African Journals: An Evaluation of the Use Made of African-Published Journals in African Universities. Education Research Paper.

This is one of a series of Education Papers issued periodically by the Education Department of the Department for International Development. Each paper represents a study or piece of commissioned research on some aspect of education and training in developing countries. This study was commissioned by the Overseas Development Administration (subsequently re-named Department for International Development) in January 1996, as a follow-up to the 1994 pilot project of the African Journals Distribution Program. Each year for a period of 3 years (1996 to 1998), data were collected on the use made of African-published journals in 2 universities in Africa, the University of Ghana (UGL) and the University of Zambia (UNZA). The aims of the survey were to: discover what use is made of African-published journals; evaluate their impact on research; and compare the use made of African-published journals with those published elsewhere. Data were collected by interview/questionnaire with the academic staff in two faculties/schools in each university; an analysis of journals cited in projects, theses and academic staff publications from the same faculties/schools; and a count of journals used in the university libraries. The findings presented in tables in this report are the mean average of the findings of each of the 3 years. In some cases, data were only collected for 1 or 2 of the years and, where appropriate, this is indicated. Findings for UGL and UNZA are given separately. In general, there was no significant difference between the yearly results. The study reveals that, although useful and wanted, African-published journals will not attain their full impact on teaching and research in African universities unless they become more easily accessible and more readily available. Recommendations are given, all in the context of maximizing journal use in African universities and, in particular, the use of journals published in Africa. Data collection instruments are appended. (Contains 13 references.) (AEF)