Research Advisors Research Articles

Academic Planning Functions as Predictors of Goals Achievement in Colleges of Education, Kwara State, Nigeria

Academic planning is an essential function of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). The extent towhich academic planning functions are performed determines to a large degree the attainment of the goals of HEIs in Nigeria. This research was conducted toexamine if academic planning functions as a predictor of goal achievement in the Colleges of Education in Kwara State, Nigeria. Survey research method was used to establish the relationship between academicplanning functions and goal achievement in/for the above mentioned colleges. A sample size of 421 out of 1,668 staff was determined using research advisors. The sample size of 421 participants comprised 147 academic staff and 274 non-teaching staff selected using a stratified and proportionate samplingtechnique. Two instruments were designed and used to collect the relevant data for this study. These instruments were Academic Planning Functions Questionnaire (APFQ) and Goals AchievementQuestionnaire (GAQ). The data collected were analyzed using Smart PLS 3.1.4. The findings showed that program accreditation, information processing, and monitoring functionspredicted goal achievement in the said colleges, while program initiation, internal quality assurance, resourceprojection, and financial planning functions did not predict goal achievement. Based on the findings, recommendations weremade to improve the academic planning unit for increased efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity in these colleges.

Assessment of Awareness and Intergration of E-Learning Amid Covid-19 Pandemic Among Language Lecturers in Public Universities, North-Central Nigeria

The research study investigated the awareness and integration of E-Learning amid Covid-19 pandemic among Language lecturers in Public Universities, North-Central Nigeria. The research was steered by three objectives as well as their matching research questions and null hypotheses. Survey design was adopted for the research. The population of the research consists of language lecturers in Government owned universities within North-Central Geo-political Zone-Nigeria. There is a total of 433 lecturers spread across 12 public universities in North-Central Zone of Nigeria. The sample size utilised within the study was 204 determined based on Research Advisors (2006) table for sample selection. The multi-stage technique for sampling was utilised in the selection of the sample for the research. The study utilised structured questionnaire entitled ?Language Teachers? Awareness and Integration E-Learning Questionnaire? (LATAIE-Q). The questionnaire has four sections. Section ?A? elicits personal information of the respondents which consist of institutional affiliations, gender, location, highest qualification and experience. Section ?B? centres on the availability of e-learning resources for teaching language in public universities which has the following scales (Fully Available=FA, Partially Available= PA, Unavailable=UA & Uncertain=UC). Section ?C? collects data on the lecturers? awareness of e-learning facilities. This section has twenty-three items which are presented on a Likert-type four-point scale ranging from Fully Aware (FA), Aware (A), Unaware (U) and Fully Unaware (FU) with 4,3,2,1-point value assigned to each correspondingly. Section ?D? is on language lecturers? integration of e-learning facilities in language teaching. This section also consists of twenty-three objects evaluated on a Likert-type four-point scale running from Fully Integrated (FI), Partially Integrated (PI), Partially Not Integrated (PN) and Highly Not integrated (HN) respectively with weighted value of 4 to 1 with regards to scoring. The instrument was vetted by research experts in Computer Science and information science, test and measurement and Language. The reliability of the tool was obtained by means of pilot study. This was conducted at university of Abuja using 30 language Lecturers. Hence, 0.83 was realised. The study utilised frequency as well as percentage counts to showcase the basic personal information of the respondents. The standard deviations and arithmetic means were utilised in answering the questions raised by the research. In addition, the study used chi-squares to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The study among others found that there were inadequate and insufficient e-learning language infrastructures amid Covid-19 pandemic for use among language lecturers in public universities in north-central, Nigeria. Some recommendations were put forth that include a need for Public universities to engage in a hyper-intensive awareness and campaigns programmes that will enable the language lecturers involved not only learn how to utilize Information and Communication Technology gadgets such as e-learning facilities in teaching language teaching but also be able to effectively and efficiently utilize such technological teaching aids. Key Words: Awareness, E-learning, Integration, Language, Lecturers

Environmental Scanning and Market Share of Selected Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria

Environmental scanning plays a critical role in ensuring that the performance of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) is improved and therefore serves as a good avenue for organisational sustainability. Earlier studies have focused on the challenges faced by SMEs Owners, managers, and employees but this study will concentrate on environmental scanning as they affect market shares of SMEs in Lagos State Nigeria. Due to a poor understanding of the factors that play out in the organisation, SMEs have experienced a decline in market share as they are unable to meet expected benchmarks; hence this paper assessed the effect of environmental scanning on the market share of selected SMEs in Lagos State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of this study consist of the owner/managers of SMEs located in Lagos State. The population was given as 8,396 sources provided by SMEDAN in conjunction with the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The sample of the study was determined from the population using the research advisors sampling table resulting in 370 also a 30% provision was made to take care of such discrepancies, making a total of 481. A stratified and simple random sampling technique was employed, a well-structured and adapted questionnaire was administered to the respondents. ’Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients ranged from 0.718 and 0.910. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of simple linear regression revealed that that environmental scanning has significant effect on market share (β = 0.513, t = 10.782, R2 = 0.230, p < 0.05). The study recommends that the management team of the selected SMEs should ensure they adopt and implement proper environmental scanning to increase their market share. Also, the study recommends that SMEs should identify with their employees to a great extent so as to boost and improve creativity within the organisation.

Growth Strategy and Performance of Selected Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Anambra State, Nigeria

In numerous sectors, the intense global competition has resulted in a wave of mergers and acquisitions over the years. A company with the aim to remain in the race almost has to merge, buy, orally with another company. Another alternative is to expand and grow the organisation internally, e.g. diversifying, building completely new mills to new markets. Lack of adopting valid and effective growth strategies has been a problem for small and medium scale enterprises leading to a decline in their overall performance. The study thus evaluated the effect of growth strategy and performance of selected small and medium scale enterprises in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study employed a cross-sectional survey research design. The Cross-Sectional survey research design was adopted to obtain information from the focus population concerning the current status of the phenomena through primary data collection. The population for the research comprised of selected small and medium scale enterprises that were registered with SMEDAN and operate in Anambra State, Nigeria. The total number of registered SMEs with SMEDAN as of 2017 was 1,504. The sample size for the study was obtained using the research advisors table. Based on a confidence level of 95 and the level of precision of 5% the samples size is 322 but with the addition of 30% for non-response rate, the sample was given thus as 418. The addition of 30% to the sample size is to ensure that the response rate of the study is attained significantly. Making provision for the non-response rate allows the researcher to improve the rate of response for the survey. The findings of the study revealed that there is a relationship between the two variables. Concerning the exact effect of the penetration strategies on market share, the r2 = 0.452 shows the extent to which the penetration strategies explain the variation in market share of the selected small and medium scale enterprises. The coefficient also revealed that there is a positive relationship between the penetration strategies and the market share of the selected small and medium scale enterprises The study recommended that penetration strategies should be given adequate attention and consideration by different small and medium-sized enterprises to reap benefits. Penetration strategies which are an effective tool for achieving better performance over rival firms should be adequately implemented by the organization.

EVALUATIVE CHARACTERISTICS IN RESEARCH ADVISORS’ REVIEWS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF ACADEMIC DISCOURSE

Problem Statement. The paper focuses on evaluative characteristics of research advisors’ reviews functioning in the framework of academic discourse. Evaluative strategies and tactics have been revealed for the first time as a part of a research advisor’s review. Results. The research has shown that research advisors characterize positively various aspects of graduate students’ research papers and the way they organized their research work. Negative evaluations are not verbalized, but teachers implicitly mention that their students should organize their work more thoroughly in the future. The fact that academic discourse has been acquired by the student to the full extent serves as a positive characteristic of their work, and, therefore, includes all the evaluations relevant for doing a research and for research results. In all the structural elements of the reviews research advisors use a variety of evaluative means. The latter are represented to a lesser extent in the structural element concerning the Ability of a student to retrieve information and to use a variety of information resources. Conclusion. Research advisor’s review as a genre of academic discourse is an amalgam of evaluative means which enable the research advisor to explicitly verbalize his attitude towards a student research work. Evaluative means characterize those aspects of research work which are specified in the body of the review as structural elements. Moreover, teachers specifies work ethic, ethical behavior, personal characteristics that are crucial for the research work. The research has revealed evaluative strategies of intensification, recommendation, stating and implication.

Peer assessments of research advisors and effects on investments in teaching

In recent years, research on faculty performance measures has increased. Although peer reviews are an integral part of faculty’s work and require time investment, they are typically not considered in measuring faculty performance. The aim of this research was to investigate associations between evaluations of peers’ performance as research advisors, and teaching perceptions. We employed Exploratory Factor Analysis, followed by Structural Equation Modeling, to test our model’s goodness-of-fit. Results show that the stronger the satisfaction from assessing peers’ performance as advisors, the greater the perceived significance of teaching. Excellence in teaching also effects teaching perceptions. Furthermore, female faculty members gained more satisfaction from assessing peers than did males. It has been argued that there is no association between teaching and assessing peers’ performance as research advisors. The findings of this study address the literature gap regarding the link between teaching quality and research, by employing the Projection theory. &#x0D;

BRANDING AND CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR OF SELECTED PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE

Consumer behavior to branding is a serious issue that affects owners of businesses. This study addresses the challenges as determinants of customer impulse buying behavior of consumers of petroleum product in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive survey design to examine 550 consumers of petroleum products in Rivers State. The sample size determination for a finite population as expressed by Krejie and Morgan (1970) and used by Research advisors (2006) was used to draw a sample of 550 consumers of petroleum products. Proportionate sample technique (a variant of stratified sampling method) to reflect the proportions of consumers in each of the 23 local government areas of the state. A research questionnaire was constructed, validated and administered to obtain the primary data. The factor analysis simple regression analysis and Pearson product moment correlation(r) statistical techniques were used to test the hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that there is significant relationship between branding and consumer behavior (P&lt;0.05, R=0.786,R2=0.618). It was concluded that high levels of awareness positively influence the choice of petroleum products by consumers. The study therefore recommends that marketers of petroleum products should develop innovative packaging strategies that will appeal to and attract consumers in an exceptional way to trigger impulse buying.

Attitudes of Homebound Older Adults and Their Caregivers Toward Research and Participation as Research Advisors.

Homebound older adults and their caregivers have not historically been engaged as advisors in patient-centered outcomes research. This study aimed to understand the attitudes of homebound older adults and their caregivers toward research and participation as research advisors. Descriptive thematic analysis of semistructured interviews conducted with 30 homebound older adults and caregivers recruited from home-based medical care practices. Interview questions addressed opinions on research and preferences for engaging as research advisors. Of 30 participants, 22 were female, 17 were people of color, and 11 had Medicaid. Two themes emerged related to perceptions of research overall: (a) utility of research and (b) relevance of research. Overall, participants reported positive attitudes toward research and felt that research could affect people like them. Three themes emerged related to participating as research advisors: (a) motivators, (b) barriers, and (c) preferences. Participants were open to engaging in a variety of activities as research advisors. Most participants were motivated by helping others. Common barriers included time constraints and caregiving responsibilities, and physical barriers for homebound individuals. Participants also reported fears such as lacking the skills or expertise to contribute as advisors. Many were willing to participate if these barriers were accommodated and shared their communication preferences. Diverse homebound older adults and caregivers are willing to be engaged as research advisors and provided information to inform future engagement strategies. Findings can inform efforts to meet new age-inclusive requirements of the National Institutes of Health.

Roles of Technology Enhanced Learning in Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance among Laboratory Professionals in Public Health Facilities in Nigeria

Technology has been found effective in almost all aspects of life. This includes its effectiveness in the field of education through technology enhanced learning. This paper aimed to look at roles of technology enhanced learning in tackling antimicrobial resistance among laboratory professionals in public health facilities in Nigeria. Qualitative research design was adopted for the study. Population of the study included all 75300 laboratory professionals in the North-west Nigeria. Convenience sampling technique was used to select 382 participants as sample for the study. This was guided by Research Advisors Model for selection of sample size. The instrument (open ended questionnaire) was used to gather data for the study. It was validated by experts, pilot study was conducted, and reliability index of 0.88 was obtained. It was found from the study that most of the health care professionals lamented not only they lack modern laboratory equipment but also lack technical knows how to operate the modern laboratory equipment/tools/apparatuses. It also was gathered that vast majority of them use handheld devices (smart phones) with few of them using laptops and in extreme cases desktops computers for learning and other day-to-day activities. Based on the findings from the study, it was concluded that in the 21st Century, collaborations through technology has become imminent. Thus, technology enhanced professional learning will not only help share information about global challenges but also help in providing lasting solutions to it. The study recommended that workshops and regular trainings should be organized to teach health care professionals on how to effectively collaborate, generate and share information through social media platforms.

Urgent Problems of References Arrangement in Research Documents

The purpose of research.Currently, the problem of plagiarism is quite relevant and affects the scientific and educational spheres. Thus, the experts of the Russian State Library have organized special research, and they are issuing a series of articles devoted to that activity. Within the framework of fighting plagiarism and other negative phenomena, it becomes necessary to highlight mostly wide-spread problems of reference-arrangement for research papers, and to outline possible solutions for them. We will consider this issue in the first article of the series.Materialsand methods.In order to achieve the aforementioned target the article uses the results of the plagiarism tests for research papers carried out by the Russian State Library with the help of specially designed software “Antiplagiat.RSL”.Results.The common defects of research papers are: inclusion of fictitious sources into the reference list, lack of homogeneity in reference arrangement, inadequate references to the groups of sources, quoting the derivative sources instead of the original one, spreading false information because of blind copying other researchers’ mistakes. Plagiarism tests carried out over scientific texts helped to identify the most frequent incorrect borrowings (overlapping wording of conclusions and generalizations, the same sentences used for describing results and methods, as well as word – for – word reproduced literature reviews). The documents revealed to become sources for such plagiaristic borrowings would often be works of research advisors and other authoritative specialists, candidate dissertation theses close in theme or structure, earlier publications of authors themselves, including those written in co-authorship.Conclusion.Numerous flaws are made by emerging authors due to the lack of knowledge, that is why students’ and post-graduates’ efficient training in work with GOST state standards as well as the quality of educational and methodological literature in research-paper writing would be of use. The article offers ways of improvement for research publication arrangement and specialized software products destined to make reference arrangement automatic.

Grapevine: A profile‐based exploratory search and recommendation system for finding research advisors

AbstractFinding research advisors is an important and challenging task for college students. On one hand, a research advisor that matches student interests and past preparation could fully engage the student with an exciting and productive research experience. On the other hand, students are frequently unable to formulate their interests and experience in a way that allows them to independently find the most compatible advisors using search and browsing tools. This paper reports our experience with designing and evaluating Grapevine, an exploratory search and recommender system aimed at helping students, especially those less prepared and underrepresented in certain fields, find research advisors.

Knowledge sharing and adoption behaviour: An imperative to promote sustainable soil use and management

Knowledge sharing and adoption behaviour: An imperative to promote sustainable soil use and management

Undergraduate engineering students' perceptions of research and researchers

AbstractBackgroundParticipating in undergraduate research experiences (UREs) supports the development of engineering students' technical and professional skills. However, little is known about the perceptions of research or researchers that students develop through these experiences. Understanding these perceptions will provide insight into how students come to understand knowledge evaluation and creation, while allowing research advisors to better support student development.PurposeIn this paper, we explore how undergraduate engineering students perceive what it means to do research and be a researcher, using identity and epistemic cognition as sensitizing concepts. Our goal is to explore students' views of UREs to make the benefits of these experiences more accessible.Design/MethodWe created and adapted open‐ended survey items from previously published studies. We collected responses from mechanical and biomedical engineering undergraduates at five institutions (n= 154) and used an inductive approach to analyze responses.ResultsWe developed four salient themes from our analysis: (a) research results in discovery, (b) research includes dissemination such as authorship, (c) research findings are integrated into society, and (d) researchers demonstrate self‐regulation.ConclusionsThe four themes highlight factors that students perceive as part of a researcher identity and aspects of epistemic cognition in the context of UREs. These results suggest structuring UREs to provide opportunities for discovery, dissemination, societal impact, and self‐regulation will help support students in their development as researchers.

The Crucial Role of Community Liaisons in Place-Based Experiential Education Organizations

In 2014, community volunteers and university grant writers created the Bowman Creek Educational Ecosystem (BCe2), focused on revitalizing a river tributary that stretches throughout the Southeast neighborhood of South Bend, Indiana. The organizational partnership linked efforts of local community groups, schools, and universities in continued revitalization a post-industrial urban environment. The initial goals of this ecological coalition included the systematic transformation of a long-neglected waterway and its environs. By the summer of 2018, BCe2 was a dynamic organization of thirty interns in eight teams working with a complex host of research advisors, community partners, and three dozen mentors. The interns, from thirteen different universities, colleges, and high schools, worked on a variety of engineering projects including urban sustainability, tree nurseries, lead mitigation, stormwater management, arduino technology, and vacant lot assessment. As the current organization continues to integrate its efforts in redevelopment projects with the neighborhood surrounding Bowman Creek to expand its benefits for other South Bend communities, it continues to serve as a vibrant opportunity for experiential learning, place-based science, and community-university partnerships.

Peer Assessments of research Advisors and effects on investments in teaching

In recent years, research on faculty performance measures has increased. Although peer reviews are an integral part of faculty’s work and require time investment, they are typically not considered in measuring faculty performance. The aim of this research was to investigate associations between evaluations of peers’ performance as research advisors, and teaching perceptions. We employed Exploratory Factor Analysis, followed by Structural Equation Modeling, to test our model’s goodness-of-fit. Results show that the stronger the satisfaction from assessing peers’ performance as advisors, the greater the perceived significance of teaching. Excellence in teaching also effects teaching perceptions. Furthermore, female faculty members gained more satisfaction from assessing peers than did males. It has been argued that there is no association between teaching and assessing peers’ performance as research advisors. The findings of this study address the literature gap regarding the link between teaching quality and research, by employing the Projection theory.

Competitive Aggressiveness and Market Share of Selected Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Lagos State Nigeria

The performance of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) plays a key role in the growth and development of any economy. Competitive Aggressiveness (CA) has been identified as instrumental to enhancing the control of sizable market share. However, lack of adoption of this important tool has been a challenge for these SMEs leading to decline in performances. The study hence, examined the effect of competitive aggressiveness on the market share of SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria. The study adopted cross-sectional survey research design. The population comprised 8,396 owner/managers of SMEs. The Research Advisors table was used to determine a sample size of 481. A validated questionnaire was administered to 481 respondents for data collection purpose but 430 came back correctly and were used for the study. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients of the constructs ranged from 0.71 to 0.84. The response rate was 89%. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that Competitive aggressiveness does not have a significant effect on the market share of selected small and medium scale enterprises in Lagos state (β = 0.009, R = 0.015 R2, = 0.000, F(1, 428) = 0.100, p &gt;0.05). The study concluded that Competitive aggressiveness does not have a significant effect on market share of small and medium scale enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study recommended that firms should intensify aggressive competitive effort by working smart, carrying employees along, effective bench marketing, and proper monitoring of operational activities by regulatory bodies. These activities if well executed will increase level of market share of the SMEs in Lagos State, Nigeria.

"The Single Most Important Thing That Has Happened to Me in My Life": Development of the Impact of Diagnosis Scale-Preliminary Revision.

Awareness and diagnosis of autism in adulthood is on the rise. Studies have considered the impact of receiving an autism diagnosis for parents of children on the spectrum, although only few primarily qualitative studies have considered the self-reported impact of autism diagnosis. The Impact of Diagnosis Scale (IODS) was initially developed with a focus on borderline personality disorder. Our aim was to develop a version suitable for autistic individuals. The research team and a group of autistic advisors revised the IODS items for suitability and accessibility to autistic participants. We gathered participant data for 92 autistic adolescents and adults from the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) Study of Australian School Leavers with Autism (SASLA) and the Australian Longitudinal Study of Autism in Adulthood (ALSAA). We used iterated principal factors analysis to explore potential factors, and thematic analysis to explore responses to two open-ended items. Factor analysis suggested three factors of "Service Access (SA)," "Being Understood (BU)," and "Self-Acceptance and Understanding (SU)" for the 12 items of the IODS-Preliminary Revision (IODS-PR). Cronbach's alpha was good overall and acceptable for subdomains. Item mean scores suggest that although impact of autism diagnosis was generally perceived as positive for SU, scores were neutral in other domains. Qualitative analysis identified themes of Self-Understanding, Identity, and Acceptance, Supports and Services, Valence of Response, Relationships, and Camouflaging. The IODS-PR is the first scale to measure the self-reported experience of receiving an autism diagnosis. It showed good psychometrics and provides new insight into the experience of autism diagnosis. Qualitative analysis identified domains that remain unexplored and the potential for an expanded item set. A further revision of the tool will soon be available. It will provide critical information for clinicians and has potential applications for research and service evaluation. Why was this study done?: There are increasing numbers of adults who are only diagnosed with autism in their teen and adult years. Research on this topic is limited, with most using surveys or interviews.What was the purpose of this study?: The purpose was to develop a revision of the Impact of Diagnosis Scale (IODS) to make it suitable to autistic teenagers and adults.What did the researchers do?: We worked with autistic research advisors to create the IODS-Preliminary Revision (IODS-PR), which has 12 items scored on a 7-point agree/disagree scale and two open-ended questions. We then gathered data using the IODS-PR from the Study of Australian School Leavers with Autism (SASLA) and the Australian Longitudinal Study of Autism in Adulthood (ALSAA). We ran a factor analysis on the scores and conducted a thematic analysis of the open-ended responses. One of the autistic advisors reviewed how we interpreted our results.What were the results of the study?: There were 92 autistic participants (46 males, 38 females, 8 nonbinary; mean age of 36 years old). On average, participants were diagnosed with autism at age 30. The factor analysis suggested three domains in the IOD-PR: Self-Acceptance and Understanding, Being Understood, and Service Access. On average, participants' scores suggested receiving an autism diagnosis was helpful for understanding and accepting themselves, but neutral for being understood by others or getting support from services.The thematic analysis identified several themes, the strongest theme was Self-Understanding, Identity, and Acceptance, where participants mostly commented on the positive new self-identity that came from their autism diagnosis. There was a Supports and Services theme that was divided into Enabled Support, Support not needed, and No or poor services. Most concerning was that many participants commented that the autism diagnosis did not enable any access to supports or that there were no appropriate supports available. There was a Valence of Response theme that was divided into Relief, Positive impact, Wish diagnosed earlier, and Negative impact. There was a Relationships theme divided into Connected with autistic community, Improves relationships, and Others lack understanding. Finally, there was a Camouflaging theme.Based on these results, the researchers are working on further revisions to the IODS-PR to make it more useful and accessible.What do these findings add to what was already known?: The adapted IODS shows promise and findings will guide further development of the tool. These early-stage findings agree with what previous research said about the impact of receiving a diagnosis of autism in adulthood.What are potential weaknesses in the study?: There are strengths and weaknesses to using a questionnaire tool to research this topic. Interview research can get a more in-depth understanding of an individual's response to the diagnosis.How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?: When the revised IODS is available, it could be used to evaluate support services and help clinicians understand how to help create a more positive response to diagnosis. Our findings confirm more needs to be performed about postdiagnosis supports.

Availability, Accessibility, and Use of Electronic Information Resources among Undergraduate Students in Fountain University Library, Osogbo

Availability, Accessibility, and Use of Electronic Information Resources among Undergraduate Students in Fountain University Library, Osogbo Abdulsalam Abiodun SALMAN (PhD), Abdulganiy Okanla AHMED (PhD), Rasheed Olansile RAHEEM3 Grace Dolapo PELEMO Abstract This study investigated the availability, accessibility, and use of electronic information resources among undergraduate students in Fountain University Library, Osogbo. Survey research design was deployed, while quantitative research method was adopted using questionnaire for data gathering. The population of the study was nine hundred and fourteen (914), where a sample size of two hundred and seventy-eight (278) was determined using Research Advisors Table. Questionnaire was administered on the sample size and the data gathered were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings discovered that eLibrary is available with functional twenty (20) All-in-One Computer Workstations. It was revealed that OPAC, EbiscoHost, Research4Life, ScienceDirect, and e-resources (textbooks and journals) on Nursing, Law, Medical Laboratory Science, and Public Health are available. Few e-resources for all other twelve programmes in the university are also available in the eLibrary. Findings discovered that, e-references, CD-ROM, e-bibliography and e-archives were not available. It was also discovered that the available electronic information resources, though, accessible, but were not sufficientfor adequate use by the respondents. Considerably, majority of the respondents have a positive perception of electronic information resources and services. The study recommended that there should be acquisition of more data bases in addition to those in use, as well as, subscription to more e-resources, especially books and journals, which will cut across all the twelve programmes in the university. This will improve patronage and satisfaction of the patrons in order to justify the huge amount invested in the project. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jlis.v8n1a11

“Most important is that they figure out how to solve the problem”: how do advisors conceptualize and develop research autonomy in chemistry doctoral students?

While the paths after graduate school are increasingly varied, the central goal of doctoral programs remains to develop independent researchers. Given the important role of doctoral advisors in the socialization and progress-making of doctoral students, we conducted semi-structured interviews with faculty advisors who regularly advise chemistry doctoral students from three chemistry departments with rotation programs for their first-year students. In contrast to existing studies documenting advisee perspectives of research autonomy, this work focuses particularly on the advisor perspective. After open coding these interviews, we found a breadth of ideas and approaches to developing research autonomy. The faculty advisors conceptualized research autonomy in their first-year doctoral students as enthusiasm or curiosity for their research or research area. The advisor’s approaches to developing and promoting autonomy in doctoral students varied widely, and some went so far as to not develop autonomy in new students but to “screen” for it. Finally, different subdisciplines in chemistry provide unique opportunities as well as constraints for advisors and students. We discuss the implications of these findings for doctoral students, advisors of doctoral students, administrators, and research advisors of undergraduate students.

From the ground up: young research advisors’ perspectives on relationships between participation and protection

Purpose This contribution is co-authored by three members of the Young Researchers’ Advisory Panel (YRAP) at the International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking (IC) at the University of Bedfordshire, and supported by an academic researcher (Camille). The purpose of this paper is to reflect the group’s discussions about the relationship between children’s participation and protection, considered within the context of the group’s role and work. Design/methodology/approach A collaborative reflection piece co-produced through discussions between young research advisors and academic colleagues. Findings This paper shows the young researchers’ perspectives on the relationship between and interdependencies of child protection and child participation. Originality/value A unique contribution capturing children and young people’s perspectives on the journal’s theme and other contributions to it.