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Need assessment for the deployment of an Institutional Repository at Mzumbe University
(DRPS - Mzumbe University, 2011) Kuzilwa, M.; Bea, G.; Mosha, G.; Ghasia, M
This study focused on understanding the need for establishing an Institutional Repository (IR) at Mzumbe University from the readers’ perspective. The study used a sample of 222 respondents comprising staff and students drawn from Mzumbe University's Main Campus, Dar es salaam Campus College (DCC) and Mbeya Campus College (MCC). The sample was selected using the purposive sampling procedure for the explicit purpose of obtaining information from the two main groups of respondents, that is, males and females. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analysed using the content analysis procedure and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and results were presented in tables and figures showing descriptive statistics, mainly frequencies and percentages. The findings indicated that the majority of Mzumbe University readers (96%) support the establishment of an IR. This is due to some of the perceived benefits to be gained, such as increased and wider access to information needed for teaching and learning, as well as increased visibility of Mzumbe University research output that would be useful for the prestige of authors and the University.
Business information needs and seeking behaviour of tie and dye small and medium scale entrepreneurs (SMSEs)
(Journal Article in Interdisciplinary Studies on Information Technology and Business (ISITB), 2013) Siyao, P. O.; Mosha G. E.; Ochieng, L.M
This study investigates the business information needs and seeking behaviour of tie and dye SMSEs in Ilala and Kinondoni Districts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It comprised a sample of 50 respondents who were largely 41(82%) females and only 9(18%) males. It used a cross-sectional design for both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The data were collected by using structured questionnaires, and face –to –face interviews. The ones collected through questionnaires were summarised and analysed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel Spread sheet. Data from the in-depth interview were analysed using content analysis. The key findings of the study indicate that: firstly tie and dye SMSE members prefer to seek information through radios, printed materials, television, mobile and landline phones, friends, relatives, neighbours, business leaders, and by consulting the experienced SMSEs so as to share information. Secondly, the mostly needed tie and dye information includes market situation, credit availability from financial institutions, information on business risks, sources of raw materials, and information on external market opportunities. Thirdly, the study identified challenges facing the tie and dye SMSEs in seeking for information. The challenges were: excessive cost of accessing information, format and language problems, lack of knowledge and skills on how to seek information and inaccessible information sources such as libraries and information centers. The study recommends the presence of accessible libraries and information centers containing relevant and simple information materials written in well understood languages on tie and dye business.
Business information needs and seeking behavior of tie and dye Small and Medium scale Entrepreneurs (SMSEs)
(Journal Article in Interdisciplinary Studies on Information Technology and Business (ISITB, 2013) Peter, Siyao; Mosha, Goodluck E.; Ochieng, Lucy Mathoro.
This study investigates the business information needs and seeking behavior of tie and dye SMSEs in Ilala and Kinondoni Districts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It comprised a sample of 50 respondents who were largely 41(82%) females and only 9(18%) males. It used a cross-sectional design for both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The data were collected by using structured questionnaires, and face –to –face interviews. The ones collected through questionnaires were summarized and analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel Spread sheet. Data from the in-depth interview were analyzed using content analysis. The key findings of the study indicate that: firstly tie and dye SMSE members prefer to seek information through radios, printed materials, television, mobile and landline phones, friends, relatives, neighbors, business leaders, and by consulting the experienced SMSEs so as to share information. Secondly, the mostly needed tie and dye information includes market situation, credit availability from financial institutions, information on business risks, sources of raw materials, and information on external market opportunities. Thirdly, the study identified challenges facing the tie and dye SMSEs in seeking for information. The challenges were: excessive cost of accessing information, format and language problems, lack of knowledge and skills on how to seek information and inaccessible information sources such as libraries and information centers. The study recommends the presence of accessible libraries and information centers containing relevant and simple information materials written in well understood languages on tie and dye business.
Library cataloguing and classification: A study text for beginners
(Mzumbe University, 2013) Mosha, Goodluck E.; George, Bea, K.
Library cataloguing and classification is a core activity in any library that needs to be known by both practitioners and students pursuing programmes in library and information science. This book on library cataloguing and classification: a study text for beginners was written specifically to cater for various librarianship and information science courses that are being established in Tanzania. So far (10) academic institutions in Tanzania have established programmes in library and information sciences, these include the Moshi University of Cooperative and Business Studies (MUCoBS), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), School of Library Archives and Documentation Studies (SLADS), Ruaha University College (RUKO), Tumaini University Dar es Salaam College (TUDARCo, Jordan University College (JUC), University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Teofilo Kisanji University (TEKU), the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) and Mzumbe University (MU) which is expecting to launch certificate and degree courses in Library and Information Management in the academic year 2013/2014. The fundamental goal that prompted authors to write this book is that currently there are few books on cataloguing and classification written by Tanzanian scholars. This book written by indigenous Tanzanian scholars will undoubtedly provide readers with African scholars' experiences in cataloguing and classifying library materials. It will therefore, provide students pursuing programmes in library and information sciences with the basic competencies necessary to: understand different classification schemes and their origins, the role of library classification with its elements in the organisation of knowledge, principles and theories of cataloguing, cataloguing of print materials and automation of library materials. Another objective of preparing this book is to enable institutions providing library and information sciences programmes to get books for their courses within Tanzania. The authors believe it is only through writing books that Tanzanians can catch up with the world and break away from over-dependency on imported textbooks from developed countries at such great expense. The desire for achievement of academic recognition is another impetus that pushed the authors to complete this work. The idea of writing this book evolved from the author's working experiences as a cataloguer in the Department of Library and Technical Services before being appointed as head of the same department in different periods between 2003-2013. Their experiences in dealing with the cataloguing and classification of varied reading materials have prompted the need to consolidate the knowledge gained into a book that can provide academic staff and students a better understanding of how to organise knowledge in both libraries and information centres within and beyond our country. A general attempt has been made by the authors to keep the language and style of writing clear, direct, and simple to readers.
A framework for enhancing adoption of e-tax service in Tanzania
(Makerere University, 2014) Deogratus, Daniel
Electronic tax service has proved to facilitate easy communication between clients and the authority in the aspect of helping the clients to have access to the service without time and location boundaries, it is the fact that adoption of electronic tax service in most of developing countries remain poor. As a result of this e-tax service in place are marked with limitations such as technological barriers, low utilization of services, poor electronic service provision, poor customer support. A major contributor to the low adoption rates for e-tax services is the lack of appropriate models to explain e-tax adoption in the Revenue authority. This study aimed to e-tax develop a model that support electronic tax services adoption in Tanzania Revenue authority to fully utilize potential benefits of electronic tax service. A questionnaire based exploratory field study was administered to taxpayers and administrators working with Tanzania Revenue authority. Out of a total of 300 respondents who were given questionnaires, 267 respondents returned validly filled questionnaires showing a response rate of 89%. The factors obtained from the results of the field study were used to extend TOE framework in order to derive a appropriate model that explains the adoption of electronic tax service in Tanzanian context. To validate the model, expert opinions were compared with the results of the field study. The validated results showed that four factors namely: Financial institution participation, Trust, electronic payment systems availability and Training had significantly impact on adopting electronic tax services in Tanzania. These factors could be used as measures to overcome the challenges of e-tax adoption in Developing countries like Tanzania. The results also contribute to electronic tax literature by providing a model for improved understanding of the factors that are vital for the electronic tax adoption. The model is generic and can be adopted for use by other economically and technologically transitioning countries with similar contexts as Tanzania.
Reaching all through open and distance learning in Tanzania
(International journal of African and Asian studies, 2015) Mwilongo, Kardo Joseph
The rapid development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the move towards more knowledge-intensive, interdependent and internationalized societies create new challenges and opportunities for the design and delivery of distance education. There are three reasons for disseminating distance education to all societies; vis-à-vis geographical isolation, social isolation and disadvantaged groups. The emergence of the internet and related networks like the World Wide Web and Web 2.0, have had and will increasingly have radical effect on the transformation of education and training in all sectors. The use of innovative teaching and learning methods helps to sustain student’s interest and make the learning process more productive and interesting. The techniques that can be adopted are: the use of internet through which different search engines and subject based information gateways can be used to supplement teaching/learning resources; computer assisted learning and web-based learning which includes virtual laboratories, discussion forum, chat, audiovisual presentation, noodling and tutorials. The Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and its education agencies have to review the curriculum and establish centers at district, municipal or at ward level through which open and distance learning can be accessed by the majority. Also, they have the role of ensuring that the facilities used for the programme are user-friendly to learners and particularly those with physical disabilities. However, quality assurance unit incorporating curriculum developers needs to be in place for monitoring and evaluation of the resources, ICT facilities, courses and programmes offered and the learning content, the staff, technology, learning methods and services.
Impact of information technology in banking innovations: A case of Azania bank limited Tegeta- Dar es Salaam
(International journal of scientific and research publications, 2015) Kotoroi, Gladness
Innovation is broadly seen as an essential component of competitiveness, embedded in the organizational structures, processes, products, and services within a firm. The objective of this paper is to explore the impacts of technological innovation to the performance, in banking industry. The study was conducted in Dar es Salaam using Azania Bank Ltd at Tegeta branch as a case study. The population of the study included all Azania staff and its costumes the sample size of 58 respondents was drawn randomly from the entire population. Primary and secondary data were collected using interview, and observation The qualitative data were content analyzed while quantitative data were analysis’ numerically, analyzed. Results of this study reveal that ICT has impacted positively on banking performance. It is also observed that market performance indicators’ such as net income and market share are supported by innovation types performed. The researcher suggests that banks should continue to employ farther technological innovation in “back-office” technologies, as well as to “front-office” technologies in order to improve their performance and increase customer satisfaction. The research also suggests that organizational research should be done before the implementation of any new technological application as well as periodical evaluation must be done after the implementation to ensure progressively market performance. The findings provided by this research have significant implications for the commercial applications when designing marketing strategies to improve business performance in banking industry. Having a clear understanding of the exact nature of innovations will help banks to prioritize their market, services and technology strategies, to be followed by appropriate subsequent action plan
Address cancer awareness among rural women: A case study of Morogoro rural district
(International journal of scientific and research publications, 2015) Kotoroi, Gladness
The paper aims at establishing strategies for improving access to, and use of information on cancer by women in Morogoro Rural District for addressing cancer. Specific objectives were to: assess the status of cancer awareness among women in Morogoro Rural District, identify challenges encountered by rural women when accessing information on cancer and to recommend strategies that will enhance dissemination and use of information on cancer. Social survey method was used for conducting this study. The data were collected from a total of 100 respondents through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and observations. The respondents were drawn from four villages of two wards of the study area. The findings revealed that cancer is still not well known by rural women. The findings indicated that rural women faced many challenges on access and use information on cancer. They had limited access to information on cancer namely: unawareness about cancer disease, levels of illiteracy, lack of time, limited sources of information, and unavailability of proper places at which information could be accessed The study recommended that in order to deal with the problem of illiteracy adult education programme should be organized. On the other hand the study recommends that several media be used for disseminating information so that information can be accessed conveniently by different stakeholders according to their preferences. On top of that, health workers in collaboration with other stakeholders, should be encouraged to diversify ways of disseminating health information. The government should also set aside budget for dissemination of information on cancer as is the case for other diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS.
Academic libraries in four Sub-Saharan Africa countries and their role in propagating open science
(International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), 2017) Siyao, P.O.; Whong, M.F.; Martin-Yeboah, E.; Namamonde,A
The study aims at examining libraries in four Sub-Saharan Africa countries and their role in propagating open science. It also seeks to explore existing open science practices, ascertain the level of participation of academic libraries in open science activities, identify the strategies used in marketing open science platforms and enumerate the challenges hindering the success of open science in the selected countries. The study was guided by the qualitative school of thought where the researcher builds a complex, holistic picture, analyses words, and reports detailed views of informants, and conducts the study in a natural setting. The study employed the multiple case study research design approach to assess how academic libraries in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda promote open science. The findings show that there are few scholarly journals which exist in open access for most African academies in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. Though not massively adopted, open access institutional repositories have been used to preserve and publicize the digital contents in some academic institutions in Africa such as theses, dissertations, administrative and heritage materials, conference proceedings as well as pre-prints and post-print of journal articles. The study recommends the intensification of open science advocacy in academic libraries in Sub- Saharan Africa; institutions should ensure that there is a stable electricity supply as well as reliable internet connectivity, introducing regular training on emerging media technologies to the community members and strengthening the libraries consortium in Sub-Saharan Africa as an enabling platform to share intellectual productivity of their member countries
Analysis of customers' satisfaction with library services at the Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) in Morogoro Region, Tanzania
(University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2018) Bea, George; Musabila, Albogast K.; Deogratus Daniel
This paper analyses customers' satisfaction with the services of the Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) using a mixed-method approach. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using questionnaires and interviews, which were supplemented by document analysis. A total of 72 respondents were selected using simple random and purposive sampling procedures. Data were analysed descriptively and were presented in tables, pie charts and percentages. The expectancy disconfirmation theory with the Four-Level Zone of Tolerance (ZoT) developed by Oliver (1980) guided data analysis in this study. Findings indicate that learning materials and services provided by SNAL are relatively sufficient due to the satisfaction level of the majority of customers being over 50%. This shows that the Library has relevant learning materials which mostly meet users’ needs. However, some respondents showed dissatisfaction with challenges they faced in accessing library resources due to: the poor arrangement of books on shelves made users spend a lot of time searching for materials, lack of adequate security in the Library that made some users’ properties in their bags temporarily kept in the Library being stolen and lack of good customer care practices from some library staff. The study recommends the factors prompting users’ dissatisfaction be addressed so as to regain customers’ satisfaction and loyalty to the Library.
Coverage of climate change information in Tanzanian newspapers
(2018) Siyao, PO.,Sife, AS 2018)
Purpose – This study was conducted to analyse the extent at which Tanzanian newspapers paid attention to climate change information over the period of 10 years between January 2006 and December 2015. Design/methodology/approach – Six Tanzanian newspapers were quantitatively content analysed for frequencies of coverage to climate change information. Findings – The results indicate that of total six Tanzanian newspapers had very few (684; 0.84 per cent) articles on climate change which is an average of 68.4 articles per year. Much attention was given to entertainment (24,331; 30 per cent) followed by miscellaneous (19,413; 24.0 per cent) and advertisements (18,112; 22.3 per cent). The Pearson’s chi-square test indicates that there was a significant difference in x 2 = 21,765, p-value < 2.2e 16 between the level of coverage of climate change articles on other topics in the selected newspapers. Research limitations/implications – Scanning the sampled six newspapers for climate change information and recording the results in the code sheet for the period of 10 years was a tedious and timeconsuming exercise which demanded researchers and coders to be extremely careful. Also it is possible that the sampling strategy used led to missing some data that would have resulted into different conclusions about each newspaper’s coverage on climate change. However, the systematic sampling strategy was applied for a long period, that is, 40 months for each newspaper that increased the reliability and accuracy of the results and conclusions about the overall trends in each newspaper’s coverage of climate change information. Practical implications – These findings imply that, as the disseminators of information, Tanzanian newspapers did not pay adequate attention to climate change issues. The study concludes that contrary to the fact that climate change is among the threatening phenomena in Tanzania that would commensurate a significant attention in the media, the findings of this study indicate that the volume of coverage devoted to climate change by the newspapers in Tanzania is very low and disproportionate to the level of threat. This leaves a question on the Tanzanian newspapers’ dedication to reporting climate change information. It is therefore recommended that newspapers’ media owners, editors and journalists should be environmental nationalistic enough to frequently report climate change information, and the scope of the government-owned newspapers should be revisited to ensure more coverage of climate change information in their publication which can be done by having a section specifically dedicated for climate change issue. Originality/value – This study has therefore contributed to the growing body of analytical research knowledge on the role of newspapers in the dissemination of climate change information in Tanzania. This study has also highlighted the importance of taking into account newspapers coverage of climate change information which can further be used for policy recommendations to improve the climate change information communication system through the use of newspapers and show the credibility of the newspapers in creating awareness of climate change in Tanzania.
Determinants of research Information seeking and usage: A case of postgraduate students at the University of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
(Kenyatta University, 2018) Kotoroi, Gladness
Research information is a variety of information required by a researcher who needs to conduct a scientific inquiry on how to select, formulate and develop a research theme of a subject matter in relation to the identified problem within a well-designed methodological framework (Bailey, 2014). Being an assortment of information, it is obtained from individual needs of the researcher and various information sources embedded within the necessities for new knowledge in order to expand or validate the already known information through the process of research information seeking (RIS). The purpose of this study was to investigate on key determinants of postgraduate students’ research information seeking and usage at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in order establish appropriate ways for exploring research information and how the new knowledge gained in form of research findings can practically be shared and utilized for further developments. The study used a sense-making theory to inform the study. The descriptive research design was used. The study used a target population of 1043 Masters’ students, from which a sample of 115 was drawn using a multi-stage stratified sampling technique. The study was conducted at the University of Dar es Salaam and data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. To ensure reliability and validity, a pilot study was conducted and generated a Cronbach’ Alpha 0.76 which was acceptable. Data were generated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS Version 25). Descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequencies were used for analysis. The study established that the most influential determinant of postgraduate students’ research information seeking (RIS) and use is the research information needs that tend to differ subject to students’ research stage and the problem at hand. It further established that postgraduate students use different information sources where, the likelihood of information sources to be selected and used is determined by perceived accessibility, ease of use, quality and source’ convenience. The study also revealed that most (62%) of students valued e-sources which were the most frequently used, and they were strongly satisfied with the internet source. It further shows that students have no intention to disseminate their research findings at the end of their degree program except for few (28%), who indicated they need to disseminate their research findings. In addition, the study revealed that the students’ research findings’ utilization was triggered by a number of obstructions. The study recommended that the government needs to provide postgraduate degree sponsorship. It also recommended that specific research submission policy should be put in place. A deliberate and transparent process of transferring research-based knowledge in practice should be instituted as well. In addition, the study recommended that there is a need to conduct further research to identify the obstacles to better research policy communication, capacity and willingness to utilize research findings from postgraduate students.
Analysis of customers’ satisfaction with library services at the Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) in Morogoro region in Tanzania
(University of nebrasker, 2018) Bea, George; Musabila, Albogast; Deogratus, Daniel
This paper analyses customers' satisfaction with services of the Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) using a mixed-method approach. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using questionnaire and interviews, which were supplemented by document analysis. A total of 72 respondents were selected using simple random and purposive sampling procedures. Data were analysed descriptively and were presented in tables, pie charts and percentages. The expectancy disconfirmation theory with Four-Level Zone of Tolerance (ZoT) developed by Oliver (1980) guided data analysis in this study. Findings indicate that learning materials and services provided by SNAL are relatively sufficient due to satisfaction level of majority of customers being over 50%. This shows that the Library has relevant learning materials which mostly meet users’ needs. However, some respondents showed dissatisfaction with challenges they faced in accessing library resources due to: poor arrangement of books in shelves that made users to spend a lot of time in searching materials, lack of adequate security in the Library that made some users’ properties in their bags temporarily kept in the Library being stolen and lack of good customer care practices from some library staff. The study recommends the factors prompting users’ dissatisfaction be addressed so as to regain customers’ satisfaction and loyalty to the Library. Key words: Customers/users, satisfaction, dissatisfaction and services. To read a main article, please copy and paste this link (http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1899) in your web browser and click down, or search using its title.
Involvement of library users in collection development of hybrid academic libraries in Tanzania
(International journal of library and information science, 2018) Mwilongo, Kardo
Collection development in any academic library is an on-going process. It is undertaken by librarians and library services staff with inputs from different stakeholders, including the academic and non-academic staff, administrators, and students. The main objective of this paper is to assess the involvement of library users in collection development of hybrid academic libraries in Tanzania. A triangulation approach for data gathering was adopted. Structured and standardized self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 82 respondents who were randomly selected from a population of 301 library professionals and academic staff. Key informant interviews were conducted with four library directors and four ministers of education for students’ organizations to complement the data obtained through the questionnaires. The findings of this study indicate that library users lack information literacy skills and they are rarely involved in selection, evaluation and weeding of library information resources. Based on this ground, it is recommended that academic libraries should establish an academia forum within a library website for sharing information with the academic departments and information users in general in respect to library collection development. Additionally, users should be provided with annual evaluation and weeding forms to comment on quality and usefulness of the resources and data sources available in their respective areas of study and suggest for amendments where necessary.
Prominence of occurrence accorded to climate change information in Tanzanian newspapers
(SAGE- Alexandria: The Journal of National and International Library and Information Issues, 2020) Siyao, P.O.; Sife, A.S.
Study was conducted to analyse degree of prominence that Tanzanian newspapers accorded to climate change information.Weargue that the level of prominence accorded to climate change information by Tanzanian newspapers is inadequate. Prioritising the coverage of climate change information in newspapers is important for facilitating its access, promotion and dissemination for awareness creation. Triangulation of quantitative content analysis and in-depth interview method approaches and a sample size of 1600 newspaper editions drawn from six Tanzanian newspapers for a span of 10 years were used. Newspaper editions were quantitatively content analysed and the frequencies at which climate change information articles were placed at the various parts of the newspapers were analysed. Findings indicate that a total of 81,162 articles were published. Of this total, only 684 (0.84%) articles covered climate change information. Furthermore, findings indicate that, of the total 684 climate change information articles, only 53 (7.6%) were placed in the front pages of the six Tanzanian newspapers for all 10 years, giving a yearly average of 5.3 articles for all newspapers and only 1 article for each newspaper per year, whereas the majority (631, 92.25%) of articles in climate change were randomly placed in the inside pages. The Chi-square test (w2¼10.000; df¼1; p value < 0.002) shows that significant differences exist between the locations of number of articles in front pages and inside pages. The findings suggest that climate change information in Tanzanian
Collection development guiding tools in academic libraries in Tanzania
(Technical services quarterly, 2020) Mwilongo, Kardo Joseph
This study aimed at assessing the application of guiding tools in collection development practices of academic libraries in Tanzania. Data for this study were collected through structured and standardized questionnaires administered to 44 librarians. Face-to-face interview was also conducted with four Library Directors who were purposely selected. The Statistical Package and Service Solution – Version 23 was used to analyze the obtained information. The study revealed that 70.5% of the surveyed academic libraries performed collection development processes without a comprehensive collection development policy. The study recommends on more efforts to develop a comprehensive collection development policy to ensure effective practices.
Collection development practices in academic libraries in Tanzania
(Journal of librarianship and information science, 2020) Mwilongo, Kardo Joseph; Luambano, Ireneus; Lwehabura, Mugyabuso J.F.
The aim of this study was to assess the collection development practices in academic libraries in Tanzania. Specifically, the study examined the collection development practices and factors that influence these practices. The study involved four academic libraries and employed both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. Primary data were collected through informant interviews, observations and questionnaires methods. The study involved 44 library staff who filled in self-administered questionnaires. The study discloses that collection development practices and particularly evaluation and weeding or deselection are rarely conducted at these academic libraries. The findings further reveal that collection development practices in academic libraries in Tanzania are constrained by inadequate funding, lack of skills for hybrid collection management and lack of collection development policy catering for both print- and electronic-based information resources. On the basis of the findings, the study recommends that academic libraries should establish a comprehensive collection development policy and introduce professional development programmes to library staff for efficient management of hybrid collections.
Socio-demographic determinants of access to climate change information among tomato growing farmers in Mvomero district, Tanzania
(2020) Sanga, Evaristo Eliakim; Elia, Emmanuel F
This study investigated tomato farmers’ access to climate information in Mvomero District in Tanzania. This study used mixed approach where both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The study comprised of 60 farmers’ who were systematically randomly selected. Questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs), and in-depth interviews were the methods used in data collection. Quantitative data were analysed by using SPSS while content analysis was used for qualitative data. Key findings show that majority of farmers use radio as a source of climate change information. The study discovered that gender, marital status, age, level of education and income were the socio-demographic factors influencing access to climate change information. The study concludes that socio-demographic factors influence farmers’ adaptation to climate change. The study recommends the establishment of ICT climate change information systems that can provide timely, relevant, and reliable climate change information to farmers. The study also suggests the use of mobile phone technology to reach out a wider population of farmers.
The role of newspapers in the dissemination of climate change information in Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2021) Siyao, Peter Onauphoo
Newspapers make an important communication channel for disseminating many kinds of information. However, there are concerns in many developing countries such as Tanzania that important developmental topics such as climate change are not often given adequate coverage and prominence; instead much attention is paid to topics such as politics, entertainment, crimes, and advertisements. This study established the coverage of climate change information in Tanzanian newspapers for a span of 10 years. Specifically, it sought to determine the frequency of reportage given to climate change information in Tanzanian newspapers, determine the level of prominence given to climate change information by Tanzanian newspapers, establish the sources of information used by newspaper journalists to obtain climate change information, and assess the use of newspapers in accessing climate change information by selected peri-urban newspaper readers in Tanzania. Quantitative data were collected through content analysis and survey whereas qualitative data were collected through key informants interviews. The sample size of the study was 1,600 newspaper editions, 44 newspaper journalists, and 153 peri-urban newspaper readers. Purposive sampling technique was used to select newspapers, regions, and key informants. Snowball sampling technique was used to select peri-urban newspaper readers. Systematic and simple random sampling techniques were used to obtain newspaper editions and journalists. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20 whereas qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. This thesis was developed in paper format. The first paper analysed the level of attention given to climate change information by Tanzanian newspapers. The results indicate that Tanzanian newspapers had very few (684; 0.84%) articles on climate change giving yearly average of 68.4 articles. Chi-square test indicates a significant difference at 5 percent level of significance (χ2 = 21,765, p-value < 2.2e _16) between the level of coverage of climate change articles and that of other topics in the selected newspapers. These findings suggest that Tanzanian newspapers do not pay adequate attention to climate change issues. The second paper analysed the level of prominence given to climate change information by Tanzanian newspapers. The findings indicate that of the 684 climate change information articles published in 10 years, only 53 (7.6%) articles appeared on the front pages of the six Tanzanian newspapers, giving yearly average of five articles for all newspapers and only one article for each newspaper per year. Chi-square test shows a statistical significance at 5 percent level (χ2 = 10.000; p-value<0.002) between placement of articles on the front and inside pages. These findings suggest that climate change information in Tanzanian newspapers is not given the required level of prominence. The third paper assessed information sources used by Tanzanian newspaper journalists to collect climate change information. The findings indicate that 64 percent of climate change experts and 34.1 percent of daily events such as community meetings and other social gatherings were the main sources of climate change information consulted by newspaper journalists in Tanzania. Other sources of information were less consulted. These include libraries and information centres (2.3%); brochures, magazines, and bulletins (5.6%); journals (11.4%), books (14%), and internet websites (22.7%). Challenges such as abiding by journalistic norms to balance news in climate change (91%), low motivation (77.30%), lack of interest in climate change (75%), financial constraints (68.20%), lack of awareness on the available sources of information (63.64%) and limited knowledge on climate change (61.36%) prevented newspaper journalists from seeking and reporting climate change information. The fourth paper assessed the use of newspapers by peri-urban newspaper readers in accessing climate change information. The findings show that newspapers (65%) are important sources used by peri-urban newspaper readers to access climate change information. Peri-urban newspaper readers experienced challenges such as inadequate coverage of climate change information (87%), unreliability of climate change information (84%), low prominence attached to climate change information (82%), cost barriers (78%), inadequate community information centres and public libraries (73%) in peri-urban areas. These were reported as constraints that impeded newspapers from accessing climate change information. In view of the foregoing findings, it is concluded that coverage of climate change information in Tanzanian newspapers is very low. This is reflected by the few number of climate change articles in these newspapers. Similarly, the level of prominence attached to climate change articles is very low. This means that Tanzanian newspapers have not adequately played their role of reporting developmental issues including climate change. Increased coverage of climate change information in Tanzanian newspapers is necessary for the government and general public to direct their efforts to climate change adaptation, coping, and mitigation strategies. Furthermore, newspaper journalists prefer to consult interactive sources to obtain climate change information because they allow a two-way flow of information, they are easily accessible, and they use and provide instant responses. Likewise, climate change information consumers prefer to use newspapers written in Kiswahili which is understood by majority of readers and those which have high news coverage and circulation. The following recommendations are made: (i) Government and private media houses should formulate and introduce clear guidelines and policies of ensuring that the levels of coverage and prominence of developmental issues including climate change information in Tanzanian newspapers are increased. (ii) Government, private newspaper media houses, climate change researchers, organisations involved in the fight against climate change, and journalism colleges should collaborate and devise strategies aimed at building capacity to newspaper editors, journalists, and reporters of dealing with climate change information. This can be achieved by introducing climate change journalism course which will in turn lead to the acquisition of specialised skills and knowledge in writing and reporting evidence based scientific developmental issues findings including climate change in the print media such as newspapers. (iii) Newspaper media houses should overcome barriers that impede coverage and reportage of climate change information. One way of overcoming such barriers include the provision of adequate financial resources to newspaper journalists which will help them acquire necessary resources including ICTs and for meeting other necessary expenses such as travel and accommodation which in turn will enable them to participate in research works for increasing coverage of climate change information in the newspapers. (iv) Climate change information generators such as Tanzania Meteorological Agency should repackage and disseminate reliable climate change forecast that address the needs of the public through popular newspapers with national status. (v) National and local government authorities should provide adequate financial support to public libraries in establishing community information resource centres in peri-urban areas for enabling newspaper readers to access developmental information particularly climate change through Tanzanian newspapers at no or minimal costs.
Developing e-resources utilization strategies for Tanzanian higher learning institutions: A case of Mzumbe University
(Dar es Salaam University Press (DUP), 2021) Mosha, Goodluck E.; Siyao, Peter; Nyakwaka, David O.
This paper aims to examine the development of e-resources utilisation strategies for Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania taking the case of Mzumbe University. Data for this study were collected from three major sources: five Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania (UDSM, SUA, MUHAS, CBE, & NM-AIST), e-resources usage statistics from COTUL subscribed databases for the MU library and views from the MU library users. Usage statistics from COTUL subscribed e-databases provided quantitative data which were supplemented with experiences from five visited HLIs and views from MU internal stakeholder forums. The study outlined the roles and functions of all Mzumbe University organs in promoting and advocating the use of subscribed e-resources. The MU organs ranged from the university management, schools, faculties, and directorates including the library, institutes and the MU students’ organization. Specifically, MU Library was assigned the role of training users, creating online e-resource discussion forums, improving library websites, acquiring e-resources remote access software, promoting and advocating e-resources use, and employing knowledge ambassadors. The study identified challenges encountered in implementing the strategies which include poor ICT infrastructure, shortage of librarians with e-resources skills and interest, the meagre budget allocated to the library, insufficient specialized subject contents from subscribed databases, and poor cooperation between academic staff and the librarians. Since the library renders cross-cutting functions to the University, the task of promoting e-resources usage was recommended to be played by every organ at the University. The University is urged to speed up subscription /acquisition of e-resources remote access tools which will be enhancing e-resources utilization. Additionally, the maximum utilisation of e-resources will be fully achieved by changing the mindset of lecturers and students from relying solely on print to e-resources. This study was not able to extract all usage statistics from the 24 databases at Mzumbe University because some database vendors particularly free databases do not release COUNTER statistics. Based on the findings of this study, Mzumbe University Library may: decide and inform COTUL on which e-resource databases to renew; propose measures to improve the usage of e-resources and lay down University-wide e-resource strategies to improve utilization strategies. This paper is based on original usage statistics provided by the e-resource vendors in the COUNTER format and interviews administered to some selected respondents. Related literature has been reviewed and used, and appropriate citations and references have been acknowledged. The paper has been checked through Turnitin plagiarism detecting software.

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