Factors that determine open data readiness among scholars: experience from selected universities in Tanzania

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate the factors determining the readiness for uptake of open data (OD) in Tanzania. Specifically, this study intended to answer the question that sought to find out the factors that influence the implementation of OD in universities under study in a view to aligning with recommended strategies for optimizing the use of data in the open science era. Design/methodology/approach This study used a cross-sectional survey design whereby data were collected using quantitative and qualitative research approaches. A sample size of 212 respondents was drawn from the sampling frame of a population of 1,846 researchers from the participating universities using both probability and nonprobability sampling techniques. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from researchers while interviews were administered to decision-makers. These two groups were believed to have the necessary knowledge for this study. Findings The findings indicate low or lack of skills and awareness on issues related to OD among researchers and decision-makers. This study also reveals inadequate infrastructure to support open science initiatives including OD. Moreover, this study shows a lack of supportive institutional strategies and policies that trigger the implementation of OD initiatives in Tanzania. This study recommends that universities should uplift the level of confidence of researchers by ensuring all necessary factors determining the uptake of OD are in place before and during the implementation of OD initiatives. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted during the time when researchers in universities are in an infant stage of adopting the concept from the developed world. In this regard, it is important to carry out a tracer study on establishing the OD phenomena after a number of universities have implemented OD initiatives in the country. Practical implications The researchers recommend the establishment of institutional policy and strategies to guide the implementation of OD among universities in Tanzania. Including awareness creation awareness through providing training among researchers and academics in universities. The results shed light to decision-makers on the understanding of the role of sharing research data in enhancing openness and validation of findings to increase the authenticity of results among researchers. Social implications The authors have revealed the factors affecting the implementation of OD among scholars in universities. This study reveals the level of acceptance of OD initiatives and the factors that could trigger adoption of OD. Originality/value This paper presents factors that determine the readiness for the uptake of OD in universities in Tanzania from the researcher’s perspective. This study was conducted to fill the knowledge gap that sought to establish understanding of researchers about OD. The gap was established through literature and it was found that none of the presented studies researched on this phenomenon in Tanza...

Knowledge and practices of open science among scholars and researchers in Tanzania

“…OS is a relatively new avenue in the research landscape of Tanzania, with reported practices placing a heavy focus on open access (OA) (Dulle et al 2010;Mgonzo & Yonah 2014;Buhomoli & Muneja 2022). OS adoption in Tanzania has been slow despite several initiatives geared towards promoting the movement (Muneja & Ndenje-Sichalwe 2016;Kaijage 2017;Siyao et al 2017;Fossner 2021;Personal communication 2022;TCC Africa 2022).…”

“…The slow trend may be due to low awareness of the OS practices among research and academic institutions. Misconceptions and concerns for misuse of data such as loss of patent rights, data theft and manipulation in open repositories may hold back researchers from practising OS (Buhomoli & Muneja 2022). Elsewhere in Africa, a lack of clear institutional policies to guide application of OS principles has also been a hindrance and may be the case for Tanzania as well (Mwelwa et al 2020;Okafor et al 2022).…”

University Lecturers’ Feelings, Awareness and Attitudes Towards Open Education Resources: Experience from Two Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania

“…Additionally, Matonkar and Dhuri (2021) investigated how open education and free Internet resources were used in India during the Covid-19 pandemic and discovered that the vast majority of participants were unfamiliar with OER. Further, a study by Buhomoli and Muneja (2022) shows that researchers and decisionmakers have little or no awareness of issues connected to open science, such as open data and OERs. Appiah et al, (2020) conducted a study at Ghana's Kumasi Technical University on an evocative appraisal of OER awareness, attitude, and utilization.…”

Citation Impact of Institutional Repositories in Selected Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania

“…Other institutions joined the initiative by developing the IRs, such as Mzumbe University IR (MU IR), Sokoine University of Agriculture IR (SUA IR), Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences IR (MUHAS IR), and the University of Dodoma IR (UDOM IR) (Muneja, 2009;Nunda & Elia, 2018). The IR adoption and use in Tanzania have been motivated by several aspects, such as increasing institutional visibility, research outputs, and citation impacts (Buhomoli & Muneja, 2023;Mbughuni et al, 2022;Nunda & Elia, 2018).…”