Department of Information Studies
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Item Assessing Quality Assurance Practices in Institutions of Higher Learnings(International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 2019) Dei, D.G.J.In the effort to globalize higher education services and embark on innovative knowledge production and dissemination aimed at fitting into the global scheme, quality assurance becomes the sine qua non. Quality assurance (QA) provides the tools and direction to improve the quality of knowledge created, stored, and shared at institutions of higher learning. This study assesses the development and practice of QA in institutions of higher learning (IHLs) in Ghana. The mixed research method was used to collect data from staff and officers of institutions of higher learning who are directly involved in ensuring quality in the institutions. Six (6) IHLs participated in this study. The results indicated a generally higher degree of awareness and understanding of the concept of QA at the institutions as all of them have a QA department. The institutions are putting in more effort to ensure quality by carrying out internal assessments as there are available policies and strategies aimed at ensuring quality at the institutions. This led to high service quality at the institutions except for the College of Health. Besides, the focused areas quality at the institutions: stated vision, mission; governance structure; statutes and conditions of service; academic and programs; clean and siren environment; staffing; and library, technology, and information services. Despite these, the study established that the quality assurance units of the institutions lacked the necessary resources (technology, library, staff, laboratories, etc) for effective quality assurance activities.Item Internet Usage and its effect on Senior High School Students in Bantama Sub-Metro in Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana(2021) Kwaah, C.O.; Ankrah, E.; Frimpong, A.D.; et al.The internet has become the fountain of information access for senior high school students and academics. Poor telecommunication infrastructure, difficulties in accessing relevant information, inadequate computers, high cost of bundles, system failure, low internet bandwidth, and power fluctuation are some challenges Senior High students face in their quest to access information on the internet. The study sought to determine internet usage and its effect on students of three Senior High schools in the Bantama Sub-Metro in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study adopted the survey research design, and the quantitative research approach was used; hence questionnaires were the main instrument employed for data collection. A total of 360 students were conveniently sampled from three selected Senior High schools. From the results, it was found that students accessed information on the internet prominently for communication, recreation, and learning. The public internet café was the highest point of internet access followed by the home and availability of computer laboratories in the schools. However, confirming the effects on students regarding the use of the internet, the students were given limited hours to access information and different internet infrastructure in the schools. The majority of the students rated the internet access in their school computer laboratories as poor. By implication, Administrators and parents should adopt safety measures to monitor the internet content used by students, educating students on how to access and use information from the internet, provision of more computers in the school's laboratories, and high bandwidth to access the internet.Item Information Systems Evaluation in Ghanaian Academic Libraries Using DandM IS Success Model(Library Philosophy and Practice, 2021) Ocloo, P.E.D.; King, L.The use of Information Systems (ISS) has been widely accepted and proven to increase service quality in many organizations. Academic libraries have embraced the use of ISs and have implemented them to perform different activities. The efficient utilization and management of ISs in libraries will help libraries derive maximum benefit from adopted ISs. The researchers therefore used the DeLone and McLean IS success theory to determine the impact of IS management on the quality of the IS and the use of the IS. The researchers solicited responses using questionnaires from all the staff members who use any electronic system in libraries that were purposively selected. The research revealed that the management of ISs affects the quality thereof. The quality of ISs affects use, and use affects the benefits gained from use.Item Use Of Social Media By Leaders Of Charismatic Churches In Ghana(Library Philosophy and Practice, 2021) Animante, M.A.; Akussah, H.; Darko-Adjei, N.This study examined the use of social media platforms by leaders of the Charismatic Churches in Ghana. This study is germane in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic where churches are embracing social media platforms to supplement conventional face-to-face church meetings. The study was conducted within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from a sample size of 152 respondents. Also, 2 head pastors and their deputies, as well as 2 IT personnel, were interviewed. The study found a high level of awareness of social media platforms adopted by the churches for running their day-to-day activities through their departmental heads and church leaders. Also, the study found that the two churches had documented policies for guiding the use of the adopted social media for running the church's activities. Also, the study arrived at a positive perception towards the adopted social media platforms, and as such, the church leaders found the social media platforms very useful. This finding confirms the preposition of the TAM where perceived usefully increases the extent of platform use. Also, the absence of a functional dedicated help desk to support and facilitate the use of the platforms appeared to be the most critical challenge. The study recommended that orientation on social media use should be intensified in the churches, training of users, and strengthening of policies on the use of social media in the two churches, should be given priority attention.Item Categories of Stress Among Librarians in Public Universities: The Causes and Effects(Library Philosophy and Practice, 2021) Kodua-Ntim, K.; Adjei, E.; Akussah, H.The study aimed to investigate the causes and effects of stress encountered by library staff of the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and University of Cape Coast and the various categories of stress. Using purposive, simple random, and convenience sampling techniques, the researcher sampled 153 respondents from UG, KNUST, and UCC to respond to the questionnaire and interview questions. Descriptive statistics (Means and Standard Deviation), inferential statistics (Multiple Regression and ANOVA) were used for the quantitative analysis while content thematic analysis was used for the qualitative analysis. The study among other things found that poor administrative support, lack of support systems, lack of in-service training and inadequate resources, anxiety and frustration, staff conflict, ill-health, and smoking and drinking were the major causes of stress among public university library staff in Ghana. However, it was revealed that library staff also adopt numerous coping strategies such as taking time off work and leave, positive thinking, building strong human relationships, and going for counseling in an attempt to manage their stress. It was recommended that universities institute proactive guidance and counseling measures, strong social support systems, and compensation for additional work.Item The Use Of Electronic Resources By Research Staff Of Csirsavanna Agricultural Research Institute (Sari) And Csir-Crops Research Institute (Cri): A Comparative Study.(University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Issifu, I.The study investigated the use of electronic resources by the research staff of CSIRSavanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) and CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CRI). The research sought to find out research staff awareness of electronic resources, usefulness of e-resources to research works, and challenges" associated with the use of these resources. This study used the survey methodology. A census of the population of 240 research staff was involved in this survey. The findings indicate that a significant number of research staff in both institutes are aware of electronic resources. Majority of the respondents also indicated that they use e-resources daily. Although they use resources daily, they do not derive maximum satisfaction due to challenges such as poor internet connectivity, power outages, and struggle with information overload. The use of electronic resources has a positive impact on the research staff of CSIR as the findings indicate; they can obtain relevant information, and know what has been published in their field of work. They agreed that e-resources are useful to their research work. To ensure its maximum utilization, CSIR must invest in internet facilitates to improve the speed at which literature is downloaded using e-resources. Efforts must also be made to ensure a constant supply of power to CSIR institutes.Item Availability And Use Of E-Resources By Postgraduate Students Of The University For Development Studies (UDS)(University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Aloribasua, G.A.With the advent of technology, tremendous changes have occurred in the digital information environment that has brought about a diverse and sophisticated change in taste and preference of information needs of library patrons. This has necessitated a paradigm shift in library resource collection process, with e-resources now becoming core resources for information delivery in academic libraries. To keep pace with this technological trend and change in information preferences of users, academic libraries have focused on making available electronic information resources for both local and remote users. However, making available these electronic resources without full utilization by users leads to wastage of scares financial resources used to subscribe to the resources. The study sought to examine ways to promote greater effective use of electronic resources by postgraduate students in the University for Development Studies (UDS) library. The research design was a quantitative survey approach. Sample size was determined with the aid of the Krejcie and Morgan sample ratio table, while sampling technique was convenience sampling. Postgraduate student population was 750 with a sample size of 256. Four (4) librarians were engaged for the data collection as well. A well-structured questionnaire was administered through Google forms to respondents. Response rate was 85%. Responses were analysed with Google forms and transferred to Microsoft Excel version 16 for representation of results in Tables and Pie charts. The findings of the study revealed that majority of postgraduate students were not aware of the e-resources available in the UDS library. It was revealed that there was low publicity of the resources resulting in the low awareness of their existence. The study also showed that training on e-resources for users was inadequate, hence rendering the e-resources not easily accessible and usable for the students. Major challenges identified were limited internet bandwidth, intermittent power outages, and insufficient budgetary funds. It was recommended that library management acquire adequate internet bandwidth to ensure faster internet connections for smooth use of e-resources and easy downloads, procure a standby power supply to keep the library running continuously even when there is power outage or a fluctuation, solicit for more funds from university management to enable the library to undertake activities like trainings and workshops, exhibitions, and other promotional activities on a regular base to create awareness of the library’s resources and services. Management of UDS library should also advocate for the academic board to incorporate the teaching of information literacy as a compulsory course for postgraduate students.Item Marketing Of Information Products And Services Of Public Libraries In Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2022-07) Korletey-Tene, E.K.Libraries and information provision centres have changed over the years with heavy investments to keep them operational whilst updating their collections. Public libraries specifically have a huge client base ranging from toddlers to the elderly. However, they are faced with intensive competition to keep and grow their clienteles as user demands are increasingly making it attractive for businesses to venture into information service delivery. This study looked into the marketing tools being deployed by public libraries in the marketing of their services and products. It also looked at the challenges librarians faced whilst deploying marketing in their service deliveries. The study surveyed a total of 66 regional and Branch librarians of Ghana Library Authority as well as 270 registered users of the libraries. Questionnaires were used as the main data collection instrument whilst questions were structured based on the objectives for the study. The findings from the study showed that respondents had knowledge of the benefits of library marketing and had some form of training. It further revealed that some form of marketing is being deployed by the various libraries with social media being the major tool of deployment. Users also affirmed that they have witnessed the deployment of some marketing tools such as usage of Exhibitions and Fairs, Periodic Newsletters, etc. The study also revealed inadequate marketing skills, lack of funding amongst others as the major challenge hindering the full utilisation of the marketing tools. Based on the findings from the study, it was recommended that the library should increase its presence on the most Social Media Network sites whilst also undertaking training for its staff. It was further recommended by all participants for the library to adopt the use of electronic advertisement as well as deployment of Bulk SMS to market the services of the library.Item Information Culture And Business Performance In The Ghanaian Banking Industry(University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Mottey, E.This study examines the effect of information culture on business performance in the Ghanaian banking industry. Using purposive and convenience sampling techniques in a quantitative survey, 158 participants from a total population of 316 were sampled from a foreign and a local bank who responded to the questionnaire. The Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 22 was used to analyze data. Findings indicate that, information culture has positive effects on business performance of the banks. The most dominant information culture of each bank is integrity culture, with the least dominant cultures of the local and foreign banks being control culture and formality culture respectively. Both foreign and local banks had some form of support to promote information behaviours, however evaluation and reward systems were lacking. The foreign bank employed mechanisms to avoid information overload whereas the local bank did not. Furthermore, there were mechanisms and policies to manage information in both foreign and local banks but its implementation was not effective. The major challenges identified in both banks include, the lack of training for staff on the information policy available and the absence of a collective responsibility towards the effective management of information. The study recommends that, management of banks regularly train staff on effective information management and information management professionals must receive support in the form of participation and co-operation from all staff. Further research on information culture could focus on sectors like health, education, insurance, security and government ministries and departments using qualitative or mixed methods.Item Information Culture And Business Performance In The Ghanaian Banking Industry(University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Mottey, E.This study examines the effect of information culture on business performance in the Ghanaian banking industry. Using purposive and convenience sampling techniques in a quantitative survey, 158 participants from a total population of 316 were sampled from a foreign and a local bank who responded to the questionnaire. The Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 22 was used to analyze data. Findings indicate that, information culture has positive effects on business performance of the banks. The most dominant information culture of each bank is integrity culture, with the least dominant cultures of the local and foreign banks being control culture and formality culture respectively. Both foreign and local banks had some form of support to promote information behaviours, however evaluation and reward systems were lacking. The foreign bank employed mechanisms to avoid information overload whereas the local bank did not. Furthermore, there were mechanisms and policies to manage information in both foreign and local banks but its implementation was not effective. The major challenges identified in both banks include, the lack of training for staff on the information policy available and the absence of a collective responsibility towards the effective management of information. The study recommends that, management of banks regularly train staff on effective information management and information management professionals must receive support in the form of participation and co-operation from all staff. Further research on information culture could focus on sectors like health, education, insurance, security and government ministries and departments using qualitative or mixed methods.