1,721,001 research outputs found
Egyetemi könyvtárak weboldalai: a jelen gyakorlata és a jövőbeni tendenciák
No full text-DETLOR, Brian–LEWIS, Vivian: Academic library web sites: Current practice and future directions. = The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 32. köt. 3. sz. 2006. p. 251–258
Public Library-Led Digital Literacy Training of Older Adults Living in Social Housing
No full textThis thesis investigates the phenomenon of the digital divide among older adults living in social housing (65+) and the potential impact that mobile public library-led digital literacy training with socialization components has on the learning outcomes of older adult learners. Utilizing a conceptual framework based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and a theoretical model of community-led digital literacy training, the study explores how the incorporation of socialization (namely, “encouragement by others” and “observational learning”) and mobile training in the delivery of public library-led digital literacy training impacts older adults’ psychological, behavioural, and benefit learning outcomes. As an exploratory investigation, this thesis utilizes a mixed methods approach to understand the utility of the delivery of on-site Android tablet training by Hamilton Public Library (HPL) to older adult learners living in social housing at their place of residence at CityHousing Hamilton (CHH). Four weekly HPL-led classroom training sessions were complemented with additional peer-to-peer (buddy) training sessions conducted on-site at CHH in a state-of-the-art Mobile User Experience Lab (MUXL). Data collection involved: i) administration of pre- and post-training questionnaires to older adult learners; ii) pre- and post-training interviews with older adult learners, CHH/HPL administrators, and an HPL instructor; iii) observations of classroom and MUXL training sessions; and iv) the collection of biometric eye-tracking and skin conductance data of older adult learners during MUXL training sessions. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques were employed as a means of triangulating research results. Findings reveal that participants view digital literacy training as more than just learning how to use a digital device (in this case, an Android tablet). Rather, participants view digital literacy training as adding value to older adult learners’ lives, especially in terms of opportunities to socialize with peer learners and learning how to use digital devices to stay connected with close others. Findings also suggest that the learning environment, learner attributes and learner behaviour collectively impact learning outcomes such as the extent to which older adults retain and utilize the training material taught. Moreover, findings indicate that a public library plays an important role in the delivery of digital literacy training to older adults living in social housing, and that the mobile delivery of such training is necessary to reach this demographic. In addition, findings suggest that gender moderates reciprocal causation effects of the learning environment, learner attributes and learner behaviour on learning outcomes. Last, results indicate a strong need for the mobile delivery of training in ways that meet older adults’ learning needs and preferences, such as the need to offer clear structured training geared towards certain skill levels (e.g., basic, advanced) and smaller cohorts over a period of more than four weeks. This thesis provides theoretical insights and practical recommendations for researchers and practitioners who are interested in the delivery of mobile, public library-led digital literacy training to older adult community members, especially those 65+ living in social housing. In addition, methodological contributions are made in terms of recognizing the value of incorporating the collection and analysis of objective biometric data to complement traditional subjective methods (e.g., use of interviews, observations, and questionnaires) traditionally utilized in training assessment research.DissertationDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)This thesis examines the impact of adding socialization components to mobile public library-led Android tablet training for marginalized older adults (aged 65+ living in social housing). The research uses questionnaires, interviews, and observations of training, as well as the analysis of biometric data collected during training sessions in a mobile user experience lab. Findings reveal that on-site, public library-led digital literacy training adds value to older adult learners’ lives, and that the learning environment, learner attributes and learner behaviour collectively impact learning outcomes such as the extent to which older adults retain and utilize the training material taught. The thesis provides both theoretical and practical recommendations on the delivery of digital literacy instruction to older adults living in social housing, as well as methodological contributions of including biometric data to complement the collection and analysis of questionnaires, interviews and observations traditionally used to understand the effects of training
The Use of Digital Storytelling for Impression Management by City Cultural Organizations
Full text linkThis dissertation provides a context-specific theory to understand how city cultural organizations can best use digital stories and impression management to create a desired image or enhance public perceptions. The generated model describes how a digital storytelling information system can affect user impressions of a city and the outcomes of using such a system. The study responds to a growing interest among cultural organizations regarding how to use emerging information technologies in the communication of cultural content.
An interpretive case study was conducted on the “Love Your City, Share Your Stories” digital storytelling initiative in Hamilton, Canada. Data collection included 95 one-on-one interviews with the general public, the gathering of documents, and the researcher’s personal observations of participants during the data collection process. A systematic approach of data analysis was utilized to capture participant opinions and visualize this information in a data structure. Theories from the literature on information systems, organizational impression management, and narrative transportation ground the study.
Findings suggest that a digital storytelling information system can be a viable tool to share city cultural heritage information and positively affect people’s perceptions of a city. The overall outcome of creating/maintaining a positive favorable impression is shaped through a layered experience of benefits by the users. Users are first personally engaged and informed about a city’s cultural heritage (primary benefits), and then they are influenced and inspired positively towards the city (secondary benefits). Findings show that technology characteristics (i.e., media quality and story quality) are critical factors affecting outcomes of use, and that user characteristics and context of use both moderate this relationship.
This research provides theoretical insights and practical recommendations for researchers and city cultural organizations wishing to explore the utilization of newer information technologies, such as digital storytelling, for impression management.ThesisDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)This dissertation aims to understand how city cultural organizations can best use digital stories and impression management to enhance public perceptions. The generated model describes how a digital storytelling information system can affect user impressions of a city. The study responds to a growing interest among cultural organizations regarding how to use emerging information technologies in the communication of cultural content.
Findings suggest that a digital storytelling information system can be a viable tool to share city cultural heritage information and positively affect people’s perceptions of a city. Findings show that technology characteristics (i.e., media quality and story quality) are critical factors affecting outcomes of use and that user characteristics and context of use both moderate this relationship.
Theoretical insights and practical recommendations are provided for researchers and city cultural organizations wishing to explore the utilization of newer information technologies, such as digital storytelling, for impression management
User Adoption of Interface Agents for Electronic Mail
No full textThis dissertation addresses the issue of user adoption of interface agents for electronic mail (email). Interface agents are reactive, continuous, collaborative, and autonomous software entities that act on a user's behalf by communicating directly with a person offering assistance and advice in performing computer-related activities. The study presents and empirically validates a model that describes user adoption behavior, offers insights on important features of this technology from the end-user perspective, reports on critical incidents of agent usage, and offers recommendations for developers and marketers. As means of investigating this phenomenon, a survey of actual users of an interface agent-based email system was conducted. Emphasis was placed on identifying user needs and key factors that influence their adoption decisions. Data analysis involved quantitative and qualitative techniques (Partial Least Squares, descriptive statistics, classical content analysis). An extended version of the Technology Acceptance Model was introduced and tested, and the user context surrounding email agent adoption was explored. Survey findings suggest that existing management information systems and social sciences theories, models, and methodologies may be fruitfully applied to investigate user adoption of novel interface agent technologies. By combining and synthesizing results of a deductive and inductive analysis of the survey data, a new, grand model of interface agents adoption and use is suggested that is the central contribution of this research. According to this model, in voluntarily usage conditions, two general types of factors influence user adoption behavior - user perceptions and agent operability. User perceptions are either positive or negative mental reflections of several properties of an agent, such as perceived enjoyment, usefulness, ease of use, intrusiveness, and attractiveness. Agent operability embraces factors pertaining to operational characteristics of an agent, such as compatibility, system interference, reliability, and personalization. Findings also suggest that to foster the diffusion of highly useful agent systems, developers and marketers need to become aware of the importance of individual user characteristics, enhance their understanding of factors influencing people's adoption decisions, and demonstrate the functionality of interface agents through non-agent technologies.Doctor of Philosophy (PhD
Sharing Knowledge in Virtual Communities: Factors Affecting A Member's Intention to Share
Full text link This dissertation aims to advance empirical research in the realm of knowledge
sharing in virtual communities and to help practitioners better understand the factors that
inhibit (cost) or motivate (benefit) such behaviour. The impact of some costs and benefits
(factors derived from social exchange theory) may be contingent upon certain social
contexts or conditions (factors derived from social capital theory). To this end, two
research models were developed (i.e., a main effects model and an interaction model) that
integrate these two theories together. New constructs specific to the virtual community
context were also incorporated. To test these models, an online survey was administered
to 968 members of a large IT professional virtual community comprising millions of
registered users. Findings from a structural equation modeling analysis of this data set suggest that
specific benefits and social capital factors have direct effects on an individual's intention
to share knowledge, and more importantly, the impacts of some benefits are contingent
upon certain social capital factors. Specifically, the impact of online score rewards on an
individual's intention to share knowledge with others in the virtual community is
contingent upon that person's trust in the people who are seeking knowledge from that
individual. Additionally, the impact of reciprocity on an individual's intention to share
knowledge is moderated by pro-sharing norms in the virtual community. A major contribution of this dissertation is the provision of new theoretical
insights that help explain how certain benefits and social capital factors affect knowledge sharing activity in virtual communities. It is hoped that these insights will help builders
and managers of knowledge-based virtual communities better promote online knowledge
sharing behaviours and improve the sustainability of such communities in the future. ThesisDoctor of Philosophy (PhD
The Governance of AI-based Information Technologies within Corporate Environments
Full text linkArtificial Intelligence (AI) is making significant progress in recent times and is gaining a strong foothold in business. Currently, there is no generally accepted scholarly framework for the governance of AI-based information technologies within corporate environments. Boards of directors who have the responsibility of overseeing corporate operations need to know how best to govern AI technologies within their companies. In response, this dissertation aims to understand the key elements that can assist boards in the governance of AI-based information technologies. Further, it attempts to understand how AI governance elements dynamically interact within a holistic system.
As AI governance is a novel phenomenon, an exploratory investigation was conducted via a qualitative approach. Specifically, the study adopted a grounded theory methodology, within the constructivist paradigm, with the intent of generating theory instead of validating existing theory. Data collection included in-depth interviews with key experts in AI research, development, management, and governance processes in corporate and academic settings. Data were further supplemented with data received from conference presentations given by AI experts.
Findings from this dissertation elicited a theoretical model of AI governance that shows various AI governance areas and constituting elements, their dynamic interaction, as well as the impact of these elements in enhancing the organizational performance of AI-based projects and reducing the risks associated with those projects. This dissertation provides a scholarly contribution by comparing governance elements within the IT governance domain and the new AI governance domain. In addition to theoretical contributions, this study provides practical contributions for the benefit of the boards of directors. These include a holistic AI governance framework that pictorially represents twenty-two AI governance elements that boards can use to build their own custom AI governance frameworks. In addition, recommendations are provided to assist boards in starting or enhancing their AI governance journeys.ThesisDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to a set of technologies that seek to perform cognitive functions associated with human minds, such as learning, planning, and problem-solving. AI brings abundant opportunities as well as substantial risks. Major companies are trying to figure out how best to benefit from AI technologies. Boards of directors, with the responsibility of overseeing company operations, need to know how best to govern such technologies.
In response, this study was conducted to uncover key AI governance elements that can assist boards in the governance of AI. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with AI experts and by attending AI conference presentations.
Findings yield a theoretical model of AI governance that can assist scholars in enhancing their understanding of this emerging governance area. Findings also provide a holistic framework of AI governance that boards can use as a practical tool to enhance their effectiveness of the AI governance process
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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