Abstract:
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has transformed the way
information is produced, processed, stored, accessed, disseminated, and used in
contemporary societies. Consequently, several academic libraries, including the
National University of Rwanda (NUR) Library and its branch libraries have
introduced electronic journals to support learning, teaching, and research. However,
there has been doubt whether the NUR communities, especially postgraduate students
have been fully utilizing the electronic journals available at the University Library.
The aim of this study was to investigate access and use of electronic journals by
postgraduate students at the National University of Rwanda and propose measures to
improve the access and use of e-journals at the institution. The specific objectives
were to identify the ways used by postgraduate students to access information; to
determine the databases containing e-journals preferred by postgraduate students; to
analyze access and use of e-journals by postgraduate students; to identify factors that
hinder the use of e-journals; and finally to suggest measures for improvement of
access and use of e-journals at NUR. The study was guided by Borgman’s three
elements of accessing the network. A mixed method approach was used in the
collection of data, whereby both quantitative and qualitative approaches were applied.
From a total population of 688 postgraduate students, a sample of 87 students, 18
library managers and trainers were selected for the study. Data was collected using
interviews and questionnaires. The study findings indicate that postgraduate students
use different branch libraries and Main Library sd4sd4to access information for the
academic purposes. Postgraduate students access e-journals through NUR computer
labs, their laptops and cyber café (internet). They also face problems in searching and
retrieving information. It was also observed that inadequate awareness of the
existence of e-journals, inadequate qualified staff, inadequate training, low skills in
searching and retrieving and computer skills, poor infrastructure; insufficient number
of computers and, poor power capacity and internet connectivity are limitations in the
access and use of e-journals at NUR. The study recommends improvement of network
connectivity, training users and staff on advanced search and retrieval techniques for
both short and long terms, recruiting qualified and competent staff, developing policy
for e-journals management, involving users in selection of e-journals and creating
awareness of the existence of e-journals.
