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    Effectiveness of Reference Management Software in Enhancing Research Quality in Universities in Nairobi County, Kenya
    (SCECSAL, 2024-04) Kairigo, Samuel; Anduvare, Everlyn
    Reference management software (RMS) application is highly emphasised in academic research to improve research quality. However, studies raise concerns about their effectiveness since they have errors in functionality, language limitations, and inaccuracy of the citations and references generated. This study aimed to establish how effective RMS is in improving research quality. The study objectives were to investigate what reference management software is in use in the universities in Nairobi County, Kenya and to establish if reference management software programmes are effective in enhancing the quality of research in the selected universities. The study adopted a descriptive research design. This assisted the researchers in gathering data through a survey where an online questionnaire was administered to 18 respondents. All the universities within the County of Nairobi constituted the target population. The unit of analysis was the University Librarians because of their crucial role in promoting research quality in Kenyan Universities. In the analysis, insights were derived using a computer-based statistical package for social science (SPSS). The study revealed high satisfaction with RMS, particularly in terms of necessity, visual appeal, integration capabilities, and automatic formatting of references. While University librarians reported ease of navigation, there was limited awareness of alternative referencing approaches. Continuous institutional training programs for librarians and researchers on RMS usage, covering basic and advanced functionalities, are recommended.
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    The Role of Academic Libraries in Webometrics Ranking of Universities in Kenya
    (Moi University Press, 2019) wamahiga, George M.; Kwanya, Tom
    Academic institutions now operate in highly competitive environments. Consequently, myriad mechanisms for rating the services and impact of universities have emerged as a means of influencing the choice of potential students, faculty and partners. Webometrics has emerged in the recent past as one of the most popular frameworks for measuring the impact of universities. This mechanism puts great emphasis on research productivity and dissemination. Academic libraries have developed and implemented strategies to enhance their ranking. The role and levels of involvement of academic libraries in these strategies is unclear. This study analysed the role of academic libraries in enhancing Webometrics ranking of their parent institutions. It also examined the degree to which libraries are currently involved in enhancing the Webometrics ranking of their institutions as well as how they can scale up their roles. This study was designed as an exploratory survey because webometrics is a relatively new concept. Primary data was collected through key informant interviews with academic librarians. The respondents were selected through information-oriented purposive sampling. Additional data was collected through literature review. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The study established that academic libraries in Kenya are, to a great extent, involved in webometrics strategies through the development of the institution’s repositories, generation of web content as well as publishing and providing access to updated e-resources. This involvement is effective because it facilitates enhanced scholarly communication, resolute institutional web presence, collaboration and networking among institutions, and ultimately endorsement of the institutions’ webometrics ranking. The involvement can be scaled up through effective ICT policies and infrastructure, continuous training, involvement in library consortia, and high quality content development. The findings of this study may be used by academic libraries to mainstream their role in enhancing the research productivity and impact of their institutions hence facilitating a favourable ranking.