings of this study revealed that only paid-for resources were shrinking, while there was an information explosion on alternative Open Access (OA) resources for libraries to access. Several reasons for the shrinking of library resources and optimisation strategies were brought to the fore by the librarian and Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research (DVC:R) respondents. It was of concern that some optimisation strategies were not long-term but aimed at short-term solutions. The study concluded that there was a need to develop long-term, sustainable optimisation strategies that would help strengthen SARULs role as a learning resource centre. The study would contribute to the body of knowledge by recommending policies and practices that would help optimise budgets. This would help decision-makers make informed decisions when supporting libraries with financial and technical assistance. Extending this study to other SA universities with different resources and experiences could be a valuable avenue for future research.
An investigation into the web searching strategies used by postgraduate students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus.
(2012) Civilcharran, Surika.; Hughes, Mitchell.; Hoskins, Ruth Geraldine Melonie.
The purpose of this mixed methods study was to investigate the Web search strategies used to retrieve information from the Web by postgraduate students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus in order to address the weaknesses of undergraduate students with regard to their Web searching strategies. The study attempted to determine the Web search tactics used by postgraduate students, the Web search strategies (i.e. combinations of tactics) they used, how they determined whether their searches were successful and the search tool they preferred. In addition, the study attempted to contribute toward building a set of best practices when searching the Web. The sample population consisted of 331 postgraduate students, yielding a response rate of 95%. The study involved a two-phased approach adopting a survey in Phase 1 and interviews in the Phase 2. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used and the population was divided into five mutually exclusive groups (i.e., postgraduate diploma, postgraduate certificate, Honours, Master’s and PhD). A pre-test was conducted with ten postgraduate students from the Pietermaritzburg campus. The study revealed that the majority of postgraduate students have been searching the Web for six years or longer and that most postgraduate students searched the Web for information from five to less than ten hours a week. Most respondents gained their knowledge on Web searching through experience and only a quarter of the respondents have been given formal training on Web searching. The Web searching strategies explored contribute to the best practices with regard to Web search strategies, as interviewees were selected based on the highest number of search tactics used and they have several years of searching experience. The study was also able to identify the most preferred Web search tool. It is envisaged that undergraduate students can potentially follow these search strategies to improve their information retrieval. This finding could also be beneficial to librarians in developing training modules that assist undergraduate students to use these Web search tools more efficiently. The final outcome of the study was an adaptation Bates’ (1979) model of Information Search Tactics to suit information searching on the Web.