Design and process of a contextual study of information literacy: An Eisenhardt approach

This study demonstrates how case study research can be used to do a contextual and inductive study of information literacy (IL) and develop robust models of IL. First, it identifies several key characteristics of case study research as a qualified research methodology for studies that aim to build theories. Second, it rationalizes a need for case study research in the field of IL research. Drawing on that, it demonstrates how Eisenhardt's case study process was adopted to conduct a contextual study of IL and discusses the researcher's activities and tasks in each phase of the process. It uses the researcher's experience of the research journey to justify the validity and robustness of the research. This article contributes to current IL research methodologies and can be of value for LIS researchers and practitioners who wish to holistically gain deep insight into phenomena through case study research.     

Historical case study: A research strategy for diachronic analysis

History and case study are two diachronic research strategies commonly used to study political discourse as it relates to public libraries. Though suitable for some studies, these strategies are inexhaustive. A new, blended research strategy is therefore needed to accomplish what history and case study alone cannot. This hybrid strategy, historical case study, must analyze cases from the distant past to the present, using eclectic data sources, in order to produce both idiographic and nomothetic knowledge. To develop historical case study, the universal components of diachronic analysis are first identified. A general research design for historical case study is then introduced. Finally, historical case study is tested in an actual research project. Findings from this project reveal that historical case study is a successful diachronic research strategy. Historical case study is a new and valuable research design suitable for addressing questions related to change, continuity, development, and evolution.     

An Exploratory Examination and Critique of Academic Law Librarian Blogs: A Look into an Evolving Reference Communication Practice

This study is an exploratory qualitative investigation of academic library blogs with the purpose of examining how the technology of blogging is evolving for reference and research purposes at particular academic law libraries. This study uses anthropological archive research methods to study the blogs’ posts and triangulates the study with librarian blogger interviews. It provides a look into possible future directions for blogging in academic law libraries that may serve as a model for other academic libraries.     

Library Study Behaviors in the Age of Ubiquitous Mobile Devices: An Observational Study in Four Academic Libraries

In this study, researchers observed student study behaviors in the libraries of four post-secondary institutions. In all, 2,773 observations were made. This research replicates and expands an earlier study and addresses its limitations. The results of a logistic regression test indicate whether students had a mobile device readily available and where students chose to study in the library best predicted whether they demonstrated a study, as opposed to a non-study, behavior. Specifically, if students were found in quiet study or computer areas, they were more likely to be performing study behaviors. This research has implications for library stakeholders making decisions about the use of library space. Most importantly, this research demonstrates that library spaces are widely used for diverse purposes.     

学习型社会的创建与图书馆的发展

创建学习型社会是人类社会发展的必然趋势，图书馆的发展是推进学习型社会形成的重要基础和手段。我们必须努力建设与学习型社会相适应的图书馆。     

文旅融合时代档案馆研学旅行服务探析

文旅融合时代,研学旅行成为综合实践育人的新内容和新方式,被纳入中小学生日常教育范畴,受到各界广泛关注.通过对国内研学旅行发展进行梳理,分析档案馆研学旅行服务现状及可提升空间.在文旅融合背景下寻求档案馆公共服务与社会教育、文化传播的契合点,阐释档案馆开展研学服务的功能定位、职能履行、社会宣传等价值,从服务内容、服务产品、...     

面向汉语分析的搜索引擎研究与实现

搜索引擎是Internet上重要的信息检索工具。同时Internet上丰富的语言资源是汉语研究的重要内容。然而,服务于汉语分析的专业搜索引擎的研究与开发,目前还处于起步阶段。本文介绍了搜索引擎的基本原理,分析了Internet汉语研究的内在要求及其基本现状,详细阐述了一个面向汉语分析研究的搜索引擎的研究与设计,包括系统体系结构的设计、系统的汉语分析功能的描述以及实验结果的分析。初步结果表明,面向汉语分析的搜索引擎可以为汉语研究提供很好的帮助。     

终身学习：图书馆员勤业乐业的必修之功

论述了作为现代图书馆工作人员加强学习的必要性与可行性,并就馆员如何对待学习,善待学习的问题提出了几点看法。     

Following the arc of learning: Using syllabi to target instruction in a professional graduate program

This study examines a corpus of syllabi to target program-specific information literacy needs. Examining a graduate program in Urban Planning, the study first identifies specific information literacy needs for the program, focusing on student data use, student tasks including locating, identifying and analyzing existing data sets. Based on these needs, the study then analyzes all courses in the curriculum, identifying places in the curriculum that strongly feature student data use and identifying patterns among those courses. What emerges is the ‘Arc of Learning’, a sloped trajectory that takes students from dependent beginners to independent pre-professionals. By following this arc, librarians can better make the case for library instruction in the curriculum. This study additionally provides a framework for such a study.     

(1) U.S.A.

The authors of this study assess the attitudes and perceptions of academic librarians at three university libraries in China regarding library services for international students and scholars. The study directs particular focus on librarians at Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an, Fudan University in Shanghai, and Wuhan University of Technology, China, and follows logically upon a study conducted in 2008 that explored the perceptions of international students at two Chinese universities regarding the effectiveness of library services and collections for their research needs. In particular, this study documents information about Chinese academic librarian perceptions regarding services for international students and attitudes toward future outcomes. The ultimate goal of the study is to lay a foundation for developing strategies for improving library services and resources for international students and scholars in Chinese academic libraries in particular, which in turn can serve to improve services for international students world-wide. The results support the assumption that academic librarians in China are strongly interested in improving services for international students and scholars while continuing to face challenges and trying to find ways to fulfill the information needs of international students and scholars.     

图书馆的特殊“馆员”——试论清华大学图书馆勤工助学工作

就清华大学图书馆学生勤工助学工作的发展与经验总结进行了系统的论述。由追溯勤工助学工作的传统出发,阐述了图书馆勤工助学工作在过去的十几年间实现了参与规模不断加大,组织形式与系统不断发展和完善的演进过程;在结合实践的基础上提出了把勤工助学系统建设成为学生自我教育与自我发展的重要课堂这一新观点;还就勤工助学学生团队对图书馆自身服务能力的提高等方面进行了讨论。最后,详细论述了勤工助学工作应把握的原则与科学管理的概念。参考文献4。     

Background Noise Acceptance and Personality Factors Involved in Library Environment Choices by College Students

For decades, academic libraries made efforts to provide study environments differing in acoustic environment. The present study aimed to provide an evidence basis for this practice by comparing background noise acceptance and personality factors of two groups of college-aged students self identified as preferring quiet or background noise when performing cognitive tasks. Twenty young adult college students participated. Each participant completed background noise assessment (reading and listening) and personality assessment (five factor inventory, locus of control, and self-control). Results of the present study indicate that personality factors are not related to an individual's acoustic environment preference while studying; however, background noise acceptance measured while reading and while listening to speech was related to study environment choice. Findings of the present study indicate that students accurately self-assess their acoustic study environment needs. This evidence indicates that academic libraries should continue to offer multiple acoustic study environments for college students.     

Family Communication Patterns as Predictors of Organizational Dissent: A Replication Study

This study replicated a previous research project addressing connections between family-of-origin communication and organizational dissent expression. We predicted that family communication patterns (FCPs), specifically conversation and conformity orientations, would predict upward, lateral, and displaced dissent. As in the original study, significant findings emerged for upward dissent and conformity orientation. This replication study indicated family type as an inconsistent predictor of expressed dissent. Contrary to the original study, we found no evidence to support a connection between pluralistic family types and upward dissent. Finally, as an extension of the original study we analyzed effects of FCPs on displaced dissent, finding an inverse association with conversation orientation. Implications for future research are discussed.     

论孔子读书价值观

读书价值观就是人们在读书过程中,基于自身读书需求和内容而形成的,对读书的目的、意义和价值的认识与理解,简单地说就是为什么读书,读什么书,怎样去读书,如何读好书等问题。通过孔子的言行不难发现他一生最推重修身养性,以读书为自我道德完善和精神需求满足的人生方式,这也恰恰构成了他读书的核心价值观,也成为中国传统读书价值观的重要组成部分。具体的可概括为四个方面:下学上达的读书目的,文质统一的读书选择,安贫乐道的读书精神,四结合的读书方法。     

The Non-Use of Periodicals

A study was made of currently received periodical titles which had no evidence of use during two years. It was assumed that there would be fewer periodicals not used than used, and those in this category were selected for detailed analysis. Variables were recorded for each title, keypunched, and the data was summarized via a computer program. Benefits of the study were: 1) candidates for cancellation were identified; 2) tabulated results were useful for faculty review; 3) areas needing further study were identified.     

高等院校文献检索课实行研究性学习的构想

阐述研究性学习的含义和特点;从文检课的性质、特点、网络与文献信息发展趋势3个方面分析将研究性学习引入文献检索课教学的可行性,并探讨将研究性学习运用于文献检索教学中的具体方法。最后,对在高等院校文献检索课中引入研究性学习的教学方法的积极作用进行总结。     

A new look at performance

Performance is central to the study of oral interpretation, but it can also be content for research and teaching. This paper presents a rationale for the study of performance.     

Institutional repositories (IRs) in universities of Pakistan: Issues and emergent framework for remedies

This paper assesses the issues affecting the development of institutional repositories (IRs) in Pakistan along with presentation of an emergent framework for the development of IRs. The contribution is based on a sequential mixed methods research approach. In first phase the study opted a cross sectional survey with a structured questionnaire followed by a focus group of university librarians in 2nd phase to collect qualitative data on the phenomenon. The study found that IRs was a developing phenomenon at an infancy and did not emerge as a mandatory component of campus infrastructure in universities of Pakistan. Issues of awareness, willingness, motivation, administrative support, skills, finances, and collaboration were identified as major challenges affecting the development of IRs. The study proposed a framework for the development of IRs. The findings of the study have theoretical implications for researchers and practical implications for higher education policy makers, publishers, university administrators, and library administrators. The study may be generalized to other countries with similar economic and social context.     

Using emotion recognition technology to assess the effects of different multimedia materials on learning emotion and performance

With the gradual adoption of multimedia technologies in curriculum designs, the need has increased for in-depth studies that explore how different presentation techniques for multimedia materials affect learner emotions and learner performance. This study employed the emWave system, a stress detector for emotional states that was developed by the Institute of HeartMath for measuring changes in learner emotional states when presented with different multimedia materials with the same learning content. By analyzing the collected emotional data and assessment of learning performance, this study explores how different multimedia learning materials affect learning emotions, and ultimately, learning performance. Preliminary results show that the video-based multimedia material generates the best learning performance and most positive emotion among three types of multimedia materials assessed in the study. Moreover, a partial correlation exists between negative learning emotion and learning performance. This study confirms that simultaneously considering pretest score and negative emotion can predict learning performance of learners who use video-based multimedia material for learning. It also finds significant gender difference in learner emotional states while using different multimedia materials for learning: female learners in this study are more easily affected by different multimedia material than male learners.     

The Usability of the Journal Finder Interface

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the usability of the Journal Finder integrated search interface, developed at the Jackson Library at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. This interface provides electronic access to publications including journals, newsletters, newspapers, and magazines. This study was conducted to determine how intuitive and learnable the interface is for accessing online publications. The participants consist of four user subgroups: undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty. The study evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the interface to support the participants' tasks of accessing online publications by using pretest questionnaires, task-analysis techniques, think-aloud protocol, scenarios, and post-test questionnaires. This study also evaluates the Journal Finder online tutorial. The study finds that the Journal Finder interface is easy to use, simple to learn, efficient, and effective for all subgroups. The effectiveness error rate and efficiency-time-to-completion measurement is comparable for all four subgroups in completing their tasks. The areas recommended for improvement to enhance the intuitiveness of the Journal Finder interface are the understandability of the navigational features, icons, and terminology and the creation of an easy-to-understand online tutorial. This study is novel because it examines the efficiency and effectiveness of the interface to facilitate access to electronic publications for not only students but also for faculty and staff.