Chiao‐Chen Chang, Chia‐Yen Lin, Yu‐Chin Chen and Yang‐Chieh Chin
The purpose of this paper is to examine and predict users' information‐seeking intention regarding academic digital library services, using the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine and predict users' information‐seeking intention regarding academic digital library services, using the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB).
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected from 224 Taiwanese undergraduate and graduate students to assess the influence of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control on the intention to seek information in an academic digital library. The results of structural equation model‐fitting analyses show that the TPB is better than the TRA in predicting the information‐seeking intention in an academic digital library.
Findings
Specially, the empirical results indicated that perceived behavioral control is a better predictor of behavioral intention than is attitude or subjective norm.
Research limitations/implications
This paper assessed self‐reported information‐seeking intention as part of the survey and, as a result, could have introduced inaccuracies.
Practical implications
The findings of the paper will help academic digital libraries to address the key factor which influences users' intention to seek information and to intensify their performance to meet user needs.
Originality/value
Although the nature of the user experience in the digital environment appears to be quite different from the experience of looking through archival boxes or folders, research on the use of academic digital library services is scarce – particularly regarding user intention in the process of seeking information. The TRA and TPB are novel and usable in explaining the intention of online users to seek information, and these findings may be generally applicable to academic digital libraries and users.
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Keywords
Chia-Yen Ma, Kuo-Ching Wang, De-Yen Liu and Ting-Ching Lai
The research aims to discuss technical and vocational students' long-term and complete evaluation of learning effectiveness under school-wide thematic teaching design.
Abstract
Purpose
The research aims to discuss technical and vocational students' long-term and complete evaluation of learning effectiveness under school-wide thematic teaching design.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach to measure the learning effectiveness of thematic teaching in technical vocational schools using the Kirkpatrick model. Qualitative research conducted in-depth interviews with 32 interviewees, including students, parents, teachers, graduate alumni and the supervisors of off-campus internship units. Quantitative research conducted a questionnaire survey on vocational students. A total of 221 valid questionnaires were collected. In addition, this research conducts another quantitative survey on cooperative enterprises to compare the actual effect of the implementation of the school-wide thematic teaching students with the others, and a total of 35 valid questionnaires were collected.
Findings
The results of the research found that the effectiveness of thematic teaching method can achieve the expected goals of each level of Kirkpatrick model. The students taking thematic teaching are significantly better and fitting in the industry expects. Therefore, this research suggests the comprehensive introduction of school-wide thematic teaching to other school operators.
Originality/value
This research is the first study used the Kirkpatrick model to evaluate the effectiveness of school-wide thematic teaching design in hospitality education and providing a practical case for schools. This research combined qualitative and quantitative research methods to investigate the effectiveness of the teaching method through multiple perspectives. Through the feedback from supervisors of the hospitality industry, the school-wide thematic teaching design provides a good foundation for technical and vocational graduates.