This study focused on the digitisation of records and archives at two selected state universities in Zimbabwe, namely Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) and Harare Institute of Technology (HIT). The specific objective was to evaluate the legal and statutory frameworks for managing the digitisation of records and archives at the state universities. The legislative and statutory imperatives in Zimbabwe, the exponential growth in digitised records and archiving in the state universities and the lack of capacity of records personnel with regard to the management of digital records and archives, motivated this study. The records of the state universities are stored on network servers that the university can access. However, individual users are often able to copy or move them to individual desktops and portable devices that are beyond the university’s control. The study adopted a mixed methods convergent parallel research design and collected data through questionnaires and interviews. The data collection instruments provided both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data were analysed using the SPSS analytical software package, while qualitative data were organised into broad themes and the content reported in narrative form. The findings were that both respondents and participants understand the records management functions in their universities and both state universities are busy creating policies and procedures for the digitisation of records and archives in their business transactions. The findings further indicated that the two state universities were digitising their records and archives using untrained personnel. Legislation, policies, and standards and procedures were not enforced. This exposed the materials to major threats and risks in terms of their integrity, security and authenticity. The study recommended that there the legal and statutory frameworks must be formulated, implemented and enforced to cater for the digitisation of records and archives at state universities in Zimbabwe.
Background: This study examines the digitisation of records and archives at two state universities in Zimbabwe that have embarked on digitisation of their records and archives resources in line with new technological trends of doing business online.Objectives: One of the objectives of this research study was to identify the gaps existing in the digitisation of records and archives at the two selected state universities and recommend ways of filling those gaps. The other objective was to find out if the state universities have adopted a framework or model for the smooth digitisation process of the records and archives.Methods: The study adopted a qualitative multiple-case research design to provide an in-depth understanding of the cases of the digitisation of records and archives at the selected state universities. Data were collected via purposive sampling using interviews.Results: The major findings of this study revealed that the two state universities are digitising records and archives without a framework or model for a smooth digitisation programme.Conclusion: The study recommends for a centralised model to cater for the digitisation of records and archives at the state universities in Zimbabwe. A model for managing digital records and archives which combines best practices and top management support with a centralised approach is proposed. This model is built on integrated systems that will enable the two selected state universities to enhance cost-effectiveness, sharing and exchanging digital records and archives amongst employees. This study is pertinent as it enriches the literature in the field of records and archives management and provides strategies on the management of digital records and archives in state universities in Zimbabwe.
This paper discusses the challenges of records management that arise from the use of adapted buildings as records centres in Zimbabwe, despite the advantages of using such buildings. A qualitative research approach was used as well as a case study research design. Data were collected from seven officers of the Gweru Records Centre through semi-structured interviews. Personal observation was used to triangulate findings from interviews. It was found that the use of adapted buildings as records centres was a cheaper and quicker way of establishing records centres throughout the country. However, a number of preservation, security and management challenges cropped up as the conditions of the buildings and the environment of the adapted buildings were not conducive to the proper and professional management of records. This study is important in that it explores the prospects and challenges of using adapted buildings as records centres in Zimbabwe, an area that has not been researched by many authors. This provokes archival authorities and the government to seriously consider establishing purpose-built records and archival centres.
The Gokwe South District is among the top districts in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe with several health-related challenges, as indicated by the statistics from the Zimbabwe National Health Profile. The premise of this study was, therefore, to establish mechanisms that could be instituted to ensure access to health-related information for the Gokwe South community members. The study was pragmatic, through an embedded mixed-methods design. Opportunity sampling was used to select 72 community members. Expert sampling was used to select an information officer of the Gokwe Rural District Council and two members of the Zimbabwe Library Association Midlands Branch. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the community members, whereas interviews were used to generate data from the information officer, and the members of the Zimbabwe Library Association Midlands Branch. The study found that the community members faced varied challenges when accessing health-related information, which included digital illiteracy, the lack of health information centres, geographic seclusion of communities, and information format challenges. As a way forward, the study noted the need for the institution of community libraries and health information centres by the government, through the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, in conjunction with the local council. In addition, diverse associations, such as the Zimbabwe Library Association, were recommended to play an active role in offering digital and information literacy programmes to the community members.
This chapter discusses the relevance of mixed methods research in developing a framework for digitising records and archives. Mixed methods research has never been extensively used to find solution to the problems experienced in digitising records and archives. Digitisation, in general, has become a diverse area whose problems cannot be solved with a mono research methodology. The application of both quantitative and qualitative techniques in finding solutions in the digitisation of records and archives would help records and archives professionals to have a deeper understanding of the difficulties associated with digitising records and archives, especially as the field is facing some rebirth due to advancement in technology. Digitisation of records and archives is revolving and gaining momentum due to the shifts of paradigms in techniques of record-keeping.
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