This study was a user-oriented evaluation of the South African Non-government Organizations Network (SANGONeT), a regional electronic information and communication network for development and human rights workers. While SANGONeT is one of the oldest development and human rights sector networks in South Africa, no other evaluations of this particular network from the users' perspective could be traced.
Introduction
Background information about SANGONeT
SANGONeT's primary target group is civil society organizations, development consultants, donors, parastatals and private and public sector practitioners who have joined the fight against poverty and underdevelopment in the Southern African region (SANGONeT 2001). It provides a forum for dialogue around common issues in the development and human rights sectors (Ochieng and Radloff2001:89). ANGONet also conducts information searches and provides directory sites relevant to the information needs of its customers1 (SANGONET 2001).
Research problem
These offices also offer training services from how to find information to how to use information. Technical support for the use of ICTs and their effective management is also part of its service (SANGONET 2001).
Research objectives
On a weekly basis web demonstrations and discussion forums on how to use the network effectively are held at the SANGONeT offices in Johannesburg.
Research questions
Justification for the study
It is the third poorest province in South Africa, with 40% of households living in poverty. The present study investigates why development and human rights organizations in KwaZulu-Natal do not subscribe to one of the best electronic information and communication networks in Southern Africa.
Operational definitions
Human rights organizations are defined as private organizations that devote significant resources to the promotion and protection of human rights (Baehr 1999:114). According to the Department of Social Development, the poverty line in South Africa is an income of R950-R1200 per month for a household of six people.
Limitations and scope of the study
Potential users are those organizations that use or could use the type of services it offers. The needs and perceptions of the community they serve help determine the appropriateness of the service.
Summary
Thus, the sample frame used for the study includes development and human rights organizations as well. In addition, as stated in section 1.6, this province offers a rich field for development and human rights organizations.
Introduction
Development
Sustainable development refers to the challenges that contemporary human society faces between reconciling future development with the protection of the environment (Elliot 1994: 107). Sustainable development ensures that the natural environment is not degraded and reduces environmental hazards while increasing biological productivity (Fowler 2001: 16).
Development and human rights organizations
According to Baehr and Muthien (1999:iv), human rights organizations are organizations that devote significant resources to promoting and protecting human rights. When referring to development and human rights organisations, the ten civil society organizations are often used.
Information for development
- The impact of information on development
- The new information and communication technologies (lCTs) and development
- Networking in development sector
- The use of the Internet in the development sector
- ICTs in Africa
- Problems and obstacles in using ICTs and information for development
- High cost involved in using the ICTs
- Requisite skills for ICTs use
- Poor infrastructure
- Lack of awareness
- Examples of evaluative studies of the impact on and the effectiveness of information on
Measuring the impact of information in the areas of education and research involves assessing the extent to which access to the Internet and other information sources add value to these areas (Rasmussen 2001:14). Bray uses two Burma case studies in his analysis of the strategies adopted by NGOs in using the Internet as a campaigning and advertising tool. Sayed's exploratory study (1998:54) on the use of the Internet by NGOs in the Western Cape also concludes that the Internet is a valuable and effective tool in facilitating the role of NGOs in development.
On the other hand, Mambo (1999:42) states that there has been an encouraging development in the use of computers, telecommunications, networking in all parts of Africa. Networks enable access to the global information infrastructure and participation in the global information society (Miller 1996:3). Computer, information and telecommunications education must advance with new developments in the field of ICT (Adam 1999:9).
The RINAF evaluation assessed the actual and potential impact of UNESCO on the African region in the field of telematics.
Summary
- Evaluation research
- Population
- Sampling
- Data collection technique
- Design and structure of questionnaires
- Pretesting
- Procedures for data collection
- Response rate
- Data analysis
- Evaluation of the research methodology
- Summary
An evaluation from the user's perspective provides a qualitative user opinion about the performance of the information service. A population is a group of units to which a researcher generalizes the results of the study (Powell 1982:68). True samples give each member of the population an equal chance of being chosen (Stephen and Hornby 1995:84).
Leedy argues that sample size depends primarily on the degree to which the sample population approximates the qualities and characters of the general population. Random sampling is that which is most likely to yield a truly representative sample of the population (Neuman 1994:200). K is determined by the ratio of the sample size to that of the entire population (Neuman 1994: 204).
More questions were added to the questionnaire as some of the responses indicated areas not covered in the initial questionnaire.
- Introduction
- Characteristics of the population
- Target groups served by the users
- Number of staff in the organizations
- Levels of computer literacy amongst staff
- Budget for training in the use ofICTs
- ICTs used by NGOs
- Access to and use of the Internet
- Budget allocation for use ofICTs
- Information most frequently searched for by the NGOs
- Users' perceptions of SANG ON eT
- Awareness of SANG ON eT services
- Reasons for subscribing to SANGONeT
- Relevance of information services provided by SANGONET
- Overall benefits of using SANGONeT
- Summary
This was to ascertain the level of computer literacy among the NGO's staff. Of the 25 (50%) who use health information, three (6%) respondents indicated that they searched for information about HN/AIDS in particular. A total of 17 respondents indicated that they use SANGONeT's services, but only 15 of the 17 subscribe to SANGONeT.
None of the respondents rated SANGONeT's training, despite three (18%) respondents indicating that they participate in training offered by SANGONeT. An assessment of SANGONeT's internet discussion was not carried out, as none of the respondents participate in it. Communication, including access to e-mail and internet, is named by four (26.6%) of the respondents.
The characteristics also include the part of the budget allocated by NGOs to the use of ICTs and to training in their use.
- Introduction
- Users' profile
- Users' perceptions of SANG ON eT
- Utilization of SANG ON eT
- Awareness of SANG ON eT
- Accessibility
- Relevance of information provided by SANGONeT
- SANGONeT as a networking facilitator
- Summary
In section 5.2.1 it was also mentioned that a substantial part of the research population was unaware of the existence of SANG ON eT. However, this is the only case reported in the survey where the respondent's geographic location prevents participation in SANGONeT. The research shows that a large part of the population spends budget on the use of and training in the use of ICT.
Of the surveyed population, 20% do not budget for training in the use of ICT and four percent do not budget for ICT at all. According to the study, the types of information provided by SANGONeT are relevant to the information needs of the population under study. Only 27% of case studies cited networking as one of their reasons for subscribing to SANGON.
There was a small proportion of the potential users who subscribed to other networks (30% of the study cases).
A review of the research objectives
An overview of the study
It included papers dealing with issues related to the dissemination and exchange of information used in information development. Other evaluative studies and methodologies were discussed, particularly those related to information sharing and the use of information and communication technology to facilitate development. Chapter 4 presented the general characteristics of the survey population, including its target population, the ICTs they use, their levels of computer literacy and Internet access, and their reasons for using the Internet.
The features presented include the proportion of the budget that NGOs allocate to the use of ICTs and training in them. The presentation also covered the study population's perceptions of SANG ON eT, in terms of usage, and the respondents' level of awareness about the network's existence and its services. The results also included the networks' accessibility and the relevance of its information services to its targeted users and the extent to which it facilitates networking between subscribing organizations.
The research findings
When SANGONeT markets itself, marketing methods do not seem to penetrate the target group. They also budget for the use of ICT and for training in its use. Therefore, accessibility in terms of infrastructure, skills and finance does not influence the lack of use of SANG ON eT.
The information provided by SANGONeT is considered relevant to address the objectives of development and human rights organizations in K waZulu-Natal. Those respondents who did make use of SANGONeT's services were satisfied with the accuracy and completeness of the information services provided. On the other hand, SANGONeT is not generally regarded as a network facilitator by development and human rights organizations in KwaZulu-Natal.
Conclusions
Your participation in this study is important because the results will benefit your organization and other organizations involved in development and human rights. Regarding completing the survey, I would suggest that the questionnaire be answered by someone who best represents your organization's views on the subject. Please note that your participation in this study is essential whether or not your organization subscribes to SANGONet.
If your organization has the Internet, how many members of your staff have access to it?_. If your organization has access to the Internet, what does it primarily use the Internet for? If your organization participates in training provided by SANGONeT, how would you rate it in terms of improving the effectiveness of your organization?
How do you rate SANGONeT as an information service in directly addressing your organization's objectives? What are the general benefits that your organization receives as a result of subscribing to SANGONeT. Has your organization ever had the opportunity to critically evaluate SANGONeT's services?
Recommendations for SANGONeT
Suggestions for further study
The use of information and communication technology for education and development: issues and challenges for developing countries. Paper presented at the National Symposium on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Infrastructure and Strategies for Establishing National Information Networks in Zambia, 24-27 April 200 1, Kitwe, Zambia. Information poverty: a third world perspective. ed).Unequal access to information resources: problems and needs of the world's information poor.
The impact of the Internet: some conceptual and methodological issues, or how to hit a moving target behind the smoke screen. Information Society and Development Conference (a summary report), 13-15 May 1996, Midrand, South Africa.
If your answer to question 15 is NO, answer questions 16-19 and the general comments at the end of the questionnaire.
