Professional Variables and Staff Readiness to Utilise Internet-Based Channels for Research Communication in an Era of Covid-19

Abstract

This study assessed the professional variables of academic staff in African varsities and their readiness to Utilise Internet-Based Channels for Research Communication in an era of Covid-19. Drawing from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, the study was guided by four null hypotheses. The quantitative research method based on the virtual cross-sectional survey design was adopted. A total of 8,591 academics in African universities were the targeted demographic of this study. However, data were collected from a virtual snowball sample of 1,977 respondents (males, N = 1347; females, N = 630) from 24 African countries. A validated electronic survey, with three major aspects, was employed for data collection. The e-survey was released on the Association of African Universities' Telegram forum, which includes 1,622 participants from diverse African nations and regions. Members of the forum, who are all academics, were invited to complete the survey and publish it on their universities' internet-based forums. Coded data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as the Kruskal Wallis Non-parametric test. The non-parametric test was used because the data failed to meet the normality assumptions required to perform a parametric test. Results indicated, amongst others, that there are considerable variances in staff preparedness to use internet-based channels for research communication based on their educational credentials, educational qualification, rank and areas of research interest. According to the survey, academics with a doctoral degree; grade II lecturers; staff with 3 to 6 years of service; and staff in the medical sciences demonstrated a higher propensity of readiness to use internet-based channels for research communication. Based on these findings key theoretical, practical and research implications are discussed.

Socioeconomic factors and the evaluation of HIV/AIDS prevention programs: A psychometric analysis of an instrument

“…This seems to be due to the limited studies focusing on evaluating HIV/AIDS programs globally and in Africa. During pandemics, developing countries like Nigeria are often unprepared because of poor medical infrastructure and healthcare delivery [5,6]. If individuals have the understanding, assistance, and services to choose a new safe behavior, they can make responsible decisions about their health.…”

Care/Support, Location, and the Monitoring/Evaluation of HIV/AIDs Prevention Programs: The Case of Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria

“…WHO also documented that 73% of the people living with HIV/AIDs received Antiretroviral therapy (WHO, 2020). The outburst of Covid-19 in the early months of 2020 shifted people's attention from HIV/AIDs, making it appear like a forgotten story (Owan, Akah, et al 2021). While we are battling to fit into the new normal occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic (Owan, Asuquo, et al 2021;Aslam, Sonkar, and Owan 2021), it is pertinent that we also consider regulating the spread of the HIV/AIDs pandemic.…”

Personal Characteristics and Academic Staff Teaching Adjustment to the New Normal: The Case of a Public University in Nigeria

“…The outbreak led to the most significant global economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s (Behera et al, 2021;Johnson et al, 2020;Selgin, 2021), with panic buying, agricultural disruption and food shortages that contributed to widespread global supply problems. During the pandemic, the proliferation of false information through social media and traditional media exacerbated political unrest (Melki et al, 2021;Owan, Akah, et al, 2021;Serpell & Simatende, 2016). Due to the outbreak, racial and regional prejudice, health equity, and finding a middle ground between public health and individual rights came to the surface (Owan, 2020).…”