Learning analytics: where information science and the learning sciences meet

2019 ◽  
Vol 120 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 59-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Danell Teasley
Keyword(s):  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Learning Sciences ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Everyday Learning

Purpose The explosive growth in the number of digital tools utilized in everyday learning activities generates data at an unprecedented scale, providing exciting challenges that cross scholarly communities. This paper aims to provide an overview of learning analytics (LA) with the aim of helping members of the information and learning sciences communities understand how educational Big Data is relevant to their research agendas and how they can contribute to this growing new field. Design/methodology/approach Highlighting shared values and issues illustrates why LA is the perfect meeting ground for information and the learning sciences, and suggests how by working together effective LA tools can be designed to innovate education. Findings Analytics-driven performance dashboards are offered as a specific example of one research area where information and learning scientists can make a significant contribution to LA research. Recent reviews of existing dashboard studies point to a dearth of evaluation with regard to either theory or outcomes. Here, the relevant expertise from researchers in both the learning sciences and information science is offered as an important opportunity to improve the design and evaluation of student-facing dashboards. Originality/value This paper outlines important ties between three scholarly communities to illustrate how their combined research expertise is crucial to advancing how we understand learning and for developing LA-based interventions that meet the values that we all share.

Research visualization of Indian LIS research using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Gupta ◽  
Rupak Chakravarty
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Web Interface ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Block Chain ◽  
Learning Machine ◽  
Prolific Authors

Purpose This study aimed to visualize the trend topics in the research area of library and information science (LIS) in India during 1989–2021. Design/methodology/approach The data was extracted from the Web of Science core collection database (WoSCC) database from 1989 to 2021. For creating the network visualization maps from the data, freely available softwares, VOSviewer (VV) and Biblioshiny (a Web-interface for bibliometrix), were used. Findings Results support the prediction that in the future, Indian LIS research will focus on areas such as deep learning, machine learning, artificial intelligence and block chain technology. Among the most prolific authors Satija, M.P (Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar) and Prathap, G (APJ Abdul Kalam Technology University) secured top positions in LIS research. Scientometric ranked the top journal or the core journal after applying Bradford law. Originality/value The visualization of trend topics in LIS research from 1989 to 2021, 32 years of time span, is the first of its kind.

scholarly journals The concept of neutrality: a new approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 333-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Macdonald ◽  
Briony Birdi
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Normative Framework ◽  
Contextual Awareness

Purpose Neutrality is a much debated value in library and information science (LIS). The “neutrality debate” is characterised by opinionated discussions in contrasting contexts. The purpose of this paper is to fill a gap in the literature by bringing these conceptions together holistically, with potential to deepen understanding of LIS neutrality. Design/methodology/approach First, a literature review identified conceptions of neutrality reported in the LIS literature. Second, seven phenomenographic interviews with LIS professionals were conducted across three professional sectors. To maximise variation, each sector comprised at least one interview with a professional of five or fewer years’ experience and one with ten or more years’ experience. Third, conceptions from the literature and interviews were compared for similarities and disparities. Findings In four conceptions, each were found in the literature and interviews. In the literature, these were labelled: “favourable”, “tacit value”, “social institutions” and “value-laden profession”, whilst in interviews they were labelled: “core value”, “subservient”, “ambivalent”, and “hidden values”. The study’s main finding notes the “ambivalent” conception in interviews is not captured by a largely polarised literature, which oversimplifies neutrality’s complexity. To accommodate this complexity, it is suggested that future research should look to reconcile perceptions from either side of the “neutral non-neutral divide” through an inclusive normative framework. Originality/value This study’s value lies in its descriptive methodology, which brings LIS neutrality together in a holistic framework. This framework brings a contextual awareness to LIS neutrality lacking in previous research. This awareness has the potential to change the tone of the LIS neutrality debate.

Researchers' judgment criteria of high-quality answers on academic social Q&A platforms

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 603-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Li ◽  
Chengzhi Zhang ◽  
Daqing He ◽  
Jia Tina Du
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Second Stage

PurposeThrough a two-stage survey, this paper examines how researchers judge the quality of answers on ResearchGate Q&A, an academic social networking site.Design/methodology/approachIn the first-stage survey, 15 researchers from Library and Information Science (LIS) judged the quality of 157 answers to 15 questions and reported the criteria that they had used. The content of their reports was analyzed, and the results were merged with relevant criteria from the literature to form the second-stage survey questionnaire. This questionnaire was then completed by researchers recognized as accomplished at identifying high-quality LIS answers on ResearchGate Q&A.FindingsMost of the identified quality criteria for academic answers—such as relevance, completeness, and verifiability—have previously been found applicable to generic answers. The authors also found other criteria, such as comprehensiveness, the answerer's scholarship, and value-added. Providing opinions was found to be the most important criterion, followed by completeness and value-added.Originality/valueThe findings here show the importance of studying the quality of answers on academic social Q&A platforms and reveal unique considerations for the design of such systems.

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.

scholarly journals Researchers’ online visibility: tensions of visibility, trust and reputation

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 426-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Kjellberg ◽  
Jutta Haider
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Digital Communication ◽  
Social Network Sites ◽  
Scholarly Communication ◽  
Reward System ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trust And Reputation ◽  
Academic Researchers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand what role researchers assign to online representations on the new digital communication sites that have emerged, such as Academia, ResearchGate or Mendeley. How are researchers’ online presentations created, managed, accessed and, more generally, viewed by academic researchers themselves? And how are expectations of the academic reward system navigated and re-shaped in response to the possibilities afforded by social media and other digital tools?Design/methodology/approachFocus groups have been used for empirical investigation to learn about the role online representation is assigned by the concerned researchers.FindingsThe study shows that traditional scholarly communication documents are what also scaffolds trust and builds reputation in the new setting. In this sense, the new social network sites reinforce rather than challenge the importance of formal publications.Originality/valueAn understanding of the different ways in which researchers fathom the complex connection between reputation and trust in relation to online visibility as a measure of, or at least an attempt at, publicity (either within academia or outside it) is essential. This paper emphasizes the need to tell different stories by exploring how researchers understand their own practices and reasons for them.

How to nurture a transformative digital culture in the workplace

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-9
Author(s):  
Mark Williams
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Revolution ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Candidate Selection ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Digital Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Opening Up

Purpose HR is at the very heart of this cultural revolution, and everything from candidate selection and onboarding right through to training and development play a key role. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on Microsoft research highlighting productivity and digital transformation. Findings Organisations can future proof themselves by letting their employees become the driving force in the transition to digital. Originality/value This paper encourages readers to extend beyond simply using digital tools, opening up new channels of communication and inspiring new ways of thinking within an otherwise very traditional.

scholarly journals A new decade of uses for geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool to research, measure and analyze library services

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Heather Mandel ◽  
Bradley Wade Bishop ◽  
Ashley Marie Orehek
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Geographic Information Systems ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Research

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore library research that uses geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool to evaluate library services and resources to ascertain current trends and establish future directions for this growing research area.Design/methodology/approachThe study searched full text for geographic information systems in two databases: Library and Information Science Source (LISS) and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA), replicating the method used in a prior literature review. The titles and abstracts of the search results were analyzed to gather only the research that used GIS as a tool to measure and analyze library services.FindingsThis study found growth in the last decade for library research using GIS. There remain two ways the tool is primarily used: to analyze service areas and to manage facilities and collections.Practical implicationsThe findings are relevant for library and information science researchers and practitioners because they summarize a specific area of research that has grown and changed and that still has potential to be used more widely. Using GIS in practice and research could benefit all library users and nonusers because spatial analysis facilitates more precise and informed delivery of services and resources.Originality/valueThe paper provides future directions for use of GIS in library research and attempts to define subdivisions within this research area to clarify the area for researchers and practitioners.

scholarly journals The academic web profile as a genre of “self-making”

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 760-774
Author(s):  
Helena Francke
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Academic Life ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Good Teaching ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Material Content ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Institutional Websites

Purpose The activities of academic researchers are increasingly regulated by neo-liberal ideals, including expectations that researchers are visible online and actively promote their output. The purpose of this paper is to explore how researchers take on this responsibility. It uses the concepts of genre, authorship and self-writing in order to understand how the story of an academic life is constructed on academic web profiles. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative content analysis was conducted of material on 64 profiles belonging to 20 researchers on institutional and personal websites, as well as on ResearchGate, Academica.edu and Google Scholar. Findings The study shows that while institutional websites primarily contain researcher-produced material, content on commercial platforms is often co-constructed through distributed authorship by the researcher, the platform and other platform users. Nine different ways in which the profile of an “academic self” may be said to highlight the particular strengths of a researcher are identified. These include both metrics-based strengths and qualitative forms of information about the academic life, such as experience, the importance of their research and good teaching. Social implications This study of academic web profiles contributes to a better understanding of how researchers self-govern the story of their academic self, or resist such governance, in online environments. Originality/value The study furthers the knowledge of how researchers make use of and respond to digital tools for online visibility opportunities and how the story of the “academic self” is “made” for such public presentation.

Analysis of landslide area of Tulung subdistrict, Ponorogo, Indonesia in 2017 using resistivity method

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-360
Author(s):  
Adi Susilo ◽  
Fina Fitriah ◽  
Sunaryo ◽  
Eng Turniningtyas Ayu Rachmawati ◽  
Eko Andi Suryo
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Electric Resistivity ◽  
Disaster Mitigation ◽  
Track Length ◽  
Landslide Area ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resistivity Method ◽  
Geological Maps ◽  
Measured Resistivity

PurposeResearch has been conducted to analyze the landslide in Banaran area, Ponorogo Regency. The landslides occurred on April 1, 2017. This study was conducted to know the subsurface conditions in the Banaran area to analyze the disaster mitigation efforts. The mitigation efforts are made to reduce the risk from landslides and possible landslides.Design/methodology/approachThe method used is the geo-electric resistivity method of Wenner–Schlumberger configuration. The research was conducted in three villages namely Banaran Village, Bekirang Village and Mendak Village.FindingsThere are 12 resistivity measuring points with a track length of 410 m and a space of 10 m. The measured resistivity range is between 1.42 Ω.m and 67.500 Ω.m. The resistivity data and the local geological maps interpreted that the rocks in the Banaran area consist of clay, tuff lapilli, volcanic breccia and andesite lava. The landslide area begins at a depth of 8–35 m below the surface which is interpreted as tuff. Also, the thickness of the landslide material and the slope is = 400 which supports the occurrence of a more prominent landslide. The results of the parameter scoring of the landslide-prone areas indicated that the research area is very vulnerable to a landslide. The results of the interpretation indicate that the geo-electric resistivity method can provide a good overview for conducting landslide analysis, that is field slippage and potential material thickness occurrence landslide.Originality/valueThis article is very specific as it attempts to discover how prone Banaran are is to landslide.

Reading by listening: conceptualising audiobook practices in the age of streaming subscription services

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Tattersall Wallin
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Aloud ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Making Meaning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Models ◽  
Contemporary Study ◽  
Human Sense ◽  
Subscription Service

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to clarify issues related to the contemporary study of audiobook practices, in order to aid subsequent research on topics related to reading, digital audiobooks and streaming subscription services.Design/methodology/approachUsing the concept of remediation, this paper covers four messy issues for audiobook researchers, primarily by developing the concept of reading by listening and then exploring the different remediations of the audiobook, clarifying the audiobook as a book and exploring the context of streaming subscription services.FindingsReading is here conceptualised according to the human sense used when making meaning from text, with reading by listening suggested for reading done with the help of the ears. Three different forms of remediation can be seen in subscription-based audiobooks, related to format, content and sense. Audiobooks simultaneously follow traditions of reading aloud, remediates the printed book and previous audiobook formats. It is suggested that the content is what makes an audiobook a book. The concepts library model and bookshop model are introduced to understand different audiobook subscription service models.Originality/valueThis is a research area on the rise with several messy issues and the concepts and clarifications in this paper may benefit future research.

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