Browsing by Author "Gana, Leah Yebo"

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Assessing the Role of Librarians in Combating Health Misinformation during Pandemics in Minna Metropolis.
(Department of Library & Information Science, Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, 2024-12-19) Gana, Leah Yebo; Emeka, C.; Madaki, A. M.; Salubuyi, M. A.
The adverse effects of misinformation on societal progress, particularly in the realm of health, are well-known. Librarians, as guardians of information, have vital role in disseminating accurate information to the public. This research paper explores the potential of the field of librarianship in countering health misinformation. The study examines existing literature on the societal role of librarians in combating misinformation. Additionally, interviews were conducted with all librarians from tertiary institutions in Minna metropolis to investigate their roles in disseminating factual information during the Covid-19 outbreak. The research explores the strategies employed by librarians to combat misinformation, the challenges they faced in this endeavour, and assesses the impact of these strategies on mitigating Covid-19 misinformation. The study delves into both the misinformation encountered by the community and the persisting beliefs in misinformation. Furthermore, it investigates the channels through which communities receive health information. The paper outlines effective initiatives within the Library and Information Systems (LIS) profession, emphasising recommendations for librarians to enhance their role in the digital age and contribute successfully to the field of public health. Seven librarians from all tertiary libraries in the Minna metropolis were interviewed. Additionally, One Hundred (100) residents from ten communities were randomly selected to fill out questionnaires to ascertain the impact tertiary libraries have on misinformation in the communities. Only librarians from health institutions attempted to educate the communities, with little impact felt.
Effect of Resourcefulness on the Research Productivity of LIS Educators in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
(Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan, 2020-07-01) Babalola, G.A.; Omame, I.M.; Salubuyi, M.A.; Gana, Leah Yebo; Uno, C.A.; Saidu, A.A.
Research productivity is the crux of measuring and valuating the performance of Educators in any institution of higher learning. Research productivity in particular is crucial to the overall development of both the institutions of higher learning and of the individual faculty. To enhance the ranking and standard of higher institutions of learning in this digital age, the research output of Educators are normally displayed in institutions’ repositories. One of the indicators of progress and which is usually used as yardstick for career progression and elevation of faculties in higher institutions of learning is research productivity. Research productivity of faculty including Library and Information Science (LIS) Educators might not receive a boost if they are not resourceful. The study was located to Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Two (2) research questions were asked and answered. The research design was descriptive survey. The Total population for the study was (12) LIS Educators from six (6) higher institutions in Nasarawa State. Only (2) of the institutions run LIS programme. Specifically, Federal University Lafia and Nasarawa State Polytechnic Lafia, hence they were purposively selected for the study. Total enumeration (census) technique was used to cover the entire target population. Twelve (12) copies of the questionnaire administered were all returned having a response rate of 100%. The research questions were analysed using mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study revealed that resourcefulness greatly enhanced the research productivity of LIS Educators in the two higher institutions running LIS programme in Nasarawa State Nigeria, as revealed in their mean scores for all the items/constructs outlined to demonstrate qualities of resourcefulness respectively. The study recommended that LIS Educators in Nasarawa State, Nigeria should be trained and imparted with skills to be more resourceful, since it has positive influence on their research productivity. In addition, they should also be provided with opportunities to attend conferences, workshops and seminars and be provided with research grants in order to develop their resourceful ability for enhanced research productivity.
Empowering LIS Educators with ICT skills for Creative and Innovative Knowledge Sharing in the Digital Age.
(Zeh Communications, 2020) Babalola, G.A.; Gana, Leah Yebo; Udoudoh, S.J.; Saidu, A.A.; Uno, C.A.; Madaki, A.M.
The rapidly evolving exigencies of the digital age are part of the compelling forces for all professionals including Library and Information Science (LIS) Educators to collaborate in terms of knowledge sharing rather than being islands to one another. Innovative and creative knowledge sharing coupled with Information and Communications Technology (ICT) proficiency would go a long way in not only empowering but in enhancing the productivity, the relevance and the profitability of LIS Educators in the digital age. The paper, therefore, examined how the possession of ICT skills coupled with creative and innovative knowledge sharing could serve as empowering and productive tools for LIS educators in the digital age. Issues that border on how ICT could improve creativity and innovation in knowledge sharing were also discussed. A nexus and the inextricable interplay among ICT Skills; Creativity; Innovation; Knowledge Sharing, and digital age were equally established. It was concluded that LIS educators would be empowered for optimum relevance, creativity and innovative knowledge sharing in the digital age, if they are proficient in the use of ICT. The paper recommended amongst others the need for paradigm shift from the traditional or orthodox practice of knowledge sharing to the evolving trends and best practices of knowledge sharing in the (rapidly changing world) digital age.
Enhancing Library and Information Science Curriculum in Nigeria: Integrating Interdisciplinary Skills and Emerging Technologies for Economic Development.
(2024-10-11) Gana, Leah Yebo
The rapidly changing world demands educational adaptability, especially from library and information science (LIS) students. The use of traditional physical textbooks, sitting in library chairs, and researching with physical books is becoming obsolete, much like historical artifacts for tourism. Emerging technologies offer innovative avenues for LIS students to solve problems in todays technologically modified world. This research paper explores existing literatures on the relationship of library and information science and emerging technologies. It delves into empowering LIS students with skills required to thrive in a competitive, advanced world for economic development. The researcher conducted a survey to learn how LIS students view the curriculum’s content and value. From the data collected, the majority of undergraduate students were unsatisfied with the curriculum content but perceived the curriculum prepared them for the job market. The majority found the courses relevant to their career goals, with the curriculum content needing more balance between theory and practical application. Most of the students wanted more computer science courses included in their curriculum. Recommendations are made on how the economy can be developed, reducing unemployment by integrating emerging technology courses into the LIS curriculum to enhance problem-solving skills and employment prospects.
Influence of Social Media on Masters Students Learning Activities
(School of Science and Technology Education, Federal Univerity of Technology, Minna, 2021-12-01) Gana, Leah Yebo
This study uncovers the influence of social media on Masters’ Students learning activities. The research intends to find out how often Masters’ Students use social network sites and the social network site most commonly used. The study also discovered what social network site best supports student academic task and who students interact with over these network sites. An online survey was sent through email and Facebook to Masters Students in some Universities in England. The survey questions contained four questions. However the results of survey showed that a high percentage of students were neutral as to social network site improving their academic performance. A high percentage of students showed that network sites aid distribution of articles and files relevant to course work. The kind of problems that were solved over these network sites included Assignments, research works and general knowledge. Finding out people students interact with over these sites, results showed a high percentage of interaction between class mates and other friends. Although there are some limitations to this study, it is recommended that universities encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing among mentors, tutors, course mates and others using social network sites.
Information management and utilisation for organizational efficiency in a digital age.
(Ibadan University press. Publishing house University of Ibadan, 2024) Gana, Leah Yebo
Information management is a vast and evolving field, covering everything from data governance to knowledge organization and retrieval. Information management involves collecting, organizing, controlling, processing, evaluating, and distributing information from diverse sources to various audiences. It encompasses all valuable data, whether internal or external to an organization, including resources like production data, personnel records, market research, and competitive intelligence. Information management concerns the control over how information is created, acquired, organized, stored, distributed, and used as a means of promoting, efficient and effective information access, processing, and use by people and organizations (Detlor, 2010). Information Management ensures the value, quality, ownership, use, and security of information, impacting organizational performance. It covers technical, operational, and social aspects, engaging individuals, networks, businesses, and governments. This process influences how information is organized, accessed, and utilized, guided by strategies and frameworks shaping its planning, application, and utilization. The University of Washington described information management in today’s knowledge economy, as an emerging field that is concerned with • The infrastructure used to collect, manage, preserve, store and deliver information • The guiding principles that allow information to be available to the right people at the right time • The view that all information, both digital and physical, is an asset that requires proper management • The organizational and social contexts in which information exists • The purpose of information management is to: design, develop, manage, and use information with insight and innovation and in addition support decision making and create value for individuals, organizations, communities, and societies. Organizations that can’t properly utilize their information assets risk serious failure. To proceed on explaining what information management is, there is need to explain the basics. Information management encompasses various practices, technologies, and strategies to handle information effectively throughout its lifecycle, which can be expressed in eight (8) key aspects. These includes: Data collection, storage and organisation, data governance, information retrieval, data analysis, knowledge sharing, information security and lifecycles management.
Mentoring, Collaborative Researches and ICT Versatility as Influencing Factors on Research Productivity of LIS Educators in Nigeria.
(Zeh Communications, 2020) Babalola, G.A.; Saidu, A.A; Abubakar, U; Uno, C.A; Gana, Leah Yebo; Tauheed, H.N.
The paper described the extent to which mentoring, collaborative researches and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) versatility could serve as influencing factors on research productivity of Library and Information Science (LIS) educators in Nigeria. One of the major determinants of profitability of the faculty including LIS educators is research productivity. While it is true that faculty members are expected to teach and carry out other responsibilities in the academia, their research productivity remains a strong yardstick in determining their level of relevance. The research productivity of LIS educators would, under normal circumstances, receive a boost if there is cordial and fruitful mentoring among colleagues especially between the senior faculty and junior faculty. In this information driven age, LIS educators who are highly skillful in the use of ICT in information handling-accessing, collating, utilising and disseminating information would definitely be productive in terms of research productivity. With the limitless opportunities that the digital age has made possible, LIS educators who are properly mentored and who are active in knowledge collaboration coupled with ICT versatility would definitely be super productive in terms of research output. The paper concluded that mentoring is one of the major media of creating cordial and functional lasting relationship which, afterwards, influences the research productivity of LIS educators. It was recommended that mentoring programme in higher institutions of learning should be renewed and formalised to elicit the best from the mentors and mentees with a view of boosting the research productivity of both parties.
Mentoring, Collaborative Researches and ICT Versatility as Influencing Factors on Research Productivity of LIS Educators in Nigeria.
(Zeh Communications, 2020) Babalola, G.A.; Saidu, A.A.; Abubakar, U.; Uno, C.A; Gana, Leah Yebo; Tauheed, H.N.
The paper described the extent to which mentoring, collaborative researches and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) versatility could serve as influencing factors on research productivity of Library and Information Science (LIS) educators in Nigeria. One of the major determinants of profitability of the faculty including LIS educators is research productivity. While it is true that faculty members are expected to teach and carry out other responsibilities in the academia, their research productivity remains a strong yardstick in determining their level of relevance. The research productivity of LIS educators would, under normal circumstances, receive a boost if there is cordial and fruitful mentoring among colleagues especially between the senior faculty and junior faculty. In this information driven age, LIS educators who are highly skillful in the use of ICT in information handling-accessing, collating, utilising and disseminating information would definitely be productive in terms of research productivity. With the limitless opportunities that the digital age has made possible, LIS educators who are properly mentored and who are active in knowledge collaboration coupled with ICT versatility would definitely be super productive in terms of research output. The paper concluded that mentoring is one of the major media of creating cordial and functional lasting relationship which, afterwards, influences the research productivity of LIS educators. It was recommended that mentoring programme in higher institutions of learning should be renewed and formalised to elicit the best from the mentors and mentees with a view of boosting the research productivity of both parties.
Mentoring, Knowledge Sharing, ICT Versatility as Influencing Factors on Research Productivity and Career Advancement of LIS Educators.
(Zeh Communications, 2020) Babalola, G.A.; Uno, C.A.; Saidu, A.A.; Gana, Leah Yebo; Salubuyi, M.A.; Abubakar, U.
The paper examined the importance of mentoring, knowledge sharing and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) versatility as influencing factors on the research productivity and career advancement of Library and Information Science (LIS) educators. The nexus among knowledge sharing, mentoring and ICT versatility as influencing factors on research productivity and career advancement of LIS educators was equally established. Promotion, career advancement and job progression of faculty including Library and Information Science (LIS) educators is usually hinged on their research productivity amongst other factors. In this digital age, the worth of an institution could easily be measured by accessing her productivity. The major currency that is well known in the digital economy is ICT. ICT versatility and proficiency will be a great advantage for all who possess it in the age. Sharing of knowledge could be horizontal, vertical and circular. With knowledge sharing comes inculcation of eye opening ideas, gems of doing things better, and creativity. A very useful platform where knowledge sharing and ICT versatility could serve as influencing tools to the research productivity and career advancement of LIS educators is mentoring. Mentoring is a way of showing others how things are done properly so that when the mentor is not around the mentees can act in the same way that their mentor would have acted. With proper mentoring, effective knowledge sharing would fall in line and if coupled with ICT versatility would under normal circumstances influence the research productivity and career advancement of LIS educators.
Trends and Citation Behavior of Computer Science Researchers in Federal University of Technology, Minna: A 2015-2017 Citation Analysis.
(Department of Library and Information Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 2024-10-24) Iloka, E. C.; Salau, S. A.; Chukwu, P. I.; Hajara, J.; Gana, Leah Yebo
Citation analysis is a very important concept in the research ecosystem. It is an approach used in measuring the importance of research outputs by counting the instances in which an author, or research output has been cited by other works. The study mapped out cited references in computer science theses submitted to the university library, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. 30 copies of master’s theses organised and available in the library. These theses were between 2015 and 2017. The theses bibliographic details were extracted to determine the research trends and citation behavior of computer science researchers. Using tables, frequency counts and percentages, the results were presented. The study revealed that researchers mostly prefer journal articles than books and conference proceedings. The study also found that Algorithms was the most researched area for computer science in Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria, while the least researched areas are System Design and Management Information System. It is recommended that researchers be provided with the most preferred type of publication and scholars encouraged to explore other areas of computer science which has not been extensively researched.