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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2006

Felix N. Ubogu, Arthur Kekana and Charl Roberts

To examine and discuss the features of library portals and suggest further development of these research tools.

2924

Abstract

Purpose

To examine and discuss the features of library portals and suggest further development of these research tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The two categories of library portals (horizontal or public, and vertical) were examined to establish the characteristics of some of the portal software available in the marketplace. The study involved carrying out a literature search and visiting demonstration sites. Some library sites that have implemented this software were subsequently examined in order to establish features of their sites, and to see how these sites have handled the information literacy/research process.

Findings

Suggests that a well‐structured subject portal should be based on the principles of the flow of scientific information, and an information literacy component should be embedded in the portal. Such a portal could assist learners to become familiar with the breadth and depth of information resources relevant to their discipline. It should also assist librarians and learning advisers to become familiar with the information literacy requirements of specific subjects and courses. In this way, libraries should achieve their objective of making the learner information‐literate with minimal effort, and thus contribute positively to student learning outcomes.

Practical implications

The paper is a useful source of information for librarians considering investing in one of the commercial software tools and for those embarking on the development of subject portals. A pilot version of the subject portal implemented at the University of the Witswatersrand is shown.

Originality/value

The novelty in this work is the intuitive subject portal that is put forward; the elements and content of the portals are suggested.

Details

Program, vol. 40 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 2 October 2007

372

Abstract

Details

Program, vol. 41 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

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Article
Publication date: 11 February 2019

Ama Pokuaa Fenny, Derek Asuman, Aba Obrumah Crentsil and Doreen Nyarko Anyamesem Odame

The purpose of this paper is to assess the trends of socioeconomic-related inequalities in maternal healthcare utilization in Ghana between 2003 and 2014 and examine the causes of…

714

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the trends of socioeconomic-related inequalities in maternal healthcare utilization in Ghana between 2003 and 2014 and examine the causes of inequalities in maternal healthcare utilization in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are drawn from three rounds of the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey collected in 2003, 2008 and 2014, respectively. The authors employ two alternative measures of socioeconomic inequalities in health – the Wagstaff and Erreygers indices – to examine the trends of socioeconomic inequalities in maternal healthcare utilization. The authors proceed to decompose the causes of inequalities in maternal healthcare by applying a recently developed generalized decomposition technique based on recentered influence function regressions.

Findings

The study finds substantial pro-rich inequalities in maternal healthcare utilization in Ghana. The degree of inequalities has been decreasing since 2003. The elimination of user fees for maternal healthcare has contributed to achieving equity and inclusion in utilization. The decomposition analysis reveals significant contributions of individual, household and locational characteristics to inequalities in maternal healthcare. The authors find that educational attainment, urban residence and challenges with physical access to healthcare facilities increase the socioeconomic gap in maternal healthcare utilization.

Originality/value

There is a need to target vulnerable women who are unlikely to utilize maternal healthcare services. In addition to the elimination of user fees, there is a need to reduce inequalities in the distribution and quality of maternal health services to achieve universal coverage in Ghana.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 46 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 31 July 2007

Kanta Kapoor and O.P. Goyal

The paper seeks to provide a comparative analysis of the functionality of five web‐based OPACs available in Indian academic libraries.

2153

Abstract

Purpose

The paper seeks to provide a comparative analysis of the functionality of five web‐based OPACs available in Indian academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Same‐topic searches were carried out by three researchers on the web‐based OPACs of Libsys, VTLS's iPortal, NewGenLib, Troodon, and Alice for Windows, implemented in five academic libraries in India. Their functionality was compared using criteria selected from the literature on OPAC searching.

Findings

The web‐based OPACs investigated offered a range of facilities for searching by author, title, control number and by keywords. Federated searching across several e‐collections was limited.

Originality/value

This paper should be a useful source of information to librarians who are planning to introduce web‐based OPACs and also for software vendors who wish to improve the functionality of their products.

Details

Program, vol. 41 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

Keywords

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