The Journal of Informatics

Factors affecting the participation of Tanzanian College youths in purchasing online products

Adam Basigie Mtaho — 2024-08-15

Recently, Tanzania has experienced an exponential growth of internet users, with youths forming the largest number of users who access internet service. Despite statistics showing that youths form the largest number of internet users in the country, the number of youths who purchase online products is still limited. This study aimed to analyse factors affecting youth online purchasing in Tanzania and suggest strategies to improve its adoption. The subjects of the study were 43 students from the Arusha Technical College in Tanzania who were studying an E-commerce and Internet Technology course. The data were collected using questionnaires and participatory workshop. The collected data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The findings reveal ten factors that influence youth engagement in online purchases: quality risks, delayed deliveries, e-commerce skill gaps, fraud fears, extra charges, internet costs, payment issues, network reliability, local availability, and absence of bargaining habits. To enhance the participation of youths in online shopping, the study recommends several strategies which, if implemented, will help improve e-commerce adoption in Tanzania. The major contribution of this study is to reveal the status of online purchase adoption among Tanzanian youths and document strategies for accelerating its adoption in the country.

Difficulties in learning the data structures course: Literature review

Adam Basigie Mtaho — 2024-08-15

Data structures is a highly demanding course for computer science students, often associated with high cognitive load and consequently, high failure and dropout rates. This study aimed to identify the primary causes of difficulties in learning data structures course, as reported in the computer science education literature. The study employed a mixed approach. Quantitative analysis methods utilized descriptive statistics, while qualitative analysis involved a systematic literature review method. A total of 99 research publications were searched from digital libraries and used in this study, with 42 papers designated for systematic reviews and analysis after meeting selection criteria. The findings reveal that students in computer science education face several difficulties in learning data structures, stemming from the inherent complexity of the subject, teaching methodologies employed, and individual learner characteristics such as poor student background knowledge and low student motivation. Based on these findings, the study recommends the adoption of new teaching strategies to address the encountered difficulties and enhance the learning experience for students learning data structures.

Preservation and conservation practices of library information resources in Tanzania: Perspectives from librarians

Andrew Watson Malekani — 2024-08-15

This study sought to assess ways by which librarians in various libraries in Tanzania preserve information resources for current and future use. Specifically, the study identified the kinds of collections and their status, attempted to find out activities carried out in libraries that are related with preservation and evaluated ways in which the existing library materials could be prevented from deterioration. The study used focus group discussions to collect data from 25 librarians from various libraries in Tanzania, who attended a workshop on preservation of library information resources, held at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST). Results reveal that major formats available in libraries include print media, e-resources, microforms, manuscripts and artworks. Activities conducted in libraries that were associated with preservation included refreshing, migration, digitization, proper shelving, collection examination, user orientations, photocopying, restoration, data backup, environmental control, binding and monitoring collections through CCTVs. However, challenges encountered during preservation activities include poor skills among librarians on appropriate preservation activities, harsh environmental conditions such as high temperature and lack of written policies and guidelines on preservation of library resources. The study concluded that preservation activities were actually carried out in libraries although the extent to which librarians undertook preservation activities varied from the nature of the libraries. It was therefore recommended that policies and guidelines on preservation activities be developed to guide preservation activities.