A past examination paper repository for Uganda Management Institute Library

Abstract

Past examination paper repositories are essential research infrastructures for research and academic institutions. A properly dimensioned and well established past exam paper repository has the potential to increase efficient storage, management and consumption of past papers and enhance the visibility of an institution through its scholarly outputs. The aim of the study reported in this project was to design and develop a past examination paper repository for scholarly communications using Uganda Management Institute as a case study and it was developed using open source software. The objectives of the study were to examine the current system of accessing and preserving materials, identify the requirements, design an online repository, test and validate an online repository at UMI. This project led to the development of a past examination paper repository at Uganda Management Institute. It began with an extensive search for information concerning stakeholders’ attitudes towards open access of past exam paper. It was apparent from this review that no previous research had focused on the needs and building of a PEPR contribution in this area. A case study design was adopted and two data collection methods were used which included face-to-face interviews with library users and staffs at UMI. Responses were received. The second, questionnaire were sent to respondents (library staffs). The study population was 250 from which a sample of 90 respondents was determined and included 5 librarians, 10lecturers and 75 students. Findings revealed that much as the UMI Library is equipped with abundant paper trays where past examination papers are kept, they are not fully utilized by users and this due to mismanagement of these past papers through mishandling them by libraryusers. The findings also showed that the current status and management of past papers in UMI Library is poor. The challenges that users face is that they find it difficult to find some past papers since users just mix them up after use. The study recommended that UMI Library staffshould be equipped with adequate ICT skills so as to meet the requirements of a PEPR operator since the system uses modern technology. Besides Greenstone software also keeps on advancing in versions and therefore a more recent version may be the best choice. This means that there must be a technician or specialist among the library staff who can upgrade the system to a new version.