Computer Information Library Clusters

Based on creating generalized and hybrid set and library with neutrosophy and quad-stage method, this chapter presents the concept of computer information library clusters (CILC). There are various ways and means to form CILC. For example, CILC can be considered as the “total-library” and consists of several “sub-libraries.” As another example, in CILC, a total-library can be set up, and a number of sub-libraries are side by side with the total-library. Specially, for CILC, the operation functions can be added; for example, according to natural science computer information library clusters (natural science CILC), and applying variation principle of library (or sub-library), partial and temporary unified theory of natural science so far with different degrees can be established. Referring to the concept of natural science CILC, the concepts of social science CILC, natural science and social science CILC, and the like can be presented. While referring to the concept of computer information library clusters, the concepts of computer and non-computer information library clusters, earth information library clusters, solar system information library clusters, Milky Way galaxy information library clusters, universe information library clusters, and the like can be presented.

The Roles of Digital Literacy in Social Life of Youth

This chapter contains findings related to social aspects of digital activities of youth. Computers, mobile devices, and the internet are increasingly used in everyday social practices of youth, requiring competencies that are largely still not being taught in schools. To thrive in the digital era, youth need to competently use digital tools and define, access, understand, evaluate, create, and communicate digital information. Being able to develop perceptions of, and respect for, social norms and values for functioning in the digital world, without compromising one's own privacy, safety, or integrity is also important. After addressing the social prospects of information and communication technology (ICT) use among youth, this chapter describes their online behavior through the paradoxical nature of the internet (i.e., providing opportunities for social development vs. introducing risks). Educators and youth services are advised to consider these factors in designing flexible, innovative, and inclusive programs for young people that use ICT.

Nigerian Undergraduate Students' Computer Competencies and Use of Information Technology Tools and Resources for Study Skills and Habits' Enhancement

Information technology (IT) policy implementation by higher educational institutions is geared towards innovative teaching and learning delivery. This chapter investigates undergraduate students' computer and IT tools and resources competences and use in enhancing study skills and habits. The study adopted ex-post facto research design and involved a total of 450 undergraduate students from three universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Five research questions were answered using three duly validated instruments and data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that undergraduate students in Rivers State, Nigeria were technologically capable and are competent in the use of IT tools and resource. The study also establishes the fact that undergraduate students perceived themselves to possess information literacy skills. It was suggested that undergraduate students should use IT tools towards their studies and research.

Research Methodology

Research is a logical and systematic approach to investigate or find solutions to scientific and social problems. The research is primarily carried out to discover new facts, to verify and test important facts, and to analyze an event or process. Research is carried out with the help of study, experiment, observation, analysis, comparison, and reasoning. Research is important both in scientific and nonscientific fields. There are two types of research: basic and applied. Basic research is an investigation on basic principles and reasons for occurrence of a particular event or process or phenomenon. Applied research solves certain problems employing well-known and accepted theories and principles. The research process is carried out through series of steps. Research methods are the various procedures, schemes, and algorithms used in research. The research methodology is a systematic way to solve a problem. It is a science of studying how research is to be carried out.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) have been a recent addition to the library's online access system, or digital project. This chapter traces the history of dissertations, from their printed form and issuance in microform by various agencies. It examines the changes in textual content and its presentation from the pre-digital to digitized documents, and the relation to software developed for music and other fields. It then examines the evolution of audio and video formats for the accompanying materials, particularly in the performing arts, and the content of these materials. It concludes with issues in ETDs management and ensuring long-term access and preservation, such as digital quality and copyright.

Web 2.0 From Evolution to Revolutionary Impact in Library and Information Centers

A key element of the technology is that it allows people to create, share, collaborate, and communicate. The Web 2.0 differs from ordinary websites as it does not require any web design or publishing skills to participate, making it easy for people to create and publish or communicate their work to the world. The nature of this technology makes it an easy and popular way to communicate information to either a select group of people or to a much wider audience. The Web 2.0 paradigm has gained substantial momentum in the last decade. The influence of Web 2.0 principles and technologies has fueled an explosion of information and media content on the web, and individual and corporate adoption of the technologies continues to rise. In this milieu, it is imperative to understand and learn about the present and evolving Web 2.0 tools and their application in different walks of life. The proposed study made an endeavor to dig deep into the genesis, development, and application of various Web 2.0 tools in library and information science.

Massive Digital Libraries (MDLs)

Massive digital library (MDL) is a term coined to define a class of digital libraries gathering mass-digitized print books and monographs, which rival the size of brick-and-mortar libraries. Specific examples of MDLs, including Google Books, HathiTrust, DPLA, Internet Archive, et al., are presented. The issues raised by MDLs include mass-aggregation of digital content and the ability to maintain source-material accuracy and veracity; copyright, fair use, and the mass-digitization of materials not in the public domain; and disparities in the level of diversity, especially with regard to Spanish-language, Japanese-language, and Hawaii-Pacific materials. Finally, the impact of MDLs on Digital Humanities, especially with regard to the Google Books digital corpus and the Google Ngram Viewer, will be investigated.

Indigenous Knowledge Systems

This chapter draws attention to the relevance of cultures to management philosophy with the purpose of contributing to a culturally viable practice of management in Africa. It has been shown that the different management theories in the form that they have been developed in the West may not fit culturally in Africa. However, in developing theories and building models of management theories in Africa, it is unlikely to pay Africans to throw away all that the West has to offer. Rather, the process of appropriate management theorizing should be to reflect on the assumptions of Western management theories, compare Western assumptions about social and cultural values with African cultural values, and rebuild the theories or models through experimentation. The use of anthropological and philosophical concepts in this context will help in development of appropriate management practice.

Online Information Retrieval Systems Trending From Evolutionary to Revolutionary Approach

Nowadays, we all rely on cyberspace for our information needs. We make use of different types of search tools. Some of them have specialization in a specific format or two, while few can crawl a good portion of the web irrespective of formats. Therefore, it is very imperative for information professionals to have thorough understandings of these tools. As such, the chapter is an endeavor to delve deep and highlight various trends in online information retrieval from primitive to modern ones. The chapter also made an effort to envisage the future requirements and expectation keeping in view the ever-increasing dependence on diverse species of information retrieval tools.

Analysis and Assessment of Cross-Language Question Answering Systems

Within the sphere of the web, the overload of information is more notable than in other contexts. Question answering systems (QAS) are presented as an alternative to the traditional information retrieval (IR) systems seeking to offer precise and understandable answers to factual questions instead of showing the user a list of documents related to a given search. Given that the QAS is presented as a substantial advance in the improvement of IR, it becomes necessary to determine its effectiveness for the final user. With this aim, seven studies were undertaken to evaluate: 1) in the first two, the linguistic resources and tools used in these systems for multilingual retrieval (Research 1, Research 2), and 2) the performance and quality of the answers of the main monolingual and multilingual QA of general domain and specialized domain in the web in response to different types of questions and subjects, so that different evaluation means can be applied (Research 3, Research 4, Research 5, Research 6, Research 7).