Integration and use of institutional repositories in public universities: the case of the university of Nairobi
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the integration and use of institutional repositories in
public universities with special reference to the University of Nairobi. Objectives of the
study were to; assess the development and implementation process of institutional
repositories in institutions of higher learning, identify institutional factors that influence
integration and use of institutional repositories, examine the perception of institutional
repositories by users, assess the extent to which the university is creating awareness and
popularizing the use of institutional repositories among the clients and identify challenges
faced by users including possible solutions. The study used cross sectional descriptive
survey research design to gather and analyze data which was both qualitative and
quantitative in nature. The study used questionnaires, the interview schedule and
observation guide to collect data. A set of two questionnaires were administered to
students and staff of the Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library while the researcher interacted
with students and staff for direct observation. Data collected was analyzed using both
qualitative and quantitative analysis, and quantitative data was presented using arithmetic
mean, frequency distributions and percentages while qualitative data was collected by use
of open ended questions in the questionnaire, interview schedule and observation guide.
Qualitative data was presented in prose and by verbatim discussion. The study
established that, the institutional repository has not been well integrated to mainstream
information resources of the library while it is pertinent that the institutional repository is
a fundamental source of information, knowledge and communication. The results also
demonstrate that, there is lack of awareness on the part of students and staff, and thus, the
study recommends the need for serious marketing and promotion of the institutional
repository. For further research, the study suggests the integration of different forms of
presentation as it was established that, institutional repositories do not integrate different
forms of presentation such as; graphics, video and sound within the repository to carter
for the whole population of users including those with disabilities.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Description
Thesis