Teaching research data management courses in higher learning institutions in Tanzania

Mosha, Neema Florence; Ngulube, Patrick

doi:10.1108/lm-04-2022-0033

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…However, providing short RDM courses was found to be the most effective way of developing RDM skills for both RDM service providers and researchers. Reflecting on formal education to supplement informal training, Mosha and Ngulube (2023) observe that teaching RDM in universities is regarded as an essential component of academic education, including online guides, classroom presentations and workshops. Wiljes and Cimiano (2019, p. 7) also recommend that other universities that consider offering a course on RDM integrate it as an optional module in their degree programs.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research data management competencies of researchers in selected public universities in South Africa

Mthembu,

Ocholla

2024

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PurposeIn today's global and competitive corporate environment characterised by rapidly changing information, knowledge and technology (IKT), researchers must be upskilled in all aspects of research data management (RDM). This study investigates a set of capabilities and competencies required by researchers at selected South African public universities, using the community capability model framework (CCMF) in conjunction with the digital curation centre (DCC) lifecycle model.Design/methodology/approachThe post-positivist paradigm was used in the study, which used both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Case studies, both qualitative and quantitative, were used as research methods. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic rules and regulations, semi-structured interviews with 23 study participants were conducted online via Microsoft Teams to collect qualitative data, and questionnaires were converted into Google Forms and emailed to 30 National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers to collect quantitative data.FindingsParticipating institutions are still in the initial stages of providing RDM services. Most researchers are unaware of how long their institutions retain research data, and they store and backup their research data on personal computers, emails and external storage devices. Data management, research methodology, data curation, metadata skills and technical skills are critically important RDM competency requirements for both staff and researchers. Adequate infrastructure, as well as human resources and capital, are in short supply. There are no specific capacity-building programmes or strategies for developing RDM skills at the moment, and a lack of data curation skills is a major challenge in providing RDM.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study can be applied widely in research, teaching and learning. Furthermore, the research could help shape RDM strategy and policy in South Africa and elsewhere.Originality/valueThe scope, subject matter and application of this study contribute to its originality and novelty.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research data management competencies of researchers in selected public universities in South Africa

Mthembu,

Ocholla

2024

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“…In this regard, there is a need for a close collaboration between libraries and ICTs departments for the implementation of open RDRs in HLIs. Despite the training and workshops guided by libraries and ICTs to ensure academic community members are well informed and are capable on using open RDRs for storing and sharing their research data (Gordon et al, 2015;Van Wyk Johann and Van der Walt, 2020), other activities to ensure proper implementation of open RDRs such as metadata creation and software installation must be conducted in collaboration between libraries and ICTs departments within HLIs (Mosha and Ngulube, 2023;Van Wyk Johann and Van der Walt, 2020). Thus, this study used the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Tanzania as a case study to explore how open RDRs might enhance storage and research data sharing in HLIs.…”

Section: Introduction and Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

The utilisation of open research data repositories for storing and sharing research data in higher learning institutions in Tanzania

Mosha,

Ngulube

2023

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PurposeThe study aims to investigate the utilisation of open research data repositories (RDRs) for storing and sharing research data in higher learning institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania.Design/methodology/approachA survey research design was employed to collect data from postgraduate students at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha, Tanzania. The data were collected and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. A census sampling technique was employed to select the sample size for this study. The quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), whilst the qualitative data were analysed thematically.FindingsLess than half of the respondents were aware of and were using open RDRs, including Zenodo, DataVerse, Dryad, OMERO, GitHub and Mendeley data repositories. More than half of the respondents were not willing to share research data and cited a lack of ownership after storing their research data in most of the open RDRs and data security. HILs need to conduct training on using trusted repositories and motivate postgraduate students to utilise open repositories (ORs). The challenges for underutilisation of open RDRs were a lack of policies governing the storage and sharing of research data and grant constraints.Originality/valueResearch data storage and sharing are of great interest to researchers in HILs to inform them to implement open RDRs to support these researchers. Open RDRs increase visibility within HILs and reduce research data loss, and research works will be cited and used publicly. This paper identifies the potential for additional studies focussed on this area.

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“…Lack of knowledge is one of a barrier to internet usage in learning and teaching (Mosha and Bea, 2014). This is the same situation with mobile broadband, only those who have knowledge of its importance will be willing to pay for and use it.…”

Section: Lack Of Awareness or Low Literacy Ratementioning

confidence: 99%

Broadband last-mile connectivity model for effective bandwidth utilization in rural and urban-underserved areas

Byanyuma¹

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Broadband last-mile connectivity is a necessary access infrastructure to bridge the digital divide which is more pronounced in rural areas and is also a means to drive the utilization of international bandwidth that is available to a country. Rural areas inhabit more than 70% of the population in Tanzania and are characterized with poor basic infrastructure and services such as roads, schools, hospitals, financial and social services. Engagement of rural communities is crucial for economic development. In the beginning of the 20th century and beyond, the major problem was to find a technology that would successfully connect the rural and remote areas cost effectively. At that time the only feasible technology for these areas were satellite and wired technologies, which required huge investment funding to connect the users; especially those in areas that have sparsely distributed population and far away from urban centres. The main objective of this research is to develop a broadband last-mile connectivity model for efficient bandwidth utilization. The study builds on the telecentre model that have since the beginning of the 20th century been introduced to serve the scattered users in the remote, rural and or underserved areas which seemed un attractive for investment. This research reviews the general status of telecommunication services provision in rural areas using Arusha, Tanzania as a case study and proposes the optimized bandwidth Rural Broadband Service Broker (RBSB) model to solve the problem of low utilization of broadband services in rural and urban-underserved areas. The proposed model not only ensures efficient utilization of resource but is also a way to aggregate users at a common centre where knowledge transfer is achieved. The study has employed qualitative and qualitative research methods for the state of art part of the study and scientific design, modelling simulation to develop the optimized bandwidth RBSB model using MATLAB software. The findings show that with proper optimization solution, it is possible to provide services in low income areas to achieve both quality and affordable price through resource sharing and utilizing the unused chunks of bandwidth using Cognitive Networks Analysis. The proposed model eliminates the high dependence on government and donor funding to reach rural areas and hence promise affordable and sustainable service provision. The recommended model requires among others the entities such as the UCSAF to consider this model as a tool to speed up the universal communication access process and hence provide initial/start-up funding, training, technical advice and Monitoring and Evaluation to those who are willing to venture into this business. This is expected to ensure the universal communication access to broadband services in rural and urban-underserved areas is achieved.

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Teaching research data management courses in higher learning institutions in Tanzania

Cited by 7 publications

References 54 publications

Research data management competencies of researchers in selected public universities in South Africa

Research data management competencies of researchers in selected public universities in South Africa

The utilisation of open research data repositories for storing and sharing research data in higher learning institutions in Tanzania

Broadband last-mile connectivity model for effective bandwidth utilization in rural and urban-underserved areas

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