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Annals of Library and Information Studies (ALIS) >
ALIS Vol.55 [2008] >
ALIS Vol.55(4) [December 2008] >
| Title: | Electronic mail use in research collaboration: observations from a Nigerian University |
| Authors: | Olatokun, Wole Michael |
| Issue Date: | Dec-2008 |
| Publisher: | CSIR |
| Abstract: | A study of 102 research collaborators, conducted using semi-structured questionnaire revealed that the research
collaborators employed e-mail for daily communication, file/document exchange, dissemination of results, and data
collection. Widespread use of e-mail, its timeliness and cost-effectiveness were the main motivating factors. Also demonstrates
that research collaborators’ publication activities were greatly enhanced by their use of e-mail. Benefits derived from e-mail
use include its flexibility, ensuring easy linkage with peers and colleagues, ease of file/document exchange, privacy
and confidentiality of information, and its distance friendliness. Irregular power supply was the major constraint against e-mail
use in research collaboration. Findings revealed that job position was the highest significant factor that contributed to
mail usage, while motivations for using e-mail, benefits of e-mail, and e-mail usage collectively contributed to the
productivity of the research collaborators. Concludes that e-mail use in research collaboration at the University of Ibadan
contributed to the productivity of research collaborators and the benefits of e-mail use in research collaboration outweigh
the constraints. |
| Page(s): | 281-291 |
| ISSN: | 0972-5423 |
| Source: | ALIS Vol.55(4) [December 2008]
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