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Dissertation Information for John N. Gathegi

NAME:
- John N. Gathegi
- (Alias) John Gathegi
- (Alias) John Ng'ang'a Gathegi

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of California, Berkeley (USA) (1990)

ADVISORS:
- Michael Buckland

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Yale M. Braunstein
- Carl G. Rosberg

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Policy on the creation of scientific and technological information in developing countries: The case of agricultural information in Kenya

Abstract: Development is related to knowledge. Knowledge is derived from information. Knowledge and, therefore, information are vital to the development efforts of any country.

Due to both economic and political considerations, the state has a major role to play in the creation of scientific information. A case study of Kenya, this dissertation is an examination of the efforts of the state in facilitating the acquisition of knowledge for national development through the creation of scientific and technological information. It discusses the role of the state in the formation of policies that affect the creation of scientific information and analyzes the rationale for state intervention. The capability of the state in achieving effective intervention is explored by a critical and analytical examination of the information creation system in the agricultural sector.

It is Kenya's policy that scientific information is a major ingredient of the country's development goals. Kenya has, therefore, made attempts to create a coherent policy that would address scientific information policy issues. The study finds that, in relation to the country's goals and values, major deficiencies exist in terms of the policy-formulation and implementation mechanisms established by the state in the area of the creation of scientific information.

The state's attempts to devise a comprehensive national scientific information policy are constrained by its lack of expertise both in the formulation of such a policy and in the authority to implement the policy.

The implications of the study's findings for Kenya, in particular, and the developing countries of Africa, in general, are discussed. It is concluded that the African state suffers from three major drawbacks when it comes to effectiveness in intervention: resources, expertise, and authority.

The study draws primarily on documentary research and content analysis. In addition, field interviews with researchers, the creators and the users of scientific information in the agricultural and other settings, are utilized, using structured and unstructured interviews.

MPACT Scores for John N. Gathegi

A = 2
C = 6
A+C = 8
T = 2
G = 1
W = 2
TD = 2
TA = 0
calculated 2010-09-25 23:42:31

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