Theses and Dissertations (Information Studies)http://hdl.handle.net/10386/292024-03-28T09:44:13Z2024-03-28T09:44:13ZAwareness and usage of online public access catalogue by undergraduates students at University of VendaShokane, Mashia Martinahttp://hdl.handle.net/10386/40232022-11-09T01:00:17Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZAwareness and usage of online public access catalogue by undergraduates students at University of Venda
Shokane, Mashia Martina
Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) plays a critical role in assisting library patrons to effectively and efficiently locate information resources from the academic library. This study examined awareness and usage of the existing OPAC functionalities and capabilities among undergraduate students at the University of Venda (UNIVEN). The research methodology for the study was guided by the adoption of quantitative research approach and descriptive survey design. The data collection tool used was a google forms questionnaire, through which the link was distributed to all undergraduate students at UNIVEN via e-mail. Systematic random sampling method was used to arrive at a sampling frame of five hundred and sixty-three (563) participants represented in all eight (8) schools that comprise UNIVEN academic structure. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of undergraduate students rated their level of awareness as average. Their major source of awareness of OPAC is library training. Most of respondents were not aware and familiar with OPAC functionalities such as Boolean operators, truncation marks and advanced search. The study further revealed positive attitudes and promising perceptions towards OPAC. In terms of usage, the findings show that most of the respondents occasionally use OPAC, and the majority use a title search entry to conduct their search on OPAC and they prefer to use a simple search option. Furthermore, most of participants showed that their purpose of OPAC usage is to locate books in the library. The major challenge encountered by respondents in using OPAC was slow internet connectivity and their lack of skills in searching information from OPAC. Based on these findings, this study recommends that librarians ought to promote the importance of using all OPAC functionalities to improve awareness and optimal usage of the OPAC functionalities as an information retrieval tool. There is a need for intensified training on advanced search options, such as Boolean operators, Truncation marks and advanced search, through one-on-one instruction and Lib-guides.
Thesis (M.A. (Information Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZDigital preservation and access to the South African documentary national heritage at the National Library of South AfricaMasekoameng, Clement Mahuduhttp://hdl.handle.net/10386/38982022-09-10T01:00:24Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZDigital preservation and access to the South African documentary national heritage at the National Library of South Africa
Masekoameng, Clement Mahudu
Digitisation of library materials offers Library and Information Services (LIS) organisations, national libraries in particular, opportunities to preserve and manage fragile and unique materials, by protecting their physical, saving them from deteriorating and facilitating unmediated access to such collection. The aim of the study was to examine processes involved in the digitisation of the South African National Documentary and Cultural Heritage for the purpose of preservation and access at the national library of South Africa (NLSA). The study was guided by the systems theory by looking into the selection, processing and disseminating of digital records at the NLSA. The study examined adherence to the policies and national legislative frameworks, the technologies used for digitization and access to digitized collections, tools used for accessing digital collections, as well the challenges experienced in the NLSA digitization project. Qualitative research methodology was adopted, through a case-study research whereby, semi-structured interviews, document analysis and observations were triangulated as data collection methods for the study. The key findings showed that the digitisation project at the NLSA adheres to pieces of national legislation and international guidelines such as International Standards Organization (ISO), the and draft digitisation policy developed by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture which takes into consideration the national legislative framework such as the RSA Constitution, the NLSA Act, the Legal Deposit Act, Copyright legislation, and the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). However, the content analysis of these legislation did not mention anything about the handling and management of digital collections. Technologies and equipment used in the digitisation process included high quality scanners, servers and hard drives with software such as Optical Character Recognition, Content document management software and the NLSA website. The challenges uncovered in the study in relation included duplication of digitisation efforts and lack of expertise in digitisation. This study recommends that given the evolution of technology, the NLSA should migrate to a more convenient cloud storage that has a large advantage in case of unlimited storage, and keep up to date with the trends of digitisation technology. Legislation governing the LIS in South Africa also needs amendment to cater for the handling and management of digital collections.
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Thesis (M.A. (Information Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZThe utilisation of electronic databases by postgraduate students in the faculty of humanities at the University of LimpopoDlamini, Tintswalo Fikilehttp://hdl.handle.net/10386/38602022-07-27T01:00:15Z2020-01-01T00:00:00ZThe utilisation of electronic databases by postgraduate students in the faculty of humanities at the University of Limpopo
Dlamini, Tintswalo Fikile
This study examined whether postgraduate students in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Limpopo are aware of, and are using electronic databases optimally to locate information for their academic research. The study employed a quantitative research design through the use of a questionnaire as a data collection method to determine students’ accessibility and levels of awareness of electronic databases; to measure the extent to which they use electronic databases for academic research; to assess the form of training which they attended on the use of electronic databases; to identify factors that determine their usage and non-usage of electronic databases; and to establish challenges that they encounter in using electronic databases. The accidental sampling method was used to select the participants.
The study found that most participants are aware of the existence of electronic databases. Even if they indicated to have used some of these databases at UL library, it appears that they are referring to Google and Google Scholar. This is despite the fact that the majority of them showed to have attended some sort of training on the use of electronic databases. Factors that influence their choice and use of specific electronic databases include familiarity, unlimited access, multidisciplinary as well as their capabilities. Problems and challenges encountered in the use of electronic databases are related to remote access. It becomes difficult for them to access these databases when they are not on campus. Lack of knowledge and skills to search these electronic databases effectively hindered their optimal usage. Other problems identified by postgraduate students include: slow internet connectivity; inadequately networked computers; lack of access to low-cost printing facilities in the library; inability to use advanced search strategies on most databases; and a lack of awareness of most e-resources. It is recommended that studies of this nature should be conducted in other faculties so that the library should identify electronic databases that are not used and to consider cancelling subscriptions to unused electronic databases in order to save costs.
Thesis (M. A. (Information Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020
2020-01-01T00:00:00ZUtilisation of reference management software by postgraduate students in the faculty of humanities at the University of Limpopo, South AfricaMotlhake, Thondo Morotola Johannahttp://hdl.handle.net/10386/38332022-06-28T01:00:15Z2021-01-01T00:00:00ZUtilisation of reference management software by postgraduate students in the faculty of humanities at the University of Limpopo, South Africa
Motlhake, Thondo Morotola Johanna
The study investigated the awareness towards the and utilisation of Reference Management Software (RMS) by postgraduate students in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Limpopo, South Africa. The aim of the study was to examine the awareness and usage of RMS among postgraduate students in the Faculty of Humanities. The study sought to fulfil the following objectives, namely: to describe the types of RMS available for use in university libraries; to determine awareness of RMS by postgraduate students in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Limpopo; to measure the extent to which postgraduate students in this faculty use RMS when writing academic papers; to identify the purposes for which the postgraduate students use RMS; and to identify postgraduate students’ perceptions regarding the use of RMS Quantitative research orientation though a survey research design were adopted in the study. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 320 respondents and a total number of 244 questionnaires were returned and a response rate of 76% was achieved.
The findings of the study show that most of the respondents (59%) were aware of the RMS. Most of the postgraduate students became familiar with the software through attending library training. However, the study found that the usage of RMS was low as 45% postgraduate students indicated that they have used RMS before whilst, 55% indicated that they have never used the RMS before. RefWorks remains the most popular used software among postgraduate students. Most of the respondents’ reason for using RMS amongst others was because they have received training, and some mentioned the fact that it was the only RMS they were familiar with. The study also found that the respondents use RMS to cite sources for assignments, research and papers, as well as to create reference list and collect and organise citations. The study revealed that the respondents like RMS because it assists and improves referencing.
The study recommends for an intensified library training by academic librarians so that students should know advanced features of the RMS.
Thesis (M. A. (Information Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021
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