Perceived benefits of reference management software among postgraduate students at Tangaza University, Kenya

Abstract

Higher education in Kenya has placed greater emphasis on research, with postgraduate students expected to engage in activities such as writing academic articles, theses, and research projects. These research studies aim to advance our understanding and make valuable contributions to organizational enhancement and policy development. This study examined the importance of Reference Management Software as perceived by the users, focusing on postgraduate students at Tangaza University. The study was anchored on the diffusion of innovation theory, which helped explore the various factors influencing the adoption of Reference Management Software (RMS). The study applied a mixed-method approach and data was collected through survey questionnaires. The study revealed that at least 70.2% of respondents found reference management software more beneficial in their research and academic workflow than manual referencing, although to a varying extent. Some benefits perceived by the respondents include improved efficiency, ease of use, integration with other tools, and time-saving. Despite the benefits, respondents faced various limitations that inhibited their adoption and usage of Reference Management Software. This reveals the need for more focused and comprehensive training to expose users to potential benefits and promote the adoption and continued usage of Reference Management Software.