Browsing by Author "Mutwiri, Caroline"

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    Academic Staff Attitude towards Open Access Outlets in Disseminating Research Findings in Selected Universities in Kenya
    (International Researchers, 2017) Mutwiri, Caroline; Karia, Mathew; Murungi, Catherine Gakii
    This study sought to establish the attitude of academic staff towards Open Access (OA) outlets. A descriptive research design was chosen for the study to describe the attitude of academics with regard to the outlets. The study was carried out in selected chartered private and public universities in Kenya.A total of 15,000 academic staff formed the study population from which a sample of 381 was drawn using stratified random sampling technique to select respondents from various universities. A questionnaire was designed for academic staff containing both open and closed ended questions. The study established a negative attitude of academic staff towards OA outlets. They were of the view that works published in conventional print journals were more recognized than those published in OA outlets and that OA outlets quality was lower than that of renowned print journals. Academics were also skeptical over the rigorous of review mechanisms for OA outlets. Therefore, their conservative preference for traditional outlets over newer publishing avenues was evident from their responses. The study recommend campaigns to enlighten the academic staff to recognize legitimacy and quality standard of OA outlets.
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    Assessing digital preservation strategies implemented for the institutional repository in Kaimosi Friends University Library
    (Regional Institute of Information and Knowledge Managemen, 2024-04) Musisi, JacobBushuru; Mutwiri, Caroline
    Rationaleof Study –The purpose of the study was to determine the digital preservation strategies implemented for the institutional repository at Kaimosi Friends University College. The academic orientation of this study was anchored on the chain of preservation model.Methodology –A descriptive research design was deployed. A census approach wasused to enumerate the 46 respondents as the population of the study was small. An interview schedule and questionnaire were used as data collection instruments. A pilot study was conducted at Kibabii University library in order to bring to light any weaknesses in the questionnaire as well as in the survey techniques. The instrument was validated through examination by experts in the field of information science. The test-retest technique was utilised to assess the reliability of the instrument. The data collected in this study were both quantitative and qualitative, and they were analysed with the aid of SPSS and presented using tablesand figures. Findings –The prominent digital preservation strategies deployed in the institutional repositorywere backup(60.5%), technology preservation (60.5%) and information migration (51.2%).Implications –The study recommends that Kaimosi Friends University College maintains the most commonly deployed strategies of digital preservation, namely information migration, backup and technology preservation. Originality –This is an original study conducted in a public university in Kenya.
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    Physical facilities and strategies used by teachers to improve pupils’ performance in social studies in Makueni County, Kenya
    (2018) Makau, Mathias Wambua; Murungi, Catherine Gakii; Mutwiri, Caroline
    The purpose of this study was to find out the classroom learning environment on lower primary school pupils’ performance in social studies in lower primary schools in Kibwezi zone in Makueni County, Kenya. The study aimed at determining the availability and use of physical facilities on pupils’ performance in social studies in lower primary schools in Kibwezi zone, Makueni County, Kenya and farther determines the strategies used by teachers to improve pupils’ performance in social studies in the same study area. The study was guided by ecological model by Urie Brofenbrenner which focuses on child development within context of systems of relationship that form the child environment into five layers. The study employed descriptive survey design. The independent variable was classroom learning environment while dependent variable was pupils’ academic performance in social studies. The study targeted all pupils and teachers in lower primary schools in Kibwezi zone. Purposive sampling was used to select location of the study while stratified random sampling and simple random techniques were used to select categories of schools and lower primary school teachers to be involved in the study. The sample comprised of all lower primary school pupils in the sampled schools. Data was collected using questionnaires and observation schedules. Content validity was used to ensure validity of the instruments. Test- retest method was used to evaluate reliability of the instruments. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that lower primary school classroom environment in Kibwezi zone were not conducive for pupils to learn Social studies effectively. Availability and use of physical facilities in social studies was below average and pupils scrambled to use the little available resources. Pupils’ performance in social studies was below average. It was recommended that parents be sensitized to participate in forums which could help primary schools get funded for teaching/learning materials and facilities such as CDF and county Government. It was also recommended that MOEST/Government should increase the Free Primary education funds to facilitate building and buying of school materials and facilities. Keywords: Classroom environment, Pupils performance, lower-Primary Schools, conducive classroom, school practice, learning environment, social studies, knowledge, skills, attitude, Kenya, library, resting rooms, playground
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    Use of Networks by Incubator Tenants to Acquire Knowledge to Create Businesses in University Incubation Centres in Kenya
    (Scholar Touch Publishers, 2020) Nkoroi, Lillian K; Mutwiri, Caroline; Njoroge, Rose
    The purpose of this paper is to analyze critically the Use of Networks by Incubator Tenants to Acquire Knowledge to Create Businesses in University Incubation Centres in Kenya. The methodology for the study is mixed methods including Document analysis, interviews, administration and analysis of questionnaires to obtain data from incubation centres in Kenyatta University and Strathmore University. The study revealed that the tenants of incubation centres relied on internal networks comprising of other tenants, academia and alumni to acquire and use knowledge for their businesses. External networks were organized on need basis by the incubation centre and therefore knowledge acquisition from such networks was only to a limited extent. The paper has significant theoretical, policy, and practical implications. From a theoretical perspective, the study finds that tenants in university business incubation centres have a high propensity for informal networks as opposed to the formal networks set up by the management of incubation centres.