Council For Scientific And Industrial Research Research Articles

Infrastructure for the implementation of artificial intelligence to support records management at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa

This study sought to investigate artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure required to manage records at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa. AI algorithms are used to assist robotic machines in performing their functions effectively and efficiently across different disciplines, including archives and records management. Convergent mixed-methods research was conducted, and data were collected using interviews and questionnaires. Data were analysed thematically and statistically and presented in tables and figures. The study revealed that AI infrastructure was a prerequisite for providing high-quality records management services at CSIR. However, the records management practitioners lack the knowledge and skills required to implement AI infrastructure for records management effectively. The study proposes a framework to guide the application of AI by CSIR. The proposed framework will specify the AI infrastructure required and AI application to the management of records at CSIR. It is hoped that the proposed framework will serve as a benchmark and guideline for the implementation of AI in the archives and records management industry.

User perception on the utilisation of artificial intelligence for the management of records at the council for scientific and industrial research

Purpose This study aims to investigate the users’ perception on the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) for the management of records at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa. User perception plays a crucial role in the utilisation of AI for the management of records at the CSIR. It is important to know the views of the users, especially how they think AI can be used for effective and efficient management of records. Design/methodology/approach The convergent mixed methods research was applied, and data was collected using interviews and questionnaires. Data was analysed thematically and statistically and presented using tables and figures. Findings This study reveals that the users were not aware of the application of AI for the management of records until the workshops, which were facilitated by the researcher. The users are of the view that AI can be used to provide efficient storage of records, quick retrieval of records and adequate security. This study further reveals that the CSIR is not yet ready to use AI for the management of records because of the lack of knowledge and resources to implement AI. Originality/value This study also proposes a framework regarding the users’ perception on the utilisation of AI for the management of records at the CSIR. It is hoped that the framework proposed will serve as a benchmark and guideline for user perception regarding the use of AI for the management of records in the archives and records management industry.

Breaking down barriers: standing on the shoulders of Australia’s early female chemists

Women experience numerous forms of discrimination in the workplace, both direct and indirect. Historically, bias against women was institutionalised by organisations and governments to keep women from pursuing long-term careers in science and remain in the home. Although changes to policy have occurred within Australia, societal perceptions around women in science have proven resistant to change, with discrimination continuing even today. Despite the barriers facing them, some women were able to break through and achieve impactful science, proving themselves vital members of the workforce and paving the way for future generations. Herein, we describe four such female chemist trailblazers, Isabel Joy Bear, Enid Plante, Catherine Anne Money and Annabelle Duncan, who each worked at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) or the subsequent Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and helped to shape the face of chemistry in Australia in a male dominated environment.

Genetic Similarity from Collections of Seed for Two Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Cultivars in Ghana

Maintenance of genetic purity of crop cultivars is critical to meet the needs of farmers, processors, and consumers. In Ghana where the informal seed sector is popular (e. g., farmer-saved seed), purity of improved cultivars in the farming community can be compromised. The objective of the study was to assess the genetic purity of farmer-saved seed of two peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars (Shitaochi and Yenyawoso) using molecular marker techniques. Twenty samples of Shitaochi and eight samples of Yenyawoso were collected from farmers across five regions of the country and were compared with seed provided by the research institutes of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Genetic similarity ranged from 43% to 100% when comparing seed collections from farmers to those from research institutes. Only five of the 20 seed samples of Shitaochi (25%) and two of the 8 samples of Yenyawoso (25%) collected from farmers were found to be completely similar to the reference samples provided by CSIR. These results demonstrate the lack of purity among described cultivars in the informal seed sector in Ghana. While diversity between samples of Shitaochi have been reported and would be expected in the informal seed system, the pace at which Yenyawoso has lost genetic purity in a relatively short period of time indicates that a more effective formal seed system is needed to maintain cultivar purity.

Policy framework to apply artificial intelligence for the management of records at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how a policy framework can be applied in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for the management of records at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa. A policy and legal framework enables the records divisions to protect, administer and make their records available in a safe and professional way. Policies play a crucial role in ensuring that records are properly managed.Design/methodology/approachConvergent mixed-methods research was conducted, and data were collected using interviews and questionnaires. Data were analysed thematically and statistically and presented in tables and figures.FindingsThe study reveals that the policy framework should also include the application of AI for the management of records. Therefore, this study further concludes that the CSIR should review their policy framework to ensure the application of AI for the management of records is accommodated.Originality/valueThe study proposed a framework to guide the application of the policy framework in using AI for the management of records at CSIR. It is hoped that the proposed framework will serve as a guideline for the implementation of a policy framework in the utilisation of AI in the archives and records management sector.

Artificial intelligence for the improvement of records management activities at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

This study sought to investigate the usability of artificial intelligence (AI) for the improvement of records management activities at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa. Usability of AI and intelligent robotic machines for the management of records plays a crucial role in ensuring that records management activities are improved and managed effectively and efficiently. However, usability issues are critical in many AI systems, where human intelligence (HI) works with the system to work out and apply results (as with speech system). The convergent mixed methods research approach was applied and data were collected using interviews and questionnaires techniques. A questionnaire was administered to three professional repositories and indexers, two archives’ technicians and one data librarian. Interviews were conducted with one portfolio manager and one records manager. Data were analysed thematically and statistically and presented using tables and figures. AI has the capability to replace records practitioners since it can perform activities performed by records practitioners. This transition can have a negative impact on the usability of AI to improve the records management activities at the CSIR. The study revealed that AI and intelligent robotic machines can be used in the improvement of records management activities and can manage records effectively at the CSIR. The study proposed a framework on the usability of AI for the improvement of records management activities at the CSIR. It is hoped that the framework proposed will serve as a guideline on the usability of AI for the improvement of records management activities in the archives and records management sector.

A pragmatic derivative method to assess the condition of a public health built infrastructure portfolio

The 2006, 2011 and 2017 Report Cards on the condition of built environment fixed infrastructure in South Africa were the product of cooperation between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE). Their purpose has been to draw the attention of government, and of the public at large, to the importance of maintenance, and to factors underlying the condition of public sector infrastructure. One of the ten public infrastructure sectors assessed in all three report cards was the health sector, comprising hospitals and clinics. This paper describes how the collection and analysis for the 2017 infrastructure report card of health sector condition data was conducted. In particular, it describes how, in the absence of a comprehensive reasonably up-to-date database, and the way, without their interrogation and integration in mind, in which available datasets had been compiled, the CSIR formulated a pragmatic derivative method to assess the condition of the public health built infrastructure portfolio.

A comparison between major chemical markers of the cultivated and wild harvested Siphonochilus aethiopicus, African ginger, from Mpumalanga, South Africa, using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Siphonochillus aethiopicus, known as African ginger, is indigenous to South Africa and has multiple traditional uses in health to treat human diseases. The multiple traditional uses of African ginger have exacerbated the over-harvesting of the plant species from the wild for trade on the traditional medicine market. The wild populations of African ginger have almost completely depleted from the wild and a few African ginger cultivation sites have been established in South Africa, to conserve the plant species. The aim of the study was to compare the major chemical markers of the cultivated and wild harvested African ginger from Mpumalanga using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) wild-harvested African ginger dated 2010 was used as a reference sample for comparison purposes. The LC-MS data generated from the ethanol extracts of the cultivated African ginger detected the presence of 4,4a,5,8a,9-tetrahydro-3,5,8a-trimethylnaptho[2,3-b]furan-8. This chemical marker was also detected in the wild harvested African ginger as compared to a previous study, which auto oxidised in the referenced sample over time. This study supports the efforts to conserve African ginger through cultivation for further development in commercialisation.

Generation mean analysis of the key earliness related traits in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

The nature of gene action controlling agronomic traits enables plant breeders to execute a successful crop improvement programme. To elucidate the type of gene action governing the key earliness related traits in cowpea, seven populations of the six basic generations, viz; P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 were developed by crossing three extra-early and three early-to-medium maturing parental lines. Each of the populations were sowed in Randomised Complete Block Design, in the experimental field of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Savana Agricultural Research Institute Manga, Ghana. Observations were made on days to first flower appearance (DFFA) and days to 95% pod maturity (DNPM). The results indicated that the epistatic gene interaction for DFFA in most of the crosses was duplicate epistasis between dominant decreasers. For DNPM, duplicate epistasis between dominant increasers was found. Only Kirkhouse-Benga × CB27 revealed complementary epistasis between dominant decreasers for both traits. Among the significant epistasis terms re-estimated using perfect fit procedure, the χ2 values were not applicable in any of the crosses, indicating the inadequacy of the six-parameter model of digenic epistasis. Therefore, trigenic or other high-order epistasis could be responsible for the inheritance of the traits evaluated. This implies that improvement of earliness in cowpea could be achieved through hybridization method, followed by selection of promising recombinants in later generation, for crosses governed by duplicate epistasis. Complementary epistasis detected for one of the crosses is desirable and would be beneficial in the development of early duration varieties, where selection could be done at early generation. The preponderance of partial-dominance, over-dominance of earliness over late maturity, and significant negative heterosis and heterobeltiosis observed for DFFA and DNPM indicated that the developed of short duration cowpea cultivars would be efficient. The genetics of the three most popular extra-early maturing cowpea genotypes reported in this study could be exploited by breeders to develop extra-early duration varieties.

Seasonal local rainfall and hydrological forecasting for Limpopo communities – A pragmatic approach

This paper describes the development and testing of a simple local seasonal forecast system of rainfall and hydrological conditions. The primary target group is agricultural extension officers who communicate forecasts to small-scale farmers at local level. Two pilot areas within the Limpopo river basin in South Africa were used, one in the Luvuvhu river basin in Vhembe district and the other in the Letaba river basin in Mopani district. Local rainfall and hydrological forecasts of runoff, soil moisture and evapotranspiration were produced, built on readily available deterministic seasonal meteorological forecasts for large-scale rainfall from CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa), produced from an ensemble of seasonal forecasts using the CCAM (Conformal-Cubic Atmospheric Model) global forecast model. Hydrological forecasts were produced through a “proxy” approach, whereby outputs from the ACRU (Agricultural Catchment Research Unit) agrohydrological model provided expected hydrological responses from observed years that are representative of the rainfall anomalies predicted by the global seasonal forecast. Locally monitored soil moisture augmented the hydrological forecasts. The local seasonal forecast system does not require sophisticated calculations or a complex operational environment and complements coarser scale forecasts disseminated by the provincial departments of agriculture. Results of three rainfall seasons from 2013 to 2016 in the pilot areas showed the proxy approach to have relatively good matches between forecasts and available observations, showing better predictability for below normal rainfall seasons with exception for an extreme monthly rainfall event. The forecasts matched observed conditions best during the strong El Niño phase of ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) for 2015/2016.

Ecosystem Services in Southern Africa: Current and Emerging Trends—A Bibliometric Review

The assessment of ecosystem services (ESs) is important for Africa’s sustainability and progress. Healthy ecosystems benefit humans in various forms; however, continuous anthropogenic activities have led to rapid alterations in their compositions, structures and functions worldwide. Due to the lack of understanding on the role of ES assessment in southern Africa, many ES assessment practices and methodologies have been widely debated Thus, a bibliometric analysis of ESs in southern Africa was conducted for the period of 1996–2021, to present the key features of ES assessment practices and methodologies and reveal evolutionary trends in this field. The results showed that in southern Africa, not many ES assessment studies have been published; however, South Africa was the most productive country in terms of author collaboration and publication output. Other leading countries in this field include the UK, USA, Germany and Australia. The most productive institutions in southern Africa are located in South Africa, and are the University of Cape Town, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Rhodes University, the University of KwaZulu Natal, and the University of Stellenbosch. The five funding institutions that are most active in supporting ES assessment in southern Africa are European. The main publishers of the research are either American or European and include the highly influential publishers Elsevier, Wiley, MDPI, Springer Nature and Resilience Alliance. VOS Viewer was employed as a visual analysis tool and CiteSpace as a graphic analysis tool to conduct the bibliometric analysis. A key conclusion is that most authors use qualitative methods to assess people’s livelihoods and wellbeing as they relate to provisional and cultural services, while remotely sensed imagery is used as a key tool to assess the spatial extent of provisional and regulating services. Research recommendations include promoting a transdisciplinary approach in ES assessment in southern Africa.

Variability in High Wave Energy Events Around the Southern African Coast

AbstractThe wave energy flux along the southern African coastline often reaches extreme levels, seriously impacting coastal communities, infrastructure, as well as near‐coast and offshore marine operations. Understanding the drivers behind past high wave energy events and their frequency is key to forecasting future events. Using in‐situ wave buoy data recorded by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the ERA5 and CACWR global wave model products are evaluated. The better‐performing ERA5 product is used to assess long‐term variability and trends around the coastline between 1979 and 2020. There are significant increasing trends in offshore flux for all seasons, with spring having the strongest coastal trends. Substantial interannual variability exists in wave energy flux and direction. Possible drivers, the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the semi‐annual oscillation (SAO), were assessed to find that SAM appears to show the strongest relationship overall. Negative (positive) SAM is associated with above (below) average and westerly (easterly) anomalies in both flux and direction. ENSO directly impacts the summer wave climate while the SAO indirectly impacts the wave energy flux over spring and winter. During many seasons, more than one climate mode is active. It is found the strongest significant near‐coast positive westerly anomalies occurred under negative SAM and negative SAO, with more intense offshore anomalies under El Niño, whereas the strongest significant negative east‐northeasterly anomalies occurred under a combination of La Niña with positive SAM and SAO phases.

Profitability of Using Commercial Tilapia Feed to Produce Three Different Sizes of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) Fingerlings in Ghana

Aims: To determine the profitability of using a commercial tilapia feed to produce three different size ranges (1.0-1.9, 2.0-2.9 and 5.0-5.9 g) of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings in hapa-in-pond system.
 Study Design: Completely randomized design.
 Place and Duration of Study: The Aquaculture Research and Development Centre (ARDEC), Akosombo, of Water Research Institute (WRI) of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana, from March to May, 2020.
 Methodology: Fish growth study was carried out in three (3) fine mesh netting hapas, each of dimensions 5.0 x 2.0 x 1.2 m. Nile tilapia fry at initial mean weight 0.03 ± 0.01 g were stocked at a density of 50 fish m-2 and they were fed at 20 % body weight five times daily. The feeding of the fish continued until those in all the 3 hapas attained a mean weight of at least 5.0 g. Then the experiment was terminated and all the survived fish in each hapa were harvested, counted, and their individual body weights were measured. Growth performance indicators and profitability of producing the various size categories (1.0-1.9, 2.0-2.9 and 5.0-5.9) were determined.
 Results: The fry attained the target size ranges of 1.0-1.9, 2.0-2.9 and 5.0-5.9 g in 4, 6 and 9 weeks respectively. There were significant differences (ANOVA, P = 0.03) among final mean weights, weight gains, feed intakes, daily weight gains, feed efficiencies and harvested biomass among all size ranges, with those of 5.0-5.9 g being significantly higher (Tukey’s HSDT, P < 0.02). Sizes of fingerlings produced correlate positively with cost of feed used. The profit indices ranged from 2.57 to 10.22, with the highest recorded in the 1.0-1.9 g fingerlings and the least in those of 5.0-5.9 g.
 Conclusion: The results indicated that, at the current Nile tilapia fingerlings cost and the time taken to produce the various size categories, the 1.0-1.9 g production is the most profitable.

Bob Scholes: Multifaceted scientist with a genius for synthesis

Prof. Robert (Bob) Scholes passed away unexpectedly on April 28, 2021, while on an 11-day, 160-km hike along the Kunene River in northern Namibia. Energetic, enthusiastic, and larger than life to the very end, his sudden passing was a huge shock and loss to his colleagues and loved ones. But as one of his colleagues pointed out, “just like Bob—to go out in style, not while crouched over his computer like the rest of us.” The Kalahari and Miombo woodlands of northern Namibia were special to Bob. They were central to many of his formative scientific experiences. In a way, his career might be said to have come full circle. He was an International Member with a primary affiliation in Section 64 (Human Environmental Science) and a secondary affiliation in Section 63 (Environmental Sciences and Ecology) of the National Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa, Member of the South African Academy, a Research Associate of the CSIR, a National Research Foundation A-rated scientist, and a winner of the National Science and Technology Forum Lifetime Contribution to Science Award. Bob Scholes. Image credit: Benjamin Drummond (photographer). Bob, Mary, and Stirling Scholes. Image credit: Stirling Scholes (photographer). Bob called himself a “systems ecologist.” He was interested in “big-picture ecology” and used systems thinking to help address major national … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: sally.archibald{at}wits.ac.za or cfield{at}stanford.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1

Adoption and compliance with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research recommended maize production practices in Ashanti region, Ghana

PurposeThere is a huge gap between actual and achievable yields of maize which threatens household food security in Ghana. Low adoption of improved maize production technologies coupled with poor compliance with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recommended maize production practices is identified as the cause of low yields. This study assessed farmers' compliance with CSIR recommended production practices and its effects on yield.Design/methodology/approachUsing a structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey of 150 respondents were interviewed for the study. Descriptive statistics, awareness and compliance indices, probit model and Garret ranking technique were the methods of analysis employed in the study.FindingsThe results showed that farmers are highly aware, have adopted and hardly comply with standards of applications of CSIR recommended production practices. Farm size, age, educational level and female gender significantly influenced compliance with recommended production practices. Also, compliance with recommended production practices increase maize yield.Originality/valuePolicies aim at addressing yield gap in maize production should be targeted at improving farmers' level of compliance with production practices by addressing some constraints through farmer credit and subsidy programmes to help farmers increase their level of compliance. The fact that farmers have adopted recommended production practices does not necessarily mean they will have higher yields. The study generates important insights about how well farmers have been adhering to standards of adoption of recommended production practices.

The prevalence of abnormal Doppler's of the umbilical artery in a low-risk pregnant population in South Africa.

BackgroundThe assessment of fetal blood flow using Doppler waveform can be used to identify placental insufficiency, and hence is a tool to identify fetuses at risk of stillbirth due to fetal growth restriction (FGR). In South Africa the largest category of perinatal deaths is ‘unexplained intrauterine death’. The majority of the mothers are clinically healthy women. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of abnormal umbilical resistance indices (abnormal RI) to see if screening a low-risk pregnant population is worthwhile.MethodsA descriptive study across 9 sites in 8 provinces of South Africa was performed to determine the prevalence of abnormal RI of the umbilical artery in women classified as having a low-risk pregnancy. The study was conducted from 1st September 2017- February 2020.The pregnant women classified were screened using a continuous wave Doppler ultrasound apparatus (Umbiflow™) between 28 and 34 weeks’ gestation. Women with fetuses with an abnormal RI were referred to a high-risk clinic and were managed according to standard protocol. The outcomes of all the deliveries were recorded.FindingsUmbiflow™ screening of the umbilical artery was performed in 7088 women across nine sites; 919 (13·0%) fetuses had an abnormal RI. Absent end diastolic flow (AEDF) was found in 87 (1·2%) fetuses. The prevalence of small for gestational ages (SGA) babies was 23·1% in the normal RI group and was significantly higher in the abnormal RI group 32·1% (p<0·0001). There was a statistical difference in the perinatal mortality rate between the normal RI (9.8/1000) and abnormal RI group (21.4/1000) [RR 0·046; 95% CI -0·06–0·98].InterpretationThe prevalence of abnormal RI and AEDF in this screened low-risk population was about ten times higher than that previously recorded in high income countries. Continuous wave Doppler ultrasound screening detected previously undiagnosed growth restricted babies. The prevalence of AEDF warrants continuous wave Doppler ultrasound screening of the low-risk pregnant population in South Africa.FundingThis study was funded by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Water-related technology research landscape in India: Current status and perspectives

While seventy-one per cent of the earth’s surface is covered with water, equitable access to safe and drinking water remains a challenge across countries. Especially developing countries, like India, have been identified as water-stressed. In India, various institutions are participating and joining hands to deliver social and technological solutions to resolve prevalent water-related challenges. This study reviews national policy frameworks and identifies the institutions participating in water-related technology research. Besides government interventions to formulate water-related policies, both private and government institutions are participating in water-related technology research. Along with this, local community initiatives and heterodox modes of innovations have introduced a means to address the issues surrounding water quality and availability. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), University Grants Commission (UGC), and Department of Science and Technology (DST) are some of the prominent institutions that have been playing a pivotal role in establishing water security through technological and ecological solutions. National Innovation Foundation (NIF) and Atal Innovation Mission have documented innovative solutions developed by individual innovators for addressing local water-related challenges.

Binding pose analysis of hydroxyethylamine based β-secretase inhibitors and application thereof to the design and synthesis of novel indeno[1,2-b]indole based inhibitors

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa (Thuthuka grant number 106959), the University of Pretoria (Research and Development Program) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa.

Reviewer List

Prof. Seongah Chin, College of IT Engineering, Sungkyul Univ., Korea.Prof. Pavel Loskot, Swansea University, UKProf. Yilun Shang, Northumbria University, UKProf. Pawel Kossakowski, Kielce University of Technology, PolandProf. Subhendu Kumar Pani, Orissa Engineering College, IndiaProf. Sérgio I. Lopes, Polytechnic Institute of Vianado Castelo, PortugalProf. Daschievici Luiza, University “Dunarea de Jos” Galati, RomaniaProf. Defu Liu, Ocean university of ChinaProf. Seifedine Kadry, Beirut Arab University, LebanonProf. Mihaela Popescu, University of Craiova, RomaniaDr. Weimo Liu, Google, CA, USAProf. Roohollah Bagherzadeh, Amirkabir University, IranProf. Anand Nayyar, Duy Tan University, VietnamProf. Ilya Simanovskii, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, IsraelProf. Karim eL Moutaouakil, Polydisciplinary Fuculty of Taza, MorrocoDr. Guillermo Escrivá-Escrivá, Universitat Politècnica de València, SpainProf. Zattera Mekkioui, University of Tlemcen. AlgeriaDr. Lecturer, Lutz Schubert, University of Ulm, GermanyProf. M. Prabukumar, School of IT, Vellore Institute of technology, IndiaDr. Senior researcher, Ladislav Zjavka, Technical University of Ostrava, Czech RepProf. Mădălina Dumitriu, University Politehnica of Bucharest, RomaniaDr. Ateeq ur Rehman, University of Agriculture, PakistanProf. Manu Pratap Singh, Ambedkar University, Khandari Campus, AgraDr. Lecturer, Mihaela Andrei, Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, IndiaProf. Loc Nguyen, Loc Nguyen’s Academic Network, VietnamProf. J.-R. Poirier, Laplace, University of Toulouse, FranceDr. Loganathan. S, Arba Minch University, EthiopiaProf. Taissir Elganimi, University of Tripoli, LibyaProf. Issam Dawoud, Al-Aqsa University, PalestineProf. Zoltán Ernő Csajbók, University of Debrecen, HungaryProf. Nahid Fatima, Amity University, IndiaProf. Vineet Jain, Mewat Engineering College, IndiaSenior Lecturer, Ioan-Lucian Popa, University Alba Iulia, RomaniaDr. Sarah Samad, Lebanese University, LebanonDr. Merouane SALHI, Blida University, AlgeriaProf. Dejan Dragan, University of Maribor, SloveniaProf. Rémi Léandre, University of Bourgogne, FranceDr. R. DELSHIHOWSALYA DEVI, Bharat Institute of Engineering & Technology, IndiaDr. M.M.KAMRUZZAMAN, Al Jouf University, Saudi ArabiaProf. Takfarinas Saber, School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, IrelandProf. Dariusz Jacek Jakóbczak, University of Gdansk, PolandProf. Khadir Mohamed Tarek, University of Badji Mokhtar, AlgeriaDr. Ray-Hwa Wong, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan, R.O.C.Dr. M. MADHIARASAN, Bharat Institute of Engineering and Technology, IndiaProf. Ayeley P. TCHANGANI, Université Toulouse, FranceProf. Gorakh Nath Chaurasia, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, IndiaProf. S.Balakrishnan, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, IndiaDr. Kotapally Harish Kumar, IIT Roorkee, IndiaDr. Shikha Kumari, Jawaharlal Nehru University, IndiaProf. Hasan AYDOGAN, Selcuk University, TurkeyProf. Hua Yi Lin, China University of Technology, TaiwanDr. Paria Assari, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan Branch IranProf. Elżbieta Macioszek, Silesian University of Technology, PolandProf. Manoj Kumar Patra, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, IndiaDr. A.Venkata Subramanian, Anna University, IndiaDr. Sajib Chakraborty, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, BelgiumProf. Najmeh Neysani Samany, University of Tehran, IranDr. Chaoxian Wu, University of Liverpool, UKDr. Omid Aminoroayai Yamani, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, IranDr. Grzegorz Woroniak, Bialystok University of Technology, PolandProf. Grande Nagajyothi, Dept.of Micro & Nanoelectronics SENSE School, IndiaDr. Mohamad Nejat, Fasa University,IranDr. Arun Kishor Johar, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, IndiaDr. Konstantinos M. Giannoutakis, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, GreeceDr. Ertugrul Dogruluk, Centro Algoritmi / University of Minho-PortugalProf. Galkowski Krzysztof, University of Zielona Gora, PolandProf. Stefan SEGLA, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, SLOVAKIADr. Shamsa Kanwal, Fatima Jinnah Women University, PakistanDr. Nelson Méndez Lianes, University of Havana, Cuba.Dr. Salem Sati, Misurata University, LibyaDr. Mohamed El-Amine SLIMANI, University of Science and Technology “USTHB”, AlgeriaDr. Ali Al-Balhawi, Mustansiriyah University, IraqDr. Amira Zaylaa, Lebanese University, LebanonProf. Pedram MASOUDI, Geovariances, FranceDr. Seyedahmad Shahahmadi, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, MalaysiaProf. Pavlo Maruschak, Ternopil Ivan Pul’uj National Technical University, UkraineDr. Vaishali Gupta, IPS Academy, Institute of Engineering & Science, IndiaDr. Peter ChunYu YAU, School of Continuing and Professional Education, City University of Hong KongDr. Shonak Bansal, Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), IndiaDr. Ridhwaan Suliman, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South AfricaDr. Thein, Yu University of Computer Studies, MyanmarProf. Curtis Miller, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, U.S.A.Dr. Mouhat Ouadia, University Mohammed V, MoroccoDr. Amir Shirkhani, Civil Structural Engineering University of Tabriz, IranProf. Volodymyr Khilenko, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences, UkraineProf. Badrul Hisham Ahmad, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, MalaysiaDr. Stamatis Karlos, Unversity of Patras, GreeceProf. Said El Kafhali, Hassan 1st University, MoroccoProf. Amirreza Ghadimi-Avval, University of Arkansas, USADr. Vrjayan Gurumurthy Iyer, Open Learning Program in Entrepreneurship of The EDI, India

Investigating Awareness and usage of Electronic Resources by Research Scientists in Ghana

The study investigated the use of electronic resources/information by research scientists in Ghana. Specifically, to investigate the awareness and level of use of electronic resources; perceived reliance, benefits and impact of use of electronic resources on the research activities. The research design for the study was a survey. Questionnaire schedule was used to collect data from 103 scientists from selected institutes at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana. The result revealed that majority of the scientists (92 %) used electronic resources. The most used type of resources were Electronic databases, electronic research reports and electronic journals. The purpose of use was mostly for research work (71 %). However only 34 per cent had had training in information literacy skills. Some of the impediments to accessing the electronic resources were poor ICT infrastructure (38 %) and lack of skills in accessing the resources (35 %). Generally, the use of electronic resources have improved research activities of research scientists It is recommended that continuous training (formal and informal) should be organised for research scientists to keep them abreast with new electronic applications and tools that will promote their level of competence and improvement in their research outputs. In Addition, ICT infrastructure should be improved in the various institutes for easy access to the electronic resources