Journal Articles

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Challenges of managing information and communication technologies for education: Experiences from Sokoine National Agricultural Library
(EDICT, 2008) Emmanuel, Grace; Sife, Alfred S.
Like many other libraries, the Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) has already computerized most of its services. The library has acquired a number of ICT facilities that contribute positively to provision of information services. However, the new technologies provide new challenges related to acquisition, preservation, maintenance and security issues, training of users, and lack of awareness and commitment among key stakeholders. This paper discusses some of the challenges experienced by SNAL, highlights measures taken to overcome some of these challenges, and proposes strategies for proper management of ICTs in librariesries
Accessibility and use of family planning information (FPI) by rural people in Kilombero district, Tanzania
(2009) Msoffe, Grace; Kiondo, Elizabeth
This study investigated the accessibility and use of family planning information (FPI) by rural people in Kilombero District, Tanzania. The purpose was to examine the entire infrastructure required for accessing and using FPI in a rural setting. The study surveyed 120 respondents using questionnaire, interview protocols and observation guides. The respondents included women and men of reproductive age, and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinic staff. The study revealed that there is inadequate knowledge of various family planning methods (FPMs) and limited access and use of FPI. The situation is caused by ignorance, inconsistent availability of FPMs, few staff with limited training, inaccessibility of family planning services (FPS) and patriarchal gender relations. Furthermore, the study found that rural communities access FPI through radio and MCH clinic staff. The study concludes that the surveyed rural communities are disadvantaged in accessing and using FPI. It recommends that there should be provision of more health facilities in rural areas, training of MCH clinic staff, raising public awareness of family planning, ensuring constant availability of all FPMs, provision of family planning education in schools and provision of necessary facilities needed for effective dissemination of FPI in the rural settings.
Information needs of poultry farmers in selected rural areas of Tanzania
(Sage publication, 2016) Msoffe, Grace E. P.
This study assessed the information needs of poultry farmers in three rural districts of Tanzania. Methodological triangulation was used. Data from questionnaires were triangulated with data from interviews and focus group discussions to validate quantitative with qualitative findings. The findings indicated that poultry farmers had varying information needs including poultry disease management, poultry protection, shelter for poultry and poultry production. The key sources of information used by famers were family, friends, neighbours, extension officers, researchers and radio. There was very low identification and prioritization of farmers’ information needs. The findings implied that information providers were not aware of the farmers’ information needs and as a result they disseminated information that would not satisfy farmers’ needs. The key issues that constrained information providers from identifying and prioritizing farmers’ needs were inadequate resources, unfavorable working conditions, lack of facilities, and inadequate support from the government. Understanding the information needs of poultry farmers is crucial to effectively satisfying the felt information needs. It is recommended that information providers should conduct regular assessments of information needs, and ensure the information disseminated takes farmers’ needs into consideration.
Farmers' access to poultry management information in selected rural areas of Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2016) Msoffe, Grace; Ngulube, Patrick
Poultry farming is important in improving rural livelihoods in Tanzania as it provides better nutrition and additional income. Information is a critical tool in any poultry farming activity. Access to poultry management information in three rural districts of Tanzania is explored. The findings show that information on disease control, poultry protection, breeds and breeding, and feeding and nutrition were the most accessed topics. Farmers relied on informal sources of information, mainly from family, friends, neighbors, extension officers, researchers, and radio. Information that had direct impact on poultry well-being was the most frequently accessed. The major challenges that limited farmers in information seeking were lack of availability of extension officers, lack of awareness, lack of availability of information, lack of electricity, and poor infrastructure. This suggests that more emphasis should be placed on increasing the number of extension officers, increasing awareness of existing information sources, facilitating reliable transport for information providers, subsidizing cost of information services, and providing adult education. The findings can provide valuable information to improve effectiveness of information dissemination in rural areas.
Utilisation of poultry management information in three rural districts of Tanzania
(AOSIS, 2017) Msoffe, Grace; Ngulube, Patrick
Background: In Tanzania, poultry farming plays an important role in improving rural livelihoods and contributes to the national economy. Promoting utilisation of poultry management information can support farmers in making good decisions and translate into efficiency in poultry production. Objective: Being part of a PhD project, this study assessed the utilisation of poultry management information among farmers in three rural districts of Tanzania. The objective was to establish the extent of information use, types of information used, the constraints faced by farmers in using information and the strategies used by information providers to ensure farmers use the information. Method: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using the SPSS© software, and the meaning of qualitative data was established using content analysis. Results: The findings revealed that most of the farmers used poultry management information. Information on disease control, poultry protection and markets was the most used. Information on poultry production and hatching were the least used. Poultry farmers faced various challenges in the course of using poultry management information. Most of the challenges were linked to poverty, ignorance and limited literacy. Conclusion: The study concludes that farmers in the surveyed communities had limited skills on utilising information. The findings necessitate a need for information providers to ensure that farmers are well informed of the benefits of utilising information. It is recommended that imparting skills for information use be considered as part of information provision in rural communities, as it would facilitate use of information.
Information sources preference of poultry farmers in selected rural areas of Tanzania
(Sage publication, 2017) Msoffe, Grace E. P.; Ngulube, Patrick
This study focused on poultry farmers’ preference of information sources for accessing poultry management information in three rural districts of Tanzania. A mixed methods research design was deployed. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Responses to the questionnaire which was administered by researchers in face-to-face meetings were received from 360 farmers, and 160 farmers participated in 16 focus group discussions. The study was carried out from July to December 2013 in nine selected villages in Tanzania. The findings indicate that farmers preferred interpersonal and informal sources. Source preferences were influenced by availability and accessibility of the information source. The results suggest that farmers preferred listening and talking, probably a result of the oral tradition prevailing in rural areas. It is also probable that farmers enjoy interpersonal sources because they allow a two-way communication, provide quick access, immediate feedback, ease of use, and convey information specific to their local situations. Further studies on development and changes in farmers’ information source preference are required in order to better address their current and future information needs.
Preservation and accessibility of audio-visual records in Tanzania’s television broadcasting companies
(University of Dar es Salaam Library Services, 2017) Komba, Shanel C.; Nawe, Julita; Manda, P. A.
This study investigated the preservation and accessibility of audio-visual records in television broadcasting companies in Tanzania. Specifically, it set out to determine how audio-visual records are preserved in television broadcasting companies; to establish how audio-visual records in television broadcasting companies in Tanzania are accessed and to examine challenges to effective preservation and accessing of audio-visual records in television broadcasting companies in Tanzania. The literature reviewed and the findings from pilot study indicate that many AV records are produced by individuals, television companies and other entities in both rural and urban Tanzania. They also indicate that there are intervening factors such as resource constraints, technological incompatibility, inadequate infrastructure, inadequate skills, environmental factors, and unclear policies the hinder access to and use of audio-visual records. Since the preservation and accessibility to audio-visual records is challenging due to intervening factors, it is recommended that approaches used (passive preservation and active preservation) to preserve audio-visual records be constantly reviewed to identify strategies that could be used to address challenges as they arise in order to improve preservation and accessibility of the relevant records.
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.
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.
Bibliometric Analysis of the Trends of Publications on Poverty Research in Tanzania from 1961 to 2016
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2021) Msoffe, Grace; Sife, Alfred
Poverty research is essential in understanding the evolution of poverty, poverty trends and dynamics, policy formulation, prioritising policy interventions and informed decision making. To date, a bibliometric analysis of poverty research in Tanzania does not exist in the literature. Therefore, this bibliometric study was conducted to assess the research trends on poverty in Tanzania between 1961 and 2016. Data were collected through Harzing's Publish or Perish tool, which uses Google scholar to retrieve data from the web. A total of 825 publications were retrieved, with an average of 14.7 publications per year. As the growth rate of publications increased, the corresponding doubling time decreased. Journal articles were the dominant (23.9%) type of publication. The degree of collaboration among researchers was low, with the majority (52.8%) of publications having one author. The citation analysis reveals that over a third (35.76%) of publications were not cited. Subject categories related to poverty that had a relatively higher number of publications were governance (10.2%), agriculture (9%) and community (8.6%). Generally, the study findings provide valuable information on the characteristics of poverty research in Tanzania, which can reference future research.
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
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.
Assessing information literacy training of postgraduate students from input- process-output perspectives: A case of the University of Dodoma
(Sage, 2023) Msoffe, Grace E. P.; Mongi, Hector J.; Buhomoli, Obadia S.
The advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has changed the way information resources are accessed, evaluated, and used. The changes have necessitated new capabilities to utilise information resources effectively. Information Literacy (IL) programmes facilitate the acquisition of the necessary skills for accessing, evaluating, and using information resources in the digital era. Most of the studies on IL in Tanzania have focused on traditional practices with little or no consideration of contributing factors to the IL training outcomes in the digital era. This study assessed the IL training of postgraduate students at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) from an input-process-output perspective to ascertain the factors contributing to IL training outcomes. The study employed quantitative and qualitative approaches within input-process-output perspectives. Primary data (Qualitative) were collected using key informants’ interviews with postgraduate IL training organisers and facilitators working at UDOM. Secondary data (Quantitative) were collected from IL training reports from 2018 to 2022. The study findings show that most of the aspects of IL training from an input-process-output perspective were considered. The participants viewed the training input and processes as effective enough to transform their IL practices. However, the findings indicated that there were aspects that needed improvement. These included the training schedule and time allocation. The study recommends continuous review of the IL training programmes to ensure the necessary components of IL are considered for successful training outcomes. It is essential to consider the stakeholders’ needs in planning, organising, and conducting the IL training programmes for effective learning.
Socio-demographic influence on the pregnant women’s comprehension of maternal health information in Tanzania
(Cell Press, 2023) Elia, Emmanuel F.; Ayungo, Jelly
Background: Pregnant women’s understanding of maternal health information is critical in the application of information for pregnancy care, birth preparedness, and newborn care. However, the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on pregnant women’s understanding of maternal health information is least understood. Purpose: The study examined the influence of social and demographic characteristics on pregnant women’s comprehension of maternal health information. Methodology: A mixed research approach and descriptive cross-sectional design were applied. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to collect data from 132 pregnant women and 8 nurses/midwives. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21 and thematic analysis. Findings: Most of the pregnant women had a good ability to comprehend maternal health information. Level of education was found to influence the reading ability and language understanding ability of the pregnant women unlike age, marital status, income, and occupation. Age, level of education, monthly income, occupation, and marital status were found to influence the ability of pregnant women to understand maternal health information. Conclusion: The socio-demographic characteristics of pregnant women have an influence on their ability to comprehend maternal health information.
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.
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.
Assessing information literacy training of postgraduate students from input-process-output perspectives: A case of the University of Dodoma
(SAGE Publications, 2023) Msoffe, Grace E. P.; Mongi, Hector J.; Buhomoli, Obadia S.
The advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has changed the way information resources are accessed, evaluated, and used. The changes have necessitated new capabilities to utilise information resources effectively. Information Literacy (IL) programmes facilitate the acquisition of the necessary skills for accessing, evaluating, and using information resources in the digital era. Most of the studies on IL in Tanzania have focused on traditional practices with little or no consideration of contributing factors to the IL training outcomes in the digital era. This study assessed the IL training of postgraduate students at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) from an input-process-output perspective to ascertain the factors contributing to IL training outcomes. The study employed quantitative and qualitative approaches within input-process-output perspectives. Primary data (Qualitative) were collected using key informants’ interviews with postgraduate IL training organisers and facilitators working at UDOM. Secondary data (Quantitative) were collected from IL training reports from 2018 to 2022. The study findings show that most of the aspects of IL training from an input-process-output perspective were considered. The participants viewed the training input and processes as effective enough to transform their IL practices. However, the findings indicated that there were aspects that needed improvement. These included the training schedule and time allocation. The study recommends continuous review of the IL training programmes to ensure the necessary components of IL are considered for successful training outcomes. It is essential to consider the stakeholders’ needs in planning, organising, and conducting the IL training programmes for effective learning.
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.
Analyzing the Institutionalization of Free and Open Source Software Adoption in Tanzanian Higher Education Institutions
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2024) Namayala, Phesto; Kondo, Tabu; Mselle, Leonard
Free and open-source software (FOSS) are viable alternatives to pricey proprietary software due to their low total cost of ownership (TCO). They are predicted to have a bright future because of their advanced technologies in service delivery. Despite the availability of FOSS adoption studies, public discourse as well as information and communication technology (ICT) policies, FOSS applications are inadequately adopted in Tanzanian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) due to lack of institutionalization. This finding poses a need for examining the institutionalization status. Institutionalization occurs when FOSS adoption and use becomes a standard practice. This study analyses the institutionalization of FOSS adoption by examining the national and selected universities’ ICT policies and observing the evolution of public discourse towards FOSS by examining multiple articles. The study adopted a systematic literature review and was guided by an analytical framework that triangulated new institutional theory, the underlying concept of organizing vision, and rhetorical diffusion theory. The findings show that, although there are sporadic use of FOSS in some Tanzanian HEIs, FOSS adoption is generally not institutionalized. As a result, the study recommends adjustments in preparation of ICT policies, making adoption of FOSS part of organizational strategic plans for them to enjoy decision-makers’ support.
Delivering and utilising library services during the pandemic disease outbreak: challenges and coping strategies
(SAGE Publications, 2024) Wilfred, Josephine; Mwantimwa, Kelefa
Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe shutdowns, quarantines, closures, cancellations, and other restrictive measures in different countries. Educational institutions such as universities, colleges, and schools were not immune to the devastating effects caused by the pandemic. Purpose The present study intended to explore challenges and coping strategies in maintaining access to and use of resources and services in academic libraries during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research design To gain familiarity and acquire new insight into how Tanzania academic libraries managed their services during the COVID-19 pandemic exploratory research design was employed. A qualitative approach was mainly used to explore library staff and users’ opinions and experiences on library service provision during the pandemic outbreak. Data collection methods and analysis Focus group discussions (FGDs) and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Data collected through FGD and semi-structured interviews were transcribed and subjected to qualitative data analysis. In particular, thematic analysis was employed in analysing data based on assigned themes. Results Generally, the study reveals multiple challenges in delivering library services and resources and their coping strategies. However, most of the coping strategies put forward mainly focused into preventing the pandemic, rather than enhancing access to and use of library services and resources among the users. Conclusion and recommendations The study exposes challenges that affected the delivery and use of library services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their coping strategies were known. Proposal to digitize the library collections, invest in the application of digital library solutions and innovations, build capacity in digital competencies among the library staff and users, and increase access and use of open and freely available resources and services appear to be sustainable coping strategies when a pandemic occurs.

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