Knowledge and information sharing through social networking sites among postgraduate students at selected universities in Tanzania

Abstract

The study investigated the use of social networking sites (SNSs) in knowledge and information sharing among postgraduate students at selected universities in Tanzania. The uses of SNSs are known to have potential to contribute to knowledge and information sharing. This study adopted the pragmatism paradigm and used mixed methods research (MMR) employing a convergent research design that allowed the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data concurrently. Questionnaires, structured interviews and document review were used to collect data for the study. The population of the study comprised of 633 postgraduate students from four selected universities for the study. The response rate was 71.5% which was deemed to be very good for concluding findings from the mailed questionnaires. Eight interviews sessions were conducted for the qualitative component of the study. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 24 was used to analyse quantitative data that were collected while qualitative data were organised and analysed thematically using Atlasi.ti version 7 and wordArt software. Finally, the findings were integrated to enhance the rigour of the study. The study established that, postgraduate students at the selected universities for the study preferred to share various types of knowledge and information through SNSs including procedural, conceptual, declarative, explicit, tacit and metacognitive knowledge. The study established that there was an absence of stand-alone policies to guide the use of SNSs for knowledge and information sharing in the selected universities for the study. This study noted that various factors influenced postgraduate students to use SNSs for sharing knowledge and information. They include educational compatibility, access to knowledge and information, enhancement of student’s academic performance, quality of student’s academic works. This study established that, postgraduate students had perceived the use of SNSs to be very useful for their academic purposes. Various challenges faced postgraduate students in their use of SNSs in knowledge and information sharing were identified including lack of reliable internet connectivity, lack of trust and insecurity, and lack of enough ICT facilities. The study recommended a framework for the implementation of SNSs in knowledge and information sharing in the selected universities for the study.