Mining library and university data to understand library use patterns

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Renaud ◽  
Scott Britton ◽  
Dingding Wang ◽  
Mitsunori Ogihara
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
User Privacy ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Library Use ◽  
Cross Education

Purpose – Library data are often hard to analyze because these data come from unconnected sources, and the data sets can be very large. Furthermore, the desire to protect user privacy has prevented the retention of data that could be used to correlate library data to non-library data. The research team used data mining to determine library use patterns and to determine whether library use correlated to students’ grade point average. Design/methodology/approach – A research team collected and analyzed data from the libraries, registrar and human resources. All data sets were uploaded into a single, secure data warehouse, allowing them to be analyzed and correlated. Findings – The analysis revealed patterns of library use by academic department, patterns of book use over 20 years and correlations between library use and grade point average. Research limitations/implications – Analysis of more narrowly defined user populations and collections will help develop targeted outreach efforts and manage the print collections. The data used are from one university; therefore, similar research is needed at other institutions to determine whether these findings are generalizable. Practical implications – The unexpected use of the central library by those affiliated with law resulted in cross-education of law and central library staff. Management of the print collections and user outreach efforts will reflect more nuanced selection of subject areas and departments. Originality/value – A model is suggested for campus partnerships that enables data mining of sensitive library and campus information.

STEM undergraduate students: library use, perceptions and GPA

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Mi Scoulas
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stem Disciplines ◽  
Library Use ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
User Groups ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Online Library

PurposeThis study aims to examine if differences exist in undergraduate students' library use, perceptions and grade point average (GPA) among science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM disciplines.Design/methodology/approachThe current study used data from the 2018 student survey. Among 2,277 students who completed the survey (response rate = 8%), only undergraduate students (n = 1,265) were selected for this study because the current study aims to examine the differences between STEM and non-STEM undergraduate students.FindingsThe findings from a Mann–Whitney U test revealed that STEM respondents perceived specific library resources (subject and course guide, library instructions and library workshops) as slightly less than non-STEM respondents. The results from ANOVA demonstrated that the mean scores in GPA for STEM respondents who never used online library, journals and databases were lower than respondents who used those library resources, regardless of STEM and non-STEM disciplines.Originality/valueRevisiting the data collected and analyzing specific user groups will be valuable to academic libraries because this study will provide academic librarians with a deeper understanding of specific user needs and perceptions of library resources and services.

Grade point average vs competencies: which are most influential for employability?

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-433
Author(s):  
Maria Jesus Freire-Seoane ◽  
Carlos Pais-Montes ◽  
Beatriz Lopez-Bermúdez
Keyword(s):  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Generic Competencies ◽  
Job Finding ◽  
European University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to measure the combined influence that soft skills and Graduate Point Average (GPA) achievements have on the employability of higher education (HE) graduates, and the possible mitigating effects that score attainments have on some ex ante issues, like the gender asymmetries existing in labour market, or the great difference between some knowledge fields, regarding their unemployment rates. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used is a probit model, performed on a sample of 1,054 HE graduates, coming from a middle-sized European university. Findings The results show: a clear positive influence of the GPA on job finding odds; that some generic competencies improve this probabilities but another ones act as penalties; and that GPA and systemic competencies enhancement initiatives (at an individual level or at HE policy institutions level) could act as attenuators for the gender inequality or for the low recruitment perspectives existing on some knowledge fields like humanities or social sciences. Originality/value A wide scientific literature can be currently found on generic competencies and their influence on the employability odds, but the results regarding GPA attainments are still too heterogeneous and scarcely explored. On the other hand, there’s a non-solved controversy in the literature about the influence of the GPA results on the odds that a HE graduate has to obtain a job: do GPA signal correctly the best candidates? Do current employers prefer competencies scores over GPA attainments? This paper will contribute to clarify these questions.

Business simulation and assurance of learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey W. Alstete ◽  
Nicholas J. Beutell
Keyword(s):  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Capstone Course ◽  
Simulation Performance ◽  
Course Grades ◽  
Assurance Of Learning ◽  
Core Course

Purpose This study aims to consider assurance of learning among undergraduate business students enrolled in capstone business strategy courses using the GLO-BUS competitive simulation. Gender, academic major and business core course performance were examined. Design/methodology/approach Participants were 595 undergraduate capstone business students from 21 course sections taught over a four-year period. Variables included learning assurance measures, simulation performance, gender, major, business core course grades, capstone course grade and cumulative grade point average. Correlations, linear regression, multiple regression and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used to analyze the data. Findings Learning assurance report scores were strongly related to simulation performance. Simulation performance was related to capstone course grade, which, in turn, was significantly related to the grade point average (GPA). Core business courses were related to learning assurance and performance indicators. Significant differences for gender and degree major were found for academic performance measures. Women and men did not differ in simulation performance. Research limitations/implications Limitations include the use of one simulation (GLO-BUS) and studying students at one university taught by one professor. Assurance of learning measures needs further study as factors in business program evaluation. Future research should analyze post-graduate performance and career achievements in relation to assurance of learning outcomes. Originality/value This study conducts empirical analyses of simulation learning that focuses entirely on direct measures, including student characteristics (gender, major), learning assurance measures, business core course grades, capstone course grades and student GPAs.

An expanded value of college GPA in recruitment? As related to US organizations

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-15
Author(s):  
Paul Lyons ◽  
Randall Bandura
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Employee Behavior ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supervisor Ratings ◽  
Key Points

Purpose The aim of this paper is to offer a viewpoint that grade point average (GPA) does more than generally predict success on the job; it also helps predict whether a recruit or employee has a tendency to engage in voluntary, helpful behavior in the service of co-workers and the organization. If GPA helps predict both job success or performance, and one’s predisposition to freely offer helpful behavior in the work environment, then the GPA metric has increased value. Design/methodology/approach A review of recent and past research demonstrates that voluntary, helpful behavior on the job, adjunct to competent performance of required tasks, results in desirable consequences for the organization, co-workers and the employee. A summary of key points of several studies and some details of a recent study makes clear the link between GPA and helpful behavior. Findings Supervisor ratings and two brief surveys have been found to correlate positively and significantly with voluntary, helpful employee behavior. The same surveys also correlate positively and significantly with collegiate GPA. Originality/value The combination of metrics identified in this paper is rarely studied or used. The surveys, in particular, may assist recruiters and managers to identify employee value across a broad spectrum of performance.

Impact of COVID-19 on the use of the academic library

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra De Groote ◽  
Jung Mi Scoulas
Keyword(s):  
Academic Library ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chat Reference ◽  
Multiple Data ◽  
Gate Count ◽  
Library Use ◽  
Multiple Data Sets ◽  
Reference Interactions ◽  
Survey Responses

PurposeThis study examines differences in library use patterns (in-person visits, online use, reference transactions, library resource and services use) pre-COVID-19 and during the COVID-19 pandemic through multiple data sets.Design/methodology/approachUsing library statistics collected during 2017/2018 and 2020/2021 and student responses to a biennial library use survey distributed in 2018 and 2021, the potential impact of the pandemic on users' behaviors was explored.FindingsLibrary use statistics and the biennial survey responses demonstrate that users' overall library use was impacted by COVID-19. Both the library's gate count and students' frequency of library visits showed a dramatic decrease. The use of virtual support to patrons increased during COVID-19 as reflected by the increase in email and chat reference interactions and virtual consultations.Practical implicationsAs students return to the physical classroom, observing library use via various data will help inform how well use of the library rebounded or if there are changes in users' behavior that suggest the need for the promotion of library services or an expansion in alternative services to support users.Originality/valueThis article highlights the importance of continuously obtaining various data sets to observe trends and changes. By observing multiple data points, some changes are aligned across data, whereas other changes or patterns are different. While impact on physical library use may be obvious, library use before and during the pandemic will help guide and inform how academic libraries should be prepared for hybrid environments post-pandemic.

Impact of academic libraries on grade point average (GPA): a review

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-85
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Sterner
Keyword(s):  
Student Success ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Academic Impact ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Privacy ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the literature to determine how academic librarians are measuring their libraries' institutional level impact on student success as measured by grade point average, a metric commonly used in American education. This paper highlights a range of methods, outcomes and challenges in an initial scoping study.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology centered on a literature review of measuring the impact of academic libraries on student success as quantified by grade point average (GPA) from 2010 to present. Searches in ProQuest, EBSCO and Google Scholar were used to identify the relevant literature. Keywords searched in databases included various combinations of academic impact, student success, learning outcomes, library and higher education.FindingsThe analysis of 15 papers shows that academic librarians have demonstrated a small, nonnegligible positive correlation of library usage on GPA. The results of studies have highlighted that correlation does not prove the cause. Concerns and limitations of studies included using the GPA as a measurement of student success, differences between GPAs in subject areas, timeframes used, sample size collected, student privacy and the meanings of the results.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to articles published in English measuring student success as quantified by GPA and focuses heavily on American sources.Originality/valueThe research can guide librarians through known challenges and highlight successful designs and study methods used by other academic librarians to measure the impact of the library on student success.

A regression-based algorithm for frequent itemsets mining

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-273
Author(s):  
Zirui Jia ◽  
Zengli Wang
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Frequent Itemset ◽  
Continuous Data ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
Frequent Itemsets Mining

Purpose Frequent itemset mining (FIM) is a basic topic in data mining. Most FIM methods build itemset database containing all possible itemsets, and use predefined thresholds to determine whether an itemset is frequent. However, the algorithm has some deficiencies. It is more fit for discrete data rather than ordinal/continuous data, which may result in computational redundancy, and some of the results are difficult to be interpreted. The purpose of this paper is to shed light on this gap by proposing a new data mining method. Design/methodology/approach Regression pattern (RP) model will be introduced, in which the regression model and FIM method will be combined to solve the existing problems. Using a survey data of computer technology and software professional qualification examination, the multiple linear regression model is selected to mine associations between items. Findings Some interesting associations mined by the proposed algorithm and the results show that the proposed method can be applied in ordinal/continuous data mining area. The experiment of RP model shows that, compared to FIM, the computational redundancy decreased and the results contain more information. Research limitations/implications The proposed algorithm is designed for ordinal/continuous data and is expected to provide inspiration for data stream mining and unstructured data mining. Practical implications Compared to FIM, which mines associations between discrete items, RP model could mine associations between ordinal/continuous data sets. Importantly, RP model performs well in saving computational resource and mining meaningful associations. Originality/value The proposed algorithms provide a novelty view to define and mine association.

Library anxiety, library use and academic performance of undergraduate students in Pakistan

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 564-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajjad Ullah Jan ◽  
Mumtaz Ali Anwar ◽  
Nosheen Fatima Warraich
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Anxiety ◽  
Library Use ◽  
The Status

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the status of library anxiety, which has received relatively little research attention in Pakistan, and its relationship with library use, academic performance (grade point average), gender and academic discipline among the undergraduate students. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using a questionnaire from 725 fourth year undergraduate students of three different disciplines from three universities. The participation was voluntary. The data were processed using SPSS version 20. Findings A majority of the respondents (72.1 per cent) experienced a mild library anxiety. The factors: user education and user knowledge were the greatest sources of library anxiety. Findings revealed differences in library anxiety on the basis of gender and academic discipline. Library anxiety and academic performance had a significant negative relationship with each other. Originality/value This is the first study in Pakistan that addressed library anxiety and its relationship with library use, academic discipline and academic performance using a large group (N = 725) of undergraduate students.

A FRAMEWORK FOR STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS USING NAÏVE BAYES CLASSIFIER

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azwa Abdul Aziz ◽  
Nur Hafieza Ismail ◽  
Fadhilah Ahmad ◽  
Hasni Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Naive Bayes ◽  
Naïve Bayes ◽  
Naive Bayes Classifier ◽  
Bayes Classifier ◽  
Naïve Bayes Classifier ◽  
Grade Point

Educational database of Higher Learning Institutions holds an enormous amount of data that increases every semester. Data mining technique is usually applied to this database to discover underlying information about the students. This paper proposed a framework to predict the performance of first year bachelor students in Computer Science course. Naïve Bayes Classifier was used to extract patterns using WEKA as a Data mining tool in order to build a prediction model. The data were collected from 6 year period intakes from July 2006/2007 until July 2011/2012. From the students’ data, six parameters were selected that are race, gender, family income, university entry mode, and Grade Point Average. By using Naïve Bayes Classifier, it would predict the class label “Grade Point Average” as a categorical value; Poor, Average, and Good. Result from the study shows that the students’ family income, gender, and hometown parameter contribute towards students’ academic performance. The prediction model is useful to the lecturers and management of the faculty in identifying students with weak performance so that they will be able to take necessary actions to improve the students’ academic performance.

Perception of translation graduates on translation internships, with mixed-methods approach

Babel ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 580-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christy Fung Ming Liu
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Workplace Communication ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Internship Experience ◽  
Perceptions And Expectations ◽  
Internship Programs

In recent years an increasing number of institutions have provided translation students with internships and/or placement as part of the curriculum. This paper presents findings from an empirical study in which a mixed-methods approach was employed to examine the perceptions and expectations of translation graduates on internships and to investigate the learning experience of translation graduates who had an internship experience. The findings suggest that internship programs for translation undergraduates should develop students’ translation skills and language skills. Whether or not internships should be paid and be counted towards the grade point average were given the least importance. It was found that “career aspirations” are the most important factor when translation students select an internship agency, followed by “the reputation of the organization”. A discrepancy between classroom learning and workplace practice was revealed, and this poses challenges for translation interns, who attribute the problems they encountered to the fact that the knowledge and skills they gained in university could not fulfil the needs required in the workplace. In addition, they coped with obstacles in workplace communication which are unlikely to be learnt in translation courses. Internships are thus seen to serve as a bridge between classroom knowledge and real-world practice.

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