Impact of Information Centres on Scientific Research: A Case Study of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana

Lydia Nyantakyi-Baah

doi:10.63772/jocmas.v2n1.6

Authors

Lydia Nyantakyi-Baah Ghana Institute of journalism Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6146-1228

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63772/jocmas.v2n1.6

Keywords:

Information Centres, Scientific Research, Cocoa Research Institute, Ghana

Abstract

Information centres are of prime concern as far as managing information is concerned. They have become significant in the provision of scientific and technical resources for scientists. Hence there is the need for information centres to process and repackage information in a suitable format that will satisfy and meet users’ information needs. This study looked at the impact of information centres on scientific research with reference to the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana. The impact of any information centre’s services on research or on a parent organization depends on the satisfaction users derive through the services. The study adopted the expectation disconfirmation theory, a customer satisfaction model, and used the survey method, employing the semi-structured questionnaire to collect data from 60 library users and 20 information centre staff. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to present the analysis. Findings from the study show that the Library is used frequently and patronage is very high. The information resources were found to be reliable, current and produced in a timely manner. Users derive a lot of benefits in using the Information Centre and this has increased research output. However, there are areas of dissatisfaction like the poor nature of Internet connectivity, inadequate information resources and limited funding.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Usage Statistics

Abstract Views: 9
PDF Downloads: 3

References

Addom, B. (2010). Redefining the role of information brokers: The case of Ghana’s agricultural innovation system and information technologies. Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship. Retrieved from http://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/14993

Agyeman, E. (2003). Impact of nuclear information on research and development activities of scientists and engineers in the nuclear field in Ghana (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Ghana, Legon.

Alemna, A. A. (2000). Libraries, information and society. Accra: Ghana Universities Press.

Ampem-Darko, K. O. (1995). Needs assessment of researchers carried out in Ghana and Nigeria: Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana and Nigeria. Quarterly Bulletin of International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists, 40(4).

Bayraktaroglu, G., & Ozgen, O. (2008). Integrating the Kano model, AHP and planning matrix QFD application in library services. Library Management, 29(4/5), 327–351. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120810869110

Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana – Ghana Cocoa Board. (1998). Handbook.

Everest, K., & Payne, P. (2001). The impact of libraries on learning, teaching and research. Journal of Library and Information Research News, 2(81).

Griffiths, J. M., & King, D. W. (1993). Special libraries: Increasing the information edge. Washington, DC: Public Libraries Association.

Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research. (2001). The state of the Ghanaian economy in 2000. Accra: ISSER.

Jiagge, M. A. (1999). Information needs of staff of the Water Research Institute – CSIR (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Ghana, Legon.

Kissiedu, C. (2002). Ghana universities’ case study: Study on libraries in public university libraries in Ghana. (Unpublished manuscript).

Kumar Das, B., & Kumar Karn, S. (2008). Marketing of library and information services in global world: A current approach. Webology, 5(2). Retrieved from http://www.webology.org/2008/v5n2/a56.html

Lancaster, F. W. (1977). The measurement and evaluation of library services. Virginia: Information Resources Press.

Lartey, M. S., & Sam, G. J. (2004). ICTs and national agricultural research systems: The case of Ghana. Retrieved from http://www.isnar.cgiar.org/pdf/in-ars/ghana

Marshall, J. G. (1992). The impact of the hospital library on clinical decision-making: The Rochester study. Bulletin of the Medical Library Association, 80(2), 169–178. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC225641

Oliver, R. L. (1980). A cognitive model of the antecedents and consequences of satisfaction decisions. Journal of Marketing Research, 17(3), 460–469. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378001700405

Spreng, R. A., MacKenzie, S. B., & Olshavsky, R. W. (1996). A reexamination of the determinants of consumer satisfaction. Journal of Marketing, 60(3), 15–32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/002224299606000302