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Showing posts from November, 2016

BIBLIOMETRICS OR ALTMETRICS: THE LIBRARIAN HAS A ROLE IN INCREASING RESEARCH IMPACT

Over the years, there has been a tremendous increase in research output by researchers particularly those in Africa. The reasons for this phenomenon could be attributed to various factors. Firstly, it could be that African researchers have woken up from their slumber and have started working. Furthermore, this sudden rise in research output could also be ascribed to the “publish or perish” mantra in most academic institutions. This has emanated as a result of a string attached to promotion in most academic institutions. Faculty is required to publish a number of articles as one criterion to qualify for promotion. And as humans, everybody wants to attain a level of self-actualisation and so are forced to embark on a research agenda. This, perhaps might be a key reason for the increasing research output in Africa. Another reason that comes to mind is “funding”. This, conceivably, is the major reason. It is evident that most funding agencies have developed interest in Africa and f

BIBLIOMETRICS OR ALTMETRICS: THE LIBRARIAN HAS A ROLE IN INCREASING RESEARCH IMPACT

Over the years, there has been a tremendous increase in research output by researchers particularly those in Africa. The reasons for this phenomenon could be attributed to various factors. Firstly, it could be that African researchers have woken up from their slumber and have started working. Furthermore, this sudden rise in research output could also be ascribed to the “publish or perish” mantra in most academic institutions. This has emanated as a result of a string attached to promotion in most academic institutions. Faculty is required to publish a number of articles as one criterion to qualify for promotion. And as humans, everybody wants to attain a level of self-actualisation and so are forced to embark on a research agenda. This, perhaps might be a key reason for the increasing research output in Africa. Another reason that comes to mind is “funding”. This, conceivably, is the major reason. It is evident that most funding agencies have developed interest in Africa and for

LIBRARY: THE BEST PLACE TO LEARN, UNLEARN AND RELEARN

I am so passionate when it comes to issues of library. This is because I was a victim of “lack of libraries in my vicinity” during my formative years. As a young chap growing up, I remember I could read well. I had the zeal to learn new words and understand new phrases. However, this zeal was challenged as I found myself in an environment where the culture of reading was reserved for the elite. After more than 20 years of primary school, I can still remember the titles of some chapters of some of the books we read in school. I remember “this is Ama” in primary two, “Mr. Kuma” in class three, “The hawk and the hen” in class four, “When Aku was ill” in class five and many more. Haaaa, these chapters always come with a sense of nostalgia. I remember I always wanted to be in the reading class because I believed I could read. However, my reading prowess always ended in the classroom. I had no reading book at home and to add salt to rub salt into my wound, I didn’t know of a library. Yes

RELEVANCE OF RANGANATHAN'S LAW

Ranganathan has been a celebrated personality in the field of library and information sciences. Indeed, he was a great philosopher who could see library science today from his days. Among the many works that he did, the particular one that catches my attention this morning even as I sit and doze off behind my laptop is his proposition of the five laws of library sciences. These laws have been able to stand the test of time and their relevance in today’s library practice and theory can never be underestimated. Accordingly, Ranganathan stipulates the following laws as the principal guideline for librarianship: ·          Books are for use. ·          Every reader his [or her] book. ·          Every book its reader. ·          Save the time of the User. ·          The library is a growing organism. Many established laws and principles have had to go through various stages of revision in order to remain relevant solely because of the advent of technology. However, thes

RELEVANCE OF RANGANATHAN'S LAW

R ELEVANCE O F R ANGANATHAN'S L AW Kwame Agyei Dankwah, Ho – Ghana Ranganathan has been a celebrated personality in the field of library and information sciences. Indeed, he was a great philosopher who could see library science today from his days. Among the many works that he did, the particular one that catches my attention this morning even as I sit and doze off behind my laptop is his proposition of the five laws of library sciences. These laws have been able to stand the test of time and their relevance in today’s library practice and theory can never be underestimated. Accordingly, Ranganathan stipulates the following laws as the principal guideline for librarianship: ·          Books are for use. ·          Every reader his [or her] book. ·          Every book its reader. ·          Save the time of the User. ·          The library is a growing organism. Many established laws and principles have had to go through various stages of r