Browsing by Author "Mugera, Lucy Wanene"

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    Effectiveness of Information Communication Technology Literacy Skills in Utilization of E-Resources by Fourth Year Undergraduate Students at Karatina University Library.
    (Kenyatta University, 2019-04) Mugera, Lucy Wanene
    The ICT literacy skills have enhanced the quality of e-resources retrieval through digital technologies and skills. Users of these skills graduate with the essential decisive ICT skills, understanding plus capabilities to be effective library users. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Information Communication Technology (ICT) literacy skills on utilization of e-resources by fourth year undergraduate students at Karatina University Town Branch library. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish adequacy of available ICT facilities, determine the types of e-resources, establish the strategies employed to enhance ICT literacy skills and to examine the challenges in the utilization of e-resources. The study was based on adaptive structuration theory that put into perspective how the users of new technology and ICT literacy skills holds high spirit for their possibility to change individual users for betterment of self. Descriptive survey design was adopted in carrying out the research. The target population was made up of 76 fourth year undergraduate regular students and four librarians. The Sloven formula was used to determine the sample size of the fourth year undergraduate students which yielded 64 respondents. The study adapted systematic random sampling technique to sample population of the students. The University librarian and library staff were purposively selected and included in the study. Self-administered questionnaires and interview schedules were used for data collection from the respondents. The reliability and validity of the instruments was tested through pilot study which was done at Dedan Kimathi University Nyeri where nine questionnaires were distributed to the fourth year undergraduate students and one librarian. The data was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics with the help of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SSPS) package version 20.0. The findings were presented in form of tables and figures. The study established the following findings: that the ICT facilities were available and functional but they were inadequate hence ICT literacy skills not effectively utilized. The e-resources were not enough and others not current and updated. ICT policy was not update. There was no adequate funds hence applying to donors or fundraising to collect money and poor internet connection leading to a lot of time used trying to download. Consequently, the study drew the following conclusions: Most of the students utilize the e-resources fully. Certain individual students have varying information needs which depends on the level of knowledge on how to use ICT literacy skills within the library. The content available in the e-resources was insufficient to cater for students intending to acquire knowledge and also inaccessible due to slowness in downloads. The study recommended that ICT department of the University establishes a way of improving internet accessibility which in turn will improve on the uses of ICT literacy skills in the process of e-resources retrieval. Allocation of sufficient funds for acquiring the ICT facilities and have the policy revised regularly and made elaborate for the users. It should also be made available in other alternative formats such as softcopy, CD, VCD, OR DVD. The study also recommended that the CUE should come up with guidelines on the content for delivering ICT literacy skills by universities and their libraries. Karatina University should also consider increasing ICT facilities and eresources in order to enhance effectiveness of ICT literacy skills use by students.
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    Postgraduate Students’ Awareness of Forms of Plagiarism and their Effects on Academic Reputation in Selected Public Universities, Kenya
    (Eastern Africa Journal of Contemporary Research (EAJCR), 2025) Mugera, Lucy Wanene; Gichuhi, Zipporah Wanjiku; Njoroge, George Gitau
    The standard of original, plagiarism-free research conducted by universities determines academic accomplishment. It emphasizes the caliber of the study and backs the university's initiatives to convey its significance on a global scale. A university can build a strong reputation and generate qualified individuals who aid in the advancement of society. The objectives were knowledge on forms of plagiarism and their effects and consequences of plagiarism. The study adopted descriptive research design using a survey approach. The locale was at Kenyatta University, Karatina University, and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. The target population was 247 from three schools in the three public universities. Sample size for students was 200, 60 lecturers and three Anti-plagiarism software administrators. The study adapted stratified sampling technique. Purposive sampling was also used to determine sample size from lecturers and Anti-plagiarism software administrators. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected through self- dministered questionnaires and interview schedules respectively. The study was grounded on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which served as its foundation. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The results of the study indicated that most of the postgraduate students were not exclusively aware of all forms of plagiarism had a reasonable understanding of the different penalties associated with plagiarism. It was recommended that, a campaign should be practiced to raise the level of awareness on forms of plagiarism and its effects. The study suggested that university management should also provide researchers with continuous sensitization through workshops and training on a variety of topics, such as how to improve academic writing abilities and steer clear of plagiarism.