Factors Militating Against Usage of Research and Scholarship Works among Faculty and Students

Abstract

This study sought to explore the factors militating against the usage of research and scholarship works among university faculty and students at the Zimbabwe Open University. The study adopted a multi site case study approach in which two regions of ZOU (Mashonaland East and West) were explored over time through the use of structured interviews, which solicited for information about faculty and studentsusage of research and scholarship works. However, data were reported both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 26 lecturers and 912 students made the total population. All the 26 lecturers were interviewed. A purposive sample of 100 students was drawn from the four faculties of the university and these were also interviewed through the use of assistant interviewers. Despite the availability of research and scholarship works, there seems to be under-utilisation of these because of a number of challenges which include the nature and form of the research and scholarship work, inability to manipulate ICT gadgets by potential users, financial constraints, inadequate internet connectivity and social networking on the internet. In light of these findings, it was recommended that research and scholarship works be available in a more accessible and appropriate nature and form. There should be training in ICT usage to enable access and use of research and scholarship works. Funds should be made available for the acquisition of essential gadgets and social networking on the internet could drastically be reduced so that potential users focus more on research and scholarship work.