In vol. 6, 1976, of Advances in Librarianship, I published a review about relevance under the same title, without, of course, “Part I” in the title (Saracevic, 1976). [A…
Abstract
In vol. 6, 1976, of Advances in Librarianship, I published a review about relevance under the same title, without, of course, “Part I” in the title (Saracevic, 1976). [A substantively similar article was published in the Journal of the American Society for Information Science (Saracevic, 1975)]. I did not plan then to have another related review 30 years later—but things happen. The 1976 work “attempted to trace the evolution of thinking on relevance, a key notion in information science, [and] to provide a framework within which the widely dissonant ideas on relevance might be interpreted and related to one another” (ibid.: 338).
B. Jane Scales and Mary M. Gilles
In the fall of 1993, Washington State University (WSU) Libraries decided to subscribe to Mead Data's Lexis‐Nexis to support pre‐law and criminal justice research. Two passwords…
Abstract
In the fall of 1993, Washington State University (WSU) Libraries decided to subscribe to Mead Data's Lexis‐Nexis to support pre‐law and criminal justice research. Two passwords were acquired. The introduction of Lexis‐Nexis to the Washington State University community was facilitated by a small group of librarians, who served as a task force concerned with issues of the implementation and instruction of the database. Lexis‐Nexis is an online information retrieval system providing access to a wide range of sources including full‐text legal information and full‐text and abstracted information from newspapers, magazines, company annual reports, news and business magazines, newsletters, wire services, government documents, broadcast transcripts, and other sources. Because of the complex nature of the database, the process of implementing Lexis‐Nexis in a public service area was more involved than our previous experiences with other online or CD‐ROM services.
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Jane Scales, Danel Wolf, Corey Johnson and Lara Cummings
The purpose of this paper is to model a practical solution to the lack of library modules within commercial courseware.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to model a practical solution to the lack of library modules within commercial courseware.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive examination of the technical, political, and practical issues surrounding this problem provides the framework for designing a dynamic administrative tool that facilitates information access for distance courses.
Findings
There are many different programming languages and models librarians can use to implement similar course modules. If librarians lack the skills to build these applications, student workers skilled in computer science can help.
Practical implications
This and similar models of organizing resources and information for distance students has an immediate impact on services to online users, leveraging of resources and tangible benefits to the student.
Originality/value
Librarians need to build their own technological solutions to serve their users when the commercial world is not addressing a real need.
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B. Jane Scales and Marilyn Von Seggern
The aim of this paper is to report on the development and assessment of a government document information literacy curriculum by librarians at Washington State University. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to report on the development and assessment of a government document information literacy curriculum by librarians at Washington State University. The pedagogical and assessment goals are described, and the learning outcomes by participating sophomore and junior English composition students are explored.
Design/methodology/approach
Instruction librarians adopted ACRL standards to government information in order to address difficulties undergraduates have in identifying and evaluating common federal government resources. Learning outcomes are measured with a mixed-methods approach including pre- and post-tests, in-class worksheets, and student bibliographies.
Findings
Overall, the project improved government document information literacy in the student groups that participated.
Research limitations/implications
There are many questions the project raises that the authors cannot address. Does the curriculum have any long-term impact on the students? Will it make students who participated more likely to use government information when job seeking, or when making important decisions?
Originality/value
The project uniquely targets a population for which there has been little research on regarding government information literacy – undergraduates who have already received introductory library instruction, but who are not yet researching upper-division, discipline-specific topics.
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The purpose of this paper is to review the basic principles of qualitative analysis, and examine the practical application of these principles to analyze student assignments using…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the basic principles of qualitative analysis, and examine the practical application of these principles to analyze student assignments using the ATLAS.ti software.
Design/methodology/approach
Student comments from an assignment are prepared for import into ATLAS.ti. The comments are coded, and then analyzed for patterns using ATLAS.ti and its mechanisms for exploring data and data patterns.
Findings
ATLAS.ti offers myriad analytic tools that allow the researcher to quantify qualitative information through coding, data query, cross‐tabulation, and networked visualization of project design. By developing both technical expertise with the software, and developing familiarity with qualitative methodology, librarians can wield an effective means to assess and evaluate text‐based data, such as student assignments or surveys.
Research limitations/implications
Because the ATLAS.ti software, and the qualitative analysis process itself is so complex, this article can only outline the most prominent aspects of the tool.
Practical implications
The document can serve as a “jumping‐off” point for other researchers wishing to either explore the qualitative analysis process, particularly as conducted with ATLAS.ti. The reader will become more familiar with the basic concepts of qualitative analysis as reflected in the organization and functions of the ATLAS.ti, as well as the process of preparing and analyzing textual information with ATLAS.ti.
Originality/value
Because there is a general lack of literature on setting up a project with the software, the article is potentially valuable to anyone wishing to expand and improve their evaluative skills using ATLAS.ti or similar tools.
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The global proliferation of distance learning programs has become a major phenomenon of our times. So rapid is the growth rate of distance learning options, that statistics on…
Abstract
The global proliferation of distance learning programs has become a major phenomenon of our times. So rapid is the growth rate of distance learning options, that statistics on them are rendered out-of-date at the moment of publication. As soon as innovations in media and automation technologies have appeared, their new capabilities have been adapted to distance learning applications, fueling the growth of distance learning programs, and providing marketing tools for the promotion of newly upgraded or newly created distance learning programs and institutions. Rapid growth in a highly competitive market has led to the duplication and overlapping of new distance learning options both within institutions and across institutional and geographical boundaries.
The following is an annotated list of materials dealing with information literacy including instruction in the use of information resources, research, and computer skills related…
Abstract
The following is an annotated list of materials dealing with information literacy including instruction in the use of information resources, research, and computer skills related to retrieving, using, and evaluating information. This review, the twenty‐second to be published in Reference Services Review, includes items in English published in 1995. After 21 years, the title of this review of the literature has been changed from “Library Orientation and Instruction” to “Library Instruction and Information Literacy,” to indicate the growing trend of moving to information skills instruction.
Rojalin Patri, M. Suresh and Rajiv Prasad
The purpose of this study is to identify the leadership characteristics that make a health-care organization ready for lean implementation, analyse the interdependence among them…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the leadership characteristics that make a health-care organization ready for lean implementation, analyse the interdependence among them and determine the rank of each characteristic based on their influence in the overall phenomenon.
Design/methodology/approach
The leadership characteristics were identified through a review followed by an expert interview. Then, total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) was used to analyse the interdependence and determine the rank, driving power and dependence of each characteristic.
Findings
The results suggest that modesty is the most crucial leadership characteristic that makes a health-care organization ready for the successful incorporation of lean practices. Apart from that, attributes such as transparency, accountability, a leader’s ability to empower the employees and communication play a significant role in making the change management programme impactful and effective. A leader’s team building capacity was found to be the dependent characteristic and was ranked the last in the overall phenomenon.
Research limitations/implications
Though this study throws light on various leadership dispositions that prepare a health-care organization to become a lean, it is still not an exhaustive exploration to be generalized. Because the leadership characteristics required for successful lean implementation may vary from one organization to the other depending on the purpose, intensity and priority of the implementation programme, these parameters along with the complexity of the scenario would determine what other leadership characteristics need to be included in the model to make it more robust and holistic.
Originality/value
The novelty of the study lies in capturing the leadership characteristics for organizational readiness in the health-care sector and using the TISM approach to identify the critical characteristics in the context of lean implementation in hospitals.
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Co-creating services with the customer has recently appeared as an alternative strategy to achieve competitive advantage. Developing and sustaining a gainful experience requires…
Abstract
Purpose
Co-creating services with the customer has recently appeared as an alternative strategy to achieve competitive advantage. Developing and sustaining a gainful experience requires sharing of knowledge, skills and resources between the firm and its customers. Managing value co-creation throws substantial challenge and difficulties. This study aims to investigate the barriers to customer resource contribution in value co-creation in service industries and find their interrelationships for developing an effective management framework for removal of those barriers.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review led to the identification of 26 barriers, which were further confirmed through expert opinion. The study used interpretative structural modeling (ISM) approach and Matrice d’Impacts croises-multipication applique (MICMAC), for analyzing the contextual relationships and develop a hierarchical model of the barriers.
Findings
ISM approach led to the development of a 13-level structural model. The barriers were further classified into autonomous, driver, linkage and dependent barriers using the MICMAC analysis. The framework offers a means to fulfill the expectations of the customers, thus leading to successful integration of the customer in the value creation process. Removal of the barriers has also been discussed.
Practical implications
The framework provides a direction and a tool to meet the expectations of the customers and lead to successful integration of the customer.
Originality/value
The study addresses a gap in the literature for the need of a structured framework for managing the value co-creation process in the service industry