Browsing by Author "Dulle, F. W."
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Item Access and use of mass media by small-scale farmers in accessing agricultural information for poverty alleviation in Tanzania: a case study of Kilombero district(2014-11) Bernard, R. T.; Dulle, F. W.This paper reports the findings of a study that assessed the accessibility and use of mass media by small-scale farmers in accessing agricultural information for poverty alleviation in Tanzania. The study was carried out in six purposively selected villages in Kilombero district, Morogoro region. The study used a sample size of 120 respondents. It employed a case study research design and a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Data were collected using documentary review, questionnaires, focus group discussions and observations. Quantitative data were analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.1 whereas qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The results of the study show that radio was the most widely used information channel compared to television and newspapers in the study area. Generally, the agricultural information received by respondents through radio was relevant to their farm activities. Moreover, the agricultural information received by the respondents through television and newspapers was only partially relevant to their farming activities. The study findings also established that the barriers to accessing agricultural information through mass media in the study area were associated with poor power supply, poor signals, high cost of purchasing mass media sources, and inadequate feedback mechanism. Therefore, it is recommended that the government should support rural electrification and improve transport system so that modern agricultural mass media sources/facilitates can be more widely available and used in these areas than presently.Item Addressing online information resources’ access challenges: potentials of resource discovery tools’ application(2016-12-11) Dulle, F. W.; Alphonce, A.This study was designed to assess the awareness and usage of a discovery tool known as LibHub among undergraduate students in their research projects’ undertakings. The study involved respondents who were randomly selected from purposively chosen four degree courses in the Faculty of Agriculture at the Sokoine University Agriculture in Tanzania. Copies of semi-structured questionnaire were distributed to 200 respondents for self-administration. Of the returned copies of the questionnaire, 158 (79%) were found complete and useful for further analysis. The findings of the study indicate that majority of respondents who knew and used LibHub were those who previously attended information literacy trainings at the University as compared to those who had never attended such trainings. Respondents who acknowledged to have used LibHub in their online information search endeavours cited ability to access information from various sources using a single authentication as the major advantage of this research tool. They also pointed out that a single search interface provided by LibHub saved time they spent in searching literature. However, respondents complained of limited number of computers at the University, few wireless points for internet access, and low internet speed as hindrances for effective utilisation of the LibHub in accessing online information resources. The study recommends more institutions to consider adoption of discovery tools in fulfilling their campaigns to foster the utilisation of online information resources.Item The adoption of open access scholarly communication in Tanzanian public universities: some influencing factors(2011) Dulle, F. W.; Minishi-Majanja, M. K.; Cloete, L. M.Open access is a means for free availability of scholarly content via the internet. It is an emerging opportunity for wider and unlimited access to scholarly literature. Scholarly communication, through open access journals and self-arching, are the two main approaches of open access publishing. However, this mode of scholarly communication is not widely utilised in developing countries such as Tanzania. This article discusses the factors that influence the adoption of open access for scholarly communication in Tanzanian public universities, based on a study conducted in 2008 using a survey questionnaire. A sample of 544 researchers, selected through stratified random sampling from a population of 1 088 researchers and 69 policymakers at six public universities in Tanzania, provided their views. It was evident from the findings that researchers’ internet usage skills and self-efficacy, social influence, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and the respondents’ general perceptions about open access were the positive factors likely to facilitate open access adoption. The current poor research conditions and researchers’ low internet self-efficacy (such as inadequate information search skills) were cited as the main hindrances for researchers to use open access outlets to access scholarly content It is therefore recommended that university policies on scholarly communication should be revised to incorporate the use of open access publishing. Furthermore, universities should accelerate the establishment of institutional repositories, advocacy campaigns and training directed at researchers, policymakers, readers and information managers of scholarly content, and the improvement of internet speed through subscription to more bandwidth, so as to meet the demand from the scholarly community.Item An analysis of open access scholarly communication in Tanzanian Public Universities(UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA, 2010) Dulle, F. W.The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting the adoption of open access in research activities within Tanzanian public universities in order to device mechanisms of enhancing the use of this mode of scholarly communication. The study adopted the UTAUT model to formulate an open access research model comprising of six constructs and five moderators for guidance of this investigation. A triangulation approach for data gathering was adopted. In the first instance, a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 398 respondents selected using the stratified random sampling from a population of 1088 university researchers from six public universities in Tanzania. The interview involving 63 policy makers and structured records review were also conducted to complement the questionnaire survey. The descriptive and binary logistic regression statistics of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) were used for data analysis. The study established that majority of the policy makers (90.5%) and researchers (72.1%) were aware of open access. Attitude, awareness, effort expectancy, and performance expectancy were established as the key determinants for researchers’ behavioural intention of open access usage while age, awareness, behavioural intention, facilitating conditions and social influence were found to significantly affect researchers’ actual usage of open access. It was concluded that researchers’ and policy makers’ general perceptions about open access were very positive signifying the acceptance of this mode of scholarly communication in the study area. Current poor research conditions and researchers’ low Internet self-efficacy such as inadequate information search and online publishing skills were cited as the main hindrances for researchers to use open access in scholarly communication. The study recommends institutionalisation of open access publishing in Tanzanian public universities and other similar research institutions so as to improve the dissemination of research output emanating from such institutions. Six areas for further research to establish more insights regarding the feasibility for open access development in the country are also recommended.Item Application of ICT tools in communicating information and knowledge to artisanal fishermen communities in Zanzibar(2017) Benard, R.; Dulle, F. W.This article assesses the application of ICT tools in communicating information and knowledge to artisanal fishermen communities in Zanzibar. The study was carried out in four purposefully selected wards in Unguja District in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The study involved a sample size of 80 respondents. Data were collected by using document reviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions and personal observations. Results showed that artisanal fishermen need information and knowledge on weather condition, modern fish capturing methods, market and marketing, fish preservation and processing. The study also found that mobile phones and radio are the most ICTs tools used by the artisanal fishermen. The findings also revealed that communicating information and knowledge through ICT tools was limited by lack of funds, poor network connectivity, lack of training and seminars on the use of ICTs in accessing information and poor coverage on radio and television transmission. It is therefore recommended that the government should support artisanal fishermen in acquiring some of the fishing gears and ICTs tools such as GPS and sonar through subsidizing them.Item Application of ICT tools in communicating information and knowledge to artisanal fishermen communities in Zanzibar(2017-06) Benard, R.; Dulle, F. W.This article assesses the application of ICT tools in communicating information and knowledge to artisanal fishermen communities in Zanzibar. The study was carried out in four purposefully selected wards in Unguja District in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The study involved a sample size of 80 respondents. Data were collected by using document reviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions and personal observations. Results showed that artisanal fishermen need information and knowledge on weather condition, modern fish capturing methods, market and marketing, fish preservation and processing. The study also found that mobile phones and radio are the most ICTs tools used by the artisanal fishermen. The findings also revealed that communicating information and knowledge through ICT tools was limited by lack of funds, poor network connectivity, lack of training and seminars on the use of ICTs in accessing information and poor coverage on radio and television transmission. It is therefore recommended that the government should support artisanal fishermen in acquiring some of the fishing gears and ICTs tools such as GPS and sonar through subsidizing them.Item Application of information and communication technologies for documentation and dissemination of scholarly output among inter university council for East Africa member institutions(Unisa Press, 2013) Kaane, S.; Nyamboga, C.; Dulle, F. W.African and other developing countries face problems of making their scholarly output widely visible and accessible. This is partly attributed to the fact that most scholarly output from this part of the world is documented in low circulating journals and grey literature in print format. Information and communication technologies (lCTs) have been acknowledged to have the potential to reduce that problem. A study was conducted to examine the extent of lCT application by Inter University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) member institutions in documenting and disseminating scholarly output. The research involved 28 (10 private and 18 public) institutions selected from among 67 IUCEA member institutions from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda during the 200912010 academic year.A combination of approaches including face-to-face interviews, self-administered questionnaires, and analysis of institutional web-sites were used for data gathering. Sixty-one respondents (14 deputy vice chancellors/vice rectors, 22 directors of research and 24 directorslheads of institutional libraries) participated in the study. Content analysis was adopted for analysing data from open ended questions whereas data from structured questions was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) VI6 software. It was established that most institutions in the region were still documenting and disseminating their scholarly output using conventional methods with little exploitation of ICTs. The study recommends the need for the IUCEA and its member institutions to spearhead effective exploitation of ICT developments to facilitate the documentation and dissemination of scholarly output among researchers in the East Africa region and beyondItem Assessment of access and use of school library information resources by secondary schools students in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania.(2014) Benard, R.; Dulle, F. W.The paper reports results of a study on “Access and Use of School Library Information Resources by Secondary Schools Students in Morogoro Municipality Tanzania”. The main objective of this study was to assess access and use of library information resources by students of secondary schools in Morogoro Municipal. The study comprised of the following specific objectives; to investigate access and use of school library information resources by the secondary school students; to determine the level of satisfaction of students towards school library information resources and to find out challenges facing students in the use of school library and how to address such challenges. The study was carried out in five purposefully selected advanced level schools in Morogoro Municipality. Simple random sampling was used to select 30 respondents from each selected school to make a sample size of 150 respondents. The study employed a case study research design and used combination of methods to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Data was collected by using documentary review, questionnaires, interviews and personal observations. Quantitative data was analysed by using SPSS, while content analysis was adopted for qualitative data. Key findings revealed that the most frequently used library information sources by secondary students are only books and novels. Moreover, other library information resources, such as atlas and maps, dictionaries, novels, audio visuals and poetry were not accessible by students hence those sources were not satisfactory to meet their information needs. The findings further revealed that secondary school students face many constraints in using school library including lack of current and up to date reading materials, restricted reading hours, lack of sitting facilities, and lack of informational professional/ librarian for processing materials. The study conclude that for effective use of Schools Libraries by the secondary school students, there is need for current and adequate school library information resources, provision of accommodation facilities, provision of professional school librarians to manage libraries and conducive reading environment. These could be done in collaboration with all stakeholders in secondary education in the country. However, the study recommended that adequate provision of fund is necessary for the provision of current and up to date information resources and also for the employment of qualified and trained teacherlibrarian.Item Capacity building modules for public libraries to support small-scale business enterprises in Meru County, Kenya(2017-06) Gichohi, P. M; Onyancha, O. B.; Dulle, F. W.The lack of well-structured capacity building programmes is a serious drawback to the effective development of small-scale business enterprises (SBEs) in Kenya. Public libraries as community information centres can collaborate with other stakeholders in facilitating the required skills. This study investigated the training needs of SBE traders and public library staff with the aim of proposing capacity building modules that can be considered by public libraries in Meru County, Kenya in their endeavour to support the SBEs. In implementing the study, a mixed methods approach was used and the survey research design adopted. Cluster and systematic sampling techniques were used in getting 355 SBE traders while census was used on twenty-one library staff and on two staff from Meru County government. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect the required data. The response rate was 83.4% and 95% for SBE traders and public library staff respectively. Descriptive statistics and thematic techniques were used to analyse the data. We used the findings of this study and the scholarly insights from previous studies to propose two sets of capacity building modules: for SBE traders and for the public library staff. The training areas comprise business information literacy, technology competency, and nature of information in the business domain. We recommend the adoption of the proposed modules in public libraries in Kenya in elevating support and value contribution in the development of the small business community. We further recommend a training policy for SBEs and the recruitment of experienced, skilled and knowledgeable business librarians.Item Challenges associated with the use of information and communication technologies in information sharing by fish farmers in the Southern highlands of Tanzania(Emerald, 2020) Dulle, F. W.; Lamtane, H.; Benard, R.Purpose – This paper aims to examine the challenges facing fish farmers in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in information sharing on fish farming. Design/methodology/approach – This study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. It involved 240 fish farmers who were randomly selected. Questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs), observation and key informant’s interviews were used as methods of data collection. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, while content analysis was used for qualitative data. Findings – It was found that the most frequently used ICTs by fish farmers in sharing agricultural information were mobile phones, radio and television. Also, the study revealed that major challenges facing fish farmers in sharing information include unfavourable radio or television broadcasting time, high cost of acquiring and maintenance of ICT facilities, lack of training on ICT, poor network connectivity and low level of literacy. Moreover, it was further found that there was negative significant relationship (P < 0.05) between challenges associated with the use and degree of ICT usage by fish farmers. Originality/value – The study is original with the exception of areas where citations have been made. Besides, it provides awareness and understanding of the challenges facing fish farmers in ICT usage in information sharing on fish farming, and this will enable improvement of timely provision and access to relevant information and hence improved fish farming production.Item Creating a core journal collection for agricultural research in Tanzania: citation analysis and user opinion techniques(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2004) Dulle, F. W.; Lwehabura, M. J. F.; Matovelo, D. S.; Mulimila, R. T.The major objective of this study was to analyse the citation patterns of agricultural scientists in Tanzania. The specific objectives were to: assess researchers' access to information as reflected from citation analysis; establish a list of core agricultural journals for agricultural researchers in Tanzania using citation analysis and user opinions; and find out the extent to which the available information resources meet the research needs revealed by the study. The study involved the analysis of 295 MSc theses and 21 PhD theses submitted at Sokoine University of Agriculture between 1989·1999, and 309 conference proceeding articles published during the same period. It is concluded that generally agricultural scientists in the country had limited access to current journals. A number of options are recommended to alleviate the situation, with a focus on electronic journal provision supported by international organizations.Item How public libraries in Meru County, Kenya, address the business information needs of small-scale enterprises(2016-09-07) Gichohi, P. M.; Onyancha, O. B.; Dulle, F. W.The purpose of the study was to explore how public libraries in Meru County, Kenya, address the information needs of small-scale business enterprises (SBEs) in the region. It was carried out from 2013 to 2015. A quantitative approach and survey research design were adopted to collect data from SBE traders and staff from three public libraries in Meru County. The study found that the business information needs of SBEs are myriad, sectorspecific and cut across all stages of business development. These needs are fulfilled by consulting informal information resources and places. The few SBEs traders who were using public libraries for business information expressed high levels of satisfaction. The study concludes that public libraries have facilitative and functional roles of providing business information to SBEs by collaborating with like-minded stakeholders. The study recommends symmetrical dissemination of business information and the re-positioning of public libraries as community development centers by providing value-based and sector-specific business information solutions.Item Information needs and accessibility by fish farmers in the southern highlands of Tanzania(2018) Benard, R.; Dulle, F. W.; Hieromin, L. A.Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the information needs and accessibility for fish farmers in the Southern high lands of Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach – Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Semistructured interviews were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 240 fish farmers in six selected districts from three regions in Southern high lands of Tanzania. Focus groups and key informants’ interviews were also used to collect qualitative data from 54 fish farmers in the selected districts. Findings – Findings indicated that fish farmers highly needed information related to water treatment (management), spawning operations and fish preservation and processing. However, it was found that access to these categories of information was very low. In addition, findings indicated that age, education and income have a statistical significant and positive relationship with farmer’s information accessibility at p < 0.05. On the other hand, age, amount of fish harvested, education and farming experience had statistical significant and negative relationship with farmer’s information at p < 0.05. Originality/value – The study provides a deep understanding of information needs and accessibility for fish farmers in the in Southern high lands of Tanzania, which will be assisting in in designing focused, needbased and user-oriented information infrastructure in fish farming.Item Marketing library services in academic libraries: A tool for survival in the 21st century(University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal, 2003) Lwehabura, M. J. F.; Dulle, F. W.; Mulimila, R. T.This article discusses the concept of marketing library and information services as an important library activity. It also stresses the need for librarians and information specialists especially those in academic libraries in developing countries to become proactive and to take marketing as a serious and obligatory library function. With the emergence of new information providers and diverse avenues that enable information users/seekers to access information even outside library premises, the authors argue that it is very likely librarians with lose potential clients. Marketing of library services is therefore considered to be a tool that can be used by librarians to fight and compete and also attract both new customers and old library users. The article also suggests a number of media that can be used to market library services in academic libraries.Item A model for public Libraries’ support in the development of small-scale business enterprises in Meru County, Kenya(Taylor & Francis, 2017-11) Gichohi, P. M.; Onyancha, O. B.; Dulle, F. W.This study aims at developing a suitable model for support by public libraries in the development of small-scale business enterprises (SBEs) in Meru County, Kenya. A mixed-methods research approach and survey research design were applied. We collected data from small-scale business traders, staff members from the three public libraries, and two staff members in charge of the Enterprise Development Department in Meru County by means of questionnaires and interviews, and applied document analysis on written sources held by these entities. We developed a model that can be adopted and is highly recommended to public libraries in supporting small enterprises in KenyaItem Online information resources availability and accessibility: a developing countries’ scenario(2015-04) Dulle, F. W.Researchers from developing countries have been facing problems in accessing scientific literature emanating from their own countries and beyond for many years. This scenario has partly been attributed by constraints related to the inability of institutions from least developed nations to pay subscription for published literature due to inhibiting costs. Developments in information and communication technologies (ICTs) provide an opportunity to ease the availability of scholarly content to end users in both developed and developing nations. This paper examines the extent to which developing countries have taken advantage of the new developments in ICTs to improve scholars’ accessibility and usage of scientific literature. Through a meta-analysis approach, core literature review published from 2005 to 2014 is used to assess the availability and usage of online scholarly content, as well as factors affecting effective exploitation of online scholarly information resources. The study reveals that although various initiatives capitalising on ICTs developments have eased the problem of availability of scholarly content in most developing countries, there are still obstacles to effective usage of online scholarly literature. Information Literacy (IL) delivery strategies and adoption of discovery tools are recommended for improving the accessibility and usage of online scholarly literature in the developing countries.Item Perception of agricultural biotechnology among farmers, journalists and scientists in Tanzania(2017-06) Nyinondi, P. S.; Dulle, F. W.; Nawe, J.This study sought to establish the perception of farmers, journalists and scientists of genetically-modified (GM) crops in Tanzania. Its specific objectives were to determine the perception of GM Crops among farmers, journalists and scientists in Tanzania, and to determine the factors that influence their perception. A cross-sectional survey was designed to generate both qualitative and quantitative data. The questionnaire, and focus group discussion and observation guides were deployed to collect requisite data from 265 respondents. This study found that Tanzania has infrastructure, researchers (inadequate but the number is growing), policies, legislations and guidelines for developing and deploying GM crops. The results further show that overall 70.5 percent of the sampled farmers, journalists and scientists had positive perception of GM crops whereas 23.8 percent had a neutral perception and 5.7 percent had a negative perception. Individual perceptions of GM crops in Tanzania is influenced by a combination of multiple factors, namely age, gender, educational level, marital status, religion, occupation and basic knowledge in science and technology. It is recommended that agricultural stakeholders should strive to have in place policies and legislations, which are supported by scientific evidence and which in turn support science advancement.Item Provision and access to information on complementary and alternative medicine: what are the existing knowledge gaps among users and practitioners?(2015-12) Dulle, F. W.; Nyinondi, P.; Sife, A. S.Compiemenrari and Ahernativc Medicine (Cl Al) usage is increasing in b0111 developed and developing countries. CAM is comprised of medical sy.slems, practices, interventions, applications, theories or claims that are not currently part of the C011rellti017(11 (Western) medical system. It is however acknowledged that many users of CAM are less informed about the benefits and possible side effects they are likely to encounter while using such health care system. This is partly attributed to inadequate documented information and unifOrmalised channels .fin- information and knowledge sharing on complementary CHO alternative medicine. A systematic literature review was conducted to examine the current trend of CAM usage as' well as provision and accessibility of CAM-related information in order to identifi• the existing knowledge gaps among CAM practitioners and users. Recommendations on how to address the existing knowledge gaps are provided.Item Provision of business information services by public libraries to small-scale business enterprises(UNISA, 2017) Gichohi, P. M.; Onyancha, O. B.; Dulle, F. W.This study explored the business information services offered to small-scale business enterprises (SBEs) by public libraries in Meru County, Kenya. Public libraries are community information centres, hence well-placed to serve the small-scale business community. A quantitative approach and survey research design were adopted. Data were collected from 296 SBE traders and 20 staff members from three public libraries in Meru County using well-structured questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analysed with the help of SPSS software while a thematic analysis was used on qualitative data. The provision of business information services to SBEs in public libraries was in a desolate state owing to inadequate business collections, the lack of sufficient information and communications technology (ICT) facilities, poor awareness of business information services, a poor reading culture, and weak collaborations of public libraries with stakeholders. There is an indispensable need to establish insightful and holistic business information services at public libraries and to institute measures that would foster their utilisation by SBEs. This can be achieved by elevating library facilities, enhancing outreach programmes, ensuring adequate funding, engaging knowledgeable business services librarians, embracing ICT in service delivery, and by having an appropriate policy framework.