Review and Revision of Library and Information Science Curriculum in a South African University and the Usage of Follow-Up Study and Advertisement Scanning Methods

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis N Ocholla
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Product Analysis ◽  
The Public ◽  
International Trends ◽  
The University

Two methods for curriculum review and revision are used to review and revise the Library and Information (LIS) curriculum at the University of Zululand, South Africa. Firstly, as an exercise in product analysis, a case study of the graduates of the University of Zululand between 1996 and 1999 was conducted. Graduates were traced to their current places of employment and interviewed together with their employers in order to determine whether the knowledge, skills and attitudes gained during training were adequate for their current job requirements. Secondly, a market-type analysis was conducted by scanning job advertisements in the field of library and information science appearing in a popular national weekly newspaper over a period of three years. Details regarding date and location of advertisement, type of employer, job details and job specifications and requirements in terms of qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills and attitudes were captured from this source and analysed. Whereas the aforementioned two methods still enjoy popularity, arguably, they alone do not necessarily provide an accurate picture of the demand and supply matrix that can enhance effective and beneficial LIS education for service and employability of graduates. Evidently, the public sector and in particular the public and academic libraries, dominate this specific segment of the employment market in South Africa. Sound education in the fields of management, information and communication technologies, information searching, analysis and synthesis, as well as the ability to perform practical work is regarded as essential. The use of the aforementioned two methods exploits techniques which play a crucial verification role and which effectively supplement other methods such as reviewing existing curriculum and literature, consulting with colleagues and observing national and international trends as well as the focus-group method for academic programme development. Other intervening variables in the study are discussed. The paper addresses issues that can benefit theoretical and methodological issues in library and information science education and curriculum development.

scholarly journals Inserción laboral de los graduados en Información y Documentación cinco años después de titularse

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ángel Borrego ◽  
Maite Comalat
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
International Mobility ◽  
Pay Gap ◽  
The Public ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Part Time

This article summarizes results related to graduates in Library and Information Science (LIS) provided in a report on higher-education employability published by the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) in 2019. The data show that LIS graduates have a slightly lower employment rate than other graduates. Nevertheless, they enjoy greater job stability, with a higher percentage of permanent contracts instead of placements or internships. More than one-quarter of LIS graduates work part-time, and the Public Administration continues to be the sector providing more employment opportunities for them. A certain level of overqualification is observed, with significant percentages of LIS graduates stating that they hold positions for which their degree is not necessary. Salaries are lower than those of other graduates, with data showing the same gender pay gap that affects female graduates across all disciplines. LIS graduates are satisfied with their training, and most would study the same degree again. They are little inclined to international mobility during their studies and consider themselves advanced users of information and communication technologies. Se sintetizan los resultados relativos a los graduados en Información y Documentación recogidos en la Encuesta de inserción laboral de titulados universitarios 2019 del Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Los datos indican que los graduados en Información y Documentación trabajan en una proporción ligeramente inferior al resto de titulados. Sin embargo, disfrutan de una mayor estabilidad laboral, con un porcentaje superior de contratos permanentes en detrimento de los contratos en prácticas y becas. Más de la cuarta parte de los graduados trabaja a tiempo parcial y la Administración Pública continúa siendo el ámbito que proporciona mayores oportunidades de ocupación. Se observa un cierto grado de sobrecualificación, con porcentajes significativos de graduados que afirman estar ocupando puestos de trabajo para los que no es necesaria la titulación. Las retribuciones son inferiores a las de otros graduados, al tiempo que se constata la misma brecha salarial de género que castiga a las tituladas de todas las disciplinas. Los graduados en Información y Documentación se declaran satisfechos con la titulación cursada y mayoritariamente repetirían los estudios, se muestran poco proclives a la movilidad internacional durante sus estudios y se consideran usuarios avanzados de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación.

Informetrics Education in Library and Information Science (LIS) Departments at Universities in South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkosingiphile Zungu ◽  
Dennis N. Ocholla
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
The University

This study sought to explore informetrics education in Library and Information Science (LIS) departments at universities in South Africa. We adopted the pragmatic epistemology and pluralistic ontology for our study. The mixed research methods we employed were survey and content analysis. The survey comprised a questionnaire by means of which we collected data from the LIS heads of department (HODs) and informetrics lecturers, and we employed content analysis to analyse the content of course outlines. The study’s population was the LIS departments at the surveyed tertiary education institutions in South Africa. Nine LIS departments were targeted, and eight of them responded. At the time of the study, five of the nine LIS departments were found to offer informetrics education, namely those at the University of Cape Town, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Limpopo, University of the Western Cape, and University of Zululand. We established that the LIS department at the University of Zululand was the only department that offered informetrics education as an autonomous module/course as part of the full LIS programme. Other LIS departments offered it as a chapter or a unit in a module, and the University of Limpopo offered it at an undergraduate level. We found that the institutions surveyed offered informetrics education at different study levels and notches and that there was no uniformity in the content of the informetrics courses across the institutions’ LIS departments. Our findings indicated that the blended learning method was widely used, comprising case studies, group discussions, and online teaching and learning methods. We found that the various LIS departments experienced challenges (e.g. teaching capacity, student preparedness, and ICT support), and we suggested solutions to meet these challenges. We noted that informetrics education in South Africa was limited and we recommended more awareness creation, curricula development, short courses and awareness of global trends.

The integration of ICT in library and information science curriculum analytical study of students’ perception in Jordanian Universities

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 461-478
Author(s):  
Younis Al-Shwabkah ◽  
Faten Hamad ◽  
Nashrawan Taha ◽  
Maha Al-Fadel
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
The Other ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Academic Year

Purpose This study aims to explore undergraduate students’ perceptions of teaching information and communication technology (ICT) courses in the library and information science (LIS) program in Jordanian universities. It also aims at investigating the correlation between the impact of some variables, namely, gender, the type of university, academic year and student GPA on and their students’ views. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative methods were adopted. A questionnaire with 40 items was distributed on a stratified random sample of 220 students from four LIS departments in Jordan and, of whom, 203 responded with a response rate of 92.3 per cent. Findings Research findings indicated that teaching ICT courses was considered highly important. Students stressed on the importance of incorporating ICT courses in LIS programs. They also pointed out the competence of the teaching staff and the efficacy of their teaching methods. On the other hand, student assessments of the curriculum content, the teaching pedagogy and methods of assessment were on an average level. In addition, the findings indicated that resources and facilities necessary to teach ICT courses were available and adequate. It was noted that the “university” was the only factor that affected results; the University of Jordan students showed a higher satisfaction. The other factors (gender, academic year and GPA) did not appear to affect student perceptions. Originality/value Previous studies investigated the importance of teaching ICT courses in general but did not consider students’ perceptions. Only a few studies discussed students’ perceptions of studying ICT courses but in a different context, i.e. Kuwait. This research focused on students’ perceptions of studying ICT in Jordan as a new geographic region. This would be beneficial for other developing countries to learn from this experience and refine their ICT curricula and LIS programs accordingly.

RESEARCH COLLABORATION AMONG LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE SCHOOLS IN SOUTH AFRICA (1991–2012): AN INFORMETRICS STUDY

Mousaion ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 36-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan R. Maluleka ◽  
Omwoyo B. Onyancha
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Limited Extent ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
The Past ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Collaborative Activities

This study sought to assess the extent of research collaboration in Library and Information Science (LIS) schools in South Africa between 1991 and 2012. Informetric research techniques were used to obtain relevant data for the study. The data was extracted from two EBSCO-hosted databases, namely, Library and Information Science Source (LISS) and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA). The search was limited to scholarly peer reviewed articles published between 1991 and 2012. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel ©2010 and UCINET for Windows ©2002 software packages. The findings revealed that research collaboration in LIS schools in South Africa has increased over the past two decades and mainly occurred between colleagues from the same department and institution; there were also collaborative activities at other levels, such as inter-institutional and inter-country, although to a limited extent; differences were noticeable when ranking authors according to different computations of their collaborative contributions; and educator-practitioner collaboration was rare. Several conclusions and recommendations based on the findings are offered in the article.

The Use of Principles of Good Assessment in Recognition of Prior Learning Practice in Library and Information Science in South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ike Khazamula Hlongwane
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Prior Learning ◽  
Good Assessment ◽  
Recognition Of Prior Learning ◽  
Appeals Process ◽  
South African Higher Education

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) practice offers sound benefits to library and information science (LIS) schools. Despite these envisaged benefits, very little is known about RPL practice in LIS schools in South Africa. This study sought to establish whether principles of good assessment were being followed in the LIS schools to ensure the integrity of the RPL outcomes. A combination of a questionnaire and document analysis were used to collect data from the ten LIS schools in the South African higher education and training landscape. The questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data through a survey method. In addition, the researcher employed content analysis to collect qualitative data from institutional RPL policy documents. The findings indicate that RPL assessment processes across LIS schools in South Africa were largely subjected to principles of good practice. The study found that in accordance with the SAQA RPL policy the purpose of assessment was clarified to the candidate upfront, the quality of support to be provided to the candidate in preparing for the assessment was established, an appeals process was made known to the candidate, and the choice of assessment methods was fit for purpose to ensure credible assessment outcomes. It is therefore recommended that other disciplines or departments use LIS schools’ experiences as a benchmark to improve their own RPL endeavours.

Awareness on Social Media among the LIS Professionals in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka: A Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 62-66
Author(s):  
Shilpa Uplaonkar ◽  
Kalikadevi G. Badiger
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Online Collaboration ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Agricultural Sciences ◽  
User Centric ◽  
The University

The present paper focuses on the explore of social media such as Face book, Twitter, Whatsapp, etc. to work as an effective tool for imparting information or knowledge and prove helpful in making awareness among Library and Information Science (LIS) Professionals of University Libraries of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad as most important aspect of social mediaas its emphasis on online collaboration and sharing because it has social networking, user centric characteristics. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire that was circulated among the LIS Professionals of University Libraries of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad randomly. Present article reports the survey of social media, in making awareness among LIS Professionals. Analysis will help the LIS professionals in deriving the benefits of Social media.

scholarly journals Content analysis of European library and information science journals

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 161-170
Author(s):  
Yuliia Shevtsova ◽  
Hanna Shemaieva
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Interdisciplinary Communication ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Information And Communication

Content analysis of 28 library and information science journals of the leading European countries has been conducted in the context of the current research. The thematic focus of these journals has been the priority of the research. Several thematic groups of library and information science journals have been identified. They include the journals that cover the following topics related to: 1) digital information; 2) development of information and communication technologies and their application in library practice; 3) library and information with the key topic of library and information management; 4) various types of communication. The conclusion has been made that scholarly interdisciplinary communication is expanding in the context of information society development. The analysis provides means for taking into account the trends in the leading European countries that help to evaluate and compare the performance of Ukrainian libraries and increase the level of professional knowledge and communication of library and information science professionals.

scholarly journals Archives, libraries and museums in the Nordic model of the public sphere

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Håkon Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Public Sphere ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Archival Science ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Spheres ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Public Sphere

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of ALM organizations within a Nordic model of the public sphere. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper discussing the role of archives, libraries and museums in light of a societal model of the Nordic public sphere. Throughout the discussions, the author draw on empirical and theoretical research from sociology, political science, media studies, cultural policy studies, archival science, museology, and library and information science to help advance our understanding of these organizations in a wider societal context. Findings The paper shows that ALM organizations play an important role for the infrastructure of a civil public sphere. Seen as a cluster, these organizations are providers of information that can be employed in deliberative activities in mediated public spheres, as well as training arenas for citizens to use prior to entering such spheres. Furthermore, ALM organizations are themselves public spheres, as they can serve specific communities and help create and maintain identities, and solidarities, all of which are important parts of a civil public sphere. Research limitations/implications Future research should investigate whether these roles are an important part of ALM organizations contribution to public spheres in other regions of the world. Originality/value Through introducing a theoretical model developed within sociology and connecting it to ongoing research in archival science, museology, and library and information science, the author connects the societal role of archives, libraries, and museums to broader discussions within the social sciences.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document