Facilitating information and communication technology (ICT) adoption among research scientists in Ghana

Abstract

This study examines the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on information provision for research officers in six selected institutes of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana. It determines the levels of awareness, access to, and use of ICT facilities and services by research officers; the extent to which research officers are given training in the use of ICT, and levels of skills acquired; and the effects of ICT use on the research activities of research officers. Questionnaires and interviews are used in the data collection. The questionnaires were administered to 100 respondents from a total population of 200 research officers. The respondents include the Directors and the Librarians who were interviewed as well. The study reveals that the levels of awareness, access to, and use of computers, the Internet, and databases by research officers was very high. The study also shows that generally, the level of skills acquired in the use of ICT are high. The research also reveals that the use of ICT enhanced the work performance of the research officers. The study recommends the need for librarians in CSIR to effectively publicize the ICT facilities and services available in their institutes in order to increase awareness and patronage. The study also recommends the need for adequate and continuous training for the research officers in the use of ICT facilities and services.