scholarly journals Diverse mobile users: the development of library experts

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-20
Author(s):  
Jim Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Departure Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Additional Value ◽  
Over Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to undertake a formative evaluation of growth over time that would demonstrate diverse library users’ development as they interact with mobile digital library services. Design/methodology/approach This paper incorporated a server log analysis to evaluate first, the location of users. To study the nature of diverse user development, users from unique locations were identified and tracked over several years. The type of growth that this paper analyzes is the development of a library user from the beginning stages of use into one who is more experienced. For the purposes of this paper, the authors define library experts as experienced library users. These are users who have come back to the library over multiple sessions of learning and branched out into multiple areas of library functionality and services. Findings The findings of modular mobile use over time suggest that, while over half of users only utilized one module, 39 per cent of all users accessed more than one module. This formative approach to assessing student library engagement suggests alternative metrics for assessing outreach and distance learning. Originality/value The underlying departure point for this study is that formative models may introduce descriptive data valuable to the learning analytics toolkit. The library research literature on learning analytics, and perhaps library service offerings that support learning, may gain additional value by attending to students’ formative development as they interact with library resources. Describing the way in which mobile app users develop can yield insights about learning over time, both on campus and at a distance.

Knowledge map: a creative visual path to library guides and resources

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 943-962
Author(s):  
Weiling Liu
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Direct Access ◽  
Knowledge Map ◽  
Knowledge Maps ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intrinsic Cognitive Load ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Extraneous Load ◽  
Use Of Knowledge

Purpose This paper aims to indicate that library guides seem to be unfamiliar to most students or not easy to find or use. Some improvements have been made by embedding the guides in the learning management system or promoting the guides in formal library instructional classes. Are there other ways to promote or improve the use of library guides? The author proposes an exploratory visual solution to minimize this gap between library users and library guides. Design/methodology/approach Guided by the cognitive load theory, the proposed solution is a knowledge map created with Freeplane. The proposal is illustrated by comparing a sample knowledge map with its content source, a subject guide in LibGuides, via three browsing paths in locating a recommended database for a particular course on the sample subject guide website. Findings The knowledge map can display contents in different ways and provide a simple and visual layout with direct access to the library resources, which may help lessen users’ intrinsic cognitive load, minimize extraneous load or promote germane load. The map can also be beneficial to librarians for preparing teaching materials or guides management. Practical implications The proposed solution can be implemented with Freeplane based on existing library guides or created from scratch. Originality/value The proposed solution addresses a gap in the library field, where the use of knowledge maps for library services is overlooked.

Marketing library services to the Net Generation

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 411-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Mi ◽  
Frederick Nesta
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Current User ◽  
Net Generation ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Marketing Principles

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the role of marketing to new generations of library users.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews classical marketing texts and current user studies for applicability to library service.FindingsThe paper finds that libraries can apply classic marketing principles to attract and better serve new generations of users. Although libraries no longer have a monopoly on information sources, libraries do offer value‐added services.Originality/valueBy understanding the users and their contexts, the paper proposes various strategies of value to market librarians and library resources.

The emerging roles of academic librarians in Kenya: apomediaries or infomediaries?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 339-353
Author(s):  
Joel Nakitare ◽  
Emily Sawe ◽  
Joyce Nyambala ◽  
Tom Kwanya
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Information Giving ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Private And Public

PurposeThe main purpose of this study was to investigate the emerging roles of academic librarians in Kenya, with a view to determining whether they perform better as apomediaries or infomediaries. The specific objectives were to: examine the characteristics of the changing information universe in which academic librarians in Kenya currently operate; analyse the information-seeking behaviour of academic library users in the new information universe and examine the emerging roles of academic librarians in Kenya.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a descriptive research design and used an online survey research technique to collect data from practising academic librarians. This study targeted senior librarians from all the 67 private and public universities in Kenya. One senior librarian per university was purposefully selected to fill the questionnaire owing to their experience and expertise. 33 out of the 67 senior librarians responded to the survey. The collected data were descriptively analysed using SPSS, and as per the study objectives.FindingsThis study established that most library users are digital independent and access library resources remotely. Nonetheless, many users still borrow and utilize print books despite the ubiquity of digital platforms. The findings revealed that academic librarians to a great extent now play the role of apomediaries, going beyond information giving to empowering their users.Practical implicationsThere is need for academic librarians in Kenya to not only be aware of the characteristics of their current users but also to continuously develop professionally so as to be able to adequately cater for the needs of their clients.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the scholarship on librarians' roles in Kenya by demonstrating that most of them are transitioning to the apomediary roles.

The gradual erosion of the ultra vires doctrine in English company law

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 347-362
Author(s):  
Chrispas Nyombi
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Company Law ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Over Time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the doctrine of ultra vires and its development over time, which is claimed to be one of gradual erosion. Design/methodology/approach – This paper discusses the doctrine of ultra vires and its development overtime, which is claimed to be one of gradual erosion. Findings – It shows how the abolition of the objects clause has signalled the end of ultra vires. Today, it remains nothing more than a ghost, but one which continues to haunt management. Originality/value – It builds on existing research literature.

Designing metadata schema for a human library: a prototype

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anupta Jana ◽  
Rosalien Rout
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dublin Core ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Metadata Schema ◽  
Metadata Standards ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Library Professionals

Purpose In the absence of a working model for describing, managing and archiving the human library resources, this study aims to attempt a practical approach that will provide all the necessary information to the library users, library professionals and researchers. Design/methodology/approach Initially, different metadata standards, archival projects and attributes of the human books were reviewed to identify appropriate metadata standards that accurately describe the resources of the human library. A free and open-source software; DSpace was considered for implementing newly defined metadata schema in this study. Thereafter, a set of new subject entries was incorporated to standardize the contents of the human library. Findings This study finds that the widely used metadata schema – Dublin Core (DC) is not appropriate to describe the contents of the human book. It shows that selected metadata elements from the types – person and event of schema.org can be used for describing, organizing and archiving the resources of the human library. It further highlights that existing subject entries are not sufficient to standardize the contents of these types of resources. Research limitations/implications Two metadata fields in DSpace are strongly recommended by the DSpace community to consider in the input-forms.xml file, that is why the study could not completely omit DC metadata elements in describing human books. Originality/value The study provides a roadmap to the library professionals on the inclusion of new metadata schemas in describing the uniquely featured resources of the library.

The vexing problem of defining financial exploitation

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly L. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Financial Fraud ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Exploitation ◽  
Vexing Problem ◽  
Over Time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to study the vexing problem of defining financial exploitation. Advocates and practitioners in the field who have been battling financial exploitation are pleased to observe the increased attention that financial exploitation is receiving at all levels of society. With this increased attention, however, there has been a conflation of terms used to describe financial exploitation, resulting in some confusion about what constitutes financial exploitation. Design/methodology/approach – Fully recognizing that definitions serve different functions, this paper identifies three main purposes of a definition and then describes the myriad ways financial exploitation has been defined in the research literature, by organizations, and in civil and criminal statutes. Findings – Financial exploitation has been defined in multiple ways within and across categories. Furthermore, the definition has expanded over time. This paper proposes the need for greater definitional clarity around the concept of financial exploitation, and argues that at a minimum a distinction must be made between financial exploitation and financial fraud. Originality/value – This is the first paper to comprehensively review the myriad ways in which financial exploitation has been defined in the literature, by organizations and within state civil and criminal statutes.

Interactive educational game, an android mobile app for children learning alphabets

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 20-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afan Galih Salman ◽  
Christian Antonius
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Educational Games ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Educational Game ◽  
Learning Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Educational Application ◽  
Waterfall Model ◽  
Implementation Data

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and evaluate a mobile educational application that supports fun learning for children. This paper describes an educational game application “Laut ABC”, which is an Android-based app that aims to be a learning tool with an attractive design that would help children learn alphabets. The results show that educational game app “Laut ABC” is a effective learning tool and can be used as an alternative for learning alphabets using an interesting and fun-learning concept. Design/methodology/approach Research methods include methods of data collection, design and implementation. Data collection was done through research literature, interviews and questionnaires and analyzing some similar applications. Designing game application using storyboard and implementation was the done using the waterfall model for the software development life cycle. Findings Most respondents stated that the introduction of alphabets is important for young children. They chose uppercase or capital letters to be used in the game. A majority of the respondents answered that the order of writing alphabets is important. These respondents agreed that educational games are a means for children to learn alphabets, as well as learn to write and pronounce alphabets. The application can also provide writing exercises to train childrens’ memory. The usual difficulties parents’ stated were that the children feel tired and are not in the mood to learn, have poor concentration, have difficulty in responding and seem to be disinclined to learn. Most of the parents mentioned that the critical points in children’s applications were the design of the educational application and completeness as a whole. Originality/value The paper reports the development of game’s design —- display, navigation, instruction and feedback. It can be said that the users had no difficulty in playing the game.

Undergraduate research support with optical character recognition apps

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Character Recognition ◽  
Optical Character Recognition ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Application Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Optical Character ◽  
Library Resources

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report results of a formative usability study that investigated first-year student use of an optical character recognition (OCR) mobile application (app) designed to help students find resources for course assignments. The app uses textual content from the assignment sheet to suggest relevant library resources of which students may not be aware. Design/methodology/approach – Formative evaluation data are collected to inform the production level version of the mobile application and to understand student use models and requirements for OCR software in mobile applications. Findings – Mobile OCR apps are helpful for undergraduate students searching known titles of books, general subject areas or searching for help guide content developed by the library. The results section details how student feedback shaped the next iteration of the app for integration as a Minrva module. Research limitations/implications – This usability paper is not a large-scale quantitative study, but seeks to provide deep qualitative research data for the specific mobile interface studied, the Text-shot prototype. Practical implications – The OCR application is designed to help students learn about availability of library resources based on scanning (e.g. taking a picture, or “Text-shot”) of an assignment sheet, a course syllabus or other course-related handouts. Originality/value – This study contributes a new area of application development for libraries, with research methods that are useful for other mobile development studies.

scholarly journals Vulnerable adults in police custody

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-8
Author(s):  
Ian Cummins
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Police Custody ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Vulnerable Adults

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the recent National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) report on the role of the appropriate adult. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the NAAN report and a review of relevant policy and research literature. Findings There to Help 2 highlights that there are still significant gaps in the provision of appropriate adult schemes across England and Wales. These gaps potentially place vulnerable adults at increased risk. Originality/value This paper is a review of recent research.

User experience sharing

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 1154-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Chen ◽  
Judy Drennan ◽  
Lynda Andrews ◽  
Linda D. Hollebeek
Keyword(s):  
User Experience ◽  
Online Communities ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Level Of Effort

PurposeThis paper aims to propose user experience sharing (UES) as a customer-based initiation of value co-creation pertaining to service provision, which represents customers’ level of effort made for the direct benefit of others in their service network. The authors propose and empirically examine a user experience sharing model (UESM) that explicates customer-to-customer (C2C) UES and its impacts on firm-desired customer-based outcomes in online communities.Design/methodology/ApproachBased on an extensive review, the authors conceptualize UES and UESM. By using online survey data collected from mobile app users in organic online communities, the authors performed structural equation modeling analyses by using AMOS 24.FindingsThe results support the proposed UESM, showing that C2C UES acts as a key driver of both firm-desired customer efforts and customer insights. The results also confirmed that service-dominant (S-D) logic-informed motivational drivers exert a significant impact on C2C UES. Importantly, C2C UES mediates the relationship between S-D logic-informed motivational drivers and firm-desired customer-based outcomes.Originality/valueThis study offers a pioneering attempt to develop an overarching concept, UES, which reflects customers’ initiation of value co-creation, and to empirically examine C2C UES. The empirical evidence supports the key contention that firms should proactively facilitate C2C UES.

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