The usage of e-resources among agricultural researchers and extension staff in Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Library and Information Research
Abstract
This article investigates the accessibility and usage of e-resources among agricultural researchers and extension staff in five out of seven agricultural zones in Tanzania. The study identifies sources of e-resources used by these researchers and staff, as well as assessing their information literacy levels and the factors influencing their usage of e-resources. The research used a survey approach based on convenient non-probability sampling. Findings show that usage of e-resources from popular agricultural databases remains low. Factors limiting access to e-resources include poor institutional ICT infrastructure, limited funds for e-resources and low information literacy levels. Recommendations include improvements to ICT infrastructure and budgets, as well as developing electronic institutional repositories to improve extension staff access to research outputs, creating a sustainable link between agricultural research and farming activities. Information literacy modules in agricultural training institutes could also support effective access to, and use of, e-resources.
Description
Library and Information Research, Volume 38 Number 119, 2014
Keywords
E-resource use, Information literacy, Agricultural professionals, Information Communication Technology