http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/9119 2026-04-08T07:14:31Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20409 Discoverability and metadata completeness in Sri Lankan institutional repositories: A comparative study Amarasekara, K.A.I.M.; Gamage, R.C.G. Institutional Repositories (IRs) can be identified as a vital infrastructure that serve as digital platforms for the preservation and dissemination of scholarly works. IRs enhance research discoverability globally by implementing open access and search engine optimization strategies. As per the previous literature, there are 23 operational IRs in Sri Lanka, but only seven of them are included in OpenDOAR, a globally recognized directory of open access repositories. Despite the growing presence of institutional repositories (IRs) in Sri Lankan universities, their discoverability and metadata completeness remain uncertain. This study compared the metadata completeness, usability, and discoverability of university institutional repositories (IRs) in Sri Lanka using a comparative review of repositories. From 15 main university IRs, five were selected based on activity status and public availability. They were coded from A to E. The data collection was conducted in two stages. In stage one, interface analysis was conducted. In stage two metadata sampling was done, which involved sampling three items from each repository; a thesis, a research article, and a conference paper. This revealed some variations among repositories. The University C’s metadata was more complete with almost all mandatory and optional fields completed. It had a modern contemporary user interface that had the potential for presenting thumbnails of results, and results filtering mechanisms. Universities A, D and E had functional but basic layout design. University B had outdated user interfaces, lacking consistency in their metadata fields of coverage. However, all five of them lacked integration with ORCID or DOIs which limits global visibility. Also, some of the content was only partially accessible, which reflected the difficulties IRs face when maintaining open access initiative. The study recommends adopting standardized metadata practices, persistent identifiers, user-friendly interface design, and registration in indices such as OpenDOAR to enhance discoverability across the globe. 2025-10-30T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20408 Building a Legacy: Exploring the Demand for an Inclusive Archive at the University of Ruhuna Amarasekara, K.A.I.M.; Gamage, R.C.G. Preserving historical documents and artifacts is crucial for safeguarding cultural legacy and ensuring that future generations can access invaluable knowledge and insights from the past. The "Ruhuna Heritage Nexus" project aims to create an extensive and accessible digital archive at the University of Ruhuna Library. This initiative envisions a modern center for historical study and preservation, enhancing public and researcher access to historical documents and artifacts through digitization, cataloging, and preservation. To assess the needs and expectations for the "Ruhuna Heritage Nexus," a survey was conducted among academic staff, students, and administrative staff at the university. Using a stratified random sampling method, 100 responses were collected, with 25 from academic staff, 50 from students, and 25 from administrative staff. The findings reveal that 85% of respondents indicated a strong demand for a digital archive, particularly with the highest interest among academic and administrative staff. The most desired materials for archiving were scholarly materials and it is 95%. Multimedia resources and historical documents were also highly favored, with 70% and 60% of respondents respectively supporting their inclusion. While open access is widely supported, there is recognition of the need for restricted access to certain materials. Adequate resource allocation, including the appointment of dedicated staff and regular updates, is considered essential for achieving long-term success. This research provides a foundational framework for the potential development and implementation of the "Ruhuna Heritage Nexus," which promises to significantly enhance the university's academic infrastructure and promote knowledge sharing and preservation. 2024-10-24T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/15662 Effect of Open Access Publishing on the Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge: A Review Using Emerald Database Amarasekara, K.A.I.M.; Madushanka, D.M.T.; Mayuri, H.E.P. In today’s dynamic and vibrant global scenario, Open Access (OA) publishing is one of the current topics among research scholars since it offers unrestricted free access to scholarly research, promoting greater accessibility and dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, through this study, researchers reviewed the effect of open access publishing on the dissemination of scientific knowledge, by utilizing the Emerald Database. Moreover, by examining the advantages, disadvantages, and contribution to research visibility to the growth of scientific information, researchers sought to investigate the effect of open access publishing on the diffusion of scientific knowledge through this review article. Researchers also recognized future opportunities and suggested fixes for issues with open access publishing. This review was organized using the Interactive Literature Review Process (ILRP), which had been developed by former researchers. It used a few particular processes that can be applied to the development of review articles. In order to locate relevant publications for this review, search terms and search strategies were filtered and modified for all emerald content, including journal articles, book parts, case studies, early-cited articles, and expert briefings. These terms and search strategies are related to "open access publishing," "knowledge dissemination and sharing," "open access institutional repositories," and "challenges of open publishing." 18 articles were chosen at random by the researchers after taking into account the article's title and relevance. The review addresses the possible barriers to scientific communities embracing open publishing formats as well as the potential benefits of open access, including increased exposure while raising issues with disseminating information, accessibility, and citations in open access publications. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion on open access publishing by providing a comprehensive overview of its effects on the dissemination of scientific knowledge. 2023-10-26T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/15661 Children’s School Online Education: Assessing Parental Satisfaction and Experiences in Supporting Children's Online Education in the Southern Province Mayuri, H.E.P.; Ajith, J.A.; Madushanka, D.M.T.; Amarasekara, K.A.I.M. Online education activities, which came to the fore in Sri Lanka with the global pandemic of COVID-19, are now playing a significant role in the whole educational system. This study assessed parental satisfaction and experiences supporting children's online education in the Southern Province. This study used a case study approach to examine 300 parents in the Southern Province. The research involved self-reported questionnaires with three sections. The first section collected demographic information, the second assessed parental satisfaction with their online education support skills, and the third evaluated information literacy related to technology and online resources. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, employing descriptive statistics to estimate parental digital skills and satisfaction and Chi-square tests to explore the relationship between parental satisfaction, gender, and education level. The study tested seven hypotheses, including the impact of various parental skills on overall satisfaction with their children's online education. The study found that parents generally feel delighted with their children's online educational activities. However, regarding parents' information literacy regarding children's online educational activities, the ability to locate is optimal, but evaluating and using effectively is insufficient. Parents' operational and communication skills were found to have a strong positive impact on their satisfaction with their level of ability to assist their children’s online education. The top three challenges that parents experience are: a lack of stable and high-speed internet coverage; obtaining technical support; and a language barrier. Parents' digital skills in online education activities improve children's ethical use of online education. Parents need to be aware of cybercrime and cybergaming to make ethical usage of online education a reality. As a result, it is a timely societal obligation to address the discovered gaps in parental digital literacy and information literacy and solve the stated challenges to keep children's online education activities on track. 2023-10-26T00:00:00Z