Operationalizing research data services in Academic libraries in Africa: case of the University of Namibia

Mafale, Ishmael

Operationalizing research data services in Academic libraries in Africa: case of the University of Namibia

Thesis / Dissertation

2023

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Library and Information Studies

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