Geographical scientific publications in ORBi, the ULiège institutional repository: analysis of the socio-economic influencing factors of downloads

Author(s):  
Simona Stirbu

<p>Institutional repositories usage statistics, especially the number of views of references or downloads of documents and various associated data, constitute a wealth of information nowadays.</p><p>Our study aims to analyze different aspects of the downloads of scientific publications (journal articles and communications) in geography from ORBi, the institutional repository of the University of Liège, Belgium. We also verify in which proportion these downloads are influenced by some socio-economic factors of the “dowloading” countries.</p><p>We choose to work on a sample of 453 publications uploaded by the geographers from the ULiège(Belgium) Department of Geography in the institutional repository between 2000 et 2014.</p><p>In order to achieve our main objectives, we have first identified the language of the references and the number of downloads by country. We then performed statistical analysis, multivariate regression, to verify if socio-economic factors like, the size of the population, PIB, the internet access, etc., could influence the number of downloads depending on the language of the documents or the localization of the countries on different continents.</p><p>The results indicate that the language of the documents influences the number of downloads effectuated and their worldwide distribution.</p><p>On average 76% of the references downloads are explained by the characteristics of the countries that have effectuated these downloads, mainly the language, scientific production and population size of the countries.</p>

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
George Osas Eromosele

Purpose An institutional repository has become a new way of making the intellectual outputs of academic and research institutions electronically accessible in the online public domain. The outcome has led to users gaining remote access to varieties of digitized information that is hitherto locally resident before digitization in hardcopy form in the various information centre and libraries without users’ restrictions. This initiative has helped to enhance the open access inventiveness. Nigeria libraries are therefore taking up the challenge of computerizing their libraries and some have taken some steps to source the requisite funds to digitize and archive their library resources for easier Web-based access. Consequent upon this development, the University of Ilorin, embarked on digitization of its local contents such as Convocation Ceremonies; Government Publications; and Staff Publications and Theses and Dissertations, and making these local resources available online. This paper attempts to give a detailed account, step-by-step procedures and the various challenges faced in the process of building its online institutional repository and the way forward. The report in this paper gives insight into academic libraries intention to digitize their library resources, on the best way to go about it and also to avoid unnecessary hurdles. Design/methodology/approach To provide a thorough breakdown of the building of institutional repositories in the University of Ilorin, Library, webliography sources were consulted. Findings Some areas in service provisions need to improve upon, and these areas are search engine optimization by subscribing to handle.net, integration of Google analytics to check performance, sitemap features and highly secured (SSL and public key encryption. Originality/value This paper attempts to give a detailed account, step-by-step procedures and the various challenges faced in the process of building its online institutional repository and the way forward. The report in this paper gives insight into academic libraries intention to digitize their library resources, on the best way to go about it and also to avoid unnecessary hurdles.


2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-398
Author(s):  
Stephen Biaco Alayon ◽  
Elvi Santillan Nemiz ◽  
Daryl Lustracion Superio ◽  
Jesserylle Garvilles de la Peña ◽  
Luisa Gadot Pacino

Purpose – This paper aims to present the experiences of SEAFDEC/AQD library staff in digitizing institutional publications and developing an institutional repository (IR). Design/methodology/approach – SEAFDEC/AQD IR or SAIR provides a reliable means for its researchers to store, preserve, share their research outputs, enable easy access to and increase the visibility of its scientific publications. The repository uses DSpace customized with some add-ons. Details on the digitization hardware and software, layout, delivery format, and persistent identifier used are provided. Findings – As of March 2012, the repository contains 771 items with 541 downloadable PDFs. SAIR had 88,287 item views, 69,249 PDF downloads and 271,978 searches. SAIR is registered to and indexed by OpenDOAR, ROAR, Google Scholar and WorldCat. It is harvested by AVANO Ifremer, BASE, Sciencegate.ch and OAIster. Initial impact based on indicators in webometrics ranking web of world repositories and research centers was presented. Reluctance to contribute to IR has been observed by the library staff among SEAFDEC/AQD researchers. Research limitations/implications – The IR can be an effective tool to promote institutional publications and those written by researchers in peer-reviewed journals and to generate higher citations through increased visibility. IR submission policy and procedures are being drafted by the library staff. Practical implications – SAIR provides free access to all in-house publications of SEAFDEC/AQD. Full-text digitized copies of fish farmer-friendly materials like books, handbooks, policy guidebooks, extension manuals, institutional reports, and newsletters can be downloaded. Originality/value – SAIR is one of only three open access institutional repositories registered in the Philippines. The paper discusses the lessons learned and issues to be addressed in developing an IR of value to other institutions considering similar projects. Future plans and further development are also presented.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-447
Author(s):  
A. K. Ibrahim ◽  
H. Mohammed ◽  
S. Bawa

This study examined the perception of graduate students in the use of the institutional repositories particularly in relation to the institutional repository of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana. The study examined the level of students’ awareness, attitude towards the IR, level of use and level of satisfaction, and the challenges facing them in their utilisation of the UDS IR. The study adopted the descriptive survey approach and was conducted on the four campuses of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Wa, Navrongo, Nyankpala and Tamale in May, 2019. A total of 104 copies of a questionnaire were distributed to graduate students based on random sampling and 88 copies of the questionnaire were completed and returned. Only 85 copies were found usable and thus were used for the analysis. The study revealed that 67% of the respondents were aware of the IR. However, utilization was only occasional among them. The study also revealed that majority (75%) of graduate students use the IR to access theses and dissertations. The lack of awareness creation about the IR and the inadequate ICT connection and infrastructure were the challenges that hinder effective use of the IR. The study suggests that library orientation should be organised to educate graduate students on the benefits of using the IR for their studies especially in doing research. The study also recommended improvement in ICT infrastructure to ease access to the IR. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) short videos could be put on the IR interface and the Library website to guide students on how to use the IR. Keywords: Institutional Repository, Perception, Graduate students, Utilization, University for Development Studies, Ghana


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 184797902098090
Author(s):  
Leila Aloui ◽  
Anwar Yahia Shams Eldin

Employability is a key concern for many stakeholders, students, graduates, universities, organisations, and national decision-making bodies. Due to its ability to influence the paths towards success, the methods and factors affecting the development of employability have gained increased attention from these agents. This study aims to investigate how socio-emotional competencies and socio-economic factors are related to the employability of female graduates. Data were collected from 102 graduates at the Tathleeth Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Bisha in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Using structure modelling techniques, our findings indicate that socio-economic factors have an impact on the unemployed, whereas socio-emotional competencies impact the employed. Employability skills are shown to have an impact both on the unemployed and on socio-economic factors. Furthermore, the moderation effect of socio-emotional competencies and socio-economic factors on the relation between employability skills and employment is unsupported. Consequently, we conclude that the study’s results suggest the necessity of developing a theory of employability which investigates the conditions under which employability skills impact the employability of graduates. To this end, contextual factors must be identified so as to form the cornerstones of an adequate theory.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 5460-5466
Author(s):  
Alfred Maroyi

Schefflera umbellifera (Sond.) Baill. is an evergreen tree widely used as traditional medicine throughout its distributional range in southern Africa. Schefflera umbellifera is indigenous to Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This study was aimed at providing a critical review of medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of S. umbellifera. Documented information on medicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of S. umbellifera was collected from several online sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, Francis and Taylor and Science Direct, and pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles and scientific publications obtained from the University library. This study revealed that the bark, leaf and root decoction or infusion of S. umbellifera are mainly used as diuretic, laxative, colic and protective charm, and traditional medicine for stomach ulcers, weaning infants, insanity, inflammation, rheumatism and malaria. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include 3-hydroxy-20(29)-lupen-28-ol, 7-hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin, betulin, ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid and oleanolic acid. Pharmacological research revealed that S. umbellifera extracts and compounds isolated from the species have antibacterial, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antiprotozoal, larvicidal and cytotoxicity activities. Schefflera umbellifera should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological evaluations aimed at correlating its medicinal uses with its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.


2021 ◽  
pp. 175791392199414
Author(s):  
HW Mak ◽  
D Fancourt

Aims: As the COVID-19 pandemic has grown internationally, there has been an increased need for volunteers. This study aimed to identify the predictors of volunteering including demographic backgrounds, socio-economic characteristics, personality, and psychosocial factors. Methods: Data were analysed from 31,890 adults in the UK COVID-19 Social Study run by the University College London – a longitudinal study focusing on the psychological and social experiences of adults living in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tetrachoric factor analysis was applied to identify latent categories of voluntary work. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identity predictors for volunteering and change in volunteering behaviours since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Three types of volunteering during the pandemic were identified as follows: formal volunteering, social action volunteering, and neighbourhood volunteering. Regression analysis showed that the pattern of voluntary work was structured by demographic backgrounds, socio-economic factors, personality, and psychosocial factors. Conclusion: The predictors of volunteering during the pandemic may be slightly different from other non-emergency period.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-129
Author(s):  
Erik A. Moore ◽  
Valerie M. Collins ◽  
Lisa R. Johnston

Most higher-education institutions strive to be publicly engaged and community centered. These institutions leverage faculty, researchers, librarians, community liaisons, and communication specialists to meet this mission, but they have largely underutilized the potential of institutional repositories. Academic institutions can use institutional repositories to provide open access and long-term preservation to institutional gray literature, research data, university publications, and campus research products that have tangible, real-world applications for the communities they serve. Using examples from the University of Minnesota, this article demonstrates how making this content discoverable, openly accessible, and preserved for the future through an institutional repository not only increases the value of this publicly-engaged work but also creates a lasting record of a university’s public engagement efforts and contributes to the mission of the institution.  


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lusia N. Pinehas ◽  
Ester Mulenga ◽  
Julia Amadhila

The University of Namibia (UNAM) is the only national university in Namibia that was established in 1992. It offers diploma and degree courses. The Bachelor of Nursing Science (Clinical) (Honours) was introduced in 2008 after the Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing Science was phased out. This degree is offered over the period of four years full-time. Students are allocated to the clinical practice throughout the training to acquire the relevant nursing skills. At the time of research the course was offered at two campuses only namely Windhoek and Oshakati. The total number of students who were admitted in 2010 was 83, but at the time of the research when they were in their fourth year, there were only 59. The difference of 24 was the students who could not make it to the fourth year and finish in the prescribed time frame. The lecturers were concerned with the poor performance of the students, the increased number of students with some modules behind, and the overcrowding of some classes. The purpose of the study was to identify, explore and describe the factors that hinder the academic performance of the nursing students at the UNAM Oshakati campus. The study was conducted among nursing students who registered for the Bachelor of Nursing Science (Clinical) (Honours) in 2010. The study was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature using non-probability purposive sampling. The findings revealed that the academic performance of student nurses at the University of Namibia Oshakati campus is influenced by both internal and external factors. However, external factors are many compared to internal factors. External related factors comprise of teaching and learning, insufficient resources, lack of university accommodation, curriculum related and socio-economic factors. Teaching and learning related factors include use of one teaching strategy, language barriers, inadequate support and labeling of students by lecturers. On the other hand, insufficient resources are unavailability of the bookshop on campus, insufficient prescribed textbooks, poor internet facility, lack of space and less equipped library. Curriculum related factors include overloaded examination time table, huge scope of test, study day system and module pre-requisites, while socio-economic factors are problems in relationships, peer influence, financial problems and pregnancy while studying. Internal factors comprise of students’ attitude and lack of self-discipline among some students. Those factors result in increased number of students with some modules behind, overcrowding of some classes, increased student-lecturer ratio and some students not completing their studies within the prescribed time frame. 


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