1. Reference management tool utilization framework for Northern Uganda Public Universities
Jackson Abandu*, Patrick Okot, Benson Oloya, Isdore Paterson Guma, Benedict Oyo and Florence N. Kivunike.
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2. Background
IT facilitates delivery of services for the country (Xiong, Qureshi, & Najjar, 2013).
Universities are the key drivers of this delivery and their effort to boost research quality via IT is desired (Albulescu & Albulescu, 2014; Lekopanye & Mogwe, 2014).
Public Universities in post-conflict regions may use IT to produce urgent information to support reconstruction process (Souter & Kelly, 2013; Faber, 2017).
Reconstruction process involves a shift from a state of violence to stability.
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3. Statement of the Problem
Although one of the core values of a University is enshrined in research, quality and time constraints still affect its output (Otieno, 2014; Newton, 2015).
Yet decisions that are made for interventions are guided by time and information quality that can be achieved through utilization of IT such as RM tool.
Studies that assess RM utilization in public Universities based on PU are limited.
This is coupled with lack of framework to guide RM tool utilization process.
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4. Objectives of the study
Main Objective
The main objective of this study was to develop a framework to guide RM tool utilization in Northern Uganda public Universities
Specific Objectives
To determine factors that affect RM tool utilization in Public Universities.
To design a framework to guide RM tool utilization.
To validate the proposed framework.
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5. Theoretical Framework
Study reinforced by Technology Acceptance Model and Activity Theory (AT).
TAM by Venkatesh et al. (2003) is flexible and allows for critiquing of related works to permit rigor and consistency.
Perceived usefulness (PU), ease of use (PEOU) and behavioral intention to adopt an invention are the key facets of TAM.
However, TAM does not accounted for the composition of PU and hence allowing possibility for its extension or modification in this study.
AT explains interaction between the users (subject) and RM (object).
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7. Conceptual Framework
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8. Methods, Sampling and Data Collection
A descriptive design was used to carry out the study.
A total of 95 participants from Gulu and Muni University.
Participants consisted of lecturers; graduates and final year students.
Random sampling technique was used to administer questionnaires.
Reliability and validity of questionnaire was performed through expert reviews and alpha coefficient determination.
Regression analysis was done to validate the proposed framework.
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9. Results and Analysis
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15. Model Validation
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17. Validated Framework
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18. Discussion
Awareness (P=.000): Low level of awareness about an invention decreases its rate of utilization by the target users (Alabi, 2016; Francese, 2013).
Skills (P=0.001): Specialized skills reduce errors and create positive mind set to use an invention (Baldwin & Lin, 2001; Bartel et al., 2007).
Trust (P=0.017): The complexity of a system or invention in terms of usage and data manipulation creates mistrust in users and hence reducing its operation or utilization by the users (Belanger & Carter, 2008).
Funding (P=0.047): Helps to meet costs of skilling and awareness to promote utilization of an invention such as RM (Astebrot, 2004).
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19. Conclusion
The three key factors that affect RM tool utilization in Northern Uganda Public Universities include: skills; awareness, trust and funding.
A RM tool utilization framework that is made of the three factors has been designed and tested for applicability based on perceived usefulness.
However, more of the factors can be explored in future to meet the changing user needs through increasing sample size and including more public and private Universities.
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20. Recommendation
We recommend that funding; imparting of skills; creation of awareness and trust to utilize Reference Management tool be given priority by the management, Government and other stakeholders.
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21. Thank you for listening!!
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