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The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Library is establishing an institutional repository (IR) to
preserve, and provide wider visibility and accessibility for, its intellectual outputs. In order to
understand stakeholders’ views a needs assessment survey was conducted. The objectives of
the study were to assess users’ levels of awareness of IRs, users’ interest in the establishment
of an IR, and users’ recommendation on the types of materials to be included in the IR. In
addition, the survey intended to take users’ view on the modality of deposition, moderation,
access and use of IR materials.
The sample was drawn from UDSM academic and administrative staff, and postgraduate and
undergraduate students. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample from the
population, and secondary data was collected using a documentary review. Primary data were
collected using self-administered questionnaires. Research tools were tested to check validity,
reliability and clarity. Both qualitative and quantitative data for the study were analysed and
presented. Quantitative and Qualitative data were codified and analysed using SPSS and
content analysis respectively,
The study reveals that most users at UDSM are not aware of the institutional repository. In
comparison with other users, academic staff are aware of the IR and because of this, they use
the IR to access and disseminate materials. Postgraduate students follow by using the IR to
access materials; administrators use the IR to disseminate, in contrast to postgraduate
students. Undergraduate students have low levels of awareness and few of them use IR for any
purpose.
Materials that are mostly recommended for including in the IR are research reports, journal
articles and theses and dissertations. Most respondents want “anybody to be allowed to freely
access IR materials”, “Anybody should use IR materials with acknowledgement” another is that
“Individual should register first, to capture statistics”. Most respondent agree that materials
should first be peer-reviewed so as to qualify them for archiving in the repository. Furthermore
most respondents recommend that faculties, institutes or the directorate of the research
committee should be responsible for peer-reviewing. The majority of respondents (96%) see it
is very important to have a UDSM-established institutional repository. Respondents recommend strongly the creation of awareness of users in order to utilize the IR resources very effectively;
they also recommend the set up of quality and reliable ICT infrastructure to enhance retrieval
and dissemination of information |
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