This is a copy of a Research Proposal by former Durban University of Technology (DUT) student, Ndumiso Shelembe under Mr. M.P. Khomo's supervision.

1. A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Title: The usage of Library and Information Studies (LIS) resource centre by current
LIS undergraduate students in Durban University of Technology (DUT).
SHELEMBE NDUMISO
STUDENT NO.: 21209692
Supervisor: Mr M. Khomo

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1. Title
The usage of Library and Information Studies (LIS) resource centre by current LIS
undergraduate students in Durban University of Technology (DUT).
2. Aim of the study
The aim of this study is to investigate the usage of Library and Information Studies
(LIS) resource centre by current LIS undergraduate students in Durban University of
Technology (DUT).
3.Introduction and problem statement
According to Astom (2015: 2) a resource centre refers to a facility within a school or
institution, staffed by a specialist, containing several information sources. According
to Astom (2015: 9) the benefits of resource centre to students are that it makes them
more entertained and learn to be independent. According to Mertens (2008:6) a
resource centre is made available to, students, teachers, and provides sources of
information both in print and audio-visual form to support educational purpose. Its
chief purpose is to encourage self-instruction, whether supervised or entirely
independent to students. It also provides facilities for individuals working on their
own or in small groups ranging from two students to a whole class and also in large
groups composed of several classes. The researcher has been in DUT for three (3)
years doing National Diploma (ND)in LIS and is currently doing Bachelor of
Technology (B-Tech) in LIS. The researcher observed the lack of usage of LIS
resource centre by LIS students. This prompted a survey on the usage of LIS
resource centre by current LIS undergraduate students in DUT.
4. Objectives
4.1. To find out if current LIS undergraduate students in DUT use LIS resource
centre.

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4.2. To find out if this resource centre satisfy LIS undergraduates’ information needs.
4.3. If there are current LIS undergraduate students that are not using this resource
centre, then what are possible reasons for this?
5. Critical questions
5.1. Do the current LIS undergraduate students in DUT use LIS resource centre?
5.2. Does this resource centre satisfy LIS undergraduates’ information needs?
5.3. In the case of those LIS undergraduate students that are not currently using
LIS resource centre, what are possible reasons for this?
6. Rationale/Motivation for the study
This study will find out if current LIS undergraduate students in DUT use LIS
resource centre. It is also going to find out if this resource centre satisfies LIS
undergraduate’s information needs. The LIS staff will benefit from this study because
they will know if LIS resource centre is used by current LIS undergraduate students
in DUT or not. This study will help LIS staff to know if LIS resource centre satisfy LIS
undergraduate’s information needs or not. If yes, the LIS staff will have to ensure
that they keep their users satisfied with information needs they provide. If not, the
LIS staff will have to see the need to improve their services to increase its usage.
The current LIS undergraduate students in DUT will benefit from this study as they
will get a platform to express their views about the LIS resource centre.
7. Scope of the study
This study is focusing on the current LIS undergraduate students in DUT which are
first (1st), second (2nd), and (3rd) year LIS students.

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8. Relevant definitions
The following definitions are relevant to this study:
8.1. Academic library refers to the library that is an integral part of a college,
university, or other institution of post-secondary education, administered to meet the
information and research needs of its students, faculty, and staff. See also: college
library, departmental library, graduate library, undergraduate library, and university
library (Reitz 2015: 5). A well-stocked academic library is a storehouse of
information, or a record of human experience to which users may turn to for data or
information (Joint 2011: 272).
8.2. Archive refers to the building, facility, or area that houses an archival collection
(the term repository is preferred by most archivists). Also, to place documents in
storage, usually to preserve them as an historical, informational, legal, or evidential
record, permanently or for finite or indefinite period of time (Reitz 2015: 39).
8.3. Conservation centre refers to an organization that specializes in the protection
and rehabilitation of printed and photographic materials, especially damaged or
deteriorating items. Conservation centres support the enhancement of preservation
programs in libraries, archives, museums, and other historical and cultural
organizations. Some conservation centres also provide disaster assistance for
example, Northeast Document Conservation Centre (Reitz 2015: 165).
8.4. Library is a word from the Latin liber meaning "book" (in Greek and the
Romance languages the corresponding term is bibliotheca). Library refers to a
collection or group of collections of books and/or other materials organized and
maintained for use (reading, consultation, study, research, etc.). Institutional
libraries, organized to facilitate access by a specific clientele, are staffed by librarians
and other personnel trained to provide services to meet user needs. By extension,
the room, building, or facility that houses such a collection, usually but not

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necessarily built for that purpose. See also: academic library, government library,
public library, and special library (Reitz 2015: 377).
8.5. Museum library refers to the type of special library maintained by a museum or
gallery, usually within its walls, but sometimes in a separate location, containing a
collection books, periodicals, reproductions, and other materials related to its exhibits
and fields of specialization. Access may be by appointment only. Borrowing
privileges may be restricted to museum staff and members (Reitz 2015: 436).
8.6. Public library refers to the library or library system that provides unrestricted
access to library resources and services free-of-charge to all the residents of a given
community, district, or geographic region, supported wholly or in part by public funds.
Because public libraries have a broader mandate than academic libraries and most
special libraries, they must develop their collections to reflect diversity (Reitz 2015:
541).
9. Literature review
9.1 Introduction
A research project does not exist in isolation, but must build upon what has been
done previously. Therefore, before embarking on a project a researcher should
review previous work in the field. A Literature puts the researcher’s project into
context by showing how it fits into a particular filed (Terre Blanche 2008: 19).
9.1.1. Importance of using library and information providing agencies.
Dimkpa (2013: 199) states that libraries and information services are vital institutions
which cannot be separated from education. The provision of libraries is crucial and
indispensable to education in a nation. Therefore, whatever is done to improve the
quality of education is done to improve the nation. The absence of libraries

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information services will have negative effects on education. Therefore, individual
learners should be encouraged to use them. The current study is hope to find out if
LIS students use this resource centre and if they are encouraged to used it.
According to Poulain (2010: 1867) library and information services aim to provide
extensive multimedia collections regularly updated and enriched. To facilitate easy
and use of the collections by offering readers direct access to all types of materials
from book to electronic resources and DVDs. To offer non-judgemental services to
all users whether their reading needs are: cultural, informational, creational, or
educational. This study is going to find out if resources offered by LIS resource
centre satisfy LIS undergraduate’s information needs.
According to Astom (2015: 9) the benefits of resource centre to students are that it
makes them more entertained and learn to be independent. This study is going find
out if current LIS undergraduate students in DUT use LIS resource centre and if they
are encouraged to use LIS resource centre independently.
According to Mertens (2008: 6) a resource centre is made available to, students,
teachers, and provides sources of information both in print and audio-visual form to
support educational purpose. Its chief purpose is to encourage self-instruction,
whether supervised or entirely independent to students. It also provides facilities for
individuals working on their own or in small groups ranging from two students to a
whole class and also in large groups composed of several classes. This study is
expected to find out if LIS students in DUT find resources in LIS resource centre to
support their educational purpose.
Hurt (2010: 3309) stated that there is a need for library to have individual and group
work space as library patrons still come to the library to find quiet space for reading
and studying. This study is going find out if current LIS undergraduate students in
DUT use LIS resource centre and if there is enough space for LIS students to use it.

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9.1.2. Some of the reasons that can lead to a lack of usage of the library and
information providing agencies.
According to Ruth and Bilha (2009: 161) information resources in Kenya’s District
resource centre were not used as resources were “not appealing” to all learners.
This study is expected to find out if LIS students in DUT find resources in LIS
resource centre interesting to use.
Poulain (2010: 1883) concluded that the tidal wave brought by the internet and the
promise of digital collections has radically transformed the work of the libraries,
archives, museums, and it has also changed the practice and expectations of users.
This study is going find out if current LIS undergraduate students in DUT use LIS
resource centre and if their expectations about LIS resource centre are satisfied.
According to Mizrachi (2010: 3302) the study conducted by Mollon a decade ago,
concluded that the library environment has changed rapidly, the hesitations,
inhibitions, confusion, and lack of self-confidence students often display when they
are using the library for an academic needs are still in evidence. This study is
expected to find out if current LIS undergraduate students in DUT use LIS resource
centre and if they use LIS resource centre for academic needs.
Maceviniute (2010: 3500) states that service levels and conditions of school libraries
throughout Lithuania are very unequal. Some meet the highest standard of library
work, while others just manage to struggle with basic access to educational
literature. This study is expected to find out if LIS resource centre satisfy LIS
undergraduate’s information needs in DUT and if the LIS resource centre meet the
standard of resource centres.

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9.1.3. Some of the things that can be done by library and information providing
agencies to improve its usage.
Joint (2011: 272) stated that a well-stocked academic library is a storehouse of
information, or a record of human experience to which users may turn to for data or
information. The library is expected to make sure that all services are available to the
users, as the goal of every library is to satisfy the users’ needs. This study is
expected to find out if LIS resource centre satisfy LIS undergraduates’ information
needs in DUT as the goal of every library and information agency is to satisfy the
user’s needs.
According to Resource centre manual: how to set up and manage a resource centre
(2006: 11) all publications such as current awareness bulletins, information packs,
newsletters, articles, or resource lists produced must be accurate, legible, should be
appropriate to users and efficiently distributed. These sources must be useful and
timely to the users of the resource centre. Therefore, resources available to the
resource centre must be worth in terms of the time. This study is going to find out if
LIS students in DUT find resources in LIS resource centre are worth to use.
Banmeke and Ajayi (2008: 28) recommended that there is a need for resource
centres to organize frequent training for users in the use of the centre’s facilities.
There is a need for adequate maintenance of the centre’s facilities to avoid constant
breakdown which could lead to a low perception of such centres by users. This study
is hope to find out if LIS students in DUT use LIS resource centre and if they are
provided training when using it.

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9.1.4. The importance of technology in library and information providing
agencies.
Gupta (2010: 3559) states that many LIS professionals believe that new
technologies will provide a way to make LIS more visible. It is true that technologies
are important and librarians, archivists, and other information professionals need to
make effective use of technology in order to improve services to the users. Without a
marketing orientation, a high-tech library or information service would not be
necessary be successful. This study is expected to find out if LIS resource centre
satisfy LIS undergraduates’ information needs in DUT and if the LIS resources
centre staff make the use of technology in order to improve services to the users.
Doyle (2010: 1831) concluded that the dissemination of federal information in
electronic form, and in particular the use of internet, offer the opportunity to provide
more timely, convenient, and widespread access to information resources. This
study is expected to find out if LIS students in DUT find resources in LIS resource
centre in an interesting format to use.
9.1.5. The challenges posed by technology among traditional library and
information providing agencies.
Fijabi (2013: 136) states that digital revolution has dramatically changed the face of
libraries and information services in the 21st century. This posed a challenge to
libraries and information centres to digitize their services and resources through
appropriate ICT application in order to remain relevant. However, libraries and
information centres are faced with enormous problems. Notably is lack of proper
funding. Libraries urgently need to substantially raise the level of domestic
investment in infrastructure and services to meet the ever increasing need of its
users. This study is going find out if current LIS undergraduate students in DUT use
LIS resource centre and if it satisfies LIS undergraduate’s information needs.

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Zwass (2010: 1766) concluded that information technologies have the power to
affect significantly the quality of our personal and working issues. Therefore, all
knowledge workers are facing information system related problems. This study is
going find out if current LIS undergraduate students in DUT use LIS resource centre
and if they find any technology related problem(s) when using this resource centre.
10. METHODOLOGY
10.1. Introduction
According to Wisker (2008: 67) methodology is a rationale and philosophical
assumptions underlying a particular study rather than a collection of methods,
though the methodology leads and informs the methods. According to Terre Blanche
(2008: 7) methodology specifies how the researcher will practically study/ investigate
whatever they believe can be known. If a researcher believes that what is to be
studied consist of stable and unchanging external reality then he/she can adopt an
objective and detached epistemological stance toward that reality. The researcher
also can employ a methodology that relies on control and manipulation of reality.
Methodology such as interview and participant observation can be employed. This
section will include data collection, population, sampling, andadministering the
questionnaires.
10.2. Data collection
According to Responsible conduct in data management (2015: 109) data collection is
the process of gathering and measuring data on variables of interest, in an
established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research
questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes.According to Durrheim (2008:
51) researchers uses different instruments to collect data. Data collection methods
include questionnaires, interviews, observation, experiments etc. In this survey the
researcher will use questionnaires to collect data from current DUT undergraduate
LIS students. The researcher will use questionnaires to collect data from the
participants. According toSekaran and Bougie (2013: 147) questionnaire is a pre-

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formulated written set of question to which respondents record their answers, usually
within rather closely defined alternatives.One of advantages of using questionnaires
among other data collection methods is that large amounts of information can be
collected from a large number of people in a short period of time and in a relatively
cost effective way.
10.3. Population
According to Sekaranand Bougie (2013: 397) and Henn (2009: 153)population is the
entire group of people, event, or things that the researcher desires to investigate.
The population of this study consist of 198members. There are seventy seven (77)
LIS studentsin a 1st year level, seventy two (72) LIS studentsin a 2nd year level, and
forty nine (49)LIS students in a 3rd year level.The researcher got this sampling frame
from the class attendance registers for current LIS undergraduate registeredstudents
in DUT.
10.4. Sampling
According to Sekaranand Bougie (2013: 397) sampling is the process of selecting
items from the population so that sampling characteristics can be generalized to the
population. According to Sekaran and Bougie (2009: 446) stratified random sampling
method is a probability sampling design that first divides the population into
meaningful, non-overlapping subtests, and then randomly chooses the subjects.
Therefore, the researcher will use stratified random sampling for the current study,
because in this study the population is divided according to levels: first (1st) year
level, second (2nd) year level, and third (3rd) year level. According toPlumberg,
Cooper and Schindler (2014: 446) if the researcher is using stratified random
sampling to sample university students, he/she can divide students by their class
levels, schools or specialism, gender and etc. Some of the advantages for
researchers to choose stratified random sampling is that it increases a sample’s
stratified efficiency.It provides adequate data for analysing the various sub-
populations.

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The researcher will use Sekaran and Bougie, andresearch advisors’ sample size
tables to get sample size. As these groups have the large number of population.
These tables do not have the exact population number as researcher’s population
number. As a result, the researcher will use the nearest bigger number to the one he
has in order to represent it on the sample size table.Sekaran and Bougie (2013: 268)
and research advisors (2014: 3) their sample size tables shows that if the researcher
has a population of seventy seven (77), then, sixty six (66)must be used to represent
the entire population. If the researcher has a population of seventy two (72), then,
fifty nine (59) must be used to represent the entire population. If the researcher has a
population of forty nine (49), then, forty four (44)must be used to represent the entire
population. Meaning, the current study will consist of hundred and sixty nine (169)
representatives.
The researcher will use systematic sampling to select the representatives from
eachsub-group (1st years, 2nd years, and 3rd years). According to Sekaran and
Bougie (2013: 399) systematic sampling refers to a sampling method that involves
choosing every certain element in the population for a sample. The researcher will
select every 3rd member’s name in a sampling frame from eachsub-group until he
reaches the desired/required number for a sample. According to Sekaran and
Bougie (2013: 254) the advantage of using systematic sampling is that it is easy to
use if the sampling frame is available. The researcher has the sampling frame for the
current study.
The researcher will use mixed method approach for this study. According to Henn
(2009: 334) mixed method research refers to the adoption of more than one research
technique, either simultaneously or consecutively, to study a particular
phenomenon.Its advantage is that it includes the complimentary relationship
between qualitative and quantitative datain a single study to understand a research
problem.

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10.5. Administering the questionnaires
The researcher will distribute these questionnaires using type of questionnaire that is
called personally administered questionnaires. According to Sekaranaand
Bougie(2013: 147) its main advantage is that a researcher or member of research
team can collect all the completed responses within short period of time. The
researcher will distribute these questionnaires in the class and give those
approximately thirty (30) minutes to an hour (1) to record answers on it then leave
the venue.Then, ask the class representatives or any of the researcher’s colleagues
tocollect them when they finishensuring the anonymity. The researcher will collect
questionnaires from the class representatives or his colleague.
11. Data analysis
According to (Business dictionary 2015: 22) data analysis is the process of
evaluating data using analytical and logical reasoning to examine each component of
the data provided. According to Babbie(2008: 122) once the data is collected in a
suitable form, you are ready to interpret it for the purpose of drawing conclusions that
reflect the interest, idea and theories that initiates the inquiry. In the data analysis the
researcher is required to spell out the purpose of the analysis.
The researcher will use the Microsoft excel spreadsheet to analyse collected data.
According to Chung(2015: 11) its advantage is that it’s makes it easy to store data,
perform numerical calculations, format cells, and adjusts layouts to generate the
output and reports to share with others. As well as tweaking the results is also very
easy to get the exact layout, fonts, colours, etc. that you want.

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