Papers by Tinashe Mugwisi
Strategies and Challenges of Converted Academic Library Spaces to Research Commons: A Case of Selected South African Libraries
Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies
This paper sought to obtain a deeper understanding of the conversion strategies adopted by the se... more This paper sought to obtain a deeper understanding of the conversion strategies adopted by the selected South African university libraries and the subsequent challenges experienced thereof. This paper presents a case study for which data were collected through a qualitative-quantitative approach from the three public university libraries in the Gauteng province of South Africa, which had converted their spaces into the research commons (RC). The study sample consisted of the RC manager/librarian from each of the three libraries. The qualitative part of the study employed face-to-face interviews, non-participatory observation and information from websites. The quantitative approach used a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using an inductive approach. Current library literature on RC does not encompass a holistic approach regarding how the conversion was planned and the challenges thereof. The study findings and recommendations include the formation of a research library co...
The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in institutions of higher education ... more The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in institutions of higher education has significantly influenced teaching and learning. Academics have adopted new methods, with the chalkboard a thing of the past in most institutions, their information behaviour changed from traditional visits to the library to electronic (office) access while communication with publishers has also been influenced. Students have not been left behind, and terms such as Google, Facebook, Skype, Twitter and newer social network terminologies, downloading and e-mail are now standard vocabulary to them. Although the library still retains its role as the epicenter of information services within universities, students and staff are increasingly turning to other sources and services for information. Even libraries' acquisition policies are being influenced by the "just in time" policy compared to the "just in case" acquisition approach. E-learning is a new phenomenon brought about by the introduction of ICTs in higher education. Students and lecturers now communicate electronically to access notes, submit assignments, provide lecture notices, etc. All these developments have been made possible because of the Internet. The purpose of this paper is to explore changes in ICT access at the University of Zululand in light of the important role they play in teaching and learning and research. It is based largely on two studies carried out separately for the submission of MA theses in Library and Information Science (Mugwisi 2002 and Nkomo 2009) as well as presenting what the situation is currently in 2013.
Mousaion, Oct 4, 2016
Agriculture plays an important role in the economies of many developing countries, contributing c... more Agriculture plays an important role in the economies of many developing countries, contributing considerably to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), labour and exports. In Zimbabwe, agriculture provides an income to 75 per cent of the country's population. The role of researchers and extension workers is thus important in this process. This article reports on a pilot study that examined the information needs and challenges of veterinary researchers in Zimbabwe. Purposive sampling was used to identify and select respondents around Harare. Although Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East were initially selected, the study was able to capture respondents from across other provinces and districts from part-time students attending Mazowe Veterinary School. A questionnaire was used to collect data, most of which was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that there were varying information needs among the respondents, with the need for information on animal health and production being the lowest, despite the majority of respondents being veterinary extension workers. Lack of resources-especially transport and information sources-was cited as a factor affecting research and extension services. The study also showed that there was poor dissemination of agricultural information between researchers and extension workers and the farmers, and this was done through various channels, traditional and modern information and communications technologies (ICTs).
The eleventh Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Librarians (SCECSAL XI)
Indilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, 2017
Indigenous knowledge (IK) has been viewed as local knowledge that has been developed and accumula... more Indigenous knowledge (IK) has been viewed as local knowledge that has been developed and accumulated, over time, by a community and has been passed down over generations. Such knowledge is represented in most spheres of human activity, such as in agriculture, traditional and alternative medicine, human and animal health, forestry and botany, among others. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss how IK is accessed and used by agricultural extension workers in Zimbabwe. The study reviews the relevant literature and focuses largely on Indigenous Agricultural Knowledge (IAK). The study utilises both quantitative and qualitative methods; a questionnaire was distributed and extension workers drawn from eight provinces of Zimbabwe. Mashonaland Central Province produced the highest number of respondents because the population for the province included ward and village extension workers in addition to the district and provincial extension officers and supervisors targeted in each province. From the projected sixty (60), forty four (44) districts participated. The study observed that indigenous knowledge is relevant in modern day agriculture and should be given sufficient attention in extension work. The study recommends that IK be documented and integrated into research, education and training for posterity.
Assessment of Library and Information Services in Support of Researchers and Librarians at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Nigeria
Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies
The study that directed this article aimed to assess the opinions of industrial researchers and l... more The study that directed this article aimed to assess the opinions of industrial researchers and librarians regarding library and information services provided by the research library of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Nigeria. The library of the modern era is expected to develop naturally, growing bigger to accommodate different kinds of information resources and services for better information provision to its users. This study set out to determine if library and information services at FIIRO were indeed answering this call. A mixed-methods design was adopted with the use of questionnaires, face-to-face interviews and observation for data collection. It was found that both groups, the industrial researchers and the librarians, were not satisfied with the library and information services offered by the institute’s library. Poor funding, lack of political will by the management and government authorities, and the lack of internet connectivity were highlig...
Information resources utilization of biotechnologists and food technologists in a federal research institute
Journal of Library Services and Technologies
The study investigated the information resources utilization of biotechnologists and food technol... more The study investigated the information resources utilization of biotechnologists and food technologists of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) in Nigeria. The descriptive survey design was adopted in carrying out the study. The population consisted of all the biotechnologists (37) and food technologists (45) of the institute. These researchers were selected using non-probability sampling method of total population sampling - a type of purposive sampling technique. A questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. The data collected were analyzed using frequency count and percentage. The key findi ngs of the study among others were that: the majority of the biotechnologists and food technologists sought information in carrying out research, solving personal needs, and for general awareness; and they utilized a wide variety of information sources. The study concluded that diverse and balanced delivery of multiple information sources must be meticu...
Supplemental Material, sj-docx-1-ifl-10.1177_0340035220931877 - Information-seeking behaviour of science and technology researchers in Nigeria: A survey of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi
Supplemental Material, sj-docx-1-ifl-10.1177_0340035220931877 for Information-seeking behaviour o... more Supplemental Material, sj-docx-1-ifl-10.1177_0340035220931877 for Information-seeking behaviour of science and technology researchers in Nigeria: A survey of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi by Olayinka Babayemi Makinde, Glenrose Velile Jiyane and Tinashe Mugwisi in IFLA Journal
Relevance of user profiling as an identifying tool in the 21st century in Academic libraries: a literature review
It is a known fact that emerging technologies present tremendous change in the library users’ pro... more It is a known fact that emerging technologies present tremendous change in the library users’ profiles. Although there is an obvious paradigm shift in the LIS arena and subsequently a need to meet users’ needs in alignment with the present shift, it is disappointing that some academic libraries still function in the Stone Age. This concept paper shares insights on the relevance of user profiling as a tool towards meeting users’ needs in the 21 st century. Keywords : User profiling; users’ profiles; academic libraries; 21 st century; user needs
Some physicochemical (insoluble content, ionic composition, density, and X-ray diffraction spectr... more Some physicochemical (insoluble content, ionic composition, density, and X-ray diffraction spectra) characteristics of Nigerien evaporites were investigated in this study. The results obtained showed that trona is the main mineral contained in Agadez, Dirkou, Niamey, and Zinder evaporites while thenardite and halite constitute the major minerals in Bilma and Tabalak evaporites, respectively. In addition, all evaporites samples investigated revealed the presence of quartz and halite. Other interesting minerals (calcite, gypsum, sylvite, aphthitalite, nahcolite, illite, burkeite, kaolinite, griceite, and talc) were also detected. The use of Agadez, Dirkou, Niamey, and Zinder evaporites as catalyst to accelerate cowpea cooking is due to bicarbonates ions present in trona. Bilma and Tabalak evaporites employed in animal feeding are due to the halite contained in a significant quantity. Evaporites samples were taken in Agadez, Bilma, Dirkou, Niamey, Tabalak, and Zinder areas of Niger, Africa. Each sample is designated by the first letter, in capital, of the name of the locality, except Tabalak which is designated by X (see map in Figure ). Note that Tabalak does not appear in the map. It is located in the department of Abalak in the region of Tahoua. 2.1. Preliminary Analysis. X-rays diffraction spectra (using Phillips X'PERT PRO diffractometer model) of six raw
Supplemental Material, MAKINDE_OB_RESEARCH_QUESTIONNAIRE - Information-seeking behaviour of science and technology researchers in Nigeria: A survey of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi
Supplemental Material, MAKINDE_OB_RESEARCH_QUESTIONNAIRE for Information-seeking behaviour of sci... more Supplemental Material, MAKINDE_OB_RESEARCH_QUESTIONNAIRE for Information-seeking behaviour of science and technology researchers in Nigeria: A survey of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi by Olayinka Babayemi Makinde, Glenrose Velile Jiyane and Tinashe Mugwisi in IFLA Journal
Challenges in the provision and utilisation of information services in public libraries in Nigeria: a literature survey
The philosophy, orientation and nature of public library are routed in the responsibility ofdisse... more The philosophy, orientation and nature of public library are routed in the responsibility ofdisseminating diverse and current information services to the members of its community. Wallerand Mcshare (2008) posit two major challenges in the provision and use of public libraryservices which are; lack of obtaining a thorough understanding of the nature of the environmentwhich borders majorly on information provision and use; and the development of policyframeworks that clarifies institutions goals and brings coherence to diverse and sometimesconflicting policy demands. This paper looks at some of the challenges that bedeviled theprovision and utilisation of public library information services in Nigeria such as in-appropriatepolicies, lack of sufficient professionals, inadequate facilities and services and lack of awarenessand proper understanding of the concept of public library services which led to non-use of theavailable services by potential users. Studies have been carried out on ...
International Journal of Information Science and Management, 2020
This study examined important information resources and format inclination of information resourc... more This study examined important information resources and format inclination of information resources utilized by science and technology (S&T) researchers as they acquire information in the course of their projects. The study institute was “Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) in Nigeria” . The study employed the research design of mixed methods. Questionnaires were utilized for S&T researchers and interview engagements with professional librarians in order to collect data. One hundred and fourteen copies were received for the questionnaires distributed to S&T researchers. All the professional librarians (five) working in the institute’s library were acceptably interviewed. The S&T researchers uncovered that the journal was the information resource most important to them. The preferred format for information resources was the combination of print and non-print resources. We recommend that both print and electronic versions of information resources should be provided...
Paper presented at the Annual LIS Research Symposium, 24-25 July 2014, at UNISA Science Campus, F... more Paper presented at the Annual LIS Research Symposium, 24-25 July 2014, at UNISA Science Campus, Florida
Information-seeking behaviour of science and technology researchers in Nigeria: A survey of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi
IFLA Journal, 2020
The science and technology sector plays an important role in the growth and diversification of th... more The science and technology sector plays an important role in the growth and diversification of the Nigerian economy. This article examines the information-seeking behaviour of science and technolog...
Innovation-the European Journal of Social Science Research, 2012
Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is knowledge which has been developed and accumulated over time by a co... more Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is knowledge which has been developed and accumulated over time by a community and has been passed down over generations. It is represented in most spheres of human activity: in agriculture, traditional and alternative medicine, human and animal health, forestry and botany. This article discusses how Indigenous Agricultural Knowledge (IAK) is accessed and used by agricultural researchers and extension workers in Zimbabwe. We review the relevant literature, largely focused on IAK, to support a case study in Zimbabwe that responds to the following four research questions: What is the importance of IAK to agricultural research and extension in Zimbabwe? How frequent is IAK utilised? What are the sources of IAK and what are the types of IAK in use in the country? We conclude that IK is relevant in modern day agriculture and should be given sufficient attention in general and by researchers and extension workers. We conclude that the documentation and integratio...
This study investigates the factors and challenges affecting the information-seeking behavior of ... more This study investigates the factors and challenges affecting the information-seeking behavior of multidisciplinary science and technology researchers of the six departments of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) in Nigeria. This study depicts a non-academic setting and by extension the African context. One hundred and sixty five researchers were given questionnaires of which responses of 114 questionnaires were finally analyzed. Based on the questionnaire results, the respondents provided suggestions on how certain factors and challenges have influenced their information-seeking behavior. The authors make recommendations on how these factors and challenges can be adequately tackled in order for researchers to optimally derive lasting benefits from their information-seeking process as they engage in research. An excellent recommendation is the effective collaboration of FIIRO library with the functional libraries of higher institutions and research institution...
There is an increasing interest in studying the level of adoption of information and communicatio... more There is an increasing interest in studying the level of adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) resources by researchers of various disciplines with the effective adoption of ICTs having a proven record of significant academic, social, economic and environmental benefits. The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of adoption of ICT resources and the usage of alternatives in obtaining research information by researchers of a federal research institute in Nigeria. The research was carried out at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) Nigeria. A questionnaire was distributed to 165 researchers of the institute but usable returns totaled 114 (67%). This study revealed that FIIRO researchers utilized varying ICT resources and they had a good level of ICT competency in adopting ICT resources available to them as they carry out their work. Additionally, the institute lacked the ICT infrastructure for FIIRO researchers to fully adopt ICTs. The i...
A tracer study of Master of Science in Library and Information Science graduates from the National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
The purpose of this study was to investigate the job market of Master of Science in Library and I... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the job market of Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MSc-LIS) graduates from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe between the period of 2006 and 2013. The study sought to establish where the graduates worked, what they did, their competencies, whether their education and training met the employers’ expectations and how they impacted on the existing curriculum. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data through a questionnaire and literature review. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, and content analysis. A total of 33 responses were received and used for the study. The majority of respondents were employed in universities. Although satisfied with the curriculum, more of ICT related and Knowledge Management courses were recommended by the majority of respondents.
Information Development, 2018
Public libraries are important institutions to support access to information services. Many commu... more Public libraries are important institutions to support access to information services. Many communities, especially in rural areas, cannot afford to access information services and rely on free libraries in their communities in their quest for information services. The need for libraries to serve multicultural information users should therefore be reflected in their attempts to provide access to information services in their communities. This article reports on a study of libraries as facilitators of access to information services in a developing context. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 24 conveniently selected librarians from 9 public libraries in Northern Library Region in the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. Interviews were further conducted with 98 diverse information users who were randomly sampled during data collection. Findings indicate that public libraries provide diverse information services to learners, parents, general workers, students, women and you...
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Papers by Tinashe Mugwisi