Management of undergraduate and postgraduate research output in university libraries in Kenya and Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the management of completed undergraduate and postgraduate research works (undergraduate projects, masters/doctorate theses and dissertations) submitted to university libraries in Nairobi (Kenya) and Abuja (Nigeria). Five research questions were formulated to guide the study. Survey research design was employed using quantitative paradigm. Six university libraries in Kenya and Nigeria were purposively selected (three in Kenya and three in Nigeria). Structured questionnaire was administered on the six university librarians in both countries. All copies of questionnaire were completed and returned in usable form. Data was organized in tabular form. Results showed that bachelor’s and master’s degree theses were acquired by five university libraries (two in Kenya and three in Nigeria) and that all the surveyed university libraries in Kenya and one from Nigeria acquired the research works in both hard and soft copies. Other major findings revealed that the research works were technically processed, organized, arranged and preserved by shelving. Lack of sufficient space was however identified as the major constraint to adequate management of research works in the university libraries in the capital cities of the two countries. The study recommended among others that university libraries in Kenya and Nigeria should acquire both hard and softcopies of the research works, and cover all the programmes un in the university as well as making available sufficient space that will accommodate these very important collections.