The Role of the Technical Universities’ Librarians in the Generation and Management of Technical Research Data (TRD) to Advance Inventions, Innovation and Commercialization in Ghana

Abstract

The act of the Technical Universities (TU) in Ghana mandates publications which promote invention and innovations. The study examined the role of librarians in the generation and management of technical research data to promote invention, innovation and commercialisation. This is an exploration study which adopted quantitative approach to present its findings. All the librarians from the Ten (10) Technical Universities became the resultant population. Questionnaire was used to collect the data. Emails and mobile app on monkey survey were used to reach respondents. Majority of the Librarians attested that management of technical research data play a key role in advancing invention and innovations. The study discovered some of the sources and varying formats of such data to include ‘’workshop report, laboratory recording and discoveries, prototypes from engineering practical centres, speeches, patterns, amongst others. Data formats encompassed manuscript, photography, interviews, videos, audios and artefacts. The study revealed minimal integration of Technical Research Data (TRD) management in the research strategic objectives of the selected Technical Universities in Ghana. Majority of the respondents (70%) indicated inadequate infrastructure and resources needed to generate and store such data. Inadequate expertise recorded (60%). Lack of policies on research data recorded (40%), poor collaboration (30%), and inadequate funding for training and logistics (20%). In addressing the identified challenges, provision of infrastructure and resources represented (38%). Funding (31%), capacity building on the part of the librarians represented (12%). Deepening collaboration on research data with stakeholders recorded (13%). Further consideration were the establishment of a centralised repository on technical research data among the Technical Universities instead of working in silos. Findings from the study also revealed the need to revamp the curriculum of the Library and Information science schools on emerging fields. Again the librarians are to allocate resources, services and infrastructure which distinctively support research, teaching, and training.