Relationship between access to ICT and the use of electronic library resources by scholars and postgraduate students in a rural-based South African university

Keywords: Electronic library resources, Information and communication technologies, Postgraduate students, Scholars, South Africa, University of Venda.

Abstract

This study examined access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and use of electronic library resources (ELRs) in a rural-based university, against the backdrop of ongoing changes in the way people access information. It aimed to investigate access to ICTs and use of ELRs at the University of Venda in South Africa (SA). A quantitative research approach with an embedded survey research design was adapted to collect data from the respondents.  Stratified sampling techniques were employed to select the sample size consisting of 45 scholars and 150 postgraduate students. This study used structured questionnaires as data collection instruments. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the collected data. The findings revealed that UNIVEN scholars and postgraduate students have access to the prerequisite infrastructure and technology for accessing ELRs.  Likewise, this study shows that scholars  and postgraduate students at UNIVEN have regular access to the internet.  However, there is no significant difference in the preferences of electronic databases (e-databases) accessed and used by scholars and postgraduate students. The study recommends that UNIVEN library should provide research commons for scholars and postgraduate students within the library building.  

Author Biography

Alugumi Samuel Ndou, University of Venda
Information Literacy Librarian, Library Services Department, University of Venda, South Africa

References

Agyekum, BO, Arthur, B &Trivedi, M. 2016. Adoption of social networking tools in public university libraries in Ghana. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development. http://www.ijird.com/index.php/ijird/article/view/92261 (Accessed: 26 April 2018).

Ani, OE, Ngulube, P & Onyancha, B. 2015. Perceived effect of accessibility and utilization of electronic information resources on productivity of academic staff in selected Nigerian universities. SAGE Open: 1–7. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage. (Accessed: 18 February 2016).

Aparicio, MAM. ([n.d]). Access to the Electronic publishing in African Countries: some reflections. http://elpub.scix.net/data/works/att/0312.content.pdf (Accessed: 20 July 2016).

Bhat, I & Mudhol, MV. 2014. Use of ELRs by faculty members and students of Sher-E-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS). DESIDOC journal of library & information technology 34(1): 28–34. http://publications.drdo.gov.in/ojs/index.php/dj/it/article/view/5943/3080. (Accessed: 17 February 2016).

Bhukuvhani, C, Chiparausha, B & Zuvalinyenga, D. 2012. Effects of electronic information resources skills training for lecturers on pedagogical practices and research productivity. International journal of education and development using information and communication technology 8(1): 16–28. http://researchdatabase.ac.zw/188/1/EDICT-2011-1383.pdf (Accessed: 15 March 2016).

Bwalya, T & Mkulama, A. 2017. The use of free and open source software (foss) in Zambia: a case study of government departments. The International Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Research. www.ijmdr.net (Accessed: 26 April 2017).

Chandran, V. 2013. Use and user perception of electronic information resources: a case study of Siva Institute of Frontier Technology, India. Chinese librarianship: an international electronic journal 36. www.iclc.us/cliej/c136chandran.pdf (Accessed: 01 March 2016).

Czerniewicz, L & Brown, C. 2014. The habitus and technological practices of rural students: a case study. South African journal of education 34(1): 1–14. http://www.sajournalofeducation.co.za (Accessed: 26 March 2016).

Dalvit, L., Kromberg, S & Miya, M. 2014. The data divide in a South African rural community: A survey of mobile phone use in Keiskammahoek. Proceedings of the e-Skills for Knowledge Production and Innovation Conference 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, 87-100. http://proceedings.e-skillsconference.org/2014/eskills087-100Dalvit842.pdf (Accessed: 27 September 2017).

Dukić, D & Strišković, J. 2015. Croatian university students’ use and perception of electronic resources. Library and Information Science Research 37 (3): 244-253. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2015.04.004 (Accessed: 06 May 2018).

Dulle, FW. 2015. Online information resources availability and accessibility: a developing countries’ scenario. African Journal of Library, Archive and Information Science 25(1): 45–57. http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=6a196b0e-4501-473f-b3ca-1930733c3c04%40sessionmgr103 (Accessed: 11 March 2016).

Edwards, SD. 2015. The role of rural universities in developing psychology in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology 45 (1): 50–59. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0081246314555305 (Accessed: 07 May 2018).

Emeka, UJ & Nyeche, OS. 2016. Impact of internet usage on the academic performance of undergraduate students: a case study of the University of Abuja, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research 7 (10): 1018–1028. http://www.ijser.org (Accessed: 05 May 2018).

Falc, EO. 2013. An assessment of college students’ attitudes towards using an online e-textbook. Interdisciplinary journal of e-learning and learning objects 9: 1–12. http://www.ijello.org/volume9/IJELLOv9p001-012Falc831.pdf (Accessed: 15 March 2016).

Globalization 101. [n.d]. Technology and Globalization. http://www.globalization101.org (Accessed: 27 September 2017).

Hadagali, GS & Kumbar, BD. 2011. Use of internet by faculty members and research scholars in the 21st century: a study of university libraries of Karnataka State, India. Sri Lankan Journal of Librarianship and Information Management 4 (1): 1–17.

Kahn, M & Underwood, PG. 2013. Issues related to the adoption of e-books in academic libraries: a literature review. South African Journal of Library and Information Science 79(2): 10–17. http://sajlis.journals.ac.za (Accessed: 27 September 2017).

Kebede, HW. 2014. Adoption of web 2.0 in academic libraries of top African universities. The Electronic Library 32(2): 262–277. www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm. (Accessed: 30 April 2015).

Korobili, S, Tilikidou, I & Delistavrou, A. 2006. Factors that influence the use of library resources by faculty members. Library review 55(2): 91–105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00242530610649594 (Accessed: 21 March 2016).

Kumar, R. 2016. Use of ELRs by the medical students of M.M. University, Ambala: a case study. DESIDOC journal of library & information technology 36(1): 10-16. www.journaltoc.ac.uk/index.php (Accessed: 10 March 2016).

Kumar, V & Bansal, J. 2014. Qualities of a library website: evaluating library website of new IITs. International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology 4 (4): 283–288. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281578900 (Accessed: 05 May 2018).

Madzhie, CN. 2010. Challenges facing academic libraries in the management of library user education and information literacy: a case study of University of Venda. Thesis, University of Venda, Thohoyandou.

Maiwashe, R. 2009. Perception of university students on communication channels and access to available sources of information for effective learning. Dissertation, University of Venda, Thohoyandou.

Malapela, T & De Jager, K. 2015. Using an electronic journal availability study to measure access to electronic journals by scholars and researchers in the faculty of agriculture at the University of Zimbabwe. Library and information research 39(120): 29–39. http://www.academia.edu/22124956/Using_an_electronic_journal_availability_study_to_measure_access_to_electronic_journals_by_scholars_and_researchers_in_the_Faculty_of_Agriculture_at_the_University_of_Zimbabwe (Accessed: 24 March 2016).

Mgobozi, M.N & Ocholla, D.N. 2002. The use of electronic journals for the dissemination of scholarly information by the University of Natal and the University of Zululand. South African journal of library and information science 68(2): 81–93. http://sajlis.journals.ac.za. (Accessed 28 May 2015).

Mittal, P & Bala M. 2013. Use of ELRs in universities. International journal of innovative research in computer and communication engineering 1(6) www.ijircce.com (Accessed 08 March 2016).

Moate, KM, Chukwuere, JE & Mavhungu, MB. 2017. The impact of wireless fidelity on students? Academic performance in a developing economy. Proceedings of International Academic Conferences. https://iises.net/proceedings/31st-international-academic-conference-london/table-of-content/detail?cid&iid=032&rid=7490 (Accessed 17 June 2019).

Naude, F, Rensleigh, C & du Toit, ASA. 2005. Analysis of the citation of web-based information resources by UNISA academic researchers. South African journal of information management 7(3). http://).reference.sabinet.co.za.oasis.unisa.ac.za/ (Accessed 25 March 2016).

Nemalili, TV. 2014. An assessment of the effectiveness of the academic library online public access catalogue (OPAC) by students: a case study of University of Venda. Thesis, University of Venda, Thohoyandou.

Njeze, ME. 2013. Use of newspapers and magazines in the academic pursuits of university students: case study of Covenant University. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 845. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/845 (Accessed 18 August 2017).

Nkomo, M & Sehoole, C. 2007. Rural-based universities in South Africa: Albatrosses or potential nodes for sustainable development? International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 8(2): 234–246. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/14676370710726689 (Accessed 24 March 2016).

Nkosi, D, Leach, A & Hoskins R. 2012. Academic staff expectations of undergraduate students with respect to their use of the library at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus. South African journal of library and information science 78(2): 79–87. http://sajlis.journal.ac.za (Accessed 07 March 2016).

Ostrowick, J. 2018. Challenges in introducing ICTs in teaching and learning in South Africa. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324080145 (Accessed 05 May 2018).

Polanka, S. 2012. No shelf required 2: use and management of electronic books. London: Facet Publishing.

Priyanka, [n], Padmamma, S & Walmiki, RH. 2017. Use of ELRs by students of MBA and MCon departments in Kuvempu University: a study. International Journal of Innovations & Advancement in Computer Science 6 (11): 588–599.

Ramavhona, TC & Mokwena, S. 2016. Factors influencing Internet banking adoption in South African rural areas. South African Journal of Information Management 18(2): 1–8. http://doi.org/10.4102.sajim.v18i2.642 (Accessed 27 September 2017).

Rosenberg, D. 2008. Evaluating electronic resources programmes and provision: case studies from Africa and Asia. INASP. http://www.inasp.info (Accessed 27 February 2016).

Sarasvady, S & Khatri, NK. [n.d]. Study of the use of electronic resources for implementing library consortium. http://www.isica/.ac.in/~serial/consortia/CBSOR-07.pdf (Accessed 01 March 2016).

Shahapurmath, SD, Medar, AS & Kenchakkanavar, AY. 2015. Use of electronic resources by the PG students of Karnatak College, Dharwad: a study. International journal of advanced research in education & technology (IJARET) 2(3): 210–212. www.ijaret.com. (Accessed 17 February 2015).

Shija, H. 2009. ELRs use via the Internet improvement is a must: a case of special libraries in Tanzania. Research on poverty alleviation (REPOA). www.library.up.ac.za/digi/doc/shija_paper.pdf (Accessed 16 March 2016).

Sohail, MD & Ahmad, S. 2017. Use of Electronic Resources and Services by Faculty Members and Students of Fiji National University. Journal of Library and Information Technology 37 (3): 165-171. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317240395 (Accessed: 26 April 2018).

Sonkar, SK, Singh, MP & Kumar, J. 2014. Use of electronic resources by post graduate students and research scholars of the Banaras Hindu University: a study. Journal of Information Management 1 (2): 87–97. www.pacificresearchpublication.com (Accessed: 05 May 2018).

Statistics South Africa. 2018. General household survey. http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0318/P03182018.pdf (Accessed: 16 June 2019).

Treptow, R & James, M. 2011. Use of online knowledge resources by prominent South African researchers. South African journal of library and information science 77(1): 64–74. http://sajlis.journal.ac.za (Accessed 15 June 2015).

University of Venda (UNIVEN). 2012. From inkpot to iPad: towards an educational centre of excellence. Janxion Communications.

Vele, J. 2011. UNIVEN is on the priority list for the installation of SANReN. University of Venda annual report. http://www.univen.ac.za/docs/UnivenAnnualReport2012_Low.pdf (Accessed 11 July 2017).

Wang, S & Bai, X. University students’ awareness, usage and attitude towards e-books: experience from China. The Journal of Academic Librarianship 42: 247–258. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2016.01.001 (Accessed 16 August 2017).

Wangenge-Ouma, G. 2010. Funding and the attainment of transformation goals in South Africa’s higher education. Oxford Review of Education 36 (4): 481–497. http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/core20 (Accessed: 26 April 2017).

Wema, E & Manda, P. 2011. The impact of ELRs usage in academic and research institutions in Tanzania. INASP. www.inasp.info/uploads/filer (Accessed: 16 March 2016).

Williams, CD, Pitchforth, EL & O’Callaghan, C. 2010. Computers, the Internet and medical education in Africa. Medical Education 44: 485–488. http://content.ebscohost.com/ContentServer.asp?T=P&P=AN&K=49072475&S=R&D=a9h&EbscoContent=dGJyMNXb4kSeqK44yOvqOLCmr06eprNSsqi4SLGWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGtsk%2Bzr7BKuePfgeyx44Dt6fIA (Accessed: 20 July 2016).

Zuppo, CM. 2012. Defining ICT in a boundaryless world: The development of a working hierarchy. International journal of managing information technology 4 (3): 13–22. http://www.airccse.org/journal/ijmit/ijmit.html

Published
2021-09-10
Section
Research Articles