Access and Use of Digital Resources: A Survey of Their Value for Faculty in Three Ghanaian Universities

Libri ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Perpetua Dadzie ◽  
Thomas van der Walt
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Digital Resources ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Kwame Nkrumah ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThis paper is culled from a doctoral study that investigated the development and management of digital libraries in selected academic libraries in Ghana. In this article, the authors report on the value that faculty members place on access to and use of digital resources and their implications for library services in three Ghanaian universities. The survey method was used to administer a structured questionnaire to 230 faculty members. Using convenience sampling, 10% of faculty were selected from the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the University of Cape Coast. Univariate and bivariate analyses were done to construct frequencies and establish relationships among respondents. Findings showed that less than half of the faculty members were aware of and used digital resources such as the online databases, institutional repositories, the library’s website and the online public access catalogue (OPAC). Nevertheless, the impact of the resources on them was very positive. The study recommended the need for university librarians to interact with faculty during orientation sessions for new faculty as well as new heads of departments. Additionally, subject librarians should work closely with departmental heads to be allocated periods for presentation on available digital resources, their usefulness for their own career enhancement and for their teaching role. The underlying implications of this study show that more advocacies are required from university libraries to enhance the use of digital resources.

DIGITISING UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN GHANA: HOW TECHNOLOGY IS FACILITATING ACCESS TO DIGITAL CONTENT AND SERVICES

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 95-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perpetua Dadzie ◽  
Thomas Van der Walt
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Digital Content ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
The University

The study investigated the extent to which technological advances are affecting the development of digital libraries in universities in Ghana. Using the case study approach, interviews were conducted with university librarians and information technology (IT) officers of three public universities in Ghana. In all, six staff members (i.e., two representatives each from the three libraries at the University of Ghana (UG), the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the University of Cape Coast (UCC)) were interviewed. Their views on the available information communications technology (ICT) infrastructure which would enable access to digital content and services, such as online databases, institutional repositories, online public access catalogues (OPACs) and World Wide Web (www) resources, were obtained. The findings revealed that all three universities have the basic ICT infrastructure to enable users to access digital content. However, there was restricted access to the OPAC; lack of visibility of the library website; and inadequate use of Web 2.0 tools in some of the libraries. Therefore, the study recommends the hiring of more multi-skilled librarians who would provide the necessary support for digital resources and services.

Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Motivating Faculty Members

2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (11) ◽  
pp. 303-312
Author(s):  
Jamal Asad Mezel ◽  
Adnan Fadhil Khaleel ◽  
Kiran Das Naik Eslavath
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Traditional Form ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
University Leaders ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

This empirical study show that the impact of all styles was well moderate. The means of effect of all styles were less than 3 out of 5. It means the expected impact of transformational affect upon the all dimensions of the activities, are not expected due to the traditional styles of leadership and the lack of information about the transformational leadership styles which can guide leaders to use such styles in the organization which may be this results due to lack of trained leaders and necessary knowledge with the leaders in all universities about transformational styles the traditional form of the leadership styles which used by the university leaders affect the communication between all levels of the administration and the faculty members which has consequence because decrease in motivation and a self-consideration from the administration.

Ineffective academic deans in public universities in Ghana: A case approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 07 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina Asi Owusu ◽  
◽  
Rev. Isaac Barfi Sarbeng ◽  
Paul Kwesi Mensah ◽  
Bernice Owusu Sekyere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Academic Deans ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Communication Failure ◽  
Leadership Failure ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
The University ◽  
University Council

This paper sought to find out the reasons why in the view of faculty members and officers, some academic Deans in public universities are ineffective leaders. Faculty members and officers of some faculties and schools in University of Cape Coast were requested to first say why in their view; some Deans in University of Cape Coast turn out to be ineffective leaders. Second, they were also requested to give their views on the consequences of leadership failure. Using a qualitative design, the investigators sampled eight (8) faculty members and four (4) faculty officers purposively from four Faculties in University of Cape Coast. Interviewees were asked to consider their own Deans first. A thematic narrative analysis was used to analyse data from the interviews and reported. The results showed that Deans fail due to poor posture, poor interpersonal skill, unclear vision and direction and communication failure. The paper has shown that the consequences of a Dean’s failure affect individual members within the faculty, and create disaffection thus, affecting organisational output. It was therefore recommended that the University Council and Management should consider reviewing the current policy of voting deans into office if it even calls for amendments in the 2016 Statute of the University.

Impact of Discovery Layers on Accessing E-Resources in Academic Libraries

2016 ◽  
pp. 181-200
Author(s):  
Mayank Yuvaraj
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Research Articles ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Search Filters ◽  
Search Tool ◽  
The University ◽  
Descriptive Survey ◽  
The Impact

The paper discusses the implementation of the ‘CUB E-journal One Search' tool as an alternative solution to commercial discovery services, which was designed using Google Custom Search by the Central Library, Central University of Bihar and its impact on the library users. A descriptive survey method was used for the study. The present study found that library users found CUB E-journal One Search as a useful tool to get their desired information out of 9000 subscribed e-resources in the university. Most of the users used CUB E-journal One Search frequently in order to find relevant articles, write their assignments and research articles. The study indicated that the library users were influenced by Google like single search boxes and wished to have same features. Further, users expected features like document recommendation, search filters, RSS and on-screen help from the discovery tool. The paper is a first attempt to study the impact of open source discovery tools on the library users. It will further give confidence to the librarians in developing countries to deploy open source search solutions using Google Custom Search in the libraries.

Impact and Usage of Social Media Among the Post Graduate Students of Arts in Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India

2020 ◽  
pp. 99-110
Author(s):  
P. Pitchaipandi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Post Graduate ◽  
The Social ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

This chapter tries to analyse the impact and usage of social media among the postgraduate students of arts in Alagappa University, Karaikudi, under survey method for the study. The study identified the majority (69.79%) of the respondents under female category, and 72.92% of the respondents belong in the age group between 21 and 23 years. It is observed that 32.29% of the respondents use the social media, preferably YouTube. The plurality (48.96%) of the respondents use smartphone/mobiles compare to iPod, desktop, laptop, and others. 35.42% of the respondents' spent between 1 and 5 hours weekly using social media. Further, the study also observes the positive and negative aspects of using social media in postgraduate students of arts disciplines in the university.

Impact of personal and organizational factors on knowledge sharing attitude of university teachers in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javaria Javaid ◽  
Saira Soroya ◽  
Khalid Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the attitude of faculty members towards knowledge-sharing in the University of Education, Lahore. The impact of personal and organizational factors that may contribute to effective knowledge-sharing among the university’s teaching staff is also analyzed. The factors affecting the willingness of the faculty members to share knowledge are broadly classified as “organizational” and “personal” factors. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on permanent teaching staff working at different campuses of the University of Education all over the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The survey instrument for this study was adapted from four studies. The questionnaires were distributed among 246 faculty members personally. Findings The findings of the study showed that the faculty members were familiar with the importance of knowledge-sharing and were also interested in sharing their knowledge and expertise with others. The results showed that organizational factors (trust, reward system and organizational culture) played a vital role in enhancing the knowledge-sharing attitude of faculty members. The impact of these factors on knowledge-sharing attitude was significant. Originality/value This is the very first study which explored the personal and organizational factors of knowledge-sharing in a specific academic institution from Pakistan. The findings of the research provided useful insights to the management of the University of Education particularly and other universities in general to design strategies for enhancing knowledge-sharing culture in the higher education institution. These findings may also be helpful for other developing countries.

scholarly journals Online Learning Amidst COVID-19 Emergency: A Case of the University of Malawi’s School of Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 346-364
Author(s):  
Bob Maseko ◽  
Foster Gondwe ◽  
Symon Winiko ◽  
Symon Chiziwa
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
School Of Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Concerns Based Adoption Model ◽  
Academic Leaders ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Learning Data

This paper explores faculty members’ concerns and level of preparedness for open and distance learning (ODL) at the University of Malawi’s School of Education during the recent Covid-19 pandemic within a context that considers ODL as a means of mitigating the impact of the pandemic on teaching and learning. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with four experienced academic leaders within the school of education. The Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM), particularly stages of concerns, served as a framework to understand the faculty’s concerns about the implementation of ODL initiatives. Inductive and deductive analysis approaches were used to analyse the interview transcripts to identify emerging themes. Deductive analysis revealed that faculty members expressed several concerns such as awareness, informational, as well as consequences concerns as they talked about their feelings and attitudes towards the implementation of ODL. Inductive analysis on the other hand revealed that faculty members’ perceptions such as minimal preparation, negative orientations, and lack of policy awareness hamper the implementation of ODL. These findings underscore the importance of members’ orientation change to ensure effective implementation of ODL in contexts like the institution under study. We discuss these and propose that professional development could help members develop positive attitudes towards ODL.

scholarly journals Utilizing the Blackboard Learning Management System at the University of Ha’il from the Perspective of Faculty Members using Internet Of Things (IOT)

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 214-222
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Ali ◽  
Khaled Abu Sheirah
Keyword(s):  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Management System ◽  
Learning Management System ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Teaching Language ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Learning Management ◽  
Preparatory Year ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

The study aims to investigate the perceptions of faculty members in the preparatory year at the University of Ha’il concerning the use of the Blackboard learning management system, and to identify the impact of the study variables (gender, discipline, teaching language, and number of training courses) on the responses of the study sample members. A descriptive methodology has been used, as the study was applied to a sample of (123) faculty members, and to collect information, a questionnaire of (32) items was developed. The results of the study showed that the level of using the Blackboard at the University of Ha’il by faculty members was high. It indicated that there were no statistically significant differences due to gender. Moreover, the results revealed that there were no statistically significant differences (p=0.218) in the use of Blackboard based on the number of training courses, and that there were no statistically significant differences (p=0.390) in the use of Blackboard based on academic ranking.

scholarly journals The Graduates Tracer Study: Bachelor of Elementary Education Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. 918-927
Author(s):  
Adona S. Abana ◽  
Andy B. Ramos ◽  
Bernardo K. Gumarang Jr. ◽  
Jaine Z. Tarun
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Education ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
General Skills ◽  
Future Demands ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Communication And Technology

The study assessed the impact of the Bachelor of Elementary Education program in the life of its graduates in terms of their employability and professional competencies based on the perceptions of graduates and their employers. The survey method was used in the study to determine the graduates' status and performance. There are 250 BEEd graduates involved in the study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percent, and arithmetic mean were utilized to determine and describe the profile of graduates and employers, the trend in the employment of graduates for the term being studied, the employers’ assessment of the graduates in terms of their knowledge and understanding of their field of specialization, qualities, general skills and specialized skills generally expected of them in order to succeed in their teaching performance, and the over-all preparation of graduates acquired from the University for the type of work they are currently engaging and other skills needed for their future demands. The data generated from the employers' assessment of the variables mentioned was further analyzed and categorized to generate interrelated thoughts/themes that will emerge from the data.  The results of the study showed that graduates of the program are competent because most of the graduates are licensed professionals, employed with regular or permanent status. However, it has been found that graduates need to gain innovative skills such as, research and the use of information communication and technology. The findings can be used as the basis of the program in improving the curriculum and instruction.

scholarly journals Faculty’s and Postgraduate Students’ Awareness of and Attitudes to Using the Institutional Repository

Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nokuphila Saulus ◽  
Stephen Mutula
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The University

Institutional repositories (IRs) play an essential role in preserving universities’ intellectual output, enhancing access to research, and increasing the visibility of scholars and their institutions. IRs are therefore expected to be accepted and optimally utilised by scholars. However, the literature reveals that IRs are growing at a slower pace than anticipated, and that it has not been easy to convince faculty members to contribute their work to IRs. Therefore, this study examined the awareness of the faculty and postgraduate students at the University of Swaziland (UNISWA) of their IR, and also assessed their attitudes to using their IR. The study was underpinned by the post-positivist paradigm, and the quantitative research approach was used. The study adopted a survey design with questionnaires administered to the faculty and postgraduate students. The results of the study revealed that most of UNISWA’s faculty knew about the existence of the IR, whereas the majority of the postgraduate students were not aware of it. It was established that the most popular sources of hearing about the IR were colleagues, institutional emails, and seminars and/or workshops. The results further revealed that even though the majority of the faculty was aware of the IR, very few contributed their research. The reasons cited for the poor uptake of the university’s IR included lack of awareness, few or no publications to contribute, and no time to access the IR due to heavy workloads. The faculty and postgraduate students also preferred to be assisted by librarians in archiving content in the IR. The issues discussed in this article have implications for the enhancement of research, practice, and policy in the context of developing countries.

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