Emerald | Electronic Library, The | Table of Contents

A Cross-language Personalized Recommendation Model In Digital Libraries

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Yuangen Lai, Jianxun Zeng) — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - To develop a cross-language personalized recommendation model based on web log mining, which can recommend academic articles in different languages to users according to their demands.Design/methodology/approach - The proposed model takes advantage of web log data in digital libraries and learns user profiles by means of integration analysis of user’s multiple online behaviors. Moreover, language translation of keywords has been carried out to eliminate language dissimilarity between user and item profiles. Finally, article recommendation can be achieved using various existing algorithms.Findings - The proposed model can recommend articles in different languages to users according to their demands, and the integration analysis of multiple online behaviors can help to better understand user’s interests.Practical implications - This study has a significant implication for digital libraries in non-English countries, since English is the most popular language in current academic articles and it is a very common phenomenon for users in these countries to obtain literatures presented by more than one language. Furthermore, this approach is also useful for other text-based item recommendation systems.Originality/value - Although a lot of works have been done in personalized recommendation area, a few of them have discussed the recommendation problem under multiple linguistic circumstances. This paper performs a good learning for cross-language recommendation. Moreover, the proposed model puts forward an integration analysis of multiple online behaviors to understand user’s interests, which can provide references for other recommendation systems in the digital age.

Dissemination of Electronic Journals: A Content Analysis of the Library Websites of Technical University Libraries in North India

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Seema Vasishta) — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - As electronic journals are developing as a new information platform, its promotional activities require something more than just notifications. Promotion is the decisive factor in the effective use of a sophisticated service called electronic journal. Library website act as a best promotional medium to spread awareness about electronic journals and to act as a gateway to provide customized interface for enhanced navigation and ease of access. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the websites of technical university libraries, so as to ascertain that libraries are effectively utilizing their respective websites to provide trouble-free access to electronic journals available in the library.Design/methodology/approach - For the purpose of this study, a research instrument, in the form of comprehensive checklist, was developed to evaluate the accessibility of electronic journals from the websites of technical university libraries.Findings - The research reveals that the technical university libraries are trying to set up useful websites but the library websites of most of the institutes seems to be at primitive stage. Majority of libraries’ websites have very simple and basic features. Overall, they fall short of potential to act as platform for proper dissemination of electronic journals. There is enormous scope for the improvement of the websites of the institutions under study. A few recommendations were made for the improvement of these websites in the form of enhancement in various aspects like Quality Content, Users’ Convenience and Artistic Composition. Originality/value - The portal technology has enabled libraries to provide the user with such an interface from where information of high relevance can be accessed with ease. The article suggests that websites of technical university libraries can incorporate a lot more information to enhance the utilization of electronic journals. It is high time for librarians to feel their responsibility as web content managers and be more conscientious in providing the information on the library websites keeping in view the information requirements of the users. If the library website has a dedicated webpage for providing information exclusively for electronic journals, it will be easy for the users to have a single access point for accessing all the electronic journals provided by the various publishers. This paper will be helpful to the librarians, who are planning to strategically develop their websites.

Use of electronic resources by the faculty members in diverse public universities in Bangladesh

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (S.M. Zabed Ahmed) — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This paper describes the pattern of electronic information resources use and satisfaction with university-paid resources by the faculty members in eight public universities in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach - An online questionnaire was used to assess the contemporary use of and satisfaction with university subscribed electronic resources by the faculty members. The major constraints faced by them in accessing online resources were also identified. To analyze the influence of demographic characteristics on overall satisfaction with e-resources, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were carried out. The constraints faced by the faculty members were tested in relation to their opinions on overall satisfaction using chi-square tests.Findings - The results showed that faculty members are not generally satisfied with the current level of university subscribed e-resources. They identified limited number of titles, limited access to back issues, difficulty in finding information, inability to access from home, limited access to computers and slow download speed as major constraints. These constraints do affect e-resources use in the public universities. However, these constraints are mainly related to the poor IT infrastructure and limited access to e-resources which may also lead to other constraints such as unwilling to use the resources regularly and consequently low satisfaction with such resources. Originality/value - This is the first time an effort has been made to assess the use of university-paid online information resources by the academic community in Bangladesh. This study could be used to assess faculty needs for electronic resources which may also lead to a more dynamic interaction with such resources.

Availability of e-Books in Science: Case study of University of Delhi

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Ankur Pant, Suresh Chand Jindal) — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to determine whether enough number of e-books are available in science stream from different publishers to satisfy the need of an academic library to develop e-book collection based on its collection development policy. This study aims to identify e-book equivalents for print books acquired by Central Science Library, University of Delhi.Design/methodology/approach - This study provides the in-depth quantitative analysis according to title-by-title selection of e-books from various International publishers compared to the recommended books for different science courses of University of Delhi. The study has been conducted keeping in view the previous study conducted by Price & McDonald (2008) which shows that around 30% of print books have e-book equivalents. The data collected was analyzed by using simple method of calculation and percentage was calculated to interpret the results of the study.Findings - The result shows that only about 17% of print books have e-book equivalents available from different publishers fulfilling only 9 to 15% requirement of most of the courses which doesn’t match the library’s collection development policy.Research limitations/implications - The present study is based on the books recommended in the curriculum of different science courses of University of Delhi for the academic year 2009-2010. According to subject wise distribution of e-books little variation of about 2% in the result findings occurred, as some books are mentioned in the curriculum of more than one course. Originality/value - As this paper is based on in-depth quantitative analysis of availability of e-books according to need of a particular academic library, generalization about availability of e-books can not be made. However, it contributes to trace the growth of e-books and suggests some alternatives to develop e-book collection. Further studies can be done for different library settings to find out their need and availability of e-books.

Reading Strategy and the Need of E-book Features

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Lih-Juan ChanLin) — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This paper explores college students’ use of electronic reading strategies in reading e-books and the need of features provided by e-book systems. Both academic reading and leisure reading are evaluated from students’ responses.Design/methodology/approach - Both qualitative and quantitative data are collected. Eight college students volunteered for in-depth interview to express their use of strategy in reading e-books. Reading strategies employed by college students are summarized. A set of questionnaire items to assess necessity of electronic reading strategies and e-book features for both academic reading and leisure reading is used for collecting quantitative data. To determine differences between academic reading and leisure reading, pair-t is used among 201 respondents.Findings - Interview data reveal that students use various strategies in reading e-books. These reading strategies are categorized into "Use of prior experiences", "Comprehension and decision-making", and "Self-regulation and self-monitoring". From 26 questionnaire items for assessing students’ need of reading strategies, 16 are found significantly different between academic reading and leisure reading (p < 0.05). The necessity level of many e-book features is significantly higher for academic reading than for leisure reading (p < 0.05).Research limitations/implications - Research on students’ use of strategies in electronic reading is needed in the rich information world. In this study, the assessment of necessity level of using various electronic reading strategies and features provided by e-book systems assessed from students’ responses might be helpful for design of e-book systems. However, further research on different reading audiences and specific domains may shed light on more guidelines for implementation and application.Practical implications - In this study, electronic strategies employed by college students were explored and summarized. Necessity of using various electronic reading strategies and reading supports provided by e-book systems were assessed from students’ responses toward questionnaire items. The findings of this study might provide suggestions for the innovation of reading supports embedded in e-book systems.Originality/value - Original paper. The manuscript has not published by another journal and has not been simultaneously submitted for publication elsewhere.

Plans to improve the quality of book metadata through mutual enhancement of ONIX and KORMARC

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Jane Cho) — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - With the recent expansion of online environment, the importance of descriptive metadata assisting in user's purchase and selection has come to the fore. Therefore the publishing circle and libraries began discussions about mutual management in order to minimize common requirements and reiteration of efforts incurring in the process of book metadata creation and distribution. In this context, this study was aimed to analyze the ONIX to KORMARC conversion algorithm currently used in Korea and to propose an advanced mechanism capable of mutually assisting and enhancing metadata of both worldsDesign/methodology/approach - Firstly ONIX to KORMARC conversion algorithm used in Korea was analyzed, and ONIX elements which were not used in conversion but considered necessary for KORMARC to accommodate in the future, were extracted. And then a new mechanism which consists of 3 scenarios was proposed with which both ONIX and KORMARC could assist in creation and enhancing insufficiencies of one anotherFindings - This study extracted the ONIX descriptive elements that were considered necessary for KORMARC to accommodate in the future and proposals were made for these elements to be mapped in KORMARC. In addition a more advanced mechanism was conceived with which ONIX and KORMARC could assist in creation and enhancing insufficiencies of one anotherOriginality/value - The mutual enhancement mechanism proposed in this study will contribute to minimizing reiteration of efforts exerted in production and distribution by providing high-quality book metadata at the right time to both the publishing circle and libraries

Assessment of University Student Web Searching Competency by a Task-based Online Test: a Case Study at Wuhan University, China

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Ren Ding, Feicheng Ma) — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this case study is to assess student Web searching competency. The paper aims to determine varying levels of university student competency in Web searches, and to investigate and compare their competency levels of searching academic and daily-life tasks. Design/methodology/approach - The study adopted a quantitative research method of giving study participants a controllable experiment, a Task-Based Online Test (TBOT), to evaluate Web searching competency based on student searching performance. Participants included 141 undergraduate and graduate students from Wuhan University, China. Their searching competency level was assessed by testing their searching effectiveness and searching efficiency.Findings - Student average Web searching competency level was found to be comparatively low overall, within preliminary stages of development. A lot of students can’t search the Web with efficiency. Competency levels for searching academic tasks were higher than that of daily-life tasks, especially when the degree of difficulty increased. These two levels, however, have a significant positive correlationship. In information literacy education it is therefore vital to teach students comprehensive Web searching competency that includes knowledge and techniques for both academic and daily-life search tasks.Originality/value - Using the TBOT to assess student Web searching competency is novel in the field of library and information science. By conducting this pilot experiment, librarians and teachers will be able to design and promote an improved information literacy education according to students’ specific Web searching competency status, instead of assumed goal levels.

The effect of semantic technologies on the exploration of the web of knowledge by female and male users

Thu, 30 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - Semantic technologies are a potential approach to enhancing the use of the web of knowledge. An experiment was conducted to investigate the roles of two semantic techniques, namely concept recommendation and mind maps, for females and males.Design/methodology/approach - This study compared the searching behaviours and perceptions of searching strategies in the search environment with techniques to reveal the gender difference in the use of semantic technologies. This study further investigated how the techniques influenced female and male students’ searching experiences by comparing their searching behaviours and strategies in two different environments, one developed with the semantic technologies and one without.Findings - Although the techniques were helpful for both female and male students in improving their perceptions of searching strategies, there were gender differences in sense of disorientation, problem solving and searching patterns. In particular, the techniques facilitated females to search for information beyond similarity holes, but did not demonstrate such an effect on males. However, they supported males to organize information for better use.Research limitations/implications - The study is only a small-scale investigation. Further studies need to be conducted with a larger sample to obtain robust evidence.Originality/value - The effects of semantic technologies were evaluated from the perspectives of education and the human factor, rather than only in terms of technical performance.