Study towards Adoption of Research Data Management Services in Zanzibar Academic Libraries

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the mechanism towards adoption of research data management in Zanzibar academic libraries. The study used a cross-sectional design whereby qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data. Survey-based questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data and interviews were undertaken to collect qualitative data. Forty (40) information professionals and twelve (12) IT technicians were selected through non-probability sampling technique under purposive random sampling from a population of 45 librarians and 16 IT technicians from five higher learning institutions in Zanzibar namely the Institute of Public Administration, Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy – Karume Campus, State University of Zanzibar, Sumait University and Zanzibar University. The response rate was 45 (74%). The findings show that ICT services and infrastructure in most of the universities were good, however, many universities face common challenge of low internet bandwidth. This may reduce the effectiveness of research data access among researchers. Findings also show that some academic libraries have started to manage research outputs through institutional repositories; however, none of them implemented research data management. Findings also show the existence of NICTNBB, ZICTIA, COTUL, TERNET and COSTECH can be taken as an opportunity for establishing a national wide dataset. Likewise, the majority of information professionals have limited knowledge about research data management and this was a major challenge facing academic librarians. The study recommends establishing a national discussion on research data management, creating awareness and developing strategies and guidelines on research data management and sharing in academic libraries in Zanzibar -Tanzania.