An investigation of the information seeking behaviours of veterinary scientists in Namibia
| dc.contributor.author | Mabhiza, Chenjerai | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2016-04-27T14:53:27Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2016-04-27T14:53:27Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2016 | |
| dc.description | A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Library and Information Sciences | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | Thesis reports findings of an explanatory sequential mixed method research design study that examined information seeking behaviours (ISBs) of veterinarians, laboratory scientists, veterinary hygiene inspectors, animal health and laboratory technicians in Namibia with a view to determine their information needs, information source preferences, familiarity with Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) information systems and Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) library services, respondents` adoption of Internet technologies, and barriers to information-seeking. Understanding respondents` information behaviours is vital in designing suitable information systems and aligning library services with user needs. In phase 1, quantitative data was gathered through surveys from 62 conveniently sampled respondents. Completed questionnaires were coded, and a dataset created using SPSSv20. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data was gathered through semi-structured interviews held with 7 purposively sampled key informants in phase 2. Voice-recorded data was transcribed, then coded, and organised into groups of related themes. Thematic analysis was used to derive meaning out of data. Findings show that, respondents had various information needs: emergency problem solving; laboratory tests and experiments; literature review; preparing for meetings and conferences; continuing professional development; and information on drugs. Informal sources, such as personal notes and colleagues were more popular among respondents, than MAWF libraries, agriculture websites and CD-ROMs. Fewer scientists read scholarly journals and their publications output was low. Time constraints and lack of training in information searching techniques were respondents` major obstacles. Results confirmed previous findings by African scholars: Nweke (1992), Chikonzo and Aina (2001), Sife and Chilimo (2006), and Nel and Fourie (2010). A modified version of Wilson`s (1996) General Information Behaviour model guided the study, and was also used to develop an ISB model exhibiting information seeking patterns of veterinary scientists in Namibia. Study recommends training in information literacy, improving respondents` information skills, optimising usage of agriculture libraries, information repositories, and Internet | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11070/1643 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | University of Namibia | en_US |
| dc.subject | Information seeking behaviours | en_US |
| dc.subject | Veterinary scientists | en_US |
| dc.subject | Namibia | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Agriculture, Research | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Agricultural literature | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Agriculture, Information services | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Agricultural information networks | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Online bibliographic searching | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Electronic information resource searching | |
| dc.title | An investigation of the information seeking behaviours of veterinary scientists in Namibia | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |