“Enhancing Chemistry Research in Federal Universities of Technology in Nigeria: A Computer-Based Data Management Model”

“Enhancing Chemistry Research in Federal Universities of Technology in Nigeria: A Computer-Based Data Management Model”

Abstract: This study presents the development of a computer-based data management model tailored for chemistry research in Nigeria’s federal universities of technology (FUTs). The selected universities, FUT Minna, FUT Akure, FUT Owerri, ATBU Bauchi, and MAUTECH Yola, were chosen due to their similar funding and academic program structures. Chemistry, a common field of study across these universities, served as the focus of the investigation.

The objectives of this research were fourfold. Firstly, to understand the existing research data management practices among chemists; secondly, to develop a software prototype that aligns with chemists’ current research workflow for data management; thirdly, to conduct technology acceptance testing for the developed software; and lastly, to propose a framework for the implementation of research data management services by libraries within the FUTs in Nigeria. To achieve these objectives, a mixed-methods approach incorporating qualitative and quantitative data gathering and analyses was employed.

Forty chemists and fifteen heads of libraries, Information and Technology Service (ITS) units, and research offices from the five FUTs in Nigeria participated in the study. Data were collected through interviews, record inspections, observations, and questionnaires. Thematic explanation building techniques and Provalis Qualitative Data Analysis software were used for qualitative data analysis, while median and Kendall’s Tau-b Correlation Coefficient were applied for quantitative data analysis.

The software prototype, named “Chemistry Research Data Management System (ChRDMS),” was developed using Java programming language for the frontend and MySQL database management system for the backend. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was used to subject the ChRDMS to users and technology acceptance testing.

The findings indicated that Nigerian chemists currently lack appropriate research data management practices during their research processes. However, their behavioral intention towards adopting the computer-based research data management prototype was significant, as they found the software relevant to their research workflow and easy to learn and use. Notably, the research experience of chemists played a crucial role in their acceptance and use of the ChRDMS.

In conclusion, this study suggests that libraries within FUTs in Nigeria urgently implement research data management services based on the proposed framework. The development of ChRDMS is a step forward in facilitating effective data management practices among chemists in these universities.

“Enhancing Chemistry Research in Federal Universities of Technology in Nigeria: A Computer-Based Data Management Model”

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