A group of the academic library’s vast untapped clientele to whom more attention is now being paid is persons with disability. Drawing from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ checklist on what constitutes disability-friendly libraries, this study sought to ascertain if academic libraries in the Upper East Region of Ghana have made provisions for persons with disability. The research adopted a qualitative approach. The data used for the analysis is drawn from interviews with respondents, the majority of whom were visually or mobility-impaired, who were purposively selected from 11 tertiary institutions. The findings reveal that academic libraries in the Upper East Region have yet to implement the stipulated regulations of the ratified Persons with Disability Act of Ghana. The majority of libraries are inaccessible to persons with disability beyond the main entrance of the libraries. The biggest challenge is the absence of diverse media information for persons with visual and hearing impairments. Also, the findings reveal that library staff lack adequate knowledge of issues relating to persons with disability and their right to access information. The study highlights the challenges which hinder persons with disability from accessing quality information from libraries. The study, therefore, recommends that relevant state institutions be empowered to implement the ratified Persons with Disability Act in Ghana and increase education among stakeholders on the need to improve access to information for persons with disability. Also, there should be increased investment and allocation of funds to libraries to provide for the information needs of persons with disability.
The study explored perceptions on the usage of Turnitin Plagiarism checking software among the staff of Koforidua Technical University (KTU) in Ghana. The research sought to explore the associations between the independent variables (Attitude and Perception, Perceived Challenges and Readiness to Use) and the dependent variable (System Usage) of the Turnitin Software among the staff of KTU. The survey adopted the quantitative research approach. Google forms were used to design questionnaires and mailed to the participants. The response rate valid for analysis was 98.7%, against a sample size of 309 participants. SmartPLS3 software was used to explore the data extracted from google forms. The results of the convergent, discriminant validity calculation were all within the satisfactory threshold. Four hypothetical statements were tested, three of them showed significant association with the independent variables (Attitude and Perception, Perceived Challenges and Readiness to Use) and dependent variable (System Usage) except System Awareness which was not supported and rejected. The proposed model explained 66.7% invariance of the System Usage (Turnitin Software). The study recommends continuous dissemination of information about the availability of the Turnitin Software in the University.
Citation: Asante, E., Baayel, P., Adjei, B., K.W., and Owusu-Acheaw, M. (2021). Perception of Turnitin: Checking Plagiarism among Staff at Koforidua Technical University (KTU), Ghana.
International Journal of Technology and Management Research (IJTMR), Vol. 6 (1): Pp.116-128.
Received: March 20, 2021Accepted: September 1, 202
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