This guide supports the BSc Information & Communication Technology (ICT) programme at Vector Technology Institute. It provides access to high-quality open access research, standards, data, and learning resources that support applied ICT study, systems integration, networking, cybersecurity, and technology use within organisations.
The guide complements (but does not replace) the Computer Science and Software Engineering library guides by focusing on implementation, infrastructure, governance, and real-world application of technology.
Quick navigation: Start Here • Scholarly Articles • Peer-Reviewed Journals • eBooks & Textbooks • Standards & Frameworks • Data & Regional Context • Theses & Capstones • OER & Skills Development
Start Here: Core ICT Research Tools
Begin with these tools for most ICT assignments, research papers, system design projects, and capstone work.
- Google Scholar – Broad discovery tool for ICT-related articles, conference papers, books, and theses.
- BASE – Academic search engine with strong full-text coverage from repositories and open access publishers.
- CORE – Aggregates open access research outputs relevant to computing, networks, and applied ICT.
- Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) – Trusted index of peer-reviewed open access journals.
Tip: Use these tools together—start broad, then refine to peer-reviewed journals for academic writing.
Scholarly Articles (ICT Focus)
Use scholarly articles to support analysis of ICT systems, infrastructure decisions, security approaches, and organisational technology use.
- IEEE Access – Peer-reviewed open access journal covering applied ICT, networking, systems, and cybersecurity.
- SpringerOpen – Open access journals across computing, engineering, and information systems.
- Journal of Open Source Software (JOSS) – Peer-reviewed research software articles relevant to applied ICT projects.
Note: For emerging or pre-publication work, consult arXiv with instructor guidance.
Peer-Reviewed Journals
When journal quality matters (final papers, capstones), prioritise journals indexed in DOAJ or published by recognised open access platforms.
- DOAJ – Use to verify peer-review status and journal credibility.
- IEEE Access – High-quality applied ICT research.
eBooks & Open Textbooks
Use eBooks for conceptual grounding, standards interpretation, and extended reading in ICT, networking, and systems management.
- Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) – Peer-reviewed academic eBooks.
- OAPEN Library – Full-text scholarly books from academic presses.
- OpenStax – Peer-reviewed open textbooks supporting ICT foundations.
- Open Textbook Library – Reviewed open textbooks in computing and IT.
- National Academies Press – Authoritative reports on technology and cybersecurity.
Standards & Frameworks (Core to ICT)
Standards and frameworks are central to ICT practice. Use these as authoritative references in system design, security planning, and policy-aligned coursework.
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) – Risk management and security controls.
- OWASP Top 10 – Critical web application security risks.
- MITRE ATT&CK – Threat modelling and adversary behaviour.
See the Standards hub for programme-wide alignment.
Data, Policy & Regional Context
ICT solutions must respond to organisational and regional contexts. Use these sources for data-driven and policy-aware projects.
- Government of Jamaica Open Data Portal – Official datasets for analysis.
- Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) – National ICT-relevant reports.
- World Bank Open Knowledge Repository – ICT, digital development, and policy publications.
- UWISpace – Caribbean research and theses.
Theses, Dissertations & Capstone Support
Theses and dissertations provide detailed methodologies and applied examples useful for advanced ICT projects.
OER & Skills Reinforcement
These open educational resources support skills development alongside formal coursework.
- MIT OpenCourseWare – Networking, systems, and computing courses.
- SkillsCommons – Workforce-oriented ICT and cybersecurity materials.
- OER Commons
- OpenLearn
Need additional support? Explore Find Research, the A–Z Directory, or consult related programme guides.
For deeper programming theory, see the Computer Science guide. For software development lifecycle resources, see the IT & Software Engineering guide.