Internet facilities: use and non-use by Nigerian university scientists

Abstract

The Internet culture is creating a new scientific communication system with new facilities that are competing with, and might replace, the present printed information sources. The use and non-use of these facilities by Nigerian academic scientists were investigated, using data collected from a survey of academic staff of selected disciplines in 10 universities. It was found that the scientists are still heavily dependent on printed information sources, especially journals, indexes and abstracts. The study reveals that 64.4% of them have a computer at their disposal, while 50.4% have access to, and are using, the Internet. Besides e-mail, very little use is made of other Internet facilities. Non-use of the Internet is attributable to problems of accessibility, ease of use and cost. Most of the non-users are aware of the information and communication potential of the Internet in their disciplines, and believe that the Internet will become indispensable in their research in the future. 50 1 2

International graduate training, digital inequality and professional network structure: An ego-centric social network analysis of knowledge producers at the “Global South”

“…Science is organized by areas and structured around networks of scientists, who interact through conferences, publications, and seminars [CASTELLS, 2000;EHIKHAMENOR, 2003]. They also engage in other types of relationships: informal discussions, collaborations, and student-professor mentoring [CRANE, 1972;EHIKHAMENOR, 2003].…”

“…They also engage in other types of relationships: informal discussions, collaborations, and student-professor mentoring [CRANE, 1972;EHIKHAMENOR, 2003]. While knowledge production is hitherto characterized by such forms of interactions, it is also different in that these interactions increasingly take place on-line and in cyber space [CASTELLS, 2000].…”

Exploring network literacy among students of St. Joseph's Theological Institute in South Africa

“…Comments and suggestion given by the eight respondents varied and each comment and suggestion is listed in Table I. The comments in Table I are in resonance with those commonly found in the literature (Ehikhamenor, 2003;Luambano and Nawe, 2004;Mishra, Yadavand Kamini, 2005;Odero-Musakali and Mutula, 2007;Ojedokun, 200 I). Table I Comments and suggestions on the use of the Internet Comments and suggestions "I wish I had better knowledge about the use of the Internet" "I think that net is a wonderful way of knowing, exchanging and meeting people" "Time allocation for net use is limited" "I wish everyone can have access to the net since it is very good" "Internet is a good tool that students should be used to, and encouraged to use.…”

“…Ten (41.7%) pointed to the unavailability of computers with Internet facilities. Inadequate provision of computers with Internet facilities and the slow speed of computers were identified by past research as the reasons why students in an African academic environment were not using the Internet effectively (Ehikhamenor, 2003;Luambano and Nawe, 2004;Mgobozi and Ocholla, 2002;Mishra, Yadav and Kamini, 2005;Odero-Musakali and Mutula, 2007;Ojedokun, 200 I).…”

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“…However, Ehikhamenor is of the view that poor use of Internet technology in Nigerian universities results from such important issues as accessibility and cost (18).…”