Students’ adoption and use of institutional repositories at Muhas and Sua in Tanzania

The study assessed the students’ adoption and use of institutional repositories (IRs) at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences and Sokoine University of Agriculture. The study specifically focused on determining the level of awareness, perception, purposes and frequency of use of IRs. It also identified the challenges and ways for promoting the adoption and use of IRs among students. The study applied the Diffusion of Innovation Theory. Applying both quantitative and qualitative research methods, the study collected data from 55 respondents using questionnaires and interviews. The IBM Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS) version 21 and content analysis were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. The study found that the majority, 48 (87.3%), of the students were moderately aware of institutional repositories. The study identified ease-of-access to information and authors’ wider visibility to be the main IRs benefits perceived by the respondents. In addition, the students indicated willingness to deposit their dissertations and theses, journal articles, and conference papers into the IRs to promote usage among information users. The study also found that the students used IRs for information sharing, writing research proposals and examination preparations. The study observed a positive adoption and usage pattern of IRs. On the other hand, the study found inadequate skills and poor internet connectivity to be challenges that affected the adoption and use of institutional repositories. Overall, the study found that the students are increasingly willing to deposit and use institutional repositories for learning. Thus, the study recommends improving internet connectivity and accessibility speed, coupled with the provision of mandatory training and pedagogical programmes, and increasing awareness creation campaigns as part of concerted efforts aimed to enhance the use of institutional repositories.