2134/7898
Mustafa M. Al-Abbasi
Mustafa M.
Al-Abbasi
Academics' knowledge and use of electronic information resources (EIR) at the University of Bahrain
Loughborough University
2011
Academic staff knowledge of EIR
Academic staff EIR awareness
Electronic information resources
Academic staff use of EIR
Bahrain University academic staff
Academic staff training needs
Information and Computing Sciences not elsewhere classified
2011-02-01 15:51:03
Thesis
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/thesis/Academics_knowledge_and_use_of_electronic_information_resources_EIR_at_the_University_of_Bahrain/9415580
Electronic Information Resources (EIR) can be seen as invaluable teaching and
research tools, which complement print-based resources and enhance the learning and
research processes in any academic institution.
The aims of this research were to investigate, analyse and discuss the use of and needs
for EIR and existing training in promoting and enhancing the quality of teaching and
research activities amongst academic staff at the University of Bahrain.
Extensive quantitative, qualitative and theoretical methods were used to identify and
analyse academic staff EIR skills, knowledge and awareness.
The population of the study is made up of all the full-time faculty members working
at the University of Bahrain. A total of 593 questionnaires were distributed and 466
completed ones were returned, giving an overall response rate of 78.5%, and these
were used for the purpose of the study.
The result of the study revealed that printed resources are the sources of information
most used for teaching and research. The colleges of Law, Art and Education had the
lowest percentages of usage of EIR compared with other colleges. Work overload,
lack of awareness, low skill levels, slow servers, ineffective communication systems,
language barriers and a preference for print resources were among the primary
constraints that affected academic staff uptake and use of electronic resources in
teaching and research.
One-to-one training was the preferred training method for those academics wishing to
enhance their EIR skills. It was recommended that there is a need for greater
promotion from the upper level decision-makers at the university if they wish to see
greater use of electronic resources in teaching and research. Strategic conceptual models designed to provide solutions to the current problems and
to help in setting policies and decisions for the effective use of EIR in teaching and
research are given.