Browsing by Author "Nyambaka, Steve Biko"

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    Usability of Koha Online Public Access Catalogue by Undergraduate Users for Information Retrieval in Technical University of Kenya Library
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Nyambaka, Steve Biko
    KOHA is a web-based open source Library Management System (LMS) with an Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) module. KOHA OPAC is a versatile information retrieval instrument available to users both on and off campus. In Kenya most libraries use KOHA OPAC to facilitate information retrieval in various formats. This is made possible because of infinite potential and magnitudes of searching such as basic, advanced and keyword search which helps the user in retrieving needed information resources. However, despite these features, KOHA OPAC remains overlooked as observed in the tendency of users ignoring its utilization by going to the shelves straight. This brings about doubt as to the usability of KOHA OPAC thus hindering realization of its benefits. Purpose of this study was to probe usability of KOHA OPAC by undergraduate patrons for information retrieval in Technical University of Kenya Library (TU-KL). The study investigated usability of KOHA OPAC concerning; usability testing, interface design, ease of use, time taken, and user satisfaction. This research was governed by Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation Theory. Target population was 8,328 which yielded a sample size of 382 undergraduate students picked by stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive survey design was applied, with questionnaires adopted to gather data. A pre-test to ascertain validity and reliability of Pre-Task Questionnaire was conducted during a pilot study at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) Campus giving a Cronbach correlation coefficient of 0.70 which was regarded as appropriate. A usability test was administered to participants in TU-KL. Descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation and percentages were applied for data analysis. Findings were presented in tables using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). It was established that majority of undergraduate library users (about 70%) claimed that it was difficult to learn how to utilize KOHA OPAC for information retrieval. This was prompted by user inability to utilize the advanced search of KOHA OPAC which required application of Boolean operators to specify or broaden a search, unfamiliarity with features of KOHA OPAC, poor visibility and clarity of the link facilitating access to the online help feature which made it difficult for users to get assistance. The researcher concluded that using KOHA OPAC was not easy since participants could not employ the advanced search option effectively, they experienced difficulties locating online help feature and they were unable to get needed results after using KOHA OPAC since they lacked knowledge regarding features of KOHA OPAC such as the call number. The researcher suggested customization of KOHA OPAC interface to provide clear and descriptive features that adopt user friendly terminology, intensify visibility and clarity of the link to online help and escalate training on utilization of KOHA OPAC by collaborating with members of faculty so as to amalgamate the training in the university curriculum to enhance user information search and retrieval skills