Browsing by Author "Kahn, Michelle"

Now showing 1 - 18 of 18
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    Open Access
    Adopting research data management (RDM) practices at the University of Namibia (UNAM): a view from researchers
    (2019) Samupwa, Astridah Njala; Kahn, Michelle
    This study investigated the extent of Research Data Management (RDM) adoption at the University of Namibia (UNAM), viewing it from the researcher’s perspective. The objectives of the study were to investigate the extent to which RDM has been adopted as part of the research process at UNAM, to identify challenges encountered by researchers attempting to practice RDM and to provide solutions to some of the challenges identified. Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory was adopted for the study to place UNAM within an innovation-decision process stage. The study took a quantitative approach of which a survey was used. A stratified sample was drawn from a list of all 948 faculty members (the number of academics taken from the UNAM annual report of 2016). The Raosoft sample size calculator (Raosoft, 2004) states that 274 is the minimum recommended sample size necessary for a 5% margin of error and a 95% confidence level from a population of 948, and this was the intended sample size. A questionnaire administered via an online web-based software tool, SurveyMonkey, was used. A series of questions was asked to individuals to obtain statistically useful information on the topic under study. The paid version of SurveyMonkey was used for analysis while graphics and tables were created in Microsoft Excel. The results of the study showed that for the group that responded to the survey, the extent to which they have adopted RDM practices is still very low. Although individuals were found to be managing their research data, this was done out of their own free will; this is to say that there was no policy mandating and guiding their practices. The researcher placed most of the groups that responded to the survey at the first stage of the innovation-decision process, which is the information stage. However, librarians who responded to the survey were found to be more advanced as they were seen to be aware of and engaged in knowledge acquisition regarding RDM practices. Thus, the researcher placed them at the second stage in the innovation-decision process (Persuasion). Recommendations for the study are based on the analysed data. It is recommended, among others, that UNAM should give directives in the form of policies to enhance the adoption of RDM practices and this should be communicated to the entire UNAM community to create awareness regarding the concept of RDM.
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    Open Access
    Assessing the impact of a public library's print collection: a case study of two public libraries in Cape Town
    (2018) Skarzynski, Janusz; Nassimbeni, Mary; Kahn, Michelle
    The purpose of these case studies was to explore the impact of a public library’s print collection on the community using the library. The motivation for this research is driven by three factors in the South African public library environment. Firstly, the huge investment in library print collections is not currently accounted for in any assessment of library performance, other than expenditure. Secondly, studies of the low levels of literacy and book ownership have established that the public libraries are potentially the only source of reading material for over fifty percent of the population. Thirdly, The Library and Information Services (LIS) Transformation Charter calls for more effective and meaningful performance measurement. The research design for this study was informed by the work of reading theorists. The methodology made use of the GLOs (Generic Learning Outcomes) developed and adopted by the United Kingdom Museums, Libraries and Archives Council as well as research into reading outcomes in public libraries. The study was undertaken within the framework of impact assessment as outlined in the ISO 16439 – Information and documentation – Methods and procedures for assessing the impact of libraries and the work of library assessment specialists, Markless and Streatfield. The research was conducted at two public libraries in two different communities of Cape Town. Questionnaires were distributed to fifty people at each site to collect quantitative data, with follow up interviews conducted with a smaller sample. The focus of the survey and interviews was the leisure reading activities of the participants. The results describe both the patterns of library use and reading behaviour, as well as the impact of using the print collection on the participants. While the results showed that taste in reading differed, in some respects, between communities, the participants all considered reading an important pastime. The reading experiences described by the participants in this study at the two libraries were similar, as were the benefits gained from leisure reading. This study mirrors the results of studies performed in the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom. Recommendations from this research are that the impact of the public libraries print collection on users, that primarily make use of the collection for leisure reading, is significant and should be documented as an important outcome of a library’s performance. Public libraries should focus efforts on providing leisure reading material, despite pressure to focus on literacy, skills development, youth programmes and other activities that are considered to produce more tangible outcomes. In order to uncover factors that make reading an activity of choice, further research needs to be conducted into what differentiates the serious leisure readers from those who do not engage in this pastime.
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    Enhancing the role of the libraries in South African Higher Education Institutions through Research Data Management: A case study of Cape Peninsula University of Technology
    (2022) Ntja, Bulelwa; Kahn, Michelle
    Research Data Management (RDM) is one of the top trends in academic libraries. Academic libraries are faced with the challenge of implementing RDM services. Libraries that are not yet offering support for research data may be at the stage of developing RDM services. The main objective of this study was to identify the experiences of one institution, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), in the introduction and implementation of RDM services with the intention of informing other SA HEIs about their offerings and experiences. The Digital Curation Centre (DCC) Lifecycle Model was used to guide the investigation in this study. The model helped to achieve the study's sub-objectives, which were: to establish to what extent RDM services have been adopted at CPUT, to identify experiences of librarians, and to make recommendations for successful implementation of RDM services. This is a qualitative case study in which data were collected through document analysis and interviews. The study found that CPUT Libraries offer data management planning assistance, storage and management of data, and guidance and training in support of RDM. The experiences of CPUT in the introduction and implementation of RDM that the study highlighted are the crucial role played by library management, the development of staff skills, the challenge of librarian workloads and attitudes, and researcher reluctance to engage with RDM and institutional partnerships. The study recommends among other things: piloting of the RDM project; continuous advocacy for RDM; reaching out to the research community for needs assessments and to provide necessary RDM training; implementation of RDM policy; and institutional, national and international partnerships.
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    The growth of e-book collections at South African academic libraries : a case study of the Western Cape
    (2013) Kahn, Michelle; Underwood, Peter G
    Libraries are still unsure of the value e-books can add to their collections and subsequently to their users’ research. E-book integration into library collections is made difficult by complicated purchasing and lending models and ever-changing technological requirements. Additionally, it is unclear what exactly library users want from their e-books. In this study, research into the obstacles facing the growth of academic library e-book collections was carried out by reviewing the literature on the topic, found in print and electronic reference works, monographs and journals, and on blogs and websites. Secondly, an investigation was conducted into patrons’ attitudes to e-books, their current use of e-books, and their expectations of e-books in their libraries, to examine the current and potential use of e-books at South African university libraries. The investigation employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods to discover library users’ attitudes towards e-books. Surveys were run on the campuses of the four universities in the Western Cape of South Africa. A sample of potential participants, totalling 1,539 staff members and 45,849 students, was invited to participate in the survey via email or a website link. Data was collected by means of a self-administered, online questionnaire distributed using SurveyMonkey software.
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    Investigating perceptions of reliability, efficiency and feasibility of data storage technology: A case study of cloud storage adoption at UCT Faculty of Science
    (2019) Netshiongolwe, Mpho; Higgs, Richard; Kahn, Michelle
    Within an increasing number of organisations cloud storage is becoming more common as large amounts of data from people and projects are being produced, exchanged and stored (Chang & Wills, 2016: 56). In fact, “technology has evolved and has allowed increasingly large and efficient data storage, which in turn has allowed increasingly sophisticated ways to use it (Staff, 2016: n.p.). Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions of reliability, efficiency and feasibility of data storage technology. The investigation is done by addressing claims and perceptions of data storage technology within the Faculty of Science at UCT. This study intends to determine if cloud storage is the future of storing, managing and preservation of digital data. The study used a qualitative research method grounded by Management Fashion Theory. Data was collected from three case studies from the Faculty of Science, and also from a desktop internet search on the marketing of cloud storage. Data collection from the case studies was facilitated through semi-structured interviews and from three researchers and academics who are working on cloud storage projects. Main themes that guided the dialogue during data collection originated from reviewed literature. The study concludes that cloud storage is the way forward for storing, sharing and managing research data. Academic researchers find storing data on cloud beneficial; however, it comes with challenges such as costs, security, access, privacy, control and ethics.
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    Investigating the library research support services in the Faculty of Education, University of Namibia (UNAM): a Hifikepunye Pohamba Campus focus
    (2019) Aipinge, Maria Magdalena Muulinawa; Kahn, Michelle
    This study investigated the library research support services in the Faculty of Education at Hifikepunye Pohamba (HP) Campus, University of Namibia. The research problem is that UNAM has an interest in growing its research, but the library does not have strong research support services; these needed to be investigated, along with researchers’ support needs. The study explored the research support services currently in place at HP campus in order find out to what extent the campus’ library services meet the needs and expectations of the researchers and academic staff. The study further examined how the research support service at the HP campus library could be re-conceptualised. The results of the study aimed at guiding librarians on what research related services should be offered to researchers in order to improve research outputs. The study was guided by the Research Librarianship conceptual approach which provided direction and ideas on an ideal research support service which responds to country, institution and individual research needs and changes in scholarly communication. A mixed methods approach was used to collect and analyse both quantitative and qualitative data. Data was collected using two sampling methods. They are: a census which was conducted for academics and convenience sampling for emerging researchers. Questionnaires were distributed to academic (established researchers) and postgraduate students who are referred as emerging researchers in the study. The findings are that the HP campus library does provide research support services, but they are not really core activities of the research support services as the concept would suggest. Many researchers felt their needs were being met but the current services are not specifically research-related activities and therefore do not help improve on research outputs as much as more targeted research services would. The findings indicated that there is a need to advance the campus’ traditional library services by adding activities which respond to research needs. The study therefore recommended that the library at the HP campus should enhance the research support services by responding to new trends in an academic library which fit into the new higher education teaching environment. Furthermore, the library should develop awareness programmes of the library research support services for academics. It is also recommended that the library should integrate IT skills into library training and that new set of skills such as research and subject-related skills are required by academic librarians. Therefore, staff development should be a continuing programme for UNAM librarians to constantly adapt to new trends and ensure library services are on par with the changes in research. The main recommendation is that the librarians should adapt to new trends and ensure that the library services remain relevant by contributing to research outputs. This will mainly be made possible if librarians have relevant qualifications to enable them to have the competence and skills in research related activities.
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    Issues related to the adoption of e-books in academic libraries: a literature review
    (University of Stellenbosch, 2013) Kahn, Michelle; Underwood, Peter G
    While e-journals have successfully be integrated into library collections, the same cannot be said about e-books. In this paper, the obstacles to e-book adoption in academic libraries is discussed using a review of the English-language literature published over the period 2007 to 2013. Issues identified are the changing roles of libraries in the digital age; collection development strategies; complex e-book purchase models offered to libraries; questions of copyright, licensing and digital rights management; format considerations; and availability of hardware and software on which to read e-books. Libraries continue to face these challenges today.
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    Measuring the impact of research outputs from the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) on the scholarly domain and in social media, 1995-2015
    (2017) Kerchhoff, Gillian; Nassimbeni, Mary; Kahn, Michelle
    Scholarly communication has changed with the growth in technology, particularly the internet and the social web. The changes include a broader definition of the scholarly communication format, and the role of social media in the research process, amongst others. This study sought to record the body of work that PLAAS had produced over a 20-year period (1995 to 2015) and to measure its visibility and impact through bibliometrics and altmetrics. It was the first time that such a study had been done. The Web of Science Citation Index and Scopus are two commercial databases that have recently been joined by Google Scholar, the first open database of scholarly items with citation counts based on the entire contents of the World Wide Web. Scopus and Google Scholar were used in this study. Methods used in the study included the compilation of a full bibliographic record of the outputs during that period. Citation analysis and publication counts were conducted, per author, within Scopus and Google Scholar. Altmetric analysis was achieved with the Altmetric Explorer database, and by studying three PLAAS grey literature outputs in more depth for altmetric indicators. The last method used was a small survey based on an online multiple-choice questionnaire of researchers at PLAAS to investigate their attitudes to a selection of the social media platforms commonly used by scholars. The full list of outputs, once compiled, showed a composition of 54% grey literature published by PLAAS and 46% journal articles and monographs. The results showed that bibliometrics, as a purely quantitative indicator, can be useful in measuring the impact of a body of work on the scholarly domain and in this study indicated high publication and citation rates. The authors of the highest number of PLAAS outputs and with the highest citation counts and h-indices, were found to be the same throughout the study. These authors are closely associated with the Institute and have contributed to the good academic reputation of its research. The study was inconclusive with regard to the impact on social media platforms as none of the grey literature from PLAAS had a unique identifier which made it difficult to track; in addition, the use of social media by the Institute and its researchers was intermittent and uneven in covering all the PLAAS-published outputs that were produced. Key recommendations for PLAAS to improve the visibility and impact of their outputs in scholarly and social contexts were to use unique identifiers, to track their social media activity and to keep author profiles up to date. Further use and application of the research design in other research units and departments at UWC will generate results that are useful to research management at UWC.
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    Operationalizing research data services in Academic libraries in Africa: case of the University of Namibia
    (2023) Mafale, Ishmael; Kahn, Michelle
    This study investigated operationalising research data services in academic libraries in Africa by using a case of the University of Namibia (UNAM). The purpose of the study was to enquire the extent to which librarians have the necessary knowledge and skills which will enable them to provide effective research data management services (RDMS) at UNAM; investigate the attitudes of librarians regarding RDMS at UNAM; determine the environmental factors that affect the development of skills and abilities to offer RDMS at UNAM; identify the social influences that affect the operationalising of RDMS at UNAM; identify positive and negative issues related to librarians that affect operationalising RDMS at UNAM; and, if/where necessary, provide the appropriate solutions. The theoretical domains framework (TDF) was used to guide the study with the view of assessing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of librarians to operationalise RDMS at UNAM. The study used a mixed methods approach to provide a richer and more reliable understanding of the phenomena under investigation. A questionnaire and interviews were used to collect data. 106 UNAM library staff members across 12 campuses participated in the study. The results of the study revealed that the majority of respondents who participated in the study were aware of and understood the importance of RDMS to both the institution, researchers and students. Concerning the skills possessed by library staff, attitudes and the environmental context and resources, the study discovered that librarians had a positive attitude towards the library offering RDMS at UNAM, which positions the library well to operationalise RDMS. However, there is a skills gap among the library staff. Furthermore, the study revealed that there is currently no infrastructure to properly operationalise RDMS, as well as no dedicated budget for infrastructure and staff skills development, thereby making it difficult for RDM to develop fully into a service offered in the library at UNAM. It is recommended that in order for research data management services to be operationalised, there is a need for the institution to have a budget that is dedicated to infrastructure and skills development and the recruitment of adequately skilled staff members. UNAM also needs to have a relevant RDM implementation plan guiding them towards the establishment of RDMS while taking into account their limitations and restrictions concerning human resources, infrastructure viii and finances. The school of Library Sciences at UNAM as well should adjust their curricular to reflect the new and emerging roles of librarians in the emerging data driven research environment to fill up the skills gap among librarians in order to operationalise RDMS.
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    Readiness for research data management in the life sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand
    (2022) Potgieter, Salomé; Kahn, Michelle
    Because of the importance of Research Data Management (RDM) in the life sciences, where vast amounts of research data in different complex formats are being produced, this study aimed to assess the state of RDM readiness in the life sciences at Wits to ascertain what support is needed with regards to RDM. In order to achieve the aim, the current RDM practices and needs of researchers, as well as the challenges they face, were investigated. The Jisc Research Data Lifecycle (Jisc, 2021a) was used to guide the literature review, frame data collection, analyse data and advise on some of the main findings and recommendations. A mixed methods approach and an explanatory sequential design were used to achieve the research objectives. For the quantitative phase of research, an online questionnaire was used to collect data. As the total target population (282) was not big, a census was conducted. The questionnaire was administered using SurveyMonkey software. During the qualitative part of the research, semi-structured interviews were used to explain the quantitative results. Five participants were purposively sampled to take part in interviews. The statistical package, MS Excel, was used to analyse quantitative data whilst qualitative data were analysed by thematic analysis. The study showed that life sciences researchers at Wits have adopted many RDM practices, and researchers are increasingly becoming aware of the importance of the openness of data. However, they are dealing with similar RDM issues as their peers worldwide. Results highlighted challenges of, amongst others, the lack of an RDM policy as well as the lack of, or unawareness of, appropriate RDM training and support at Wits. As formal implementation of RDM still needs to take place at Wits, it is recommended that Wits puts an RDM policy in place, followed by suitable RDM infrastructure and awareness making of current services.
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    Research Data Management and Sharing Practices in the Digital Humanities with a Focus on Publisher Support: A Case Study in the Field of Web Archive Studies
    (2021) Truter, Victoria Zea; Kahn, Michelle
    The research problem at the centre of this study is twofold. First, not enough Research Data Management studies have been conducted in either the humanities or the Digital Humanities that present a well-developed understanding of the nature of data in these fields, or the appropriate management thereof. Second, there is a critical lack of Research Data Management and data sharing support provided to researchers in these fields. While multiple stakeholders play roles in providing such support, this study focuses on the support provided to researchers by publishers. While the overarching study investigates data management and sharing in the Digital Humanities and how publishers support these practices, the specific case concerns the field of Web Archive Studies. The case study also gathers broader insights into Digital Humanities researchers, under which WAS is classified as a specialised field. The purpose of the study was to explore the nature of data, and current RDM and data sharing practices of Web Archive Studies researchers, with a focus on publishers' engagement with researchers and support for said practices. The aim was to uncover ways in which publishers might better support Web Archive Studies researchers in managing and sharing their data. The case study answered the following research questions: (1) ‘What kinds of data do Web Archive Studies researchers generate and work with?'; (2) ‘What RDM and data sharing practices do these researchers tend to use?'; (3) ‘What challenges and limitations do they encounter when collecting, managing, and sharing data?'; (4) ‘How can publishers better support Web Archive Studies researchers in managing and sharing their data?'. The study is exploratory in nature and uses a convergent mixed-methods approach based within an interpretive paradigm. Three semi-structured interviews (using predominantly open-ended questions) and a questionnaire (including predominantly multiple-choice questions) were conducted. A content analysis approach was used to analyse qualitative data, while quantitative data were interpreted using inferential statistics. The populations sampled included publishers and Web Archive Studies researchers. The study found that Web Archive Studies researchers tend to manage their data proficiently. The biggest gaps in their current practices concern data sharing in formal repositories due to challenges like legal restrictions. Additional findings reveal a lack of funding for Research Data Management and data sharing in this field, as well as a lack of guidance and training from publishers for Web Archive Studies researchers. Information Classification: General Key recommendations include the following: (1) publishers should develop guidance specific to Web Archive Studies researchers' RDM and data sharing needs; (2) publishers should focus on sharing methodological processes, audit trails, and research instruments, rather than sharing data for Web Archive Studies and other humanities subjects. These actions would promote transparency in subject areas for which data sharing is often not possible due to legal restrictions, among other challenges.
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    Research data management practices in climate change research: A quantitative study of Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management, Namibia
    (2023) Sikwana, Hamilton; Kahn, Michelle
    The purpose of this study was to assess how research data is managed at the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) in order to increase the understanding of current research data management (RDM) practices and inform future RDM procedures at the facility. The research objectives of the study were to investigate the RDM practices of climate change researchers affiliated with SASSCAL and to explore the challenges if any, that these researchers face with respect to RDM. The study was underpinned by the Digital Curation Centre's Curation Lifecycle Model (Higgins, 2008). The study employed a postpositivist worldview with a quantitative research approach that enabled the researcher to collect and analyse quantitative data to achieve the study objectives. A census approach was used to select all climate change researchers affiliated with SASSCAL. Data were collected using an online questionnaire created using Google Forms. The research results were analysed using Excel, and the results were presented through descriptive statistics. The study findings established that climate change researchers are managing certain RDM practices well, such as using multiple sites for data storage and backups, appraising data for long-term preservation, naming files and folders conventionally, as well as participating in some aspects of data sharing. However, the researchers exhibited some questionable RDM practices such as using poor long-term data storage options, and metadata and displaying a lack of overall data management planning on research projects. The results show that there is no data appraisal and selection policy at SASSCAL and a lack of awareness of RDM policies among researchers. Among the recommendations of the study are: the implementation of an RDM policy at SASSCAL; international collaboration with other research institutes to tap into best practices on RDM; RDM training; creating awareness of good RDM practices; and mandatory data management planning.
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    Student adoption and perceptions of the library and information mobile services at the University of Namibia
    (2020) Nakanduungile, Charlotte Ndeutala; Kahn, Michelle
    The aim of the study was to examine students' adoption and perceptions of library and information mobile services at the University of Namibia (UNAM), Main Campus. The research objectives were: to assess factors influencing students' adoption and use of wireless technologies that enable them to access library and information services at UNAM Main Campus; to determine the challenges/opportunities that students face when accessing library and information mobile services at UNAM Main Campus; and to identify students' perceptions of the library and information mobile services offered by UNAM Main Campus library. The study employed a mixed methods approach to gather and analyse data, and was supported by the Diffusion of Innovations theory (DOI). Data were collected from students using a convenience sampling method while purposive sampling was suitable to gather the qualitative data from library staff. Data collection from students was facilitated through a questionnaire, and library staff were interviewed. The study findings showed that mobile phones and laptops have been widely adopted and used by UNAM students. The study concludes that the attributes of innovation (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability) are considered to be the influencing factors in the adoption and use of wireless technologies that enable students to access library and information services. The study results indicated that students enjoy the benefits which wireless technologies provide such as mobility, flexibility, convenience, engagement and communication in improving learning and academic performance and specifically in accessing library and information mobile services. However, slow network speed/network congestion during peak hours, limited Wi-Fi network coverage in areas and network downtime are some of the challenges that are frequently experienced and frustrate UNAM students when learning and accessing library information services. Though some students are not satisfied with the current provision of library services, and perceived them as inadequate due to limited access, lack of awareness and marketing of mobile services, and lack of a library mobile application, the majority of students perceived library services as adequate due to regular instant interactions and communications via emails, telephones and social networks that they exchange with librarians. The study recommends, among other things, that UNAM library staff be innovative in marketing and creating awareness of information resources and services to attract more students and increase library usage. Since there is no mobile application at vi UNAM library, the study recommends that the library design a mobile application to assist in providing library services to users with mobile devices.
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    The archival records on Chinese slaves, convicts, exiles and ‘free blacks' at the Cape of Good Hope (1654 -1838): Conceptualising a digital curation project
    (2021) Chen, Vanessa; Kahn, Michelle; Bam-Hutchison, June
    Despite the growth of digital archives, there is no dedicated repository that systematically compiles the history of Chinese migration to South Africa. This qualitative study used 62 archival records housed at the Western Cape Archives and Records Service, to explore how the application of digital curation (particularly digitisation of materials) can be used in presenting, preserving and sharing the history on the first wave of Chinese slaves, convicts, exiles and ‘free blacks' at the Cape of Good Hope (1654 -1838). The study method consisted of three parts. First, a thorough literature search and understanding on the theoretical, practical and technical components of the subject. Second, the systematic collection and analyses of archival records (through a customised document analysis form) and third, an exploration on what digital curation can offer in terms of facilitating the access to and the preservation of these records. The study exists under a relativist paradigm which believes that reality is a product of power relations. It was found that the records provide valuable insight into the Cape's political development (from Dutch to British rule) and social hierarchies between Chinese individuals at the time. The archival content, being of historical significance, is in fact at a risk of physical and epistemological loss. This loss can be addressed through the application of digital curation which this study explores conceptually from the conception of a digital project to the use, reuse and dissemination of digital surrogates. It is hoped that this study can be used as a foundation or framework for refiguring the colonial archive and bringing other neglected South African histories to the forefront.
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    The research support needs and expectations of emerging researchers employed at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Faculty of Education: a case study
    (2019) Oosthuizen, Christel; Kahn, Michelle
    Providing research support services is an important role and function of an academic library. Nationally and internationally, academic institutions are under pressure to improve the quality and quantity of their research outputs. An important aspect in developing a research culture is the provision of effective research support services. As a young research institution, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) invests a lot of time, energy and resources in supporting the development of a research culture. A significant aim of research support services is the progression of emerging researchers to established researchers. CPUT Libraries wishes to play an active role in this regard by providing research support specifically to emerging researchers. The provision of effective research support services however requires services that are aligned with researchers’ unique research support expectations. Without a clear understanding of the unique research support expectations of its researchers, the library will not be able to fulfil an effective research support function. This study obtained a renewed understanding of emerging researchers’ support needs through using a mixed methods approach and a case study research design, focusing on CPUT’s Education Faculty. Emerging researchers’ support needs were determined through a self-administered online questionnaire consisting of open- and close-ended questions. The research life cycle guided the design of the questionnaire. Online questionnaires were sent to all 37 emerging researchers employed in the Education Faculty. A total of 21 responses was received. Data about the perceptions of a group of four librarians and the Education Faculty’s research coordinator about emerging researchers’ most important support expectations were collected through a semi-structured focus group interview and an individual interview respectively. Data collected via the three data collection methods were triangulated to compare the differences and similarities in what was considered emerging researchers’ most important research support expectations. The triangulation of the data led to the creation of a list of the most important research support services that should be provided for emerging researchers at CPUT’s Faculty of Education. The results showed that researchers as well as research support providers regard information provision services as libraries’ most important research support function. Recommendations by the researcher include the active marketing of libraries’ research support services, personalised researcher training, closer cooperation between institutional research support providers and using the research cycle as framework when designing and promoting library research support services. Through the collection of data and the literature reviewed, this study reached an improved understanding of the research support expectations of emerging researchers at CPUT’s Faculty of Education.
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    The role of academic libraries in implementing research data services: a case study of the University of KwaZulu-Natal Libraries
    (2021) Madibi, Zizipho; Kahn, Michelle
    This study investigated the role of academic libraries in implementing research data services, UKZN being the case study. The objectives of the study were to identify the need for research data services among UKZN researchers, to identify the major challenges associated with introducing research data services at UKZN, and to determine the possibility of implementing research data services at UKZN Libraries. The Data Curation Centre Lifecycle model was adopted as a framework for the study as it manages to connect the different stages of research data management. The study took a mixed methods approach of which interviews and a survey were used. A purposive sample was used to select library staff and random sample was drawn from 1341 UKZN academics. From a sample of 1341, 299 was the minimum size recommended by the Raosoft sample size calculator for a 5% margin of error and 95% confidence level. For quantitative analysis, an online questionnaire was administered using Google Forms. A series of questions were formulated for guidance in obtaining answers to the study objectives. Google Forms was used for the analysis while figures and tables were created using Microsoft Excel. Interviews from the library staff were recorded and data from interviews was transcribed into Microsoft Word. The study revealed that UKZN Libraries are still struggling with RDM policy development. The findings of the study revealed that researchers who responded to the study showed a lack of RDM awareness while library staff showed a moderate level of awareness. The study revealed that researchers at UKZN work with different types of data and they use different storage options such as removable storage devices, computer hard drives and cloud services. Although a few researchers have developed data management plans at UKZN, they have not done so because they were mandated by the institution - UKZN has not yet developed DMPs and library staff are not aware which funders require DMPs. The researchers who responded to the study showed interest in different trainings such as, training on data storage, development of DMPs and metadata creation. The library staff were more eager to provide data storage, data archiving and sharing mainly because of the existence of the UKZN data repository (Yabelana). Study recommendations are based on the analysed data. One of the recommendations was that UKZN Libraries should assume a role of being an advisor and trainer for research data services at UKZN.
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    The transition to open: a metrics analysis of discoverability and accessibility of LIS scholarship
    (2019) Raju, Jaya; Mfengu, Andiswa; Kahn, Michelle; Raju, Reggie
    Metrics analysis of journal content has become an important point for debate and discussion in research and in higher education. The South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science (SAJLIS), a premier journal in the library and information science (LIS) field in South Africa, in its 85-year history, has had multiple editors and many contributing authors and has published over 80 volumes and 160 issues on a diversity of topics reflective of LIS theory, policy and practice. However, how discoverable and accessible has the LIS scholarship carried by the Journal been to its intended readership? SAJLIS transitioned to open access in 2012 and this new format in scholarly communication impacted the Journal significantly. The purpose of this paper is to report on a multiple metrics analysis of discoverability and accessibility of LIS scholarship via SAJLIS from 2012 to 2017. The inquiry takes a quantitative approach within a post-positivist paradigm involving computer-generated numerical data as well as manual data mining for extraction of qualitative elements. In using such a multiple metrics analysis to ascertain the discoverability and accessibility of LIS scholarship via SAJLIS in the period 2012 to 2017, the study employs performance metrics theory to guide the analysis. We highlight performance strengths of SAJLIS in terms of discoverability and accessibility of the scholarship it conveys; identify possible growth areas for strategic planning for the next 5 years; and make recommendations for further study for a more complete picture of performance strengths and areas for improvement. Significance: The importance of discoverability and accessibility of scholarship carried by a scholarly journal is conveyed. The need to use multiple metrics for objective evaluation of the discoverability and accessibility of the scholarly content of a journal is emphasised. The impact of open access on the discoverability and accessibility of the content of a scholarly journal is assessed.
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    Open Access
    User experience of an institutional repository: A study of OpenUCT with a focus on postgraduate students
    (2023) Kalimashe, Hanoria; Kahn, Michelle
    An institutional repository (IR) plays a significant role in meeting users' information needs by providing access to the institution's intellectual outputs. The literature revealed that although studies on IRs have been conducted there is limited research on their user experience (UX). UX is gaining significant traction in academic libraries as it is becoming more useful to assess the services of the library from a user-centred perspective. The study investigated the user experience of OpenUCT from the postgraduate (PG) students' perspective. The study determined the extent to which the students are aware of the IR, their expectations of, and attitudes towards the IR, the utilisation of the IR and usability challenges in relation to its use. The study used a qualitative research method to achieve the research objective. Semi-structured interviews and structured observations were used to gather data from twelve Masters students at the Graduate School of Business (GSB) department in the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Cape Town. A group of students whose course has a dissertation element were selected for interviews and observation. The participants included students who were in the beginning, middle and final stages of their dissertation. Data was also collected through an interview with a key informant at the UCT Library department. The findings revealed that half of the participants knew about OpenUCT and were utilising the IR, whereas the other half was not aware of its existence. The study also revealed that the IR does meet most of their expectations and needs, although there were some areas where they felt their expectations were not met. The participants generally had positive attitudes towards the IR. However, the findings also revealed that students had negative attitudes regarding functionality. There were issues related to navigability, the usability of the OpenUCT user interface, findability, and accessibility of its content. Issues included difficulty in retrieving and locating content, the irrelevance of search results, poor presentation, inconsistency of content records and lack of specific search filters and fields that the participants thought would be useful when searching content. Other issues were duplication of search fields and content records, lack of clear visibility and transparency of outputs offered in the IR Communities. The study closes with recommendations on how those involved with IR and OpenUCT can proactively deal with these student concerns.