Communication and Information Science

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Integrating Information Ethics in Library and Information Science Curricula in Zimbabwe: Country Report presented at a Teaching Information Ethics in Africa Conference held at the University of Botswana, 6 – 7 September 2010
(2010) Hikwai, L.
RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT SERVICES: AN INVESTIGATION OF RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AT THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NUST)
(2017) Ndlovu, P.; Ngwenya. S.
The study sought to gain a holistic understanding of NUST researcher's data management practices in the Faculty of Applied Sciences and the faculty of communication and information science as they relate to the creation, management, and preservation of research data with a view to introduce research data management services (RDMS).A mixed methods convergent parallel research design employing some elements of the Data Asset Framework (OAF) was adopted for the study. Data was gathered through questionnaires and face to face interviews. Study findings revealed that some data were still being collected in out-dated formats; data management practices were guided by intuition rather than informed by good practice and data were sometimes neglected once a project is complete. The findings of the study also showed a general lack of data sharing through repositories and journals in favour of sharing via personal communication. Concerns among researchers about the amount of time required in preparing data for sharing and the potential for misuse of data hindered them from sharing research data. Researchers also rarely created metadata or other documentation for data. Data storage needs and behaviours varied, with different storage devices being used at different research lifecycle stages. Researchers identified a number of services that they would find valuable including assistance with data management planning and backup/storage services. The findings of the study may be used to inform development of research data management services at NUST Library.
The State of Preparedness for Digital Curation and Preservation: A Case Study of a Developing Country Academic Library
(2018) Ndhlovu, P.; Matingwina, T.
Digital technologies have allowed libraries to create, manipulate, store and make accessible vast amounts of digital content. However, they endanger the longevity of the very objects they produce and require very different management than the traditional paper-based world. Despite the fact that the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Library in Zimbabwe has amassed a huge body of digital collections, there are no formal mechanisms to ensure accessibility and long-term preservation of digital content. The study assessed the state of preparedness of NUST Library for digital curation and preservation of its digital collections. The conceptual framework was based on Sinclair et al. (2011) and Boyle, Eveleigh, and Needham’s (2008) formulations. NUST Library preparedness for digital curation and preservation was assessed by examining awareness, competencies, technology infrastructure, digital disaster preparedness and challenges to digital curation and preservation. A mixed methods research design employing a case study research strategy was adopted for the study. The findings revealed a low level of awareness of digital curation and preservation. Challenges to digital curation are mainly lack of policies, lack of expertise by library staff and lack of funding. It is recommended that the Library should consider digital curation and preservation as one of the primary responsibilities and take staff members’ training in this area seriously in order to ensure current and future access to digital collections.
Connecto ergo sum': a hyperlink analysis of national archives in the Eastern and Southern African regional branch on the International Council on Archives
(2019) Phiri, C.; Onyancha, O.B.; Ngulube, P.; Chabikwa, S.
Lennart Björneborn’s famous tweet, ‘connecto ergo sum’, which means, ‘I link, therefore I exist’, puts forward the intriguing dimension of the web as a platform for link-based research, a major tenet of webometrics. Webometrics, as discussed in this study, explored the web presence, web visibility, web-impact and linkage of archival institutions in the ESARBICA region; examining the types of institutions that provide links to archival institutions in the ESARBICA region; establishing the links pointing to national archival institutions in the ESARBICA region; and examining the type of institutions that provide these links. Google Search engine and Alexa metasearch engine were used to collect data. Additionally, the formulas derived from the Statistical Cybermetrics Research Group (2016): ‘Impact=Inlinks/page’ and ‘site:Domain’ were used to collect data on the impact and web pages linking to the archival institutions. The study was underpinned by the Citation Analysis theory. Search engines, metasearch engines and web content analysis were used to collect webometrics data from ESARBICA archival websites. The findings of the study revealed that the web-impact of ESARBICA archival institutions is generally low as evidenced by the low impact factors attained. This may lead to the minimal usage of the information on the websites, undermining the importance of archival institutions. The low impact can be increased through such measures asredesigning websites to increase visibility, posting rich files on websites, and interlinking the websites to key archival associations and institutions, among others. Other findings showed that some websites were hosted by institutions other than the archival institutions The impact results further revealed that in the ESARBICA region, Southern Africa was more represented with the archival institutions from six countries (Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe), while the Eastern African region had archival institutions from two countries (Kenya and Tanzania). The findings further showed that not all archival websites attained web presence in the form of accessible websites. The link classification results revealed that the ESARBICA websites mostly attracted industry links with extensions .com and .co as the most popular Top Level Domains (TLD). A strong link relationship was noted between archival institutions and research-based activities in universities, as well as evidence of openness as archival institutions published documents with archives-related discussions on Google Scholar. The study showed that ESARBICA archival websites are not interactive in nature and have not yet embraced Web 2.0 tools on their archival websites. The implications of the study included that archival institutions without websites might consider attaining web presence through constructing websites, establishing link relationships by archival institutions, and making efforts to avail more data to enhance web presence in ranking. The study recommended that ESARBICA archival institutions host standalone websites and establish links with archives related research sites. The practical implications of the paper include: revealing the specific ways in which archival institutions can conduct web-link assessments and web-impact assessments, ways of interpreting results from web-impact assessments and link-impact assessments, assessing alternative methods of link counts.
Applying interpretive phenomenological analysis to library and information science research on blended librarianship: A case study
(2020) Dabengwa, I.M.; Raju, J.; Matingwina, T.
Although interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) has value in library and information science (LIS), it has low uptake in Africa. The methodological and theoretical approaches to using IPA in LIS and other disciplines are outlined, including a critical analysis of applying double hermeneutics and horizontalization to construct a hermeneutic interpretation. A blended librarianship thesis conducted in Zimbabwe is compared with LIS-based IPA studies and blended librarianship research to reflect the value of IPA methods. The illustration narrates how IPA was implemented within the context of phenomenology to analyse the complexity of academic librarians' views, taking into consideration social and historical environments. The weaknesses of the study are discussed, including the use of quality criteria of credibility, dependability, and transferability. The guided analysis of the study encourages the use of IPA in LIS as it can solve research problems and generate new theories to inform practice, services, philosophy, theory, and institutions.
The Fifth Estate: Analyzing Climate Change Punditry in the Zimbabwean Newspaper Columns
(Taylor and Francis, 2020-12-08) Ndhlovu, M.P.
Media and climate change scholarship in Zimbabwe has mainly focused on news stories. However, news stories are dependent on news values, which science, including climate change, performs badly against. Besides, news stories are written by journalists, some with limited understanding of science, resulting in misrepresentation of climate change. However, unlike previous studies, this article uses qualitative content analysis and rhetoric analysis to interrogate arguments on climate change advanced by newspaper columnists – also referred to as pundits. This article analyzes columns written by Jeffrey Gogo (The Herald) and Peter Makwanya (NewsDay) from 2017 to 2018 to assess the rhetorical and argumentative techniques they use to argue their positions on climate change. It concludes that the two columnists use their proximity to the news media and their knowledge of science communication to argue for urgent climate change action. Such arguments demonstrate the fifth estate function of columnists in not only holding to account power holders and scientists but also highlighting the shortcomings of the news media.
The Framing of Devolution of Power Debates in the Newsday (Southern Edition) During Zimbabwe’s Constitution Making Process
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2021-07-12) Tshuma, B.B.
Journalists are unable to provide reports that are entirely true and objective as they deploy rhetorical strategies aimed “at persuading others to adopt [their] same point of view” (Thomson 1996 cited in Richardson [2007]. Analysing Newspapers: An Approach from Critical Discourse Analysis. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 65). Using one of Zimbabwe’s leading daily newspapers, NewsDay (Southern Edition), this article analysed the framing of the contentious issue of devolution of power provided in the country’s constitution drafted in 2012. The underlying assumption being that understanding how the issue of devolution was framed “is of vital importance to how the public and policy makers will respond to this kind of governance” (Agwu and Amu [2013]. “Framing of Climate Change News in Four National Daily Newspapers in Southern Nigeria.” International Conference on Climate Change Effects, 1–8, Impact World 2013, Potsdam, 1). The paper used discourse analysis to analyse the 10 purposively selected stories published between June 2010 and July 2012. Positioned within qualitative approach, the paper concludes that the NewsDay Southern Edition actively participated in the debates on devolution as a political actor through various techniques such as argumentation and rhetoric, thereby putting it on the public agenda. In particular, the publication pursued a pro-devolution agenda to galvanise readers to embrace this administrative framework as the best available model in the place of a unitary system, which was blamed for stifling development and democracy.
Digital Technologies and the Changing Journalism Cultures in Zimbabwe: Examining the Lived Experiences of Journalists Covering the COVID-19 Pandemic
(Digital Journalism, 2021-09-15) Ndlovu, M.; Sibanda, M.N.
New Information and Communication Technologies (NICTs) are transforming newsmaking practices and journalistic cultures across the globe. Although factors such as lack of Internet access and prohibitive costs are constraining the adoption of these interactive digital technologies in most African countries, journalists are creatively appropriating these digital tools in their everyday professional work. Informed by the concept of journalism culture and the social constructionist approach to technology, this article examines the lived experiences of Zimbabwean journalists covering the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Drawing upon the first-hand accounts of 21 journalists covering this pandemic, this study explores the adoption and appropriation of digital technologies in their newsmaking practices. Despite challenges of resources such as finances, internet access and lack of protective gear, Zimbabwean journalists increasingly relied on interactive digital tools such as WhatsApp and Twitter to generate story ideas, conduct diary meetings, and for virtual sourcing.
Building Assistive Technology (AT) competency in academic librarians: Perceptions of library personnel and students with visual impairments from three Zimbabwean universities
(Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), 2021-12) Munyoro, J.; Machimbidza, T.; Mutula, S.
This qualitative study reflects on the perceptions of library professionals and students living with visual impairments from three Zimbabwean universities about the need for and ways of creating Assistive Technology (AT) competency in academic librarians. Some of the measures that may be used to increase the AT competencies of academic librarians are discussed. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 19 participants comprising 13 library personnel and six students living with visual impairments. The study highlights important types of AT for individuals living with visual impairments, emphasises the importance of competencies in AT for academic librarians and suggest appropriate measures for enhancing the AT skills of academic librarians in the context of participants’ views. It is hoped that the study’s recommendations will generate an urgent need to address AT competencies of academic librarians to drive effective adoption and usage of AT in the studied institutions of higher learning.
Records and Information Management (RIM) Practices in Pentecostal Churches in Zimbabwe
(2022) Chitima, Simbarashe S.; Ndlovu, Heather; Phiri, Calvin
Zimbabwe has, for the past five decades, experienced a proliferation of Pentecostal churches. Some Pentecostal churches or prophets own television channels and social media accounts, which they have used for communication and preaching. In some instances, Pentecostal churches run several projects and church activities. All these activities and operations have resulted in the creation of financial, personal, prophecy and project records, among others. Although Pentecostal churches are not archives or records centres, they stand to benefit if they engage in Records Information Management (RIM). The Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFMZ) and the United International Apostolic Faith Church (UIAFC) both experienced splits in 2018, and this has contributed to information loss and the destruction of vital records. This study investigated the efficacy of RIM practices in the AFMZ and UIAFC and was grounded on qualitative and phenomenological research methods. The target population included pastors, secretaries and treasurers from the AFMZ and UIAFC who are part of the RIM chain. The study found that the lack of a RIM policy, trained personnel and physical as well as technological infrastructure contributed to records and information loss. Pentecostal churches are susceptible to splits. Records or information is usually managed by lay workers (volunteers) with less knowledge of RIM; hence this has attributed to information loss and records destruction. It is thus concluded that RIM in Pentecostal churches remains an afterthought. This study established critical RIM factors that Pentecostal churches may find useful, and which can increase their efficiency and effectiveness in operations and business.
Records and Information Management (RIM) Practices in Pentecostal Churches in Zimbabwe
(2022) Chitima, S.S.; Ndlovu, H.; Phiri, C.
Zimbabwe has, for the past five decades, experienced a proliferation of Pentecostal churches. Some Pentecostal churches or prophets own television channels and social media accounts, which they have used for communication and preaching. In some instances, Pentecostal churches run several projects and church activities. All these activities and operations have resulted in the creation of financial, personal, prophecy and project records, among others. Although Pentecostal churches are not archives or records centres, they stand to benefit if they engage in Records Information Management (RIM). The Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFMZ) and the United International Apostolic Faith Church (UIAFC) both experienced splits in 2018, and this has contributed to information loss and the destruction of vital records. This study investigated the efficacy of RIM practices in the AFMZ and UIAFC and was grounded on qualitative and phenomenological research methods. The target population included pastors, secretaries and treasurers from the AFMZ and UIAFC who are part of the RIM chain. The study found that the lack of a RIM policy, trained personnel and physical as well as technological infrastructure contributed to records and information loss. Pentecostal churches are susceptible to splits. Records or information is usually managed by lay workers (volunteers) with less knowledge of RIM; hence this has attributed to information loss and records destruction. It is thus concluded that RIM in Pentecostal churches remains an afterthought. This study established critical RIM factors that Pentecostal churches may find useful, and which can increase their efficiency and effectiveness in operations and business
Digital Technologies and the Changing Journalism Cultures in Zimbabwe: Examining the Lived Experiences of Journalists Covering the COVID-19 Pandemic
(Digital Journalism, 2022) Ndlovu, M.; Sibanda, M.N.
New Information and Communication Technologies (NICTs) are transforming newsmaking practices and journalistic cultures across the globe. Although factors such as lack of Internet access and prohibitive costs are constraining the adoption of these interactive digital technologies in most African countries, journalists are creatively appropriating these digital tools in their everyday professional work. Informed by the concept of journalism culture and the social constructionist approach to technology, this article examines the lived experiences of Zimbabwean journalists covering the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Drawing upon the first-hand accounts of 21 journalists covering this pandemic, this study explores the adoption and appropriation of digital technologies in their newsmaking practices. Despite challenges of resources such as finances, internet access and lack of protective gear, Zimbabwean journalists increasingly relied on interactive digital tools such as WhatsApp and Twitter to generate story ideas, conduct diary meetings, and for virtual sourcing.
Exploring the feasibility of Research Data Management services in Zimbabwean academic libraries: the case of Zimbabwe School of Mines
(Library Philosophy and Practice, 2022) Machimbidza, T.; Mutula, S.; Ndiweni, M.
The study applied an adapted Technology, Economic, Legal, Organisational, and Schedule (TELOS) model to explore the feasibility of Research Data Management (RDM) at the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM). The study employed a qualitative approach. Data were collected through interviews that were held with purposively chosen professionals at ZSM in the form of the Information Technology (IT) manager, the Librarian, and three (3) Assistant Librarians. Findings show that ZSM does not currently meet the TELOS model feasibility test. ZSM lacks a robust technological system to support data creation, data collection and description, data storage, archiving and preservation, data access, data discovery and analysis, and data reuse and transformation. ZSM has not yet created a legal environment conducive for the introduction of RDM. It does not have policies and standards in place to handle issues such as intellectual property, copyright, data licensing, ethics, data protection, freedom of information, and confidentiality. While librarians at ZSM possess basic IT and computer skills they lack skills specific for RDM. The study informs the shaping of policies, practices, and strategies regarding the introduction of RDM services in Zimbabwean academic libraries.
Fostering Assistive Technology (at) Education and Training of Academic Library Professionals in Zimbabwe
(International Information & Library Review, 2022-05-19) Munyoro, J.; Machimbidza, T.; Mutula, S.
The study examines the forms of structured Assistive Technology (AT) education and training available to library professionals in Zimbabwe, focusing on in-service training delivered within organizations, pre-service training offered in colleges/universities and technologybased training delivered by AT vendors/suppliers. The study employs a qualitative research design. Data were collected using interviews conducted with a sample of 13 academic library staff drawn from selected universities in Zimbabwe. The websites of institutions of interest also provided vital data to supplement interview data. The study draws attention to key intervention areas in the fostering of AT education and training of library professionals in Zimbabwe. It contributes to ongoing discussion on the improvement of AT provision in developing countries’ academic libraries.
Covid-19, a catalyst or disruptor? comprehending access to records and archives under the new normal
(Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives, 2022-06-30) Manyika, S.; Dewah, P.
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant intervention measures disrupted and affected the normal operations of business and access to records and archives as information sources. The study sought to explore the impact of Covid-19 on the access to records and archives in the public sector during the pandemic, bearing in mind the disruptive and catalytic effects of the pandemic. Using a qualitative methodology, data were gathered through document studies, and interviews were conducted with records managers from 18 purposively selected organisations. The findings showed that organisations had not moved much towards e-records but depended heavily on paper records. The lockdown period witnessed misdirection and loss of records. Staff taking turns to report for duty also impacted negatively on records. This posed serious threats to proper records and archives management, making room for occurrences such as destruction or alterations by unscrupulous individuals. The study concluded that the pandemic triggered a sense of urgency in the formulation of policies and procedures that promoted remote access. The study recommended that business should always be prepared to deal with disruptive tendencies of pandemics and any other eventuality giving records and archives management great consideration in business continuity plans. Access to records and archives should not be disrupted, as has been the case throughout the pandemic. Organisations should digitise their records and archives to avoid disruptions of service delivery and decision-making during lockdowns.
Digitisation of records to improve access at the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority
(Journal of the South African Society of Archivists, 2022-08-10) Sithole, B.; Dewah, P.
The change from paper to digital records management at the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has been widely accepted to solve problems of poor records management systems and inefficiency throughout the organisation, but it brought with it some challenges. The purpose of the study was to assess the digitisation project to improve records access at ZERA. In a sequential explanatory design, the researchers used a simple mixed methods research approach to collect data. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews from purposively selected individuals because of their characteristics and significance in the context of what the study was investigating. The findings of the study revealed that the digitisation project at ZERA was a major success and it has improved the records management system in numerous ways, including improved access to records, fast and easy retrieval of information and timely access to records. However, the study revealed that digitisation comes with challenges such as the issue of security of records as cyber criminals always try to unlawfully access the organisation’s information. These challenges affect the organisation’s efficiency and effectiveness, slowing down processes and affecting the organisation’s service delivery. It also revealed that some members of the organisation find it difficult to adapt to digital change. Instead of embracing and using the new system, they lag behind and stick to the old ways of doing things. ZERA did not train its staff in the management of digital records, which contributed to resistance to digital change. The study recommends ZERA to budget for the appropriate infrastructure; employ more reliable security measures; train its staff in using, managing and securing digital records, and employ individuals with the required skills to manage digital records.
Entangled memories: Nehanda statue, Gukurahundi plaques and the politics of memory in Zimbabwe
(Routledge, 2022-08-23) Ndlovu, M.; Tshuma, A.B.
This article examines the on-going memorialization practices of Mbuya Nehanda and Gukurahundi that are performed and contested in various discursive spaces in Zimbabwe. It analyses the media discourses surrounding two seminal commemorative events that occurred concurrently on 25 May 2021. Firstly, the government unveiled a statue of Nehanda, a liberation heroine, in the capital, Harare. On the same day, the Gukurahundi survivors erected a memorial plaque at Bhalagwe to commemorate the victims of a genocide that was orchestrated by the government in Matabeleland between 1983 and 1987. Drawing upon Rothberg’s concept of multidirectional memory, we explore how these different histories are intertwined and entangled in public spaces as various mnemonic communities seek to assert and endorse their narratives of the past. Findings from on our analysis of news media reports demonstrate the entanglements, synergies and interconnectedness of Nehanda and Gukurahundi histories in various ways. On the one hand, Nehanda and Gukurahundi memories represent histories of victimization and injustices. On the other hand, they demonstrate the divergences and contestations surrounding national memory and identity politics.
ICTs for enhancing Knowledge Management amongst academics at the National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe
(South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 2022-08-31) Dewah, P.; Sibanda, F.
This study investigated the use of Information and Communication Technologies that are used to for knowledge management amongst academics at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) based on anecdotal evidence that inadequate IT resources have always hampered knowledge management among academics. The purpose of the study was to investigate how ICTs are used to enhance knowledge management amongst academics at the NUST. Anchored on the interpretivist paradigm, the study used qualitative research method in a case study design where interviews were conducted with six deans of faculties across the university and one ICTs officer. Data was gathered through face-to-face in-depth interviews and analysed using themes. Findings indicated that NUST provides the academics with desktop computers for knowledge management and laptops are provided only on request. Academics are offered training when the ICTs department introduces new software. It also emerged that mistrust and bureaucracy in the university affects lecturers’ knowledge management. The study concluded that academics at the university are aware of the importance of ICTs in managing knowledge, but weak and unreliable internet connection were major barriers to knowledge management amongst academics. The study recommends adequate provision of technologies such as laptops since some academics are reluctant to share knowledge using personal resources.
International Conference on Communication and Information Science. Communication Science, the Environment and Health in the Age of Disinformation and Misinformation
(Department of Publishing Studies, NUST, 2023-10-26) Faculty of Communication and Information Science
The Media and the Commemoration of Robert Mugabe’s Death through the Camera’s Lens
(SAGE, 2024) Tshuma, L.A.; Sibanda, M
This paper analyses the photographic representation of former Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, with the aim of understanding memories that were produced following his death in September 2019. Mugabe was in power for 37years before being dethroned through a military coup in November 2017. His rule divided opinion with some viewing him as a liberator and African icon, while some view him a dictator and tyrant for his role in disregarding human rights. This paper seeks to explore the role of photography in memory with particular interest being on commemorating contesting figure like Mugabe. We analysed photographs used by The Herald and NewsDay to commemorate Mugabe’s death. Photographs remain one of the under researched genres in communication, especially in the Global South, yet scholars have argued that contemporary societies have, through the use of photographs, turned their citizens into ‘image junkies’ and created ‘the most irresistible form of mental pollution’. The findings demonstrate that photographs are being used to give a ‘testimony’ about the contested legacy of Mugabe. Mugabe is framed as a liberator, Pan African. On the contrary, he is seen as a tyrant and ruled by an iron fist.

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