Adoption of institutional repositories in dissemination of scholarly information in universities in Kenya with reference to united states international university Africa

Abstract

World over universities and colleges are increasingly adopting institutional repositories in order to effectively communicate scholarly output. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of adoption of institutional repositories in dissemination of scholarly information in universities in Kenya with reference to United States International University Africa. Objectives of the study were to: find out factors that influence the adoption of institutional repository at the university, examine the perceptions of users concerning the adoption of institutional repository at the university, assess the extent to which the university management supports the adoption of institutional repository at the university, establish the degree of awareness of availability of institutional repository at the university, determine the strategies applied by the university in relation to use of institutional repository at the university. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods. Stratified random sampling was used to collect data from postgraduate students and academic staff. Purposive sampling was used to collect data from the library staff. The study used structured questionnaires and interview schedule to collect data from 150 graduate students, 25 academic staff and 25 library staff. The study used content analysis to analyze qualitative data for the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to analyze quantitative data collected and represented the same into percentages, pie charts, graphs and tables for better interpretation. Findings from this study revealed that although institutional repositories are very significant in addressing challenges users face in relation to access and use of repository resources, the library staff lacks the necessary skills to manage the repository effectively; findings also revealed that the management has not put up policies with regards to access and use of the repository resources. The study recommends that the library management needs to organize training for the staff to manage the repository effectively; in addition, the library management should come up with policy guidelines to guide users on access and use of the repository resources.