scholarly journals Data matters: how earth and environmental scientists determine data relevance and reusability

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela P. Murillo
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Environmental Science ◽  
Data Reuse ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Record ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the information needs of earth and environmental scientists regarding how they determine data reusability and relevance. Additionally, this study provides strategies for the development of data collections and recommendations for data management and curation for information professionals working alongside researchers. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a multi-phase mixed-method approach. The test environment is the DataONE data repository. Phase 1 includes a qualitative and quantitative content analysis of deposited data. Phase 2 consists of a quasi-experiment think-aloud study. This paper reports mainly on Phase 2. Findings This study identifies earth and environmental scientists’ information needs to determine data reusability. The findings include a need for information regarding research methods, instruments and data descriptions when determining data reusability, as well as a restructuring of data abstracts. Additional findings include reorganizing of the data record layout and data citation information. Research limitations/implications While this study was limited to earth and environmental science data, the findings provide feedback for scientists in other disciplines, as earth and environmental science is a highly interdisciplinary scientific domain that pulls from many disciplines, including biology, ecology and geology, and additionally there has been a significant increase in interdisciplinary research in many scientific fields. Practical implications The practical implications include concrete feedback to data librarians, data curators and repository managers, as well as other information professionals as to the information needs of scientists reusing data. The suggestions could be implemented to improve consultative practices when working alongside scientists regarding data deposition and data creation. These suggestions could improve policies for data repositories through direct feedback from scientists. These suggestions could be implemented to improve how data repositories are created and what should be considered mandatory information and secondary information to improve the reusability of data. Social implications By examining the information needs of earth and environmental scientists reusing data, this study provides feedback that could change current practices in data deposition, which ultimately could improve the potentiality of data reuse. Originality/value While there has been research conducted on data sharing and reuse, this study provides more detailed granularity regarding what information is needed to determine reusability. This study sets itself apart by not focusing on social motivators and demotivators, but by focusing on information provided in a data record.

Engineering researchers’ data reuse behaviours: a structural equation modelling approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1141-1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeon Kyoung Joo ◽  
Youngseek Kim
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Data Reuse ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Engineering Community ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this research is to investigate the factors that influence engineering researchers’ data reuse behaviours. Design/methodology/approach The data reuse behaviour model of engineering researchers was investigated by using a survey method. A national survey was distributed to engineering researchers in the USA, and a total of 193 researchers responded. Findings The results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived concerns and norms of data reuse have significant relationships with attitudes toward data reuse. Also, attitudes toward data reuse and the availability of data repositories were found to have significant influences on engineering researchers’ intention to reuse data. Research limitations/implications This research used a combined theoretical framework by integrating the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the technology acceptance model (TAM). The combination of the TPB and the TAM effectively explained engineering researchers’ data reuse behaviours by addressing individual motivations, norms and resource factors. Practical implications This research has practical implications for promoting more reliable and beneficial data reuse in the engineering community, including encouraging positive motivations toward data reuse, building community norms of data reuse and setting up more data repositories. Originality value As prior research on data reuse mainly used interviews, this research used a quantitative approach based on a combined theoretical framework and included diverse research constructs which were not tested in the previous research models. As one of the initial studies investigating data reuse behaviours in the engineering community, the current research provided a better understanding of data reuse behaviours and suggested possible ways to facilitate engineering researchers’ data reuse behaviours.

Internet researchers’ data sharing behaviors

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngseek Kim ◽  
Seungahn Nah
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Data Sharing ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Data Reuse ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Behaviors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how data reuse experience, attitudinal beliefs, social norms, and resource factors influence internet researchers to share data with other researchers outside their teams. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted to examine the extent to which data reuse experience, attitudinal beliefs, social norms, and resource factors predicted internet researchers’ data sharing intentions and behaviors. The theorized model was tested using a structural equation modeling technique to analyze a total of 201 survey responses from the Association of Internet Researchers mailing list. Findings Results show that data reuse experience significantly influenced participants’ perception of benefit from data sharing and participants’ norm of data sharing. Belief structures regarding data sharing, including perceived career benefit and risk, and perceived effort, had significant associations with attitude toward data sharing, leading internet researchers to have greater data sharing intentions and behavior. The results also reveal that researchers’ norms for data sharing had a direct effect on data sharing intention. Furthermore, the results indicate that, while the perceived availability of data repository did not yield a positive impact on data sharing intention, it has a significant, direct, positive impact on researchers’ data sharing behaviors. Research limitations/implications This study validated its novel theorized model based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The study showed a holistic picture of how different data sharing factors, including data reuse experience, attitudinal beliefs, social norms, and data repositories, influence internet researchers’ data sharing intentions and behaviors. Practical implications Data reuse experience, attitude toward and norm of data sharing, and the availability of data repository had either direct or indirect influence on internet researchers’ data sharing behaviors. Thus, professional associations, funding agencies, and academic institutions alike should promote academic cultures that value data sharing in order to create a virtuous cycle of reciprocity and encourage researchers to have positive attitudes toward/norms of data sharing; these cultures should be strengthened by the strong support of data repositories. Originality/value In line with prior scholarship concerning scientific data sharing, this study of internet researchers offers a map of scientific data sharing intentions and behaviors by examining the impacts of data reuse experience, attitudinal beliefs, social norms, and data repositories together.

A study of the roles of metadata standard and data repository in science, technology, engineering and mathematics researchers' data reuse

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngseek Kim
Keyword(s):  
Data Reuse ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Scientific Communities ◽  
Metadata Standard ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Metadata Standards ◽  
And Mathematics

PurposeThis research investigates how the availabilities of both metadata standards and data repositories influence researchers' data reuse intentions either directly or indirectly as mediated by the norms of data reuse and their attitudes toward data reuse.Design/methodology/approachThe theory of planned behavior (TPB) was employed to develop the research model of researchers' data reuse intentions, focusing on the roles of metadata standards, data repositories and norms of data reuse. The proposed research model was evaluated using the structural equation modeling (SEM) method based on the survey responses received from 811 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) researchers in the United States.FindingsThis research found that the availabilities of both metadata standards and data repositories significantly affect STEM researchers' norm of data reuse, which influences their data reuse intentions as mediated by their attitudes toward data reuse. This research also found that both the availability of data repositories and the norm of data reuse have a direct influence on data reuse intentions and that norm of data reuse significantly increases the effect of attitude toward data reuse on data reuse intention as a moderator.Research limitations/implicationsThe modified model of TPB provides a new perspective in apprehending the roles of resource facilitating conditions such as the availabilities of metadata standards and data repositories in an individual's attitude, norm and their behavioral intention to conduct a certain behavior.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that scientific communities need to develop more supportive metadata standards and data repositories by considering their roles in enhancing the community norm of data reuse, which eventually lead to data reuse behaviors.Originality/valueThis study sheds light on the mechanism of metadata standard and data repository in researchers' data reuse behaviors through their community norm of data reuse; this can help scientific communities and academic institutions to better support researchers in their data sharing and reuse behaviors.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-09-2020-0431

scholarly journals Are data repositories fettered? A survey of current practices, challenges and future technologies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nushrat Khan ◽  
Mike Thelwall ◽  
Kayvan Kousha
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Data Reuse ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Checks ◽  
Current Practices

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore current practices, challenges and technological needs of different data repositories.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was designed for data repository managers, and contact information from the re3data, a data repository registry, was collected to disseminate the survey.FindingsIn total, 189 responses were received, including 47% discipline specific and 34% institutional data repositories. A total of 71% of the repositories reporting their software used bespoke technical frameworks, with DSpace, EPrint and Dataverse being commonly used by institutional repositories. Of repository managers, 32% reported tracking secondary data reuse while 50% would like to. Among data reuse metrics, citation counts were considered extremely important by the majority, followed by links to the data from other websites and download counts. Despite their perceived usefulness, repository managers struggle to track dataset citations. Most repository managers support dataset and metadata quality checks via librarians, subject specialists or information professionals. A lack of engagement from users and a lack of human resources are the top two challenges, and outreach is the most common motivator mentioned by repositories across all groups. Ensuring findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) data (49%), providing user support for research (36%) and developing best practices (29%) are the top three priorities for repository managers. The main recommendations for future repository systems are as follows: integration and interoperability between data and systems (30%), better research data management (RDM) tools (19%), tools that allow computation without downloading datasets (16%) and automated systems (16%).Originality/valueThis study identifies the current challenges and needs for improving data repository functionalities and user experiences.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-04-2021-0204

scholarly journals Lifestyle information from YouTube influencers: some consumption patterns

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Thelwall
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Information Resource ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeDespite lifestyle information needs being an important part of our daily lives, little is known about the role of common sources. Whilst magazines and television are traditional providers of lifestyle content, including for fashion, makeup, fitness and cookery, they have been partly replaced by content-creating online influencers.Design/methodology/approachTo investigate this new resource, this article analyses comments on the videos of 223 UK female lifestyle influencers on YouTube for information about possible viewing patterns.FindingsThree quarters of comments are written during the week of the video being published, consistent with videos being consumed with an information browsing function, rather than treated as an information resource to be searched when needed. Commenting on the videos of multiple influencers occurred often, suggesting that many viewers are not loyal to a single influencer. Thus, influencers seem to primarily support active scanning rather than searching for specific information. Typical viewers of UK female lifestyle influencers can therefore expect to accumulate lifestyle ideas and knowledge for potential future use in addition to gaining timely suggestions for near future routine decision-making.Practical implicationsPublic-facing information professionals, health professionals and counsellors may consider recommending selected videos or influencers to help with lifestyle concerns.Originality/valueThis is the first large scale study of content-creating influencers as a lifestyle information resource.

Leading with love and hospitality: applying a radical pedagogy to LIS

2019 ◽  
Vol 120 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 119-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole A. Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Classroom Management ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Ethnographic Case Study ◽  
Radical Pedagogy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to suggest that classroom instructors should reflect and revise their pedagogy to lead a classroom designed to produce future information professionals who will be prepared to serve their communities in a radical way. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the literature related to radical and humanizing pedagogies and then features an auto ethnographic case study which details how the author implemented some of the strategies. Findings Formal study of pedagogy can improve the library and information science (LIS) teaching and learning process. Practical implications Examining pedagogy in a formal way yields concrete suggestions for improving classroom management and content delivery. Social implications Using a radical pedagogy can improve relationships between teachers and learners, and learners will be able to model the classroom strategies in their own professional practice. Originality/value The study builds upon current examples of radical practice in the field and examines how such practices can be instilled even earlier in LIS graduate classrooms.

Seven information practices for alleviating information vulnerability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Devendra Dilip Potnis ◽  
Joseph Winberry
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Practices ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Real World Problems

PurposeThis literature review aims to identify conscious, intentional, repetitive and transferrable information-related decisions and activities (i.e. information practices) for individuals to alleviate their information vulnerability. Information vulnerability refers to the lack of access to accurate, affordable, complete, relevant and timely information or the inability to use such information, which can place individuals, communities or society at disadvantage or hurt them.Design/methodology/approachConceptual literature review.FindingsThis review presents seven conscious, intentional, repetitive and transferrable information practices to alleviate information vulnerability.Practical implicationsDue to the transferability potential of the seven information practices, diverse populations in varied contexts could refer to, adapt and benefit from appropriate combinations of information practices and their manifestations. The framework can be used by individuals for alleviating information vulnerability. Thus, this paper responds to the call for conducting action-driven research in information science for addressing real-world problems. Information professionals can help individuals select and implement appropriate combinations of seven information practices for alleviating information vulnerability.Originality/valueWe propose (1) a parsimonious, episodic framework for alleviating information vulnerability, which depicts the inter-relationship among the seven information practices and (2) a three-dimensional plot with information access, use and value as three axes to map the manifestation and outcome of alleviating information vulnerability.

The effects of work experience on interpretations of recruitment advertisements and organizational attraction

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Yockey
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
Organizational Attraction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate potential differences in experienced and inexperienced workers’ interpretations of recruitment ads. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a between subjects design to compare responses to recruitment advertisements. The advertisements varied in terms of compensation information. Findings Work experience did not alter perceptions of organizational culture but it did affect levels of organizational attraction. The implication is that all workers interpret recruitment advertisements in a similar manner but more experienced workers prefer different work environments than less experienced workers. Research limitations/implications The results generally support the use of student populations or inexperienced workers in recruitment research. The study was limited to perceptions of pay statements. Other forms of recruitment information needs to be investigated. Practical implications Companies seeking to recruit experienced workers need to be attentive to how those workers will view the company’s culture based on information in their recruitment advertisements. Originality/value This study is one of a very limited number of organizational attraction studies comparing experienced and inexperienced workers. It is important because it helps clarify the underlying mechanisms impacting organizational attraction based on work experience.

Boundary subjects and boundary objects in accounting fact construction and communication

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teemu Laine ◽  
Tuomas Korhonen ◽  
Petri Suomala ◽  
Asta Rantamaa
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Boundary Objects ◽  
Shared Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Partners ◽  
Pragmatic Constructivism ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to elaborate the concepts of boundary subjects and boundary objects in constructing and communicating relevant accounting facts for managing product development (PD). Boundary subjects as reflective actors benefit effective accounting enactment, by building a shared understanding about different actors’ roles and information needs, and by helping to respond to these needs with new boundary objects. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a longitudinal interventionist case study of a machinery manufacturer. The focus of this case study was the production ramp-up phase at the end of a PD program. Different actors’ needs were first collected and elaborated by interventionist researchers (boundary subjects). Then accounting prototypes (boundary objects) provided new means of communication. Findings The findings show that dealing with boundaries is crucial in accounting development. The role of boundary subjects was fundamental in the process of choosing, constructing, elaborating and communicating accounting facts. During this process, accounting prototypes integrated new accounting facts, the boundary subjects mitigated the boundaries and the boundary objects focused and restricted communication about accounting facts. Research limitations/implications The paper tests the pragmatic constructivism approach by examining accounting enactment under uncertainty and ambiguity. The study refines pragmatic constructivism in terms of boundaries, boundary subjects as actors and boundary objects. Practical implications The intentional use of boundary subjects and objects as communication platform could push a more active inclusion of business controllers as active business partners. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature on accounting development by highlighting the use of boundary subjects and boundary objects as fundamental mechanisms in constructing and communicating accounting facts.

Roadmap to change: emerging roles for information professionals

2006 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Obiora Omekwu ◽  
Uwem Eteng
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Knowledge Economy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Historical Knowledge ◽  
Organizational Survival ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Information Work ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeTo map out routes along which the library and information profession can chart its future development.Design/methodology/approachA literature‐based opinion piece which looks at “roadmaps to change” in library and information work from the historical, knowledge economy and information technology perspectives.FindingsChange is inevitable for organizational survival and the maintenance of professional relevance.Practical implicationsLibrarians and information professionals are by training positioned to continue to make a difference in information handling and management both now and in the future. The paper recommends the forms of repositioning that are vital for them if they are to continue to be relevant in information service delivery.Originality/valueNew and emerging roles for the profession are highlighted from various authors and authorities in the field.

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