Browsing by Author "Buhomoli, Obadia Shadrack"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    Awareness of open data among researchers in selected public universities in Tanzania
    (The University of Dar es salaam, 2020) Buhomoli, Obadia Shadrack; Muneja, Paul
    This study explored the extent of researchers’ awareness on open data (OD) in selected universities in Tanzania. Various scholars have highlighted several benefits that are associated with the adoption and use of Open Data that include validation and accountability of research findings, minimization of duplication of studies, protection of research integrity and increased visibility of both research results as well as the host institution. The study employed a cross-section research design which combined qualitative and quantitative approaches. A sample of 200 researchers was drawn from a sampling frame of 1846 using both probability and non-probability sampling techniques. The findings of this study have revealed that majority of respondents lacked a deep understanding of OD concept. Based on the findings, the study recommends that open data weeks and open data days should be adopted and used by academic and research institutions to create awareness on OD. Academic institutions need to integrate OD and research data management in course of their degree programmes, especially at postgraduate level. Awareness creation mechanisms such as workshops should regularly be used to create OD awareness at all levels of academic institutions.
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    Coverage of information and communication technology news by selected newspapers in Tanzania
    (The University of Dar es salaam, 2020) Elia, Emmanuel Frank; Buhomoli, Obadia Shadrack
    This study explored media coverage of Information and Communication Technology in Tanzania’s four print media published between 2009 and 2013. Specifically, the study aimed at; assessing the trend in covering ICTs information from 2009-2013, identifying ICTs themes covered and exploring the geographic coverage of ICTs information from 2009-2013. Data were collected using informetrics method. Microsoft Excel software 2007 and content analysis were used to analyze data. Results revealed 823 articles were published on ICTs in five years. Additionally, despite variation trends in coverage, the year 2013 had highest coverage. Results showed ICTs themes related to mobile technologies were highly reported compared to others. Results indicate international news on ICTs to be highly reported compared to local news. The study concludes that there is still low coverage of ICTs information in Tanzania newspapers. It recommends increased coverage of ICTs information in media by privately owned newspapers and reporting in local language.
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    Factors that determine open data readiness among scholars: experience from selected universities in Tanzania
    (Emerald Publishing Limited, 2022) Buhomoli, Obadia Shadrack; Muneja, Paul Samwel
    Purpose – This study aims to investigate the factors determining the readiness for uptake of open data (OD) in Tanzania. Specifically, this study intended to answer the question that sought to find out the factors that influence the implementation of OD in universities under study in a view to aligning with recommended strategies for optimizing the use of data in the open science era. Design/methodology/approach – This study used a cross-sectional survey design whereby data were collected using quantitative and qualitative research approaches. A sample size of 212 respondents was drawn from the sampling frame of a population of 1,846 researchers from the participating universities using both probability and nonprobability sampling techniques. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from researchers while interviews were administered to decision-makers. These two groups were believed to have the necessary knowledge for this study.The findings indicate low or lack of skills and awareness on issues related to OD among researchers and decision-makers. This study also reveals inadequate infrastructure to support open science initiatives including OD. Moreover, this study shows a lack of supportive institutional strategies and policies that trigger the implementation of OD initiatives in Tanzania. This study recommends that universities should uplift the level of confidence of researchers by ensuring all necessary factors determining the uptake of OD are in place before and during the implementation of OD initiatives. Research limitations/implications – This study was conducted during the time when researchers in universities are in an infant stage of adopting the concept from the developed world. In this regard, it is important to carry out a tracer study on establishing the OD phenomena after a number of universities have implemented OD initiatives in the country. The researchers recommend the establishment of institutional policy and strategies to guide the implementation of OD among universities in Tanzania. Including awareness creation awareness through providing training among researchers and academics in universities. The results shed light to decision-makers on the understanding of the role of sharing research data in enhancing openness and validation of findings to increase the authenticity of results among researchers.The authors have revealed the factors affecting the implementation of OD among scholars in universities. This study reveals the level of acceptance of OD initiatives and the factors that could trigger adoption of OD.This paper presents factors that determine the readiness for the uptake of OD in universities in Tanzania from the researcher’s perspective. This study was conducted to fill the knowledge gap that sought to establish understanding of researchers about OD. The gap was established through literature and it was found that none of the presented studies researched on this phenomenon in Tanzania.
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    Research data handling by researchers in the selected universities in Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2021) Buhomoli, Obadia Shadrack; Muneja, Paul S
    This study investigated the practice of research data handling in the selected higher learning institutions in Tanzania, with specific reference to the University of Dar es Salaam and University of Dodoma. The study assessed research data formats that are currently produced, where the research data are currently stored and whether researchers in the selected institutions use data management plan in their research activities. A study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Questionnaire was used to extract data from researchers while interview was used to obtain data from key informants who were categorized as potential managers responsible for research data management from the respective institutions. Results show that researchers have been producing various kinds of research data in various formats both digital and analogy data. Moreover, researchers handled these data using various approaches. This means that there were no systematic and well-guided methods of handling their research data making the data prone to get lost. Only a small number of researchers appeared to have a large amount of research data. Furthermore, only a few number of researchers indicated to have used research data management plan (RDM) in their research activities. This study recommends more collaboration among researchers, directorate of research and publication, ICT and library management to improve the research data handling in the universities
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    Research data sharing: Practices and perceptions of researchers at the selected universities in Tanzania
    (SAGE Publications, 2023-12-21) Buhomoli, Obadia Shadrack; Muneja, Paul S.
    Despite the presence of multiple platforms for research data sharing such as data repositories, journal systems, social media, and portable devices, the practice of data sharing has not well been deployed in many universities in Africa including Tanzania. Therefore, this study investigated research data sharing at the selected universities in Tanzania. Specifically, the study sought to explore the research data sharing practices as well as determine the researchers’ perceptions of research data sharing. This study used a cross-section survey design, where both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used. A sample size of 200 was drawn from a population of 1846 of the universities under study. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from researchers while interviews were used to collect data from the university leaders. The findings indicate that researchers were practicing research data sharing in the surveyed institutions at different levels. The study has also revealed that researchers were mostly practicing sharing of research data within their research groups. Further, it was found that most of the respondents were willing to use others’ research data compared to their data sets being used by others. Moreover, the academic backgrounds of the researchers were significantly important in research data-sharing practices. The study also found that researchers perceived that sharing of research data could easily be done if researchers would benefit from sharing the research data or if researchers would be forced to share their research data. The study concludes that, researchers at the surveyed institutions have been practicing research data sharing although at the minimum level. The study recommends the establishment of research data-sharing national framework that can guide all entities and activities related to research data sharing.
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    Research data sharing: Practices and perceptions of researchers at the selected universities in Tanzania
    (SAGE Publications, 2023) Buhomoli, Obadia Shadrack; Muneja, Paul S.
    Despite the presence of multiple platforms for research data sharing such as data repositories, journal systems, social media, and portable devices, the practice of data sharing has not well been deployed in many universities in Africa including Tanzania. Therefore, this study investigated research data sharing at the selected universities in Tanzania. Specifically, the study sought to explore the research data sharing practices as well as determine the researchers’ perceptions of research data sharing. This study used a cross-section survey design, where both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used. A sample size of 200 was drawn from a population of 1846 of the universities under study. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from researchers while interviews were used to collect data from the university leaders. The findings indicate that researchers were practicing research data sharing in the surveyed institutions at different levels. The study has also revealed that researchers were mostly practicing sharing of research data within their research groups. Further, it was found that most of the respondents were willing to use others’ research data compared to their data sets being used by others. Moreover, the academic backgrounds of the researchers were significantly important in research data-sharing practices. The study also found that researchers perceived that sharing of research data could easily be done if researchers would benefit from sharing the research data or if researchers would be forced to share their research data. The study concludes that, researchers at the surveyed institutions have been practicing research data sharing although at the minimum level. The study recommends the establishment of research data-sharing national framework that can guide all entities and activities related to research data sharing.
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    Research data sharing: Practices and perceptions of researchers at the selected universities in Tanzania
    (SAGE Publications, 2023) Buhomoli, Obadia Shadrack; Muneja, Paul S.
    Despite the presence of multiple platforms for research data sharing such as data repositories, journal systems, social media, and portable devices, the practice of data sharing has not well been deployed in many universities in Africa including Tanzania. Therefore, this study investigated research data sharing at the selected universities in Tanzania. Specifically, the study sought to explore the research data sharing practices as well as determine the researchers’ perceptions of research data sharing. This study used a cross-section survey design, where both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used. A sample size of 200 was drawn from a population of 1846 of the universities under study. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from researchers while interviews were used to collect data from the university leaders. The findings indicate that researchers were practicing research data sharing in the surveyed institutions at different levels. The study has also revealed that researchers were mostly practicing sharing of research data within their research groups. Further, it was found that most of the respondents were willing to use others’ research data compared to their data sets being used by others. Moreover, the academic backgrounds of the researchers were significantly important in research data-sharing practices. The study also found that researchers perceived that sharing of research data could easily be done if researchers would benefit from sharing the research data or if researchers would be forced to share their research data. The study concludes that, researchers at the surveyed institutions have been practicing research data sharing although at the minimum level. The study recommends the establishment of research data-sharing national framework that can guide all entities and activities related to research data sharing.