Theses and Dissertations

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/360

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The information-seeking behaviour of economically disadvantaged communities :a case study of the Amsterdam community in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa
(University of Fort Hare, 2014) Obi, Chimezie
This study examined the information – seeking behaviour of members of the economically disadvantaged community of Amsterdam. The study involved both a qualitative and quantitative investigation of the critical factors that affected information – seeking, need, and use in the Amsterdam community. The research design included a study of various information behaviour models with particular emphasis on Wilson’s 1996 general model of information – seeking behaviour. The three factors identified by Wilson for the study of various groups’ information behaviour were personality, work – related or work – role and environmental factors. Information science researchers, in the study of rural communities’ information behaviour, have used these three factors extensively. The data collection was triangulated with the use of survey, observations, and focus group discussions and in – depth interviews. The findings show how the person, in the context of information – seeking and the role-played within a given environment, could determine information needs and use. A person in the context of information – seeking, could be a father, a mother, a group leader, a nurse or a teacher. The main elements are the situation within which a need for information arises, and the person performing a role in an environment situated within the context of information – seeking. Information was found to be a critical commodity for the socio – economic, political, and educational development of any given community. Recommendations were made that could transform the community of Amsterdam, through the provision of sustainable information.
An analysis of the content of information literacy programmes in South African institutions of higher learning : a study of Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare , Eastern cape province
(University of Fort Hare, 2014) Moyo, Mathew
Due to the exponential increase in the volume of information available particularly online, information literacy for students and other information users has become much more important than ever before. Universities as producers and custodians of knowledge are implored to develop appropriate information literacy programmes which satisfy the needs of students at all levels of study. This study investigated the content of information literacy programmes in South African Institutions of Higher Learning, paying special attention to Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare. Both Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare offered information literacy to students particularly at the entry level. The main aim of this study was to analyze the content of information literacy programmes and their contribution to students‟ success. Seized with this broad aim, the study sought to fulfill the following objectives: to find out aspects of and instruction methods which are covered in the information literacy programmes at both Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare, to find out standards of information literacy which are used at both Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare, to determine perceptions of students on the contribution of information literacy instruction to superior academic performance, to establish the impact of Information Communication Technologies on the provision of information literacy at Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare; and, to identify constraints which impinge on information literacy instruction best practices and suggest content that may inform policy formulation on information literacy programmes in South African institutions of higher learning.
The role of indigenous knowledge in agriculture and environmental conservation : the case of Gutu District, Zimbabwe
(University of Fort Hare, 2014) Wutete, Obert
Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is an emerging area of study that focuses on a community’s ways of knowing, seeing and thinking, developed over a long period of time. The knowledge is passed down orally from one generation to the other. Therefore, this study highlights a number of important factors that are associated with the use of IK in rural communities such as Gutu district. The major importance of IK include the following: it reduces costs through the use of locally available resources, acts as the basis of local-level decision making, is familiar and acceptable to the communities in which the knowledge exists and also that IK helps communities to develop their own sources of livelihoods. The objectives of the study were; to identify the types of IK peculiar to agriculture practices and the conservation of the environment within Gutu district; establish the challenges confronting IK utilization in communities; identify the constraints affecting the sharing, transfer and preservation of IK; determine the measures which should be adopted in order to promote the appreciation and value placed on IK in agriculture practices and the conservation of the environment; and to propose recommendations on how IK should be utilized for sustainable livelihoods in agriculture and environmental conservation in Gutu district and other rural communities.
The role of academic libraries in South Africa in the promotion of copyright amongst users : a case study of the University of Fort Hare Library (Alice Campus)
(2016) Mzayiya, Zintle
The study aims to investigate the role of academic libraries in South Africa in the promotion of copyrights among users at the University of Fort Hare library (Alice campus). The objectives of the study were to determine possible factors that may lead to copyright infringement in academic libraries; to determine users’ awareness of copyright infringement to ascertain which efforts are made to promote copyright at the University of Fort Hare library; and to identify the challenges faced by users in abiding by copyright requirements. The study was undertaken at the University of Fort Hare library, Alice campus. It used purposive and random sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed using content analysis for qualitative data and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for quantitative data. The findings of the study have shown that the University of Fort Hare library abides by the Copyright Policy Act 68 of 1978 and available literature on issues related to copyright, as made apparent by library officials who indicated that they monitor their printing and photocopying services. It is therefore recommended that the University of Fort Hare library offer information literacy programmes and subscribe to a blanket license regulated by the Dramatic Artistic and Literacy Rights Organization in order to control copyright. Further, the Information Literacy Programme offered to users is not effective enough to assist them to understand and be able to control copyright. This study recommends that the University of Fort Hare library strengthen its current information literacy programme with a view to control copyright. It also recommends that academic libraries integrate copyright into their academic writing framework, in which clear instructions about issues related to copyright will be provided.
An exploration of knowledge sharing as a means of improving municipal governance in selected Limpopo municipalities.
(University of Fort Hare, 2016) Dikotla Maoka Andries
The aim of this study was to underscore the role of knowledge sharing in improving the municipal governance in the local government sector of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to find out the kind of knowledge management programmes which are in place in the municipalities of Limpopo Province; establish the extent to which municipalities in Limpopo encourage knowledge sharing for improvement of municipal governance; determine factors which affect knowledge sharing among employees of municipalities of Limpopo Province, and propose recommendations and strategies on how to optimally share knowledge in Limpopo municipalities. The nature of this study warranted the use of two research paradigms, namely positivist and interpretivist approaches. The study employed an integrated research method which covered both the qualitative and quantitative approach. In collecting data, data instruments were triangulated. In this regard, the researcher mostly used a questionnaire with little employment of interviews and observation. The researcher sampled 438 employees and 21 managers from the selected municipalities. Quantitative data was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings of the study are the following: poor knowledge management programmes in Limpopo municipalities, knowledge sharing among the employees and across the municipalities is not encouraged, knowledge sharing in Limpopo municipalities is affected by both individual and organisational barriers and under-utilisation of information communication technology tools to support knowledge management programmes and practices. Comparatively, the findings of this study to a large extent support what has been recorded in literature. However, the study contradicts a typical mind set of many people that “knowledge is power” and cannot be shared freely. The study recommended to Limpopo municipalities to develop Knowledge sharing strategies that need to be linked to municipal strategic plans; involvement of top management in knowledge management activities; development of knowledge-friendly culture and utilisation of information communication technology tools in support of knowledge sharing. Some recommendations for further study were also provided. Among others, the study recommended that a study on the use of incentive systems as a means of encouraging knowledge sharing be conducted in selected municipalities. This was because studies on the use of incentive systems for motivating knowledge sharing yielded contradictory findings in many organisations.
The use of Internet-based information sources by postgraduate students: a survey of three universities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
(University of Fort Hare, 2012) Mbasera, Sarlomie Farisai
The study investigated the use of Internet-based information sources by postgraduate students at three universities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The main aim of the study was to determine the factors that affect the use of Internet-based information sources by postgraduate students. The study sought to fulfil the following objectives: to determine factors which affect the use of Internet-based information sources by postgraduate students at the three universities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa; to establish the Internet-based information sources available among universities in Eastern Cape; to identify the pattern of postgraduate students’ use of Internet-based information sources; to find out the level of postgraduate satisfaction with Internet-based information sources available for their information needs, and to suggest ways of stimulating the use of Internet-based information sources by postgraduate students at universities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A review of the literature revealed a growing reliance on electronic resources by higher education institutions worldwide to suffice the information needs of academic researchers and that usage of these is influenced by various factors. The factors identified in the reviewed literature as affecting the use of Internet-based information sources among students include: academic discipline affiliation, age, level of study, gender, information and communications technology (ICT) literacy, institutional support, relevance of available information resources, accessibility, marketing and publicity of information sources available, and training. The researcher employed a survey research methodology to achieve the study objectives, through data collection on three fronts. Firstly to investigate the factors that affect the use of Internet-based information sources from the perspectives of postgraduate students, self-administered questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 200 study participants obtained using quota sampling of the population of students from the three universities. A response rate of 66.5% was achieved. Secondly, data on the organisational factors influencing the use of Internet-based information sources were obtained by conducting semi-structured interviews with selected librarians at the three universities. Lastly, documentary analysis was also used to corroborate data obtained from the survey with postgraduate study participants, as well as from interviews with selected librarians. The findings include that the use of Internet-based information sources is increasingly becoming important for postgraduate students at the selected universities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Postgraduate students believe that Internet-based information sources are useful in their academic work. There was moderate use of subscription e-databases and e-journals. Level of study and age were found to affect the use of Internet-based information sources, with older, Masters and PhD students utilising e-databases and e-journals more frequently. Postgraduate students predominantly use search engines to gain access to Internet-based information sources, while Online Public Access Catalogues (OPACs) and library websites were unpopular gateways to Internet-based information sources. Universities in the Eastern Cape were found to be supportive of the use of Internet-based information sources with budgets of libraries and future plans tipped in favour of electronic resource provision. From the findings of the study the key recommendations suggested for improving the use of Internet-based information sources by postgraduate students in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, include that Information literacy training programmes at the three universities may be tailor-made to cater for the information needs of postgraduate students at varying levels and academic disciplines of study. It was also recommended that the universities incorporate the use of federated searching and searchable journals management software on their library websites, in order to increase the visibility of Internet-based information sources among postgraduate students.
An evaluation of the effectiveness of public libraries in providing information to school children: a case study of the Queenstown Public Library, Eastern Cape Province.
(University of Fort Hare, 2016) Ndlovu, Sheron- Mabusa
This study took the form of an evaluative study of the effectiveness of public libraries as a means of providing information to school children, and was conducted at the Queenstown Public Library in the province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The research endeavoured to evaluate the effectiveness of public libraries in the role which they play to provide information to school children, despite the widespread belief that the role of libraries is now being replaced by Information and Communication Technologies, or ICTs. This study is also significant for the factors which contribute towards school children being prevented from receiving the full range of benefits which libraries have to offer and the recommendations which it makes to improve the effectiveness of the role played by libraries in this respect. The study could also be of benefit to the staff of libraries, as it could serve to inform them with respect to what needs to be done in order to improve the ways in which libraries make information available to school children. In this respect the research could also provide valuable insights into the strategies which need to be developed and adopted in order to make public libraries more effective providers of various types and forms of information to school children. It is to be hoped that the study will also make a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge concerning public libraries as a means of providing information to school children. It is the fervent wish of this researcher to make a credible and articulate case for the great value which public libraries have for school children, despite the fact that general perceptions no longer accord libraries the value which they were once commonly held to possess. The objectives of the study were: • To determine the needs of school children with respect to information. • To determine the extent to which public libraries in the province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa are effective providers of information to school children. • To establish the uses to which school children put the information which they seek. • To evaluate the relevance of the information which is available in public libraries to school children and to suggest how public libraries in the Eastern Cape may become more effective providers of relevant information to school children. The research method employed to collect data for this study took the form of a survey. Questionnaires were distributed and interviews and observations were also used to collect data. The principal findings generated the overall conclusion that although public libraries play an important role in providing information to school children, a number of challenges and problems need to be overcome to enable them to become highly effective providers of information to this very important sector of the population. The recommendations which are given on the basis of the conclusions of the study are that libraries need to improve their existing ICT equipment and also to purchase new ICT equipment for school children to use and to appoint librarians who are wholly dedicated to attending to the needs of school children. In addition, it is recommended that the municipalities and the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation should hold frequent meetings in order to attend to existing shortcomings on the part of the libraries within a short space of time, as they are the main units or departments responsible for the public libraries. It is also recommended that reading clubs for school children should be formed to enable them to improve their reading skills and their comprehension of written material. Apart from providing children with an opportunity to improve their reading capabilities, an initiative of this sort would also enable them to develop the ability to make effective use of the library, which would stimulate their interest in a range of subjects, make them more receptive to what they are taught at school and prepare them well for tertiary education.
The effect of converted buildings on the management of records and archives: A case study of Eastern Cape Provincial Archives, South Africa.
(University of Fort Hare, 2014) Feni-Fete, Vuyolwethu Ethel
The study sought to investigate the effect of converted archives buildings on the management of records and archives in South Africa, focusing on the Eastern Cape Provincial archives. The objectives of the study were to: find out the nature of archives buildings in the Eastern Cape Province; find out if the archives buildings comply with the legal and regulatory framework of records and archives management; evaluate if the archive buildings have space for extension; establish if there is appropriate space for various archival functions; find out if the archives buildings are accessible to current and potential users; determine if there is an adequate storage accommodation; determine if there are preservation measures in place to safeguard the collection; determine the security of the storage facilities; and identify challenges of the current provincial archives buildings to the management of records and archives. This was a case study which adopted both the qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The researcher followed a rigorous methodological path that began with a thorough literature review and the careful and thoughtful posing of research questions and objectives. A sample was purposively chosen where Eastern Cape Provincial Archives senior staff members were interviewed using in-depth face-to-face structured interviews. Observations and document analysis were also used as instruments of collecting data for the study. Collected data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 21 (SPSS 21) and Microsoft Excel 2010. The study found that all Eastern Cape Provincial Archives are housed in converted buildings. It also indicated that scholars, historians and general South Africans are disadvantaged because the Eastern Cape Provincial Archives have been less carefully preserved. There is a space crisis, with current space already filled to overflowing. The study also revealed that there is a lack of proper environmental control as a result the records and archives of the Eastern Cape Province are exposed to all elements of destruction. From the findings, it is recommended that: The national archives should commit resources into the provincial management of records and archive, archives practitioners to be educated on how the building could assist in making the management of records and archives a possibility, for the revision of legal framework to include specification for housing of archives.
The management of court records in Magistrate Court: A case of Middledrift Magistrate Court, Eastern Cape.
(University of Fort Hare, 2014) Mafu, Ntombizandile Victoria
This study investigates the role of records management in the functioning of Magistrates courts in the Eastern Cape using Middledrift Magistrate court as a case study. The objectives were to determine types of records created, received and used at MMC, to describe the available infrastructure, security and preservation for the management of court records in MMC and to identify the obstacles encountered in management of court records at MMC. Forty respondents selected randomly and purposively were interviewed. The research findings showed that MMC creates, receives and maintains many court records, MMC is aware of the importance of managing court records from their creation to disposal, there are storages for semi- current and non-current records although there is lack infrastructure for managing court records. The study also revealed that there were occasional misplacement of court records, there was no case file tracking system and the security of records was satisfactory. This study recommends that MCC must have adequate storage space, training for the personnel and security systems to protect court records.
Management of medical records for healthcare service delivery at the Victoria public hospital in the Eastern Cape Province: South Africa
(University of Fort Hare, 2015) Mathebeni- Bokwe, Pyrene
The study sought to investigate the management of medical records for healthcare service at the Victoria Public Hospital in the Eastern Cape Province. The objectives of the study were to describe the present records management practices in Victoria Hospital; find out the existing infrastructure for the management of patient medical records at the Victoria Hospital; determine the compliance of patient medical records management in Victoria Hospital with relevant national legislative and regulatory framework; find out the security of patient medical records at the Victoria Hospital. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed. The sample was drawn from the service providers and from the healthcare service users. Questionnaires, interviews and observation were used to collect data. The findings showed that Victoria Hospital uses manual records management system in the creation, maintenance and usage of records. In the findings, there were challenges related to misfiling and missing patient folders which sometimes lead to the creation of new patient folders. Also, the study discovered that the time spent in the retrieval of patient folders could negatively affect the timely delivery of healthcare services. The study recommended the adoption of electronic records management system as most public healthcare institutions in the country are rapidly shifting to electronic records management system. The use of electronic records management system is believed to be efficiently and effectively promoting easy accessibility, retrieval of patient medical records and allows easy communication amongst the healthcare service institutions and healthcare practitioners.

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