A longitudinal study of information needs and search behaviors in science and technology

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minsoo Park ◽  
Tae-Seok Lee
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Web Search ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
User Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Search Behaviors

Purpose This study aims at a longitudinal understanding of the user–system interactions from the context of science and technology at a query level. Design/methodology/approach The authors quantitatively analyzed log data sets culled from more than 24,820,416 queries submitted by users of a national scientific and technical information system, collected in 2008-2011. Findings In the fields of science and technology, the user search behaviors and patterns have remained stable. User queries are short and simple. In all, 80 per cent of the queries are made up of one-three terms. The length of query on a scholarly information system in the fields of science and technology is different from that of Web search. The former is longer than the latter. Search topics have shifted fast. “FUEL BATTERY”, “NANO”, “OLED”, “CAR”, “ROBOT” and “SMARTPHONE” were high-ranked queries from 2008 to 2011. It was found that the time to determine whether the users will stay on the site took about 10 seconds on average from the time of visit. If the users viewed the results of a list generated by the search query and took any action, such as detailed view, export or full-text download, most of them stayed more than 10 minutes on average. Originality/value Longitudinal user research using a query analysis helps to understand the information needs and behavioral patterns of users on information systems related to a specific field and those based on the Web. It also brings insights into the past, present and future events of a field. In other words, it plays a role as a mirror that reflects the flow of time. In the long run, it will be an historic asset. In the future, user studies using a query analysis need to be carried out from various (e.g. social, cultural or other academic disciplines) long-term perspectives on a continuous basis.

scholarly journals User-driven efforts in creating knowledge graph information system

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-111
Author(s):  
Stanislava Gardasevic
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Resource Discovery ◽  
The Body ◽  
Knowledge Graph ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper presents the results of a qualitative study that involved students of an interdisciplinary PhD program. The study objective was to gather requirements to create a knowledge graph information system. The purpose of this study was to determine information-seeking practices and information needs of this community, to inform the functionalities of a proposed system, intended to help students with relevant resource discovery and decision-making. Design/methodology/approach The study design included semi-structured interviews with eight members of the community, followed by a website usability study with the same student participants. Findings Two main information-seeking styles are recognized and reported through user personas of international and domestic (USA) students. The findings show that the useful information resides within the community and not so much on the program website. Students rely on peer communication, although they report lack of opportunities to connect. Students’ information needs and information seeking are dependent on their progress through the program, as well as their motivation and the projected timeline. Practical implications Considering the current information needs and practices, a knowledge graph hosting both information on social networks and the knowledge produced by the activities of the community members would be useful. By recording data on their activities (for example, collaboration with professors and coursework), students would reveal further useful system functionalities and facilitate transfer of tacit knowledge. Originality/value Aside from the practical value of this research that is directly influencing the design of a system, it contributes to the body of knowledge on interdisciplinary PhD programs.

An epistemological assessment of learning nutritional information with augmented reality

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-224
Author(s):  
Lih-Juan ChanLin ◽  
Kung-Chi Chan ◽  
Chiao-Ru Wang
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nutritional Information ◽  
Dietary Knowledge ◽  
Dietary Behaviours ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Mobile Ar

PurposeThis study aims to investigate whether epistemological assessment is a suitable approach to evaluate students’ learning of dietary knowledge via the use of an augmented reality (AR) information system. Students’ perceived dietary knowledge was compared before and after learning with the AR system. Two major questions were addressed: Did students improve their understanding of dietary knowledge after the use of AR information system? Did students gain more appropriate understanding of dietary knowledge after the use of AR information system?Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods approach was used in the study. The mobile AR system was used among 65 volunteered non-nutrition-major college students recruited in campus. For promoting epistemological development of personal dietary knowledge, students practiced with life experiences to access daily dietary information. Pre- and post-tests of students’ understanding of dietary knowledge were compared. Interviews with 20 students were used for gathering in-depth research data to analyse students’ epistemological understanding of dietary knowledge.FindingsThe epistemological assessment indicated an improvement in learning after the use of the AR system. Students gradually gained awareness of dietary knowledge and changed their perceptions of their dietary behaviours. Epistemological approaches to the analysis of students’ conceptual change in dietary knowledge revealed a significant increase in the mean nutritional concepts (p< 0.01) and a decrease in their mean misconceptions (p< 0.001) after learning via the mobile nutrition monitoring system. Learning assessment of 65 students also indicated a significant increase from the post-test after learning with the system (p< 0.0001).Research limitations/implicationsThis study might have its limitations, as it only assessed learning using a pretest-posttest design for a specific learning context over a short period of learning time. The use of interviews based on the epistemological approach might have its limitations in the interpretations of the phenomenon. Future implementations can also be extended to different populations to promote self-monitoring dietary behaviours.Originality/valueThe findings of this study will contribute to the application of AR in learning about dietary knowledge. The research involving in-depth observation of students’ learning relevant to personal nutritional information needs via mobile AR might provide potential contributions to dietitian professionals and health education.

The Framework and Construction Rural Science and Technology Information System

2011 ◽  
Vol 328-330 ◽  
pp. 1049-1052
Author(s):  
Shu Rong Wang ◽  
Jin Song Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Service System ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Information Resource ◽  
Resource Needs ◽  
Cooperation Mechanism

In order to meet the rural science and technology information resource needs in the agricultural informatization process, adhere to construct and share the agricultural technical information resource. This paper designs a rural science and technology information management and sharing service system which has a reasonable structure, and faces the society, the network, intelligent, hopes to establish and perfect the share of long-term cooperation mechanism in the provinces.

Analyzing Iran’s science and technology foresight programs: recommendations for further practices

foresight ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Hafezi ◽  
Siavosh Malekifar ◽  
Amirnaser Akhavan
Keyword(s):  
Science And Technology ◽  
National Level ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Three Phase ◽  
Developing Communities ◽  
Developed World

PurposeStudying previous science and technology (S&T) foresight activities reveals information that helps decision makers to redesign policy-making templates aimed at dealing with new millennium challenges. To propose policy recommendations about further S&T foresight programs in Iran, this paper aims to propose a three-phase process to study historical S&T foresight activities at national and sub-national level since 2005 to 2015, to analyze the state of selected activities to discover weaknesses and potential solutions and, finally, to provide strategies and tactics to improve further S&T foresight activities through an expert-based process.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides a three-stage methodology, designed to survey Iranian historical foresight practices (study) using scoping framework equipped with additional features, diagnosis and evaluating (analyze) and finally proposing recommendations to organize and implement more efficient further foresight practices (design) to initialize further practices in developing countries such as Iran.FindingsAlthough concerns about future and the importance of foresight activities are raised however Iranian foresight community needs to be developed. As noted in Section 5, Iranian foresight facilitators and specialist are biased to limited methodologies and methods; therefore, creating foresight networks and developing communities is strongly recommended.Research limitations/implicationsThe main constraint of this research was lack of valid data in the case of some Iranian S&T foresight programs.Originality/valueIran as a developing country needs to plan for long-run programs; however, there is no integrated study which reviews and analyzes the previous attempts to dedicate insights about how to reframe existing foresight paradigms. As foresight practices facilitate the paths toward sustainability, analyzing and diagnosis of a series of foresight practices in a devolving country may initialize designing such efforts in less developed world.

An empirical analysis of search engines’ response to web search queries associated with the classroom setting

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-111
Author(s):  
Oghenemaro Anuyah ◽  
Ashlee Milton ◽  
Michael Green ◽  
Maria Soledad Pera
Keyword(s):  
Search Engines ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Web Search ◽  
Hate Speech ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Grade School ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Search Queries ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine strengths and limitations that search engines (SEs) exhibit when responding to web search queries associated with the grade school curriculum Design/methodology/approach The authors employed a simulation-based experimental approach to conduct an in-depth empirical examination of SEs and used web search queries that capture information needs in different search scenarios. Findings Outcomes from this study highlight that child-oriented SEs are more effective than traditional ones when filtering inappropriate resources, but often fail to retrieve educational materials. All SEs examined offered resources at reading levels higher than that of the target audience and often prioritized resources with popular top-level domain (e.g. “.com”). Practical implications Findings have implications for human intervention, search literacy in schools, and the enhancement of existing SEs. Results shed light on the impact on children’s education that result from introducing misconception about SEs when these tools either retrieve no results or offer irrelevant resources, in response to web search queries pertinent to the grade school curriculum. Originality/value The authors examined child-oriented and popular SEs retrieval of resources aligning with task objectives and user capabilities–resources that match user reading skills, do not contain hate-speech and sexually-explicit content, are non-opinionated, and are curriculum-relevant. Findings identified limitations of existing SEs (both directly or indirectly supporting young users) and demonstrate the need to improve SE filtering and ranking algorithms.

scholarly journals Relevance of market information system to environment protection

2007 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 46-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bishnu D. Awasthi
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Selling Price ◽  
Market Information ◽  
Marketing System ◽  
Marketing Information ◽  
Marketable Surplus ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits

Market information is an important facilitating function in a marketing system. It facilitates marketing decisions, regulates the competitive market processes and facilitates marketing mechanisms. To increase consumption, it is necessary to develop marketing channels. After production, marketing is the most important function, which consists of assembling, processing and distribution of marketable surplus. An efficient marketing information system can manage, for timely delivery of product, reduce marketing costs and increase production and productivity and make the market yard healthy and hygienic. The existing practices of vegetable marketing system consists only the collection of selling price of different vegetables and fruits, volume of arrival and source of origin. Fruits and vegetables are bulky and perishable by nature and need immediate disposal in the market having with clean and proper packaging. If it is not properly done, it generates wastes in the market and pollute the locality. Efficient vegetable market information system can minimize the waste induced problems in the vegetable markets. Environmental policies are influenced by economic, social, and political forces. To ensure that the execution of these policies protects human health and ecosystems effectively and efficiently, scientific and technical information needs to be an integral consideration from the earliest stages of policy making. The Journal of AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 46-54

Developing a comprehensive framework for analyzing national scientific and technical information policy: application of HeLICAM in Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Namdarian ◽  
Sirous Alidousti ◽  
Behrooz Rasuli
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Technology Policy ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scientific And Technical Information ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Comprehensive Framework

PurposeStrengthening and improving Scientific and Technical Information (S&Ti) flow in all nations require an effective national S&Ti policy (NS&TiP). The very first step in developing an integrated NS&TiP is clarifying its scope and dimensions. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the dimensions of NS&TiP, in the form of an analytical framework, and to show how to apply it.Design/methodology/approachThe current study adopted a qualitative method, called the framework approach, and proposed HeLICAM, a comprehensive framework including different dimensions for NS&TiP. Afterward, Iran's science and technology documents were analyzed based on the proposed framework.FindingsHeLICAM framework includes (1) human resources, (2) laws and regulations, (3) ICT infrastructure, (4) connections, (5) activities and (6) information market. The results obtained from the application of HeLICAM in the analysis of Iran's science and technology policy documents indicated that the various dimensions of NS&TiP have mostly been overlooked. Although several policies have been developed for science and technology in Iran, the efforts have not been comprehensive and effective enough.Originality/valueThis study proposes the normative analytical framework called HeLICAM. The purpose of HeLICAM is to provide a draft of NS&TiP dimensions to policymakers that will be useful in NS&Ti policymaking because this framework helps to answer questions like “what dimensions have been considered in writing the policy document?” and “What it lacks?”, “What are its strengths and weaknesses?”, and “How can it be improved?”Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-11-2020-0493

Classification of means and methods of the Web semantic retrieval

2017 ◽  
pp. 030-050
Author(s):  
J.V. Rogushina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Search Engines ◽  
Domain Knowledge ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Web Search ◽  
User Interaction ◽  
Query Languages ◽  
Semantic Search ◽  
Semantic Retrieval ◽  
The Web

Problems associated with the improve ment of information retrieval for open environment are considered and the need for it’s semantization is grounded. Thecurrent state and prospects of development of semantic search engines that are focused on the Web information resources processing are analysed, the criteria for the classification of such systems are reviewed. In this analysis the significant attention is paid to the semantic search use of ontologies that contain knowledge about the subject area and the search users. The sources of ontological knowledge and methods of their processing for the improvement of the search procedures are considered. Examples of semantic search systems that use structured query languages (eg, SPARQL), lists of keywords and queries in natural language are proposed. Such criteria for the classification of semantic search engines like architecture, coupling, transparency, user context, modification requests, ontology structure, etc. are considered. Different ways of support of semantic and otology based modification of user queries that improve the completeness and accuracy of the search are analyzed. On base of analysis of the properties of existing semantic search engines in terms of these criteria, the areas for further improvement of these systems are selected: the development of metasearch systems, semantic modification of user requests, the determination of an user-acceptable transparency level of the search procedures, flexibility of domain knowledge management tools, increasing productivity and scalability. In addition, the development of means of semantic Web search needs in use of some external knowledge base which contains knowledge about the domain of user information needs, and in providing the users with the ability to independent selection of knowledge that is used in the search process. There is necessary to take into account the history of user interaction with the retrieval system and the search context for personalization of the query results and their ordering in accordance with the user information needs. All these aspects were taken into account in the design and implementation of semantic search engine "MAIPS" that is based on an ontological model of users and resources cooperation into the Web.

The Development of ASHS HortBase—A Global Information System

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 552e-552
Author(s):  
James L. Green
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Standing Committee ◽  
Task Forces ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Dispersed System ◽  
Global Information System ◽  
Information File ◽  
International Standing

In 1997, the ASHS Board of Directors established ASHS HortBase as a Standing Committee of the Society. The ASHS HortBase Committee, a six-member Standing Committee and Chair, is charged to implement and maintain ASHS HortBase. The members of the ASHS HortBase Committee will be chair and chair-elect of the three HortBase Task Forces: 1) Finance and Marketing; 2) Standards—authoring, reviewing, and publishing; and 3) Technology. ASHS HortBase is a dispersed, dynamic horticultural information system (network) on the WWW comprised of peer—reviewed, concise, interlinked information modules to meet the information needs of instructors and students, gardeners and growers. A strong advantage and distinguishing characteristic of ASHS HortBase is our dynamic pool of potential authors, reviewers, and users (ASHS Extension, Industry, and Teaching membership) to continually evolve and update the peer-reviewed information in HortBase. We have the scholastic international standing to provide peer review and validation of the information and to recognition to the authors, coupled with the marketing to stimulate wide use of their information modules. ASHS HortBase is a dispersed system (dispersed development and server costs). The “dispersed cost” for information file development and updating and delivery on the respective authors' dispersed servers disperses the major costs of the HortBase information system. Additional information on ASHS HortBase and the papers presented at the 4-h Colloquium on HortBase at ASHS-97 can be found at http://[email protected] or contact me ([email protected], phone 541.737.5452, fax 541.737.3479).

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