Mobile Application for Research Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination: The Case of Nm-Aist Univeristy Tanzania

Abstract

The utilization of mobile and web applications has surpassed all other plat- forms in terms of disseminating researchers’ knowledge among diverse com- munities throughout the world. The current method of disseminating re- searchers’ knowledge to the communities in the Arusha region in Tanzania is through meetings, workshops, and focus group discussions held by research- ers, agricultural extension officers and community members after every three months or during field study. Yet the strategy is inefficient and ineffective in practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the most efficient and successful method of disseminating knowledge in communities. The study began with a qualitative phase, utilizing an interpretive technique and a qua- litative multiple case study research design. The Arusha region in Tanzania was selected as a case study where different social activities were undertaken, including farming, livestock keeping, tourism activities and fishing. Individu- al participants were interviewed by using a semi-structured questionnaire. In addition, focus group discussions were conducted to gather more information regarding the needs of the mobile application. Through the implementation of the application, the second phase of the study led to the development of a mobile application that includes community members, agricultural extension officers, and researchers that will enable anyone to install the application on their mobile phones to access knowledge regarding activities undertaken in Arusha. According to the findings of the first phase of the research, a sub- stantial percentage of community members own mobile phones, and hence a mobile application would be sufficient. The research also found that most re- searcher-community interactions occur at the data collection and interven- tion assessment (field trials) stages. Hence, the mobile application will benefit community members, district agricultural, irrigation, and cooperative officers (DAICO), and researchers.