Investigating the Usage and Contribution Patterns of Postgraduate Students and Faculty within the DIR

Dr. Tertu Ponhele Haihwa and Professor Stephen M Mutula
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Dr. Tertu Ponhele Haihwa: Namibia University of Science and Technology
Professor Stephen M Mutula: University of KwaZulu-Natal

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 3s, 3144-3165

Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the usage and contribution patterns of postgraduate students and faculty within the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Digital Institutional Repository. This study is underpinned by Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as a part of Technology acceptance model. The qualitative method was partly used in this study through open-ended questions. However, the quantitative approach was dominantly utilised. The population comprised of faculty, Postgraduate (PG) students, Librarians and system developers. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse Quantitative data while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. The findings revealed lack of awareness about DIR among PG students and faculty. The findings also revealed lack of awareness about DIR among PG students and faculty and misconception by faculty and PG students about DIR and open access. The findings further revealed that the usage of the repository was undermined. The study recommends that the University needs to implement a multi-faceted approach to promote the DIR. This includes increasing awareness through targeted marketing campaigns, addressing copyright concerns, potentially reconsidering the voluntary submission policy, enriching the repository’s content, and improving access through strategies like semantic web integration to enhance discoverability via platforms like Google. Looking from policy perspectives, the study recommends that the University should make provisions for Faculty members and postgraduate students to personally self-archive their research work in the DIR instead of the current policy that requires only librarians to archive on behalf of researchers.

Date: 2025
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