Digital Resource Platforms Available for Teaching and Research in Selected Public Universities in Kenya

Abstract

Digital resource platforms have been recognized as valuable instrument for teaching, learning and research in universities. They allow for broad access, sharing and dissemination of information resulting from the advancements of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). However, users of these digital resource platforms within universities are unable to effectively access and utilize information due to the intricacies of the digital resource platforms as they encounter difficulties with navigation resulting from the mismatch between user expectations and information platforms. This may adversely affect teaching and research output which are core mandates of universities. The main purpose of the study was to examine the types of digital resource platforms available for teaching and research in the selected public universities in Kenya. This study was anchored on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model and the Theory of Information Interchange. The study was based on a pragmatic paradigm where it adopted a mixed method approach. This enabled the research to collect both quantitative and qualitative data that complemented each other in gathering accurate and reliable data. Purposive and census sampling techniques were used to draw respondents from the targeted population. The sample size was 113 respondents comprising 86 academic staff, four university librarians and 23 library staff in charge of digital content. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences was used to analyze quantitative data while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in form of tables, charts and verbatim reports. The findings showed that university libraries provide a few types of digital resource platforms which includes institutional repositories, library OPACs and library websites. Information was available in textual, audio-visual and video while the most common types of digital content were electronic journals, e-books and theses. The study recommended for increase in digital content through collaboration with consortia, signing for access rights and mandatory submission of research publications by members of staff and students to the library