Abstract
Since the year 2000, the world has witnessed an increased call for improved access to scholarly information. The cost of scholarly content is a major barrier in accessing needed research information. In order to fully contribute to the global knowledge economy, African scholars need to access both global information resources and locally published works. Few studies have focused on the African knowledge production vis-à-vis access to scholarly research information in Africa. This paper examines access to scholarly research information in sub-Saharan Africa. The review focuses on available published works on access to scientific literature in Africa and seeks to understand Africa’s scholarly publishing scene. In the process, challenges and opportunities regarding access to scholarly research information are explored. Three approaches in addressing these issues emerge in literature – namely (i) open access, (ii) donor-funded schemes and (iii) negotiated access schemes for scholarly content. This review shows that these approaches have leveraged information access to the African researchers who now have almost the same levels of access to scientific literature as their peers in the developed world. African governments, institutions, researchers and librarians still need to exploit the potential of open access. There remain, however, infrastructural issues that need to be addressed to ensure that the African scholar enjoys access to current scientific information.
References
Abrahams, L., M. Buke, E. Gray, and A. Rens. 2009. “Opening Access to Knowledge in South African Universities. SARUA Report.” Accessed January 6, 2016. http://www.sarua.org/files/publications/OpeningAccess/Opening_Access_Knowledge_2008.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Acharya, A. 2015. “Indexing Repositories: Pitfalls and Best Practices.” 10th International Conference on Open Repositories. Accessed May 28, 2016. https://media.dlib.indiana.edu/media_objects/avalon:16122.Search in Google Scholar
Achonna, A.U. 2008. “Awareness, Access and Usage of E-Journal Resources of the Library, by the Students of Yaba College of Technology, Yaba – Lagos Nigeria.” Samaru Journal of Information Science 8 (1):26–24.10.4314/sjis.v8i1.40612Search in Google Scholar
Adams, J., K. Gurney, D. Hook, and L. Leydesdorff. 2014. “International Collaboration Clusters in Africa.” Scientometrics 98:547–556. doi:10.1007/s11192-013-1060-2.Search in Google Scholar
Adams, J., C. King, and D. Hook. 2010. Global Research Report: Africa. Leeds: Thompson Reuters.Search in Google Scholar
Akobi, E.I. 2007. “The Impact of and Use of TEEAL on Researchers of Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University Samaru, Zaria.” Continental Journal of Information Technology 1:6–10.Search in Google Scholar
Analysys Mason. 2013. “Lifting Arriers to Internet Connectivity in Africa.” Accessed January 3, 2015. http://www.analysysmason.com/About-Us/News/Insight/Africa-Internet-development-Jun2013/.Search in Google Scholar
Arlitsch, K., and P. O’Brien. 2012. “Invisible Institutional Repositories: Addressing the Low Indexing Ratios of Irs in Google Scholar.” Library Hi Tech 30 (1):60–81.10.1108/07378831211213210Search in Google Scholar
Armstrong, C., J. De Beer, D. Kawooya, A. Prabhala, and T. Schonwetter. 2010. Access to Knowledge in Africa: The Role of Copyright. Cape Town: UCT Press.Search in Google Scholar
Aronson, B. 2002. “WHO’s Health Internetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI).” Health Information & Libraries Journal 19 (3):164–165.10.1046/j.1471-1842.2002.t01-1-00391.xSearch in Google Scholar
Britz, J., P. Lor, M. Coetzee, and B.C. Bester. n.d. “Africa as A Knowledge Society: A Reality Check.” Accessed September 23, 2015. http://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/291/Britz(2006)a.pdf?sequence=3.10.1080/10572317.2006.10762700Search in Google Scholar
Burnett, P., and K. Pyle. 2012. “Gateway or Obstacle Course: A Survey of Selected African Library Websites.” Accessed October 12, 2015. http://blog.inasp.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Gateway-or-Obstacle-Course.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Chingbu, E. 2012. “Scholarly Electronic Journals: Availability and Use in Universities in Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice.” Accessed October 28, 2016. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2010&context=libphilprac.Search in Google Scholar
Chinnock, P. 2011. “Access to Journals in Low-Income Countries: Where Do We Stand?” Accessed September 14, 2015. http://www.tropika.net/svc/editorial/Chinnock-20110204_EdOp_HINARI.Search in Google Scholar
Cockerill, M.J., and B.J. Knols. 2008. “Open Access to Research for the Developing World.” Issues in Science and Technology 24 (2). Accessed May 28, 2016. http://issues.org/24-2/cockerill/.Search in Google Scholar
Czerniewicz, L., and S. Goodier. 2014. “Open Access in South Africa: A Case Study and Reflections.” South African Journal of Science 110 (9/10):1–9.10.1590/sajs.2014/20140111Search in Google Scholar
Darch, C., and P. Underwood. 2005. “Are Pre-Compiled Citation Indexes of Peer-Reviewed Journals an Adequate Control for Research Quality? A Case Study of Library and Information Science.” South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science 71 (1):1–10.Search in Google Scholar
Dessie, Y., and F. Mesfin. 2013. “Researchers’ Challenges: Findings from In-Depth Interview among Academicians in Haramaya University, Ethiopia.” Herald Journal of Education and General Studies 2 (2):69–71. Accessed December 13, 2015. http://www.heraldjournals.org/hjegs/archive.htm.Search in Google Scholar
Durrant, S. 2004. “Overview of Initiatives in the Developing World.” In National Research Council. Open Access and the Public Domain in Digital Data and Information for Science: Proceedings of an International Symposium, Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi:10.17226/11030.Search in Google Scholar
EIFL. 2012. “Over 50,000 Ebooks Now Available in Kenya and Zimbabwe.” Accessed March 12, 2016. http://www.eifl.net/news/over-50000-ebooks-now-available-kenya-and-zim.Search in Google Scholar
Essen, C.V., P. Cartledge, P. Kyamanywa, and A. Manirakiza. 2012. “Is HINARI Appropriate for Medical Students in the Developing World?” Tropical Medicine International Health 4:406–408. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02938.x.Search in Google Scholar
Ezema, I.J., and O.B. Onyancha. 2016. “Status of Africa in the Global Open Access Directories: Implications for Global Visibility of Africa Scholarly Research.” 4th CODESRIA Conference on Electronic Publishing, March 30 – April 1, 2016.Search in Google Scholar
Farrow, E. 2011. “We are All in This Together: Library Consortium Cost Sharing Models.” Accessed April 13, 2016. http://www.inasp.info/uploads/filer_public/2013/04/08/we_are_all_in_this_together.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Flood, A. 2012. “Scientists Sign Petition to Boycott Academic Publisher Elsevier.” The Guardian 2 February. Accessed April 14, 2016. http://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/feb/02/academics-boycott-publisher-elsevier.Search in Google Scholar
Gaible, E., R. Gedye, M. Ochs, K. Parker, and S. Rudgard. 2011. “Research4life: Bringing Academic and Professional Peer-Review Content to Developing Countries through Public-Private Partnership.” IFLA 2011 Conference. Accessed September 23, 2016. http://conference.ifla.org/past-wlic/2011/164-gaible-en.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Gullingham, E. 2013. “A New Research4Life Training Strategy in Africa.” Accessed January 8, 2016. http://exchanges.wiley.com/blog/2013/11/01/a-new-research4life-training-strategy-in-africa/.Search in Google Scholar
Hanekom, D. 2012. Speech by the Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, at the Gala Dinner of the Berlin 10 Open Access Conference held at Allee Bleue, Franschhoek.Search in Google Scholar
Harle, J. 2009. “Digital Resources for Research: A Review of Access and Use in African Universities.” Accessed September 4, 2015. https://www.acu.ac.uk/focus-areas/digital-resources-for-research.Search in Google Scholar
Harle, J. 2010. “Growing Knowledge: Access to Research in East and Southern African Universities.” The Association of Commonwealth Universities. Accessed December 13, 2015. https://www.acu.ac.uk/focus-areas/arcadia-growing-knowledge.Search in Google Scholar
INASP. 2005. “Mid-Term Review of Programme for the Enhancement of Scientific Publications (PERI).” Accessed May 28, 2016. http://www.inasp.info/uploads/filer_public/2013/04/09/peri_evaluation_2001-2004.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
International Telecommunications Union. 2013. “Study on International Internet Connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa – March 2013.” Accessed January 7, 2016. http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Regulatory-Market/Documents/IIC_Africa_Final-en.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Kamanzi, A., and J. Damen. 2016. “The Role of African Academic Institutions in Promoting Open Access in Africa: Obstacles and Opportunities.” 4th CODESRIA Conference on Electronic Publishing, March 30 – April 1, 2016. http://www.codesria.org/spip.php?article2564. Accessed January 26, 2017.Search in Google Scholar
Kassahum, K., and C. Nsaka. 2015. “The Awareness of Academic Librarians Towards Open Access Resources to Support Reference Services.” IFLA 2015. Accessed May 28, 2016. http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/reference-and-information-services/publications/5-kassahun-en-doc.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Kesselman, M. 2005. “Google Scholar and Libraries: Point/Counterpoint.” Reference Services Review 33 (4):380–387.10.1108/00907320510631535Search in Google Scholar
Kupryte, R., M. Segbert-Elbert, and I. Bernal. 2005. “The Eifl.Net Initiative: Access and Management of Electronic Resources by Library Consortia in Developing and Transition Countries.” Serials Review 31 (4):256–260.10.1080/00987913.2005.10764999Search in Google Scholar
Malapela, T., and K. De Jager. 2014. A Study into the Availability of and Access to Electronic Journals for Teaching and Research by the Academic Staff at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zimbabwe. Cape Town: University of Cape Town thesis.Search in Google Scholar
Manda, P.A. 2008. “Access to Electronic Library Resources and Services in Academic and Research Institutions in Tanzania.” In Evaluating Electronic Resource Programmes and Provision, edited by D. Rosenberg, 33–51. Oxford: INASP.Search in Google Scholar
McCook, A. 2003. “Researchers Boycott ‘Cell Press’.” The Scientists October 23. Accessed February 23, 2016. http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/22548/title/Researchers-boycott-Cell-Press/.10.1186/gb-spotlight-20031024-02Search in Google Scholar
McCreadie, N. 2013. “Library Value in the Developing World.” Accessed November 12, 2016. http://www.uk.sagepub.com/repository/binaries/pdf/LibValReport-2013.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Murray, S. 2014. “Current State of Scholarly Publishing in Africa: Findings & Analysis.” Accessed May 28, 2016. http://www.ajol.info/public/Scholarly-Journal-Publishing-in-Africa-Report-Final-v04c.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Murray, S., and A. Clobridge. 2016. “The Current State of Scholarly Journal Publishing in Africa: A Snapshot of Survey Results.” 4th CODESRIA Conference on Electronic Publishing, March 30 – April 1, 2016.Search in Google Scholar
NASAC. 2015. “A Report of the Consultative Forum in Open Access.” Accessed May 28, 2016. http://www.nasaconline.org/index.php/resources/216-nasac-unesco-knaw-consultative-forum-on-open-access-oa/.Search in Google Scholar
Nchinda, T.C. 2002. “Research Capacity Strengthening in the South.” Social Science and Medicine 54 (11):1699–1711. Accessed March 12, 2016. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12113452/.10.1016/S0277-9536(01)00338-0Search in Google Scholar
Ngobeni, S. 2012. “Publish and Still Perish: The Challenges Facing Scholarly Publishers in Africa.” Accessed May 30, 2012. http://afroeuro.org/magazine/?p=5554.Search in Google Scholar
Ngulube, P. 2005. “Rowing Upstream: Promoting and Disseminating LIS Research in Sub-Saharan Africa.” South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science 73 (2):130–135.10.7553/73-2-1346Search in Google Scholar
Nunn, A. 2005. “The ‘Brain Drain’: Academic and Skilled Migration to the UK and Its Impacts on Africa.” Report to the AUT and NATFTHE. Accessed May 28, 2016. https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/848/The-Brain-Drain—academic-and-skilled-migration-to-the-UK-and-its-impacts-on-Africa-Apr-05/pdf/thebraindrain.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Oberg, S. 2009. “Thoughts on the Future of E-Journal Management and Access.” In E-Journals Access and Management, edited by W. Jones, 319–324. New York: Routledge.Search in Google Scholar
Ocholla, D. 2007. “Common Errors and Challenges of Publishing in a Peer Refereed Library and Information Science Journal.” Journal of South African Libraries and Information Science 73 (1):1–13.Search in Google Scholar
Oduwule, A.A., and A.O. Sowole. 2006. “Utilization and Impact of the Essential Electronic Agricultural Database (TEEAL) on Library Services in a Nigerian University of Agriculture.” Program Electronic Library and Information Systems 40 (2):157–167.10.1108/00330330610669271Search in Google Scholar
Publishers Statement of Intent. 2001. Accessed May 28, 2016. http://www.who.int/hinari/statementofintent/en/.Search in Google Scholar
Rajabi, F. 2012. “Evidence-Informed Health Policy Making: The Role of Policy Brief.” International Journal of Preventive Medicine 3 (9):596–598.Search in Google Scholar
Raju, R., I. Smith, and H. Gibson. 2013. “Opening Access to African Scholarly Content: Stellenbosch University’s AOARI Platforms.” Insights: UKSG Journal 26 (1):44–50.10.1629/2048-7754.26.1.44Search in Google Scholar
Research4Life. 2013. “Research Output in Developing Countries Reveals 194 % Increase in Five Years.” Accessed January 13, 2016. http://www.research4life.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Increase_in_developing_country_research_output.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Rosenberg, D. 2005. Towards the Digital Library: Findings of an Investigation to Establish the Current Status of University Libraries in Africa. Oxford: INASP. Accessed December 12, 2015. http://www.inasp.info/uploaded/documents/digital-libr-final-formatweb.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Sadeh, T., and M. Ellingsen. 2005. “Electronic Resource Management Systems: The Need and the Realization.” New Library World 106 (5/6):208–218.10.1108/03074800510595823Search in Google Scholar
Salaam, M., and N. Aderibigbe. 2010. “Awareness and Utilisation of the Essential Electronic Library by Academic Staff: A Case of University of Agriculture, Abeokutu, Nigeria.” Accessed September 14, 2015. http://www.white-clouds.com/iclc/cliej/cl30SA.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
SARUA. 2008. “Opening Access to Knowledge in Southern African Universities.” Accessed May 28, 2016. http://www.sarua.org/files/publications/OpeningAccess/Opening_Access_Knowledge_2008.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
SARUA. 2012. A Profile of Higher Education in Southern Africa: Vol 2 – National Perspectives. Johannesburg: Wits.Search in Google Scholar
Schemn, Y. 2013. “Africa Doubles Research Output over past Decade, Moves Towards a Knowledge Based Economy.” Research Trends 35. Accessed December 31, 2015. http://www.researchtrends.com/issue-35-december-2013/africa-doubles-research-output/.Search in Google Scholar
Song. 2014. “Africa Undersea Cables.” Accessed December 14, 2015. http://manypossibilities.net/african-undersea-cables/.Search in Google Scholar
Stilwell, C. 2006. “Beyond Reason and Vanity: Some Issues in Academic Journal Publication in Library and Information Studies.” South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science 72 (1):1–11.10.7553/72-1-1371Search in Google Scholar
Suber, P. 2012. Open Access. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.10.7551/mitpress/9286.001.0001Search in Google Scholar
Subirats-Coll, I., T. Malapela, S. Dister, M. Zeng, M. Goovaerts, V. Pesce, Y. Jaques, S. Anibaldi, and J. Keizer. 2012. “Reorienting Open Repositories to the Challenges of the Semantic Web: Experiences from FAO’s Contribution to the Resource Processing and Discovery Cycle in Repositories in the Agricultural Domain.” In 6th Metadata and Semantics Research Conference (MTSR 2012), Cádiz, Spain, 28–30 November 2012.Search in Google Scholar
Swartz, M.K.J. 2013. “HINARI: Providing Global Access to Health Care Information.” Journal of Pediatriatic Health Care 27 (1):1. doi.10.1016/j.pedhc.2012.09.007.10.1016/j.pedhc.2012.09.007Search in Google Scholar
Takagi, Y., and A. Czajkowski. 2012. “WIPO Services for Access to Patent Information – Building Patent Information Infrastructure and Capacity in Ldcs and Developing Countries.” World Patent Information 34 (1):30–36. doi:10.1016/j.wpi.2011.08.002.Search in Google Scholar
UNESCO. 2010. UNESCO Science Report 2010. Paris: UNESCO. Accessed December 14, 2015. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001899/189958e.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
Urra, P. 2013. “A Letter to the Editors of MEDICC Review.” MEDICC Review 15 (3). Accessed November 13, 2015. http://www.medicc.org/mediccreview/pdf.php?lang=&id=309.Search in Google Scholar
Van Orsdel, L., and K. Born. 2004. “Periodicals Price Survey: Closing on Open Access.” Library Journal 129 (7). Accessed April 13, 2016. http://works.bepress.com/lee_vanorsdel/5/.Search in Google Scholar
Vent, O. 2005. “TEEAL & AGORA: Improving Access to Agricultural Journals in Low-Income Countries.” Serials Review 31 (4):266–269.10.1080/00987913.2005.10765001Search in Google Scholar
Williams, M.D.J., R. Mayer, and M. Minges. 2011. Africa’s ICT Infrastructure: Building on the Mobile Revolution. World Bank: New York. Accessed January 27, 2017. http://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/abs/10.1596/978-0-8213-8454-1%20%5b2017http://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/abs/10.1596/978-0-8213-8454-1.10.1596/978-0-8213-8454-1Search in Google Scholar
World Bank. 2014. A Decade of Development in Sub-Saharan African Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Research. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.Search in Google Scholar
© 2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston