HURIA JOURNAL OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA

Libraries and Librarians in Open Science Adoption: A Reflection from Tanzania

2025-08-27T03:52:48+00:00

Abstract

The study aimed to establish the role of libraries and librarians in fostering open science adoption in Tanzania. The research objectives were to examine the roles of libraries and librarians in OS adoption; to determine the challenges OS adoption presents to libraries and subsequently, propose solutions. Structured questionnaires were employed for data collection from 113 librarians. The results show 81.1% librarians were familiar with Open Science, while 18.9% indicated otherwise. This finding signals the need for awareness creation, advocacy campaigns, training, and seminars not only to familiarise the librarians with the term OS but also to adopt it. The identified OS benefits include broadening access to scientific data and research publications (57.5%); promoting collaborative research through ICT tools (34.5%); enhancing public research consumer choices (31.9%); raising productivity under tight budgets (31%); and promoting citizens’ trust in science (22.1%). Strategies for enhancing OS include institutional policies (66.4%), funding (57.5%), building requisite infrastructure (55.8%), and capacity-building (50.4%). The paper concludes that Tanzania needs open science to broaden access to scientific publications and data, considering the tight budgets allocated to subscriptions for paywall learning resources. Implicitly, libraries should adopt and invest more in the OS for better results despite the teething problems.

Determinants of Information Systems (IS) Success within Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

2025-08-27T03:57:02+00:00

This study investigates the determinants of Information Systems (IS) success within Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), employing the Information System Success Model (ISSM) as a theoretical framework. Using Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM) on data from 272 Tanzanian CSOs, the study identifies system quality, information quality, service quality, and IS use as critical factors influencing success. Results reveal that system quality directly impacts both IS use and net benefits, while IS use mediates the relationship between quality factors and organizational outcomes. Surprisingly, information and service quality do not directly affect net benefits, highlighting the need for CSOs to prioritize robust system design and user engagement. The findings offer actionable insights for enhancing IS effectiveness in resource-constrained environments.

Influence of Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation on Sustainability of Water Projects in Rorya District Council

2025-08-27T04:09:38+00:00

This study investigates the role of participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) in promoting the sustainability of rural water supply projects in Rorya District, Tanzania. It focuses on four critical dimensions of participation: goal understanding, activity identification, progress measurement, and results reporting. Data were collected using structured questionnaire from random sample of 349 participants. Multiple regression analysis was specifically employed to examine the nature and strength of the relationship between participatory monitoring and evaluation components and the sustainability of rural water projects. The findings demonstrate that all four PM&E components—goal understanding, activity identification, progress measurement, and results reporting—positively and significantly contribute to project sustainability. Progress measurement had the strongest impact, reinforcing the role of accountability and informed decision-making. To enhance rural water project sustainability, project implementers should raise community awareness of project goals through sensitization campaigns; local leaders should facilitate inclusive planning; project managers must adopt simple monitoring tools and involve communities in

tracking progress; and donors should ensure transparent, accessible reporting to build trust and accountability.

Accessibility Analysis of e-Government Websites in Tanzania using Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2

2025-08-27T04:19:58+00:00

Digital accessibility is a critical component of inclusive e-governance, ensuring equitable access to information and services for all citizens, including individuals with disabilities. This study evaluates the accessibility of 42 Tanzanian e-government websites using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 as a benchmark. Employing the SortSite tool to assess the first ten pages of each website, findings reveal an average of 3.64 pages per site contain accessibility errors, a standard deviation of 2.28 and an Interquartile Range of 1.25–5.0. The most common violations occurred at Level A, indicating fundamental accessibility issues such as missing link contexts and inadequate support for assistive technologies. Notably, some sites, like the National Identification Authority portal, achieved full compliance, while others, such as the NHIF service portal, exhibited widespread non-conformance. The study emphasizes that while Tanzania has made significant strides in e-government, including deploying over 500 websites and national digital services, accessibility remains a neglected dimension. Strengthening accessibility is not only a legal and ethical imperative but a strategic necessity for fostering digital inclusion. This paper contributes to the growing discourse on e-government usability in developing countries and provides practical recommendations for policymakers and developers to enhance accessibility standards.

The Influence of Ability Grouping on Students' Learning Experiences and Perceptions in the Selected Public Secondary Schools in Tanzania

2025-08-27T15:49:02+00:00

This study investigates the influence of ability grouping on students' learning experiences and perceptions in two public secondary schools in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Grounded in Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, which emphasises the role of social interaction and scaffolding in learning, the study explores how students' placement into higher or lower-ability groups affects their learning experiences and perceptions of learning. A non-experimental quantitative survey design was employed, targeting 248 Form Two students categorised into higher- and lower-ability groups across two schools. Data were collected using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire adapted from validated instruments. A three-way MANOVA and follow-up univariate ANOVA were used to assess the effects of school context, ability grouping, and gender on the dependent variables. Findings reveal that ability grouping has a statistically significant impact on both students' learning experiences and perceptions of learning, with higher-ability students consistently reporting more positive experiences and perceptions of learning. Gender had a small but statistically significant influence on perception, with females scoring slightly higher. At the same time, the school context and all interaction effects were not significant. These results affirm the impact of ability grouping on students' learning experiences and learning perceptions, highlighting how grouping practices may marginalise lower-ability students by limiting their exposure to beneficial peer and teacher interactions within the Zone of Proximal Development. The study recommends inclusive, differentiated instruction strategies that promote peer scaffolding and equitable engagement across students' ability levels. Additionally, policies should encourage Universal Design for Learning to minimise the stigmatising effects of rigid ability classifications. These results contribute to the literature on the implications of ability grouping in student learning, highlighting the need for interventions that strike a balance between academic efficiency and equity.

The Influence of Ethical Practices on the Organizational Performance: A Special Reference to Ruaha Catholic University

2025-08-27T16:01:41+00:00

Current unethical practices have heightened the scrutiny on researchers, organizations, governments and business practitioners. This study examined the influence of ethical practices on organizational performance, paying particular attention to the preconventional and post conventional stages of moral development stages of the Kohlberg’s theory. 145 workers were polled using a quantitative method in a cross-sectional design based on positivism. Participants were chosen using simple random selection and stratified random sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data, which were acquired via standardized, closed ended questionnaires. Results indicated that ethical practices based on integrity and accountability positively correlated with performance, while discipline and fear-based compliance showed a weak negative association. The study stressed the significance of developing a culture of ethical decisions-making, ethical training, ethical leadership, transparent communication, and orientation for new hires. The single-institutional sample and some other unidentified performance affecting factors were among the limitations. Future studies should look into employee motivation, communication dynamics, and the long-term effects on interventions promoting ethical behaviours on performance.

Effect of adolescents' demographic factors on reproductive outcomes affecting teenage pregnancy in Momba District, Tanzania

2025-08-27T16:08:41+00:00

This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of teenage pregnancy in Momba District, Tanzania, focusing on teen background information and pregnancy rates, age at first marriage, and partner support. A stratified random sampling approach was used to ensure representation across different age groups and geographic areas focusing the five wards. The surveys included closed ended questions and data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic data. Pearson correlation, poison regression and multiple regression was employed to examine relationships between key variables such as age, education level, marital status, employment and reproductive outcomes. Findings show that 30.4% of respondents were pregnant at the time of the interview and among them, 41.5% were experiencing their first pregnancy. The number of pregnancies varied, with just over half having had more than one. Notably, two-thirds of these had experienced two pregnancies, suggesting that many may have had their first pregnancy at a relatively young age. Number of pregnancies was not significantly associated with any socio-demographic factors tested in the Poisson regression model (all p > .05). However, age at first pregnancy was strongly associated with age (B = 1.429, p < .001), indicating that older respondents tended to experience their first pregnancy later. Education level was negatively associated with age at first pregnancy (B = -0.341, p < .001), while marital status was positively associated (B = 0.448, p < .001). Regarding partner support, both education level (B = 0.759, p = .024; OR = 2.135, 95% CI [1.107–4.117]) and marital status (B = 0.838, p < .001; OR = 2.311) were significant predictors, suggesting that married and more educated respondents were more likely to receive partner support. Recommendations include enhancing education access, implementing sexual health education, addressing early marriages, providing vocational training for girls, and improving adolescent-friendly health services.

The Effective Contracts in Ground Handling: Ground Handling Services in Tanzanian Context

2025-08-27T16:16:21+00:00

This study was conducted purposely to investigate the underlying issues affecting effective contract involved in the provision of ground handling service in Tanzania's aviation sector emanating from contract types, stakeholder collaboration, performance criteria, regulatory compliance, and validity of the contract. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies through mixed method approach was used. The hypotheses were aligned with existing theories and empirical studies have led to the adoption of questionnaires for data collection. About 101 respondents obtained from 10 airports/ locations in within Tanzania which contribute to about 89% of total traffic volumes including number of flights, passenger, and cargo volumes were purposively and stratified selected to participate in structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Binary Logistic Regression in Microsoft Excel while qualitative data was performed by Dedoose for the identification of significant relationships between effective contract (dependent) and contract types, stakeholder collaboration, performance metrics, regulatory compliance, as well as contract validity (independents). The binary logistic regression results indicated significant positive relationships between four out of five variables (contract types, performance metrics, regulatory compliance, and contract validity) while stakeholder collaboration had statistically insignificant impact on contract effectiveness, indicating that while collaboration is important, it does not directly influence the outcomes of ground handling contracts in Tanzania’s aviation sector. incorporating automated systems for performance tracking, ensuring clear dispute resolution mechanisms, and providing training for personnel involved in contract management have been given as recommendation to ensure effective contract. The study was concluded by the implementation of world accepted performance metrics, periodic contract reviews, and adherence to regulatory standards can result into effective contract in ground handling in Tanzania.

Perceptions and Involvement of Parents over Girls' Secondary Education in Kisarawe District – Tanzania

2025-08-27T16:29:40+00:00

The legal frameworks at national and international levels strongly emphasize the importance of education for both female and male children. The frameworks have changed gender-biased mindset over education in some societies in the world. Nevertheless, there are some societies with a negative perception of girls' education. This study examined the perception and involvement of parents over girls' secondary education in Kisarawe District. The study used a case study design and a qualitative approach. Data were collected using interviews and a questionnaire, and were analysed using thematic data analysis. Results show that parents have a positive perception of girls' secondary education. However, there is a great mismatch between such mere perception and involvement. Parents are hardly supporting female children in terms of school requirements such as transport, moral support, making follow-up on their academic progress and providing time for studies at home. It was discovered that parents' positive perception of girls' secondary education in the area is not intrinsically cherished but rather extrinsically driven by the GGovernment's strict enforcement of laws against anyone who denies the rights of girls to access education. Hence, measures that can change the mindset of the community regarding girls' education should be undertaken along with legal frameworks for transformative results.

Strategic Training Needs Assessment in Tanzania's Public Sector: Insights from the Addie Model at NHIF

2025-08-27T16:38:50+00:00

Effective training in the public sector requires a structured and strategic approach to identifying and addressing employee competency gaps. This study explored the application of the ADDIE model, comprising Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation in guiding Training Needs Assessment (TNA) practices at the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in Tanzania. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study collected quantitative data from 152 NHIF employees and qualitative insights from 12 key informants through semi-structured interviews. Quantitative findings revealed a significant positive correlation between the Analysis phase of ADDIE and employee performance, with regression analysis confirming it as the strongest predictor of effective training outcomes. However, qualitative data highlighted key challenges, including informal and inconsistent needs analysis, generic training content, and weak post-training evaluation mechanisms. The study concludes that while NHIF’s training initiatives reflect elements of the ADDIE model, gaps in systematic analysis, content customisation, and outcome evaluation hinder their strategic impact. The findings offer practical implications for strengthening TNA frameworks in Tanzania’s public institutions and contribute to the broader discourse on human resource development in the Global South.

Community Service Orders and Prison Congestion in Tanzania

2025-08-27T16:43:49+00:00

There is a problem with overcrowding of inmates in Tanzania’s prisons, which community service orders could significantly reduce. However, sentencing data show that judges rarely impose community service orders for reasons not well supported by research. In this context, this study explored why law enforcement officers tend to avoid issuing community service orders. The research was carried out in Keko, Segerea, and Ukonga Prisons in Dar es Salaam. As an ethnographic study, it used a phenomenological qualitative research design. Data was collected through structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and documentary review from 40 respondents selected purposively and randomly. The qualitative data were analyzed using Atlas.ti software. The study found that community service orders were rarely applied to eligible offenders. It revealed that the decision to impose these orders depended more on the magistrate's discretion than on legal requirements. Consequently, magistrates often chose imprisonment over non-custodial sanctions. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the barriers preventing the use of community service orders should be addressed by all stakeholders. Enforcers should consider the benefits of this sanction for the state, offenders, society, and families of offenders.

Accessibility of Marine Tourism Resources and Community Livelihood in Tanzania: A Case of Bagamoyo and Kilwa Coastal Communities

2025-08-27T16:46:56+00:00

This article explores the link between the accessibility of marine tourism resources and sustainable livelihoods in Tanzanian communities, guided by the sustainable livelihood’s framework. Data was gathered through convenience sampling from Kilwa and Bagamoyo's coastal populations between March and April 2025. Out of 280 distributed questionnaires, 161 (73.9%) were analyzed using SPSS and SEM (AMOS). Results indicated that access to various types of livelihood assets, including financial, human, social, and physical resources, significantly benefits sustainable livelihoods in these coastal areas. Stakeholders should aim to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14, which emphasizes the importance of marine tourism resources for coastal communities. Promoting access and sustainable use of these resources can aid conservation efforts and sustainable development. The study offers strategic recommendations for government and private sector investment to ensure equitable access to ocean resources for coastal communities.