Use of electronic journals by academic staff at Strathmore University.
Date
2011
Authors
Chibini, Vincent M
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Moi University
Abstract
Strathmore University subscribes to electronic journals with the aim of providing
library users a variety of information resources to use in teaching, learning and
research. Library users receive training in the use of e-journals through
information literacy and library user training programs. In addition, users have
access to computers fully connected to the internet. Despite this, the use of ejournals
by lecturers at Strathmore University is below the librarians’ expectations.
The researcher was motivated by this to carry out a study to establish why
Strathmore University lecturers do not make maximum use of these electronic
journals. The aim of the study was to investigate the use of electronic journals by
lecturers at Strathmore University; and ascertain the extent to which their
information needs were met by these journals. The objectives of the study were to;
determine the use of e-journals by lecturers in teaching and research; find out
whether lecturers at Strathmore University were aware of the availability of ejournals
in their libraries; establish whether the available e-journals were meeting
the information needs of lecturers at Strathmore University; find out whether
lecturers at Strathmore University had adequate skills to use in accessing ejournals;
establish the perception of lecturers at Strathmore University towards
electronic journals; establish the level of ICT support infrastructure available at the
university; establish the challenges lecturers at Strathmore University encountered
in using e-journals; and establish the possible solutions to the challenges faced by
lecturers in using e-journals. The study was based on the Horizontal Pyramid
Model by Ndubisi and Jantan (2003). The population of the study comprised
Strathmore University lecturers. Purposive sampling techniques were used in the
study. Data was collected using face to face semi-structured interviews,
observation and documentary analysis. It was analysed using descriptive statistics
and content analysis. Tables and charts were used to give more detailed
presentation and analyses. The study established that most lecturers are aware of
the existence of e-journals in the university. The e-journals available meet the
information needs of lecturers. Most lecturers at Strathmore University did not
have adequate skills to use in accessing e-journals. It was found that lack of skills,
low bandwidth, work overload, and publishers' embargos, among others, are some
of the challenges lecturers faced in using e-journals. Among the recommendations
included the establishment of information literacy programs to train lecturers to
access and use e-journals. Libraries should also improve the e-journals' databases’
user interface to eliminate the complexity that exists in various databases
Description
Keywords
Electronic Journals, Electronic Resources, Academic Libraries, Information access
Citation
Chibini, V.M. (2011). Use of electronic journals by academic staff at Strathmore University. Unpublished Master of Philosophy Dissertation. Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya.