An information retrieval system for Central Broadcasting Services (CBS)

Abstract

The study aimed at designing an information retrieval system for the Central Broadcasting Services (CBS). The objectives of the study were to; examine the current system used in retrieving information at Central Broadcasting Services (CBS), identify the challenges associated with the retrieval system used in Central Broadcasting Services (CBS), identify the requirements for designing an information retrieval system for the Central Broadcasting Services (CBS) and design an information retrieval system for Central Broadcasting Services (CBS). The study employed a case study design while adopting a qualitative research approach to collect data from the respondents. Interviews and observation methods were used to collect data from the respondents. The researcher purposively selected 18 users (workers) and 4 resource centre staff at CBS who participated in the study. The study revealed that the current system used at CBS is manual and highly dependent on paper based documents. Inadequate information resources and funding in the resource centre were the major challenges faced with the current information retrieval system. Majority of the respondents requested for a system which is easy to use. Increasing the resource centre funding was suggested to solve the challenges affecting the information retrieval system at CBS. The study concluded that digitisation of the information resources, use of an information retrieval system, increasing the resource centre funding, acquisition of the electronic information resources, a user friendly information retrieval system, provision of all the necessary requirements to design the system, training of the resource centre staff and users, on the use of ICTs, and setting up a resource centre committee would improve the information retrieval system at CBS resource Centre. The study recommended that an information retrieval should be designed to enable easy access and retrieval of information, digitise all the documents, purchase more ICTs, increase the funding, subscribe and purchase more electronic information resources, train both the users and staff on the use of computers, engaging users in decision, increasing the budget for the resource centre and proper maintenance of ICTs in the resource centre.