Mehri Parirokh, Farhad Daneshgar and Rahmatollah Fattahi
The purpose of this paper is to provide an evaluation of the existing state of practice in knowledge sharing in university libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an evaluation of the existing state of practice in knowledge sharing in university libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
This is survey research which is based on an electronic questionnaire.
Findings
Results reveal that the majority of libraries investigated are quite friendly towards knowledge sharing, and the majority of librarians value the importance of knowledge sharing. Results also confirm that the knowledge that they mostly use is mainly intangible knowledge.
Originality/value
If knowledge‐sharing requirements of librarians while collaboratively performing reference and information services can be acknowledged, guidelines for enhancing conceptual collaborative process would be suggested.
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Rahmatollah Fattahi, Mehri Parirokh, Mohammd Hosien Dayyani, Abdolrasoul Khosravi and Mojgan Zareivenovel
One of the most effective ways information retrieval (IR) systems including Web search engines can improve relevance performance is to provide their users with tools for…
Abstract
Purpose
One of the most effective ways information retrieval (IR) systems including Web search engines can improve relevance performance is to provide their users with tools for facilitating query expansion. Search engines such as Google provide users with keyword suggest tools. This paper aims to investigate users’ criteria in relevance judgment regarding Google’s keywords suggest tool and to see how such keywords would lead to more relevant results from the viewpoint of users.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a mixed method approach, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 60 postgraduate students at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, using four different instruments (questionnaire, thinking aloud technique, query logs and interviews).
Findings
Among other criteria, the “relation between suggested keywords and the information need” (with the mean rate of 3.53 of four) was considered the most important by searchers in selecting suggested keywords for query expansion. Also, the “relation between suggested Keywords and the retrieved items” (with the mean rate of 3.62) was considered the second most important criterion in judging the relevance of the retrieved results. The participants agreed that the suggested keywords by Google improved the retrieval relevance. The content analysis of the participants’ aloud-thinking sessions and the interviews approved such findings.
Originality/value
This research makes a contribution to the need of designers of IR systems regarding the use of add words for query expansion. It also helps librarians how to instruct searchers with expanding their queries to retrieve more relevant results. Another contribution of the study is the identification of a number of new relevance judgment criteria for Web-based environments.
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Rahmatollah Fattahi and Ebrahim Afshar
Information, owing to its nature, has numerous capabilities. Through utilizing these capabilities, information systems can add to the value of information. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
Information, owing to its nature, has numerous capabilities. Through utilizing these capabilities, information systems can add to the value of information. The purpose of this paper is to explain where and how added value emerges from the work processes in library and information professions.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper begins with a review of the related literature and then takes a conceptual approach to discuss different values of information and IR systems; elaborates on how each of the processes such as assessment of needs, selection, description/organization, storage/processing, search/retrieval, and dissemination generate capabilities that lead to added value.
Findings
The paper identifies that added value is generated through processes such as reproduction, exchange, transfer, refinement, analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and regeneration of information. Many such processes turn information into knowledge.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is based on the author's reflections on the matter of added value generated by library and information practice. Further empirical studies are needed to substantiate the extent to which such values are generated through information systems and services in the real world.
Practical implications
Librarians and information specialists can find through their working practice how to design systems and services which can generate added value for information.
Originality/value
In the present evolving conditions, library and information professionals are able to add to the value of information by sharing their knowledge with the expertise of computer scientists and finding a variety of ways and up‐to‐date methods of optimizing existing systems, as well as designing new systems. These are the two strategies along which the profession should guide its educational, research and practical endeavors.
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Posits that in library cataloguing and for optimal functionality of bibiliographic records, the indexing of fields and subfields should follow a uniform approach. This would…
Abstract
Posits that in library cataloguing and for optimal functionality of bibiliographic records, the indexing of fields and subfields should follow a uniform approach. This would maintain effectiveness in searching, retrieval and display of bibliographic information both within systems and between systems. However, a review of different postings to the AUTOCAT and USMARC discussion lists indicates that the indexing and tagging of cataloguing data do not, at present, follow a consistent approach in online library systems. If the rationale of cataloguing principles is to bring uniformity in bibliographic description and effectiveness in access, they should also address the question of uniform approaches to the indexing of cataloguing data. In this context and in terms of the identification and handling of data elements, cataloguing standards (codes, MARC formats and the Z39.50 standard) should be brought closer, in that they should provide guidelines for the designation of data elements for machine‐readable records.
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Attempts to introduce a new approach for describing bibliographic entities in order to fulfil all the functions of the catalogue in the online environment. While it is assumed…
Abstract
Attempts to introduce a new approach for describing bibliographic entities in order to fulfil all the functions of the catalogue in the online environment. While it is assumed that the basic unit of description is the item in hand and records describing items would fulfil the finding, identifying, choosing and locating functions; super records, which are based on the concept of “super works”, would fulfil the collocating function in a more meaningful way. This approach is a solution to the problem of the same work appearing in various manifestations and formats. Super records for voluminous works include attributes that are common to different versions of a work and are linked to bibliographic records for items. A prototype catalogue of super records has been developed and made available on the Web to introduce the advantages, limitations and possible consequences of the concept on cataloguing principles, MARC and Z39.50.
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Sayyed Mahdi Taheri, Nadjla Hariri and Sayyed Rahmatollah Fattahi
The aim of this research was to examine the use of the data island method for creating metadata records based on DCXML, MARCXML, and MODS with indexability and visibility of…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this research was to examine the use of the data island method for creating metadata records based on DCXML, MARCXML, and MODS with indexability and visibility of element tag names in web search engines.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 600 metadata records were developed in two groups (300 HTML-based records in an experimental group with special structure embedded in the < pre> tag of HTML based on the data island method, and 300 XML-based records as the control group with the normal structure). These records were analyzed through an experimental approach. The records of these two groups were published on two independent websites, and were submitted to Google and Bing search engines.
Findings
Findings show that all the tag names of the metadata records created based on the data island method relating to the experimental group indexed by Google and Bing were visible in the search results. But the tag names in the control group's metadata records were not indexed by the search engines. Accordingly it is possible to index and retrieve the metadata records by their tag name in the search engines. But the records of the control group are accessible by the element values only. The research suggests some patterns to the metadata creators and the end users for better indexing and retrieval.
Originality/value
The research used the data island method for creating the metadata records, and deals with the indexability and visibility of the metadata element tag names for the first time.
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Online catalogues and card catalogues can be compared fromdifferent perspectives and according to different criteria. Anappropriate approach in this regard is to compare the two…
Abstract
Online catalogues and card catalogues can be compared from different perspectives and according to different criteria. An appropriate approach in this regard is to compare the two types of catalogue according to the processes in which bibliographic records are created (the input stage), manipulated (the storage stage) and retrieved (the output stage). Studies the concepts underlying the input‐storage/output of bibliographic records and reveals major differences between online catalogues and card catalogues. These differences are multiplied and widened when moving from input stage to output stage to such an extent that online catalogues can be considered as a significant departure from manual catalogues. The redesign for use in the online environment of bibliographical standards (cataloguing codes, MARC formats and ISBDs) which are based on the concept of the card catalogue should be based on the conceptual as well as the practical differences between the online catalogue and the card catalogue.
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Zouhayr Hayati and Rahmatollah Fattahi
To record and evaluate the impact of the American contribution to Iranian librarianship education.
Abstract
Purpose
To record and evaluate the impact of the American contribution to Iranian librarianship education.
Design/methodology/approach
Describes how American support created modern librarianship in Iran, thanks to a range of initiatives such as the American development foundations and programs, and the Fulbright Program, which helped the country to renovate its higher education. Reviews the advantages and disadvantages of the American model of education for librarianship, which was implemented by a number of Iranian universities. This paper also describes how American library educators were influential in the creation of some major professional library organizations such as the Tehran Book Processing Centre (TEBROC), the Iranian Documentation Centre (IRANDOC) and the Iranian Library Association (ILA).
Findings
Concludes that, despite the fact that modern librarianship in Iran came to life after the Second World War due to American assistance, the major shortcomings of the American model of library education in Iran led to lack of creativity in Iranian students, lack of independent research capability, and lack of integration between what students learned and what the Iranian library profession actually needed.
Research limitations/implications
Establishes the context of influence behind the growth of Iranian library science education, which can inform further research on such cultural impacts.
Practical implications
Since many other countries have based LIS education on an American model, they may find some similarities in the discussions in this paper with their own case.
Originality/value
This paper documents an important period of growth and development in the history of Iranian librarianship.
Online catalogs and card catalogs can be compared from differentperspectives and according to different criteria. An appropriateapproach in this regard is to compare the two types…
Abstract
Online catalogs and card catalogs can be compared from different perspectives and according to different criteria. An appropriate approach in this regard is to compare the two types of catalog according to the processes in which bibliographic records are created (the input stage), manipulated (the storage stage) and retrieved (the output stage). Studies the concepts underlying the input‐storage/output of bibliographic records and reveals major differences between online catalogs and card catalogs. These differences are multiplied and widened when moving from input stage to output stage to such an extent that online catalogs can be considered as a significant departure from manual catalogs. The redesign for use in the online environment of bibliographical standards (cataloging codes, MARC formats and ISBDs) which are based on the concept of the card catalog should be based on the conceptual as well as the practical differences between the online catalog and the card catalog.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to investigate the help-seeking behaviour of users during their information-seeking in a digital library, studying the kind of help-seeking situations, help…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the help-seeking behaviour of users during their information-seeking in a digital library, studying the kind of help-seeking situations, help requests and using help resources with different interactive levels. For this purpose, users’ help-seeking behaviour (postgraduate students at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad) was investigated based on different stages of Marchionini’s adapted model.
Design/methodology/approach
This research was performed using the mixed method. In total, 38 postgraduate students at Ferdowsi University were selected by Stratified Purposive Sampling method as samples. Selecting a digital library based on considered factors, preparing help resources and designing research scenario were made as the preparation stages of performing the study. The tools used for collecting and analysing data were questionnaires, think aloud protocol and Morae software.
Findings
Some of the considerable results of this research were recording the help-seeking signs in all four main stages of the adapted information-seeking model. However, in the search stage, in which a user enters the search process practically, the need for help-seeking was recorded more than it in other stages. Results also confirmed that most help requests by users were for executive help which were rooted in users’ knowledge shortcomings and their passivity in help-seeking process. Because of the flexibility and speed of providing responses, participants also tended to interact with more interactive and flexible help resources and assessed this interaction more useful.
Originality/value
According to the findings of this research, the adapted information-seeking model used in this study was completed, and a theoretical model for information-seeking in a digital library was suggested. In this model, help-seeking is considered as a supportive and complementary behaviour for information-seeking behaviour which begins in help-seeking situations and continues to solve problems in these situations.