29 research outputs found
An assessment of the eResearch Knowledge Centre's support practices in the Human Sciences Research Council in Pretoria, South Africa
No full textThe purpose of this study was to determine whether the eResearch Knowledge Centre's (eRKC) research support services are in line with the needs of Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) researchers. It was also intended to identify gaps in services that could be filled by additional services. The pragmatic research paradigm was used to guide the conduct of this study. This paradigm refers to a worldview that prioritizes what works in practice over what is absolutely and objectively true or real. The Research Lifecycle Model was chosen as a theoretical framework for this study because of its foundation in this paradigm. To collect data, a multi-methods cross-sectional descriptive design was used, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods. The two methods were used concurrently. A questionnaire was distributed to 156 members of the HSRC research staff in order to collect quantitative data. Interviews were conducted with nine eRKC staff members who were part of the sample to collect qualitative data. A Likert scale was used to determine whether a participant agreed or disagreed with the statements. The quantitative data analysis was done using SPSS, while the interview data were analysed using Excel. Both the quantitative and qualitative data were aligned with the six phases of the research life cycle. The findings demonstrated the effective targeting of current eRKC research support services to specific phases of the research life cycle model. The needs of HSRC researchers could be determined in each phase using this model. According to the study findings, the current eRKC research support services are aligned with the needs of HSRC researchers and highlighted services that could be expanded or promoted more effectively to HSRC researchers. It proposes a new service, data analysis, and suggests that the eRKC could play a more prominent role in research impact, research data management, and fostering collaboration with HSRC research divisions
A readiness assessment survey of the adoption of transformational leadership for South African academic libraries in the Gauteng Province
No full textThe study assessed the readiness of the adoption of transformational leadership for South African academic libraries in the Gauteng province. Available literature shows no evidence that assessment has been conducted by academic libraries before the adoption of this leadership style. Academic libraries nationally and internationally are faced with generic challenges like evolutionary technological changes, reduced budget allocations, leadership challenges, and human resources challenges. They are pressured to prove their value to the university due to changing user needs and most academic libraries are faced with a challenge of having to continuously redefine themselves to survive the changing environment. Academic libraries are constantly challenged and must ensure that they have strong leadership that is equipped to face and deal with never-ending challenges. The study surveyed the leadership of the academic libraries in Gauteng. It mainly adopted a descriptive research design. The survey took an exploratory approach to get quality information. The study used a transformative theoretical framework because of its immediate applicability and its focus on the tensions that arise due to unequal power relations. The study is primarily a quantitative study with some qualitative elements as a follow-up to the issues raised in the questionnaire. Quantitative data were analysed with the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS v25) statistical tool, and descriptive data were coded by assigning labels to codes and using Atlas.ti 8. The study results found that history, politics, and different dynamics related to academic universities influence the leadership style adopted at academic libraries. Several leadership characteristics influence and guide the leadership preference of academic libraries. Two academic libraries indicated that they adopted a participative and transformational leadership style. The libraries have clearly-defined communication channels between the management and staff. However, the creativity and innovation of the staff were affected by other issues. The results also showed that academic libraries must focus more on empowerment, skills development, delegating, and mentoring of their staff to prepare staff for managerial and leadership positions
Investigating popular fiction development at the University of the Free State academic Library
No full textThe study seeks to find out students' and library staff's perceptions and experiences of the popular fiction collection at the University of the Free State's Sasol Library. The purpose of the study is to examine what these perceptions and experiences mean for the future expansion and development of the leisure collection. The Social Learning Theory guided the study. The study adopted a qualitative and quantitative approach whereby open- and close-ended questionnaires were distributed online to students and to library staff to gather research data. The population that participated in the study comprised undergraduate and postgraduate students and library staff. The study employed stratified random sampling as a research technique. The targeted population comprised 37,800 registered students and 61 library staff members accidentally sampled. This in turn gave sample sizes of 381 for students and 53 for library staff. Quantitative data was analysed using Google Forms and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Further, qualitative data was analysed thematically through content analysis. The study found that students enjoy reading popular fiction at the Sasol Library's fiction collection for leisure. The study also found that library staff support the existence of the leisure reading collection, even though a small number felt that its operations could be improved. The study therefore recommends that the university direct resources towards the expansion and improvement of the popular collection through the training of staff and stocking of reading genres that the students require
Impact of the optic fibre network and increased bandwidth on e‐resources access in Malawi
No full textEffects of budgeting and funding on the provision of library and information services in the University of Malawi Libraries
No full textPurposeThe purpose of this paper is to look at effects of budgeting and financing of the University of Malawi Libraries (UML) on the provision of library and information services.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐case study methodological design approach was used, coupled with annual acquisition statistics and University Budget Estimates from 2003/2004 to 2010/2011 financial years. Interviews were conducted with library staff in all the five college libraries. Questionnaires were distributed to students and academic staff in the constituent colleges of the university.FindingsThe results of the study have indicated that library and information resources in UML deteriorated despite increased material budgets. Most of the essential books were outdated and not found in UML libraries. Print periodicals were inconsistent and unsubscribed to. Most of the electronic journals were inaccessible and irrelevant to users' needs. Internet was slow due to low bandwidth. Indirectly, library and information services were negatively affected. Reference services in UML deteriorated. Compact Read Only Memory (CD‐ROM) services were overtaken by users' preference for the internet, e‐journals and online databases. Document delivery services were mostly disconnected because of non‐payment of subscription fees. Current awareness services were choked by low levels of acquisitions. Low levels of acquisitions for local materials crippled exchange programme services. Interlibrary loan services were affected by inability to return loaned materials.Practical implicationsThe study recommends that college librarians should lobby for increased budgets for library and information resources. Donors should be approached to assist in paying for the internet and postage charges.Originality/valueImproved budgets for library and information resources will directly revamp library and information services. The services include reference services, current awareness, document delivery, interlibrary loans and exchange programmes.</jats:sec
Digitising library resources and building digital repositories in the University of Malawi Libraries
No full textEconomic hardship and vulnerability of young women to sex trafficking: a challenge to the Catholic Church's theological advocacy in South Africa.
No full textMaster of Theology. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2015.This research project focuses on sex trafficking of vulnerable young women in quest of economic dignity in South Africa and the Catholic Church’s theological response in combating it. Indeed, the economic hardship and vulnerability of women challenge the Catholic Church’s theological advocacy in the context of sex trafficking of vulnerable young women in South Africa. This research project examines, assesses, analyses and critiques how the Catholic Church’s theological advocacy is challenged and how it can be reshaped. I used the frameworks of Connor (2013), Osmer (2008) and Palm (2012) to address the issue of sex trafficking in the South African context.
Connor (2013), a Human Sciences Research Council report (HSRC 2010), Kreston (2012), Mtimkulu (2010) and Pattanaik & Thorbek (2002) have avidly revealed that sex trafficking happens within and outside South Africa. Connor (2013) suggests the ways of combating sex trafficking using the Palermo Protocol that focuses on prevention, protection and prosecution. The framework of Connor (2013) is referred to as the Catholic theological advocacy.
The author of this research project analyses that the framework of Connor (2013) which is referred to as Catholic theological advocacy is significant but not effective enough because it does not intertwine the quest for economic dignity of many vulnerable young women with sex trafficking, hence becomes a problem in combating sex trafficking. The author of this research project assesses and examines how the Catholic Church’s theological advocacy can be reshaped. The framework of Osmer helps the author of this project to approach the issue of sex trafficking analytically in order to find the practical ways of reshaping the Catholic Theological advocacy. Osmer (2008:4) has developed a framework for practical theological interpretation in congregations by focussing on four key questions:
(1) What is going on in a given context?
(2) Why is this going on?
(3) What ought to be going on?
(4) How might we respond (Osmer 2008:4)?
The framework of Palm (2012) provides the concrete practical ways of addressing issues. The author of this research project has used the framework of Palm (2012) in reshaping the Catholic Theological advocacy. And the author of this project provides some recommendations at the end of the research project as the way forward
Knowledge translation of health research findings at the University of Malawi and its relevance in health policy formulation in Malawi: a study in developing a communication and dissemination strategy to facilitate the use of health research evidence
No full textFindings from health research ought to play a role in informing health policy formulation. Over the years much health research has been conducted both in developing and developed countries. However, little is known on how health research has informed health policy formulation. The study sought to review health research findings at the University of Malawi’s College of Medicine and Kamuzu College of Nursing and health policies of the Ministry of Health in Malawi, and based on the results, develop a communication and dissemination strategy as indicated by the study objectives. The study focused on exploring the extent of research use in policy formulation by evaluating sampled policies. It established from both researchers and policy makers their views regarding communication of research findings to policy makers, and how the two work together during conceptualisation, carrying out research and disseminating the findings. It sought to identify ways that the translation of research findings into policy formulation could be facilitated. The study is informed by the Knowledge Translation theoretical framework. It adopted the pragmatism philosophical paradigm which advocates for 'what works’. The convergent parallel mixed method strategy was used to gather both qualitative and quantitative data for the study. The population of the study comprised of researchers and academics at the University of Malawi, health research partners in Malawi and directors at the Ministry of Health in Malawi. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through self-administered questionnaires (246 academics and researchers), semi-structured interviews (17 directors from the Ministry of Health and relevant research institutes), a self-administered self-assessment tool (10 purposively selected directors from the Ministry of Health and from research institutes) and a health policy assessment tool. Qualitative data was analysed through content analysis while quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for both descriptive and inferential analysis. The data were supplemented with a search strategy through Scopus. The findings revealed that health researchers rarely interact with policy makers. Health researchers prefer publishing in journals, attending conferences and informally interacting with policy and decision makers. Policy makers rely on the use of Internet, reviews of previous policies, internal evaluations, data from the national statistical office, registries and information centres at the ministries for policy information. However, the study revealed in designing the communication and dissemination strategy based on 'what works’, that researchers work in research groups while policy makers work in technical work groups. The interaction between researchers and policy makers in the technical working groups informs the transfer of health research into policy-making. The study makes contributions to theory, practice and policy formulation. In terms of contribution towards the KTA framework, the study examined forms of formal interaction that may result in the transfer of health research information into policy and practice. The study indicates that formal interaction in the technical expert groups is one of such interactions that would facilitate the use of health research evidence in policy formulation. In terms of practice, the study recommends that there should be deliberate efforts by researchers in the research groups and policy makers at the technical working groups to formally engage each other. In terms of policy formulation, the study recommends that a proper interaction framework needs to be put in place for formal interactions between health researchers working in their research work groups and policy makers in the technical working groups
Delivering equitable distance library services to off-campus users at the University of the Free State in South Africa
No full textThe State of Data Management in Malawian Public University Libraries
No full text<p>As presented at the 3rd IASSIST Africa Regional Workshop in 2023.</p>
