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Article
Publication date: 1 April 1991

Margaret Lodder

The CSIR's Division of Information Services has developed a sophisticated information access and retrieval system from which it will be able to provide various of its range of…

146

Abstract

The CSIR's Division of Information Services has developed a sophisticated information access and retrieval system from which it will be able to provide various of its range of information services. The paper describes the road which was followed in order to establish this system. A brief outline is given of the system's three main components, these being a retrieval, a client record management and a communications access component. The system is primarily mainframe‐based and runs on the ADABAS database management platform. This is followed by a description of aspects of the management of the development of this system. Mechanisms had to be put in place to ensure that the development work done was in line with the business requirements of the Division. Effective means of ensuring sufficient communication with the many different participants in the project — including line management, contractors and consultants, operators of the computing facilities and systems development staff—had to be found. Procedures were put in place to schedule and monitor the many and varied tasks involved in the project. The project also led to the development of a macro‐level model of the Division's activities. This model is being developed in increasing levels of detail to provide for the highly integrated nature of the Division's activities and hence of its systems. Lessons learnt in the project, problems experienced and achievements are described.

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The Electronic Library, vol. 9 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1984

N. Margaret Lodder

Problems are experienced when introducing computerised systems by libraries in countries remote from the major centres of development and expertise in the field of library…

62

Abstract

Problems are experienced when introducing computerised systems by libraries in countries remote from the major centres of development and expertise in the field of library computerisation. Main problems identified are those of lack of expertise of librarians and of hardware and software suppliers, a limited market for such systems in these ‘remote’ countries and hence a limited range of appropriate hardware and particularly software available or marketed, a reliance on the products and support of major computer suppliers, and access to relatively limited resources leaving little scope for the adaptation of existing library software to suit local needs or for the development of new systems. Solutions to these problems lie in cooperation and coordination of library computerisation so that maximum benefit can be derived from available resources and expertise, a conscious effort being made to become as self‐reliant as available resources will allow, the use of library systems developed abroad with as little adaptation as possible being made to them, the careful evaluation of those systems available as well as of their suppliers, and possibly in future a greater use of dedicated mini‐ and microcomputer‐based systems as such systems become more readily available. The problems and solutions discussed are illustrated by referring to the experience of library computerisation in the Republic of South Africa.

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The Electronic Library, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1999

Olatunde R. Adeniran

Our survey of 728 questionnaires covered all types of libraries in the following countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. At the…

572

Abstract

Our survey of 728 questionnaires covered all types of libraries in the following countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. At the end of April 1997, this study identified 29 software packages from 22 per cent useable survey returns. The first set of off‐the‐shelf packages in the region has come a long way since 1982, when Musiker identified one or two such packages.

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The Electronic Library, vol. 17 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

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Article
Publication date: 1 August 1980

Clive Bingley, Edwin Fleming and Kate Hills

SINCE THEY ARE now in possession of a modest amount of my own money each year, it was with more attention than I have devoted in the past to its predecessors that I studied the…

12

Abstract

SINCE THEY ARE now in possession of a modest amount of my own money each year, it was with more attention than I have devoted in the past to its predecessors that I studied the Library Association's balance‐sheet as at December 31 1979, which is printed in the June issue of the Record.

Details

New Library World, vol. 81 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

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Article
Publication date: 11 September 2024

Birger Hjørland

The narrow purpose of this article is to review de Fremery’s (2024) book about the bibliographic foundations of information science. The broader purpose is to consider the actual…

185

Abstract

Purpose

The narrow purpose of this article is to review de Fremery’s (2024) book about the bibliographic foundations of information science. The broader purpose is to consider the actual as well as the potential relevance of the field(s) of bibliography for information science besides the book under review.

Design/methodology/approach

This review essay examines the arguments put forward by de Fremery (2024), introduces concepts and traditional lore from the study of bibliography and presents internal conflicts or paradigms in the field of bibliography. It relates this information to foundational issues in information science.

Findings

De Fremery’s basic ambition of basing information science in the field of bibliography is important, and so is the attempt to consider bibliography in relation to contemporary information technologies such as machine learning and data science. The book under review fails, however, to describe the relations between different positions in bibliography, such as enumerative, analytical, descriptive, critical and historical bibliography in relation to information science. It rather tends to make problematic claims, for example, that scientific experiments are based on bibliographical methods, and to describe the relation of bibliography to information science on the basis of such interpretations. Nonetheless, the book is a serious attempt to consider the field of bibliography and thereby support the focus on documents in information science.

Originality/value

Information science often suffers because of ambiguities in the concept of information. When information science is understood as the study of literature-based answering, much else falls into place. The field of bibliography is a core concept for this understanding and re-orientation of information science, for example, by establishing the core relation between bibliography, information searching and knowledge organization.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 81 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

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Book part
Publication date: 18 September 2023

Brian Brown and Virginia Kuulei Berndt

Abstract

Details

Body Art
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-808-9

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Article
Publication date: 1 June 1985

There have always been traditional differences between the various regions of the British Isles. For example, meat consumption is greater in the North than the South; most…

278

Abstract

There have always been traditional differences between the various regions of the British Isles. For example, meat consumption is greater in the North than the South; most families take some meat at every meal and this extends to the children. The North is the home of the savoury meat products, eg., faggots, rissoles and similar preparations and a high meat content for such foods as sausages is expected; between 80 and 90% with the cereal only present for binding purposes. Present minimum meat contents would be considered a swindle, also the nature of the lean meat and the lean meat/fat ratio. The high water content similarly would have been unacceptable.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 87 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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Article
Publication date: 22 November 2023

Marta Isibor and Olivia Sagan

The purpose of this paper is to report on a study into the lived experience of skin picking disorder (SPD) and to explore the psychological impact of the disorder.

84

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a study into the lived experience of skin picking disorder (SPD) and to explore the psychological impact of the disorder.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers employed a qualitative phenomenological approach, using Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).

Findings

The study found that the sense of shame, common among participants, led to self-stigma, hiding, concealing and avoidance. Shame of SPD also interplayed with and compounded the shame of loneliness.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations included a lack of a longitudinal component to the work. This is deemed important, as both the SPD and the experience of loneliness can shift over time as circumstances change, and individuals develop strategies for coping or, conversely, experience a worsening of the condition and the shame, loneliness and social isolation it can induce.

Practical implications

This study draws attention to the complex nature of both SPD and loneliness. It highlights how those living with the disorder are reluctant to seek help, resulting in low rates of treatment access and distrust in health providers.

Social implications

As SPD is little understood, it can be erroneously deemed a “choice”; seldom discussed as a condition, it can lead to exclusion and withdrawal. The sense of shame of both appearance and behaviour interplays with and compounds the shame of loneliness and can force the individual into a further cycle of withdrawal and isolation.

Originality/value

While research suggests SPD should be acknowledged as a public health issue, research and literature is still relatively limited, and there are no qualitative phenomenological studies as yet that report on the lived experience of SPD.

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 28 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

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Article
Publication date: 12 June 2017

Jenny Barke

The purpose of this paper is to report on research with older people that explored experiences of loneliness in order to consider community level approaches to prevent and reduce…

633

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on research with older people that explored experiences of loneliness in order to consider community level approaches to prevent and reduce feelings of loneliness.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was co-produced with a community research group and involved a series of in-depth interviews (n=14) with older people. Interviews were thematically analysed.

Findings

Analysis revealed three key themes: connecting and disconnecting, points of vulnerability and older identity. Social connections were important to participants and many felt disconnected at times. Findings underline the importance of understanding the social perceptions of older people and how individuals themselves conceptualise older age.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed to explore the value of social media in reducing feelings of loneliness generally. With regards to social implication the author suggests that older people need to be more visible and loneliness needs to be normalised and discussed without stigmatisation. In practical terms as people get older, and particularly as they retire, people need opportunities to re/engage with their geographically local community. The author suggests that preventing loneliness may mean finding supportive structures to enable this such as local community-based retirement classes. It is important to note that this research concentrated on one particular community in Bristol and needs to be replicated in order to further explore findings.

Originality/value

This research adopted a co-produced approach and involved community professionals, academics and local older people working together to explore the issue of loneliness. The author believes this has led to a greater breadth and depth of insight.

Details

Working with Older People, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-3666

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