Karen Harker, Carol Hargis and Jennifer Rowe
The main purpose of this analysis was to demonstrate the value of predictive modeling of student success and identify the key groups of students for which library instruction…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this analysis was to demonstrate the value of predictive modeling of student success and identify the key groups of students for which library instruction could provide the most impact.
Design/methodology/approach
Data regarding the attendance of library instruction associated with a first-year writing course were combined with student demographic and academic data over a four year period representing over 10,000 students. We applied supervised machine learning methods to determine the most accurate model for predicting student outcomes, including course outcome, persistence and graduation. We also assessed the impact of library instruction on these outcomes.
Findings
The gradient-boosted decision tree model provided the most accurate predictions. The impact of library instruction was modest but still was second only to the previous grade point average (GPA). The value of this metric, however, was greatest for students who were struggling, especially those who were first-generation students, regardless of ethnicity. More notably, the impact of library instruction was substantially greater for specific student demographics, including students with lower cumulative GPAs.
Research limitations/implications
Features of the models were limited to high-level academic metrics, some of which may not be very useful in predicting outcomes. Measures more closely related to learning styles, the course or course of study could provide for greater accuracy.
Practical implications
Prediction modeling could allow for a more selective approach to outreach and offers information that the librarian can use to customize instruction sessions and reference interactions.
Social implications
Targeting students who may be at risk of not succeeding in a course has ethical implications either way. If used to bias the subjective assessments, these predictions could produce self-fulfilling prophecies. Conversely, to ignore indicators of possible difficulties the student may have with the material is a disservice to the education of that student.
Originality/value
There are few studies that have incorporated library instruction into models of predicting student outcomes. Library resources and services can play a major role in the success of students, particularly those who have had less exposure to the resources and skills needed to use these resources.
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Derek Marshall, Laurel Sammonds Crawford and Karen Harker
The authors present analysis of journal evaluations in creating a customized serials collection specific to veterinary medicine. Readers may apply techniques used for the…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors present analysis of journal evaluations in creating a customized serials collection specific to veterinary medicine. Readers may apply techniques used for the veterinary medicine library to their own subject specific collections.
Methodology/approach
A review of research in journal evaluations and collection assessment was conducted with emphasis on veterinary medicine. This chapter provides a detailed critique of research on journal evaluations for academic libraries as well as the authors’ customized approach in creating a subject specific core journal list for a veterinary medicine library.
Findings
By utilizing the current research in evaluating library journal collections, librarians can customize their own approach to create core journal lists specific to the academic departments they serve, allowing for a more effective serials collection.
Originality/value
Collection assessment and development differs according to user groups based on local needs. Librarians can develop collection development plans specific to their subject areas by using national standards along with local qualitative and quantitative data.
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Ken Eason, Liangzhi Yu and Susan Harker
This paper examines the general value to users of a range of electronic journal functions and their usefulness in the specific context of the SuperJournal Project. For the…
Abstract
This paper examines the general value to users of a range of electronic journal functions and their usefulness in the specific context of the SuperJournal Project. For the evaluation of each of the functions three types of data were analysed in relation to each other and in light of other contextual data: logged data of usage, survey data on user satisfaction, and survey data on the perceived importance of the function. The analysis shows that basic browsing, printing and search make up the core functions of electronic journals; other functions, such as saving of bibliographic data, alerting, customising, links with external resources and communication, serve as peripheral functions. The usefulness of both the core functions and the peripheral functions in a specific service is influenced by various implementation factors. However, it is the realised usefulness of the core functions which determines the use of a service.
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The practice of transracial adoption often triggers strong emotions, effecting views on its ethical validity, both from individuals who are pro transracial adoption and those who…
Abstract
The practice of transracial adoption often triggers strong emotions, effecting views on its ethical validity, both from individuals who are pro transracial adoption and those who strongly resist transracial adoption. This chapter will consider transracial adoption of children of African-Caribbean origin and its psychological impact along a continuum of psychological wellbeing, psychological adjustment and aspects of mental health. The chapter will draw on literature from the USA and, where available, from the UK.
One of the earliest publications on transracial adoption by Grow and Shapiro (1974) explored the psychological adjustment of African-American children placed within white American families. This study along with later studies (Silverman & Feigelman, 1981) concluded that the children were adjusting well in placement. Further early research appeared to suggest that transracial placements have little negative impact on issues of self-esteem, racial or self-identity or intellectual development (Curtis, 1996; Hayes, 1993; Hollingsworth, 1997, 1998; McRoy, 1994; Simon, Altstein & Melli, 1994; Vrogeh, 1997).
The undermining impact on mental health for transracial adoptees appears to be an argument related to the disconnect between the child’s developing racial identity and lack of preparation for racism and the cultural and ethnic group social devaluation likely to be experienced in a white racist society. The impact of loss of ethnic identity is said to be a key issue in the research on transracial adoption. Ethnic identity is the connection or recognition that one is a member of a specific ethnic or racial group and coming to adopt those associated characteristics into the group associated cultural and historical connections into oneself identity (Rotheram & Phinney, 1987). The establishment of a secure and accurate racial identity is said to be a protective factor in psychological adjustment. This chapter will explore issues and narratives related to this argument.
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Sameer Deshpande, Samia Chreim, Roberto Bello and Terry Ross Evashkevich
The purpose of this paper is to explore relationships that seniors (aged 55 and above) experience with prescription pharmaceutical brands, thus attending to situations where…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore relationships that seniors (aged 55 and above) experience with prescription pharmaceutical brands, thus attending to situations where consumers have limited control over brand choice.
Design/methodology/approach
A phenomenological study was conducted involving interviews with seniors in two Canadian cities. Phenomenology relies on a small number of interviews that are analyzed in depth and describes the lived consumer experience. Data analysis focused on types of relationships participants had experienced with brands and factors that influenced relationships.
Findings
Analysis reveals four types of relationships that seniors hold with prescription pharmaceutical brands. The interpersonal relationship metaphor of arranged marriages can be used to describe relationship forms that seniors develop with brands. The quality of relationship seniors have with prescribing physician, who acts as marriage broker, and brand attributes influence relationships with prescription pharmaceutical brands. Consumer's ethos and nature of illness also influence brand relationships.
Research limitations/implications
The study provides insights into brand choice situations where consumers have low control and addresses impact of intermediaries on consumer experiences. It opens the way for further research on mediated brand relationships.
Practical implications
Marketing managers need to understand the role of intermediaries, where applicable, in influencing consumer relationships with brands.
Originality/value
The study closes a gap in academic research (which is sparse) on relationships with prescription pharmaceutical brands held by consumers – specifically older consumers. It also encourages a critical view of the arranged marriage metaphor as a means of understanding consumer‐brand interactions.
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Nick Axford, Emma Crewe, Celene Domitrovich and Alina Morawska
This article reviews the contents of the previous year's editions of the Journal of Children's Services (Volume 2, 2007), as requested by the Journal's editorial board. It draws…
Abstract
This article reviews the contents of the previous year's editions of the Journal of Children's Services (Volume 2, 2007), as requested by the Journal's editorial board. It draws out some of the main messages for how high‐quality scientific research can help build good childhoods in western developed countries, focusing on: the need for epidemiology to understand how to match services to needs; how research can build evidence of the impact of prevention and intervention services on child well‐being; what the evidence says about how to implement proven programmes successfully; the economic case for proven programmes; the urgency of improving children's material living standards; how to help the most vulnerable children in society; and, lastly, the task of measuring child well‐being.
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Anna Marie Johnson, Claudene Sproles and Latisha Reynolds
The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper introduces and annotates periodical articles, monographs, and audiovisual material examining library instruction and information literacy.
Findings
The findings provide information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship, and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions.
Originality/value
The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.
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David C. Gilbert and Karen C. Choi
Examines relationship marketing’s (RM) present practices in the banking industry in Hong Kong. Banks in Hong Kong were classified into three categories by reference to their…
Abstract
Examines relationship marketing’s (RM) present practices in the banking industry in Hong Kong. Banks in Hong Kong were classified into three categories by reference to their different ownership (Chinese, non‐Chinese and merged). Statistics show that there were differences between RM practices among the different ownership of banks. Non‐Chinese banks were more proactive in applying RM elements and on a more tactical basis. On the other hand, findings suggested that there were no significant differences between different ownerships of a bank toward the perception of guanxi (Chinese personal relationship). However, it was reported that guanxi is more in‐depth and more relevant than RM to Chinese business relationships. The research findings imply that different ownership of a bank may exert a different emphasis on RM practices. Also, the study alerts academic and practitioners that RM practices are not yet fully implemented in the banking industry and it is important to develop a more systematic and comprehensive approach to maintain a bank’s competitive advantage.