A Research Activities Information System for the Addis Ababa University: A Prototype
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Date
1999-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis discusses the development of an information system designed for collecting
summarizing and presenting information on research and research related activities of the
Addis Ababa University (AAU). Research activities made at the various Faculties,
Departments and Research uni ts are monitored and managed by central bodies - mainly the
Research and Publications Office (RPO). Records on research and publication activities are
handled in manual methods in this office, as well as, at the remaining research Units.
Unavailability of an organized computer based Research In formation System in the
University created challenges for researchers in accessing research information; and also for
the administrative bodies in planning & managing research activities; monitoring of research
progress & fund utilization; in producing summarized periodic activity reports, as well as in
providing research information timely and easily. As a result this study is conducted.
The study documents what and how the existing system carries out its activities, identifies
problems, requirements and set objectives to be met by the required system. Experiences of
other systems in similar environment have been reviewed, evaluated and the structure of the
system that is c1 0scr to the system under study is partially adapted for Entity Relation ship
Modeling. The system proposed as a so lotion to the identified problems is made to model the
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information/data requirements of the users. This system is designed to support managing and ,
monitoring of research activities & research outputs and reporting on these activities, in two
sub systems - Project Sub System and Publication Sub System.
Attempt is also made to demonstrate, through prototyping, how the proposed so lutions
overcome the major problems of the current system.
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Keywords
Information Science