Browsing by Author "Nassali, Eliz State"

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A contextual framework for bibliometric integrity : synthesizing positivist and rationalist paradigms in the analysis of African LIS research during COVID-19.
(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2026-09-15) Lugya, Fredrick Kiwuwa; Nassali, Eliz State
Purpose This paper aims to examine bibliometric analysis’s role in advancing academic integrity through contextual citation practices. It identifies methodological and conceptual gaps in the literature. The paper proposes a philosophically informed novel framework integrating positivist and rationalist paradigms to address these limitations. Design/methodology/approach A multi-phase mixed-methods design is employed, combining a comprehensive literature review, a diagnostic critique of a prior study, and an illustrative case study. The empirical component reanalyses COVID-19’s impact on African Library and Information Science research via triangulated data from Scopus, Google Scholar, journal metadata and author surveys. Findings The diagnostic critique identifies common shortcomings: temporal oversimplification, contextual blindness, data source bias and overreliance on descriptive statistics. The case study demonstrates that applying the contextual framework yields more nuanced insights. Key results show preexisting publishing infrastructure, not the pandemic, primarily drove output, and citation visibility varied significantly across databases. Research limitations/implications While the illustrative case study validates the framework’s utility, broader application across diverse geographic and disciplinary contexts is needed. Future research should test and refine the framework in varied settings to establish its generalizability. Practical implications Researchers should adopt context-sensitive bibliometric practices, including mixed-methods designs, data source triangulation, and consideration of local scholarly infrastructures to support more equitable and credible research assessment, particularly for underrepresented regions. Originality/value This paper provides a novel, philosophically grounded framework synthesizing positivist and rationalist traditions. It offers a critical diagnostic tool and a constructive methodological model, supported by original empirical evidence from an under-researched regional
Fostering a culture of quality research at a young institution : insights from Kyambogo University.
(Library waves, 2023-12) Mukiibi, Edward; Buwule, Robert Stalone; Nassali, Eliz State
The study explored the trends and quality of research output of academic staff at Kyambogo University, Uganda for the period 2003 to 2020. Using desk research content analysis, the findings showed 199 (47%) out of 425 staff had published 440 articles of which 266 (60%) were credible. The three most productive Faculties were: Science 110, Education, 106, and Arts and Social Sciences with 90 publications. The most prolific author produced 35 articles 6 of which were the first author. This productivity was attributed to factors commended for leveraging the identified niche in science, education, and humanities. The study is instrumental in advancing strategies that could foster a culture of quality research through deliberate policy actions.
Reframing library search as cognitive work: introducing library search analysis(LSA) model
(Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 2026-02-09) Lugya, Freddrick Kiwuwa; Nassali, Eliz State
Information behaviour research has evolved from a traditional focus on information sources to a user-centric perspective. While Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) is a well-established framework for analysing complex sociotechnical systems in domains like process control and aviation, its application remains nascent within the specific context of library and information science, particularly for modelling endogenous user search behaviour. This paper posits a novel theoretical integration, arguing that CWA’s constraint-based, work-centred framework provides a uniquely powerful lens to move beyond descriptive models of information seeking. We propose a refined, user-centred application of CWA to dissect the complex interplay between the library environment, organisational structures, user tasks, and cognitive strategies. This approach offers a novel methodological pathway to generate design requirements for information systems that are not merely usable but are cognitively congruent, supporting the adaptive expertise of library users. By bridging CWA’s systemic rigour with the nuanced realities of information behaviour, this paper aims to advance both theoretical discourse and practical design paradigms within information science.