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Dissertation Information for Andrew Musonda Kaniki

NAME:
- Andrew Musonda Kaniki

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Pittsburgh (USA) (1989)

ADVISORS:
- William Nasri

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Allen Kent
- E. J. Josey
- Anthony Debons
- Richard Clark

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Agricultural information needs in Zambia: A study of a two-way information flow

Abstract: Most African countries experience ineffective and/or lack of information linkage among agricultural researchers, extension agents, and farmers. The problem is further compounded by the fact that little is known about the information needs of agriculturalists. Based on previous literature, it is assumed that when an information need is satisfied, then useful and utilizable information is transferred. An agricultural library is one of the several information providers potentially capable of meeting information needs of agriculturalists and thereby enhance two-way information flow.

This study therefore investigated the information seeking situations (ISSs)and needs of agriculturalists, and their use of and satisfaction with various information providers. The study investigated in more detail the use and non-use of agricultural libraries. Based on the data collected, the role of the library in meeting information needs and consequently enhancing two-way information flow was defined.

Data were collected in Zambia through a self-administered questionnaire and structured interview protocol. The data collected from 1192 agriculturalists (1,000 farmers, 98 extension agents and 94 research staff) were presented in the form of descriptive statistics.

Results showed that: (1) Agriculturalists in Zambia face a variety of ISSs. Some ISSs are limited to particular categories of agriculturalists and geographical locations. (2) Information needs of agriculturalists are manifested in their ISSs and generally similar to those experienced by agriculturalists in other countries. However, the levels of need differ among the different categories of agriculturalists. (3) In their attempt to resolve needs agriculturalists use a variety of information providers. Most agriculturalists use more than one information provider to resolve any information need. The level of satisfaction with each information provider varies amongst agriculturalists. (4) The use of and satisfaction with Zambian agricultural libraries is very low. Generally agricultural libraries do not currently meet the needs of the majority of agriculturalists. (5) Currently, Zambia's agricultural libraries do not effectively meet the needs of the majority of agriculturalists.

The role of agricultural libraries in Zambia should be based on the ISSs and needs of agriculturalists bearing in mind the different factors that affect the use and non-use of libraries.

MPACT Scores for Andrew Musonda Kaniki

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:23:19

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Students under Andrew Musonda Kaniki

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None