110 research outputs found
Canadian academics’ use of predatory journals
No full textINTRODUCTION: Predatory journals have been acknowledged as an increasing concern in the scholarly literature over the last decade, but research on the subject has been sparse. Research that has focused on predatory journals in the Canadian context has been even rarer, and limited to work focused on a single university. This study explores publishing trends in predatory journals by authors affiliated with Canadian universities. METHODS: Articles published by authors at 30 Canadian universities, including all universities in the U15, were pulled from select predatory journals. Key data including author affiliation, article type, discipline, and grant information were extracted from the articles. RESULTS: All universities in the study were found to have publications in predatory journals. The health sciences accounted for 72% of the publications, and the sciences for 20%. Research articles accounted for 50% of the articles. Opinion, editorial, or commentary pieces accounted for 24% and 19% were review articles. Grant funding was indicated in 34% of the articles, with NSERC and CIHR being top funders. The research-intensive U15 universities were found to publish more in predatory journals than their non-U15 compatriots, even when the universities were of similar size. DISCUSSION: Canadian scholars were found to publish in predatory journals, particularly those scholars from the health sciences and research-intensive U15 universities. Grant funding was common, and often came from high profile funders like NSERC and CIHR. This study suggests that policy and education initiatives may be warranted in Canadian contexts, especially in the health sciences and at research-intensive universities
Faculty and Librarian Perceptions of Librarians as Researchers: Results from Semi-Structured Interviews
No full textFollowing on the results of an earlier survey, this study explores the perceptions of librarians as researchers according to academic librarians and faculty using semi-structured interviews. Conducting research is a regular part of the academic librarian role, but one that often faces challenges to its undertaking, and one that is not always recognized. Exploring perceptions of librarian research helps to understand the current state of librarian research, the barriers faced by librarian researchers, and the value of librarian research. Fifteen librarians and seven faculty members were interviewed from eight Canadian universities. The interviews were coded and analysed to identify major themes. Librarian research was found to be sometimes unsupported and therefore difficult to conduct, but valuable to librarians and the discipline of librarianship. Additionally, librarian research was found to improve relations between librarians and faculty, and more broadly, was found to create a more collegial academic climate.Suite aux résultats d\u27une enquête antérieure, cette étude utilise des entretiens semi-dirigés pour explorer les perceptions des bibliothécaires en tant que chercheuses.eurs selon les bibliothécaires universitaires et les professeur.e.s. La recherche fait régulièrement partie du rôle de bibliothécaire universitaire, mais ce fait n\u27est pas largement connu, et les bibliothécaires sont souvent confronté.e.s à des défis quant à leur capacité à mener la recherche. L\u27exploration des perceptions de la recherche menée par les bibliothécaires permet de brosser un tableau plus complet de l\u27état actuel de la recherche par les bibliothécaires, des obstacles auxquels se heurtent les bibliothécaires chercheuses.eurs et la valeur accordée à la recherche menée par les bibliothécaires. Quinze bibliothécaires et sept membres du corps professoral de huit universités canadiennes ont été interrogé.e.s. Les entrevues ont été codées et analysées pour identifier les principaux thèmes. Il s\u27avère que la recherche par les bibliothécaires est faite souvent sans soutien et donc difficile à mener ; elle est néanmoins précieuse pour les bibliothécaires et la discipline de la bibliothéconomie. De plus, la recherche par les bibliothécaires permet d\u27améliorer les relations entre les bibliothécaires et le corps professoral et, plus largement, de créer un climat académique plus collégial
A Survey Exploring the Perceptions of Academic Librarians as Researchers
No full textThis study examines the perceptions of academic librarian research at six Canadian prairie-province universities. An understanding of how librarian research is viewed and valued at academic institutions can lay the groundwork to improve the state of librarian research in the future. Surveys were sent to librarians and non-librarian faculty in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences at these universities to gather information about how both groups perceive academic librarian research. Thirty librarians and 30 non-librarian faculty responded to the survey. In general, research was viewed as an important and positive aspect of librarianship, though one that was of secondary importance to service. Non-librarian faculty largely lacked awareness about librarian research, and librarians reported being unsupported in their research needs by their institutions. Librarian research collaboration with non-librarian faculty was of high interest to both groups of respondents. The results of this survey highlight the importance of research to academic librarianship while indicating that there is room for further improvement by raising the profile of librarian research outside of the library, fostering collaborative research projects, and providing librarians with the support necessary to engage in research activities.Cette étude examine les perceptions de la recherche des bibliothécaires universitaires dans six universités canadiennes des Prairies. Comprendre comment la recherche bibliothécaire est perçue et valorisée dans les établissements d’enseignement peut jeter les bases pour améliorer l’état de la recherche bibliothécaire à l’avenir. Des sondages ont été envoyés aux bibliothécaires et aux professeurs non-bibliothécaires de ces universités en sciences humaines, en sciences et en sciences sociales afin de recueillir de l’information sur la façon dont les deux groupes perçoivent la recherche des bibliothécaires universitaires. Trente bibliothécaires et trente professeurs non-bibliothécaires ont répondu au sondage. En général, la recherche est considérée comme un aspect important et positif de la bibliothéconomie, bien qu’elle soit d’importance secondaire par rapport au service. Les professeurs non-bibliothécaires étaient peu sensibilisés à la recherche bibliothécaire, et les bibliothécaires ont déclaré que leur établissement ne les aidait pas à répondre à leurs besoins en matière de recherche. La collaboration en recherche bibliothécaire avec des professeurs non-bibliothécaires était d’un grand intérêt pour les deux groupes de répondants. Les résultats de ce sondage soulignent l’importance de la recherche pour la bibliothéconomie universitaire tout en indiquant qu’il y a place à l’amélioration en rehaussant le profil de la recherche bibliothécaire à l’extérieur de la bibliothèque, en encourageant les projets de recherche collaborative et en fournissant aux bibliothécaires le soutien nécessaire pour entreprendre des activités de recherche
Synthesis of tri-aryl ketone amine isomers and their cure with epoxy resins
No full textIsomeric tri-aryl ketone amines, 1,3-bis(3-aminobenzoyl)benzene (133 BABB), 1,3-bis(4-aminobenzoyl)benzene (134 BABB), and 1,4-bis(4-aminobenzoyl)benzene (144 BABB) are synthesized and cured with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F in this work. Differential scanning calorimetry and near-infrared spectroscopy reveal higher rate constants and enhanced secondary amine conversion with increasing para substitution attributed to resonance effects and the electron withdrawing nature of the carbonyl linkages. Glass transition temperatures increase from 133 BABB to 134 BABB, but decrease modestly for the 144 BABB hardener. With increasing para substitution, the flexural modulus and strength both decrease while the strain to failure increases but all BABB amines displaying higher mechanical properties than the corresponding 4,4-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (44 DDS) networks. The thermal stability of the BABB networks is found to be modestly lower than 44 DDS, but char yields are significantly higher. Changes in thermal and mechanical properties are described in terms of molecular structure and equilibrium packing density.Novel Aerospace Material
Modification of Cortical Evoked Potential During Induced and Natural Behavioural States in the Hooded Rat
No full textTitle: Modification of Cortical Evoked Potential During Induced and Natural Behavioural States in the Hooded Rat, Author: Thomas L. Babb, Location: ThodeCortical potentials evoked by flashes or clicks were studied in the CER situation and found to increase by over 200% when these evoking stimuli served as conditional stimuli (classical conditioning), when neutral flashes were paired with click CS's (compound conditioning), and when flashes followed painful shock (backward conditioning) which sometimes suppressed bar pressing. Similar increases were evoked in other animals during high voltage slow electroencephalographic sleep or drowsiness. Only cortical components (not afferent activity) of the evoked response were found to increase with these different behavioral conditions, but the changes are not attributed to conditioning per se or dependent on immobility.ThesisMaster of Arts (MA
Reticular Control of Cortical Unit Activity in the Cat
No full textTitle: Reticular Control of Cortical Unit Activity in the Cat, Author: Thomas L. Babb, Location: ThodeExtracellular action potentials were recorded from the suprasylvian gyrus of the cat and compared with slow potentials derived from the overlaying cortical surface in experiments designed to investigate the influences of potine reticular formation on these fast and slow voltage transients. When pontine afferents were blocked by mid-pontine lesion or reversible cooling, the number of recordedable spontaneous and injury discharges was reduced as compared to that recorded from preparations with lower pontine, post-trigeminal, lesions. Bilateral gasserectomies in post-trigeminal preparations did not reduce unit activity. However, the mean and median average firing rates and the patterns of spontaneously-active cells were not demonstrably different fro high and low pontine preparations. Either EEG synchrony or desynchronization was found to co-0exist with either high or low levels of unit activity.ThesisDoctor of Philosophy (PhD
Une réflexion sur la précarité
No full textThis personal reflective piece explores precarity in academic libraries from the perspective of someone who has been a precariously employed librarian, but has shifted to more stable employment. The detrimental aspects of precarious work are explored, both in relation to individuals and in relation to the institutions that hire precariously. There is discussion of the lack of attention paid to this critical topic, and a call for those with secure positions to turn their attention towards the problem of precarity in libraries.Cette réflexion personnelle examine la précarité dans les bibliothèques universitaires du point de vue d’une personne employée de façon précaire, mais qui a changé à un poste plus stable. L’auteur explore les effets adverses du travail précaire tant pour les individus que pour les établissements qui embauchent de manière précaire. S’ensuit une discussion sur le manque d’attention portée à cet enjeu important ainsi qu’un appel à ceux et celles qui ont des postes plus stables à porter leur attention sur le problème de la précarité au sein des bibliothèques
Collective Agreements and the Freedom for Librarians to Research
No full textThe ability to conduct and disseminate research on any topic, even a politically sensitive one, is a component of academic freedom. The collective agreements, which govern the rights and responsibilities of librarians, of twelve Canadian universities were examined to determine the state of academic freedom and the expectations and provisions for research at these institutions
Who Thinks What About Research? Academic Librarian Research According to Librarians, Faculty, and Collective Agreements
No full textResearch is an important component of academic librarianship. Often required for promotion and tenure, research is integral to the practice of evidence-based librarianship. This session will review a study of the perceptions of librarian research according to librarians and non-librarian faculty, as well as the provisions for librarian research in collective agreements at universities across Canada. Surveys and semi-structured interviews were used to solicit insights from participants on the nature of librarian research, the ability of librarians to conduct research, and the awareness and perceived value of that research. Librarian research was rated as critical and valuable, though awareness of librarian research was found to be relatively low among non-librarian faculty. When this awareness was increased, interdisciplinary communication, trust, and engagement with faculty improved. Formalized support for research was often lacking, even at institutions that require research of their librarians
The Librarian’s Personal Research Agenda
No full textPersonal research agendas are regular tools of scholars across academia but are infrequently discussed in the LIS literature. Instead, the literature tends to provide research agendas developed by organizations that highlight areas of research that could use more attention by LIS scholars. This perspective paper discusses how developing a personal research agenda can enhance librarians’ work as researchers and can help guide them in their research journey. It also provides insight into what a research agenda might look like and how to go about creating one. Les plans de recherche personnels sont des outils communs des chercheuses.eurs universitaires, mais sont rarement discutés dans la littérature en bibliothéconomie et sciences de l\u27information (BSI). Au lieu de cela, la littérature tend à fournir des plans de recherche élaborés par des organisations qui mettent en évidence des domaines de recherche qui pourraient attirer davantage l\u27attention des chercheuses.eurs en BSI. Cet article de perspective explique comment le développement d\u27un plan de recherche personnel peut améliorer le travail des bibliothécaires en tant que chercheuses.eurs et peut les guider dans leur parcours de recherche. Il donne également un aperçu de ce à quoi pourrait ressembler un plan de recherche et comment s\u27y prendre pour en créer un
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