Jiming Hu, Ruhua Huang and Yubo Wang
The purpose of this paper is to visualize the collaboration network among regions in library science (LS) in China. Using various methods and tools of social network analysis and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to visualize the collaboration network among regions in library science (LS) in China. Using various methods and tools of social network analysis and geographical visualization, results were obtained, showing the structure and patterns of research collaborations in topological and geographical views, as well as the geographical distributions of contribution.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample includes all studies published in the top journal in library science in China from 2006 to 2015. First, co-occurrence data representing collaborations among regions was extracted from author affiliations. Second, the topological network of collaboration was generated by applying social network analysis tools and descriptive statistics, network indicators of the collaboration network and research communities were calculated. Third, the topological network was projected into a geographical map with corresponding coordinates and distances using geographical tools. Finally, the topological network maps and the geographical maps were produced for visualization.
Findings
The levels of contribution are very unbalanced between regions, and overall research collaboration is low. Beijing, Hubei and several other areas are central and significant regions in China; other regions are mostly connected with central ones through direct collaborations. Research collaborations in LS research in China are mostly distributed in the east and south of China, being centralized in the “Beijing–Hubei–Shanghai” triangle zone, as well as within the triangle’s extending zones. Finally, there are three distinct research communities that connect closely within themselves and loosely between them. The Beijing community is relatively centralized in geography, while other communities are scattered.
Originality/value
This study applied various methods and tools of social network analysis and geographical mapping analysis to reveal the collaboration structure and patterns among regions in LS research in China. Visualized maps in topological and geographical views help shed new light on research efforts.
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Yingqiang Wu, Ruhua Huang and Baiyang Li
This study aims to overcome the “time blind spot” by exploring the multifactorial synergistic effects that enhance the utilization levels of open government data (OGD) portals…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to overcome the “time blind spot” by exploring the multifactorial synergistic effects that enhance the utilization levels of open government data (OGD) portals over time. The objective is to provide theoretical contributions and practical value for research related to open government data.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies the dynamic qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) method to analyze panel data from 29 municipal portals spanning 2019–2023. Specifically, it examines the trends in the utilization levels of China’s OGD portals over time and identifies configurations of conditions that consider both spatial and temporal factors.
Findings
There are no necessary but insufficient conditions affecting the utilization levels of OGD portals. Instead, rather than being controlled by a single factor, the utilization levels are influenced by the combined effect of multiple factors. A sufficiency analysis of condition combinations identifies three configuration paths: portal and data resource development driven by fiscal support, portal development and public demand driven by government leadership and portal and data resource development driven by government leadership. In particular, the level of data portal development is identified as a core factor in achieving high utilization levels of OGD portals. Furthermore, while the configuration analysis results do not show significant temporal effects, there are case effects caused by a certain degree of spatial differences.
Originality/value
This pioneering study combines the dynamic QCA method based on panel data with the theme of OGD. Using panel data from 29 municipal platforms over the period from 2019 to 2023, this research addresses the shortcomings of limited time frames that have been encountered in previous studies. Moreover, it explores the configurational paths to enhancing platform utilization over time, aiming to provide both theoretical contributions and practical value for research related to the utilization of OGD portals.
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Ruhua Huang, Tong Lai and Lihong Zhou
This paper reports on a critical literature review, which aimed to identify, understand and qualify barriers that hinder the release of open government data (OGD) in China…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper reports on a critical literature review, which aimed to identify, understand and qualify barriers that hinder the release of open government data (OGD) in China. Moreover, the purpose of this paper is to develop and propose a theoretical framework, which can be adopted as a basis for empirical investigation in the future, and to articulate mitigating strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted an inductive qualitative approach, retrieving 42 academic articles from three main Chinese academic databases: CNKI, Wanfang and CQVIP. A thematic analysis approach was employed for the literature analysis.
Findings
The literature analysis pointed to 15 barriers to the release of OGD in China. Furthermore, the barriers emerged in the following three main themes: institutional barriers, data integrity and quality barriers, and user participation barriers.
Originality/value
This paper reports on one of the early research efforts into the problems of releasing OGD in China. Although this study focusses on Chinese context and issues, the findings and lessons learnt can be shared across international borders.
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Lihong Zhou, Ruhua Huang and Tim Zijlstra
This paper aims to report on a literature review that aimed to establish a guiding framework for the development of digital scholarship services in China’s university libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report on a literature review that aimed to establish a guiding framework for the development of digital scholarship services in China’s university libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework was developed through systematically searching, screening, assessing, coding and aggregating digital scholarship services as reported in the existing body of literature. Three types of literature were included in the analysis: international academic literature as reported in English; academic literature in Chinese; and relevant professional reports.
Findings
The literature analysis pointed to 25 different digital scholarship services, which emerged in six themes: supporting services, formulating research ideas, locating research partners, writing proposals, conducting research and publishing results.
Originality/value
Although this literature review focused on university libraries in China, the research findings and the guiding framework developed provide useful insights and indications that can be shared across international borders.
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Shengli Deng, Anqi Zhao, Ruhua Huang and Haiping Zhao
This study aims to examine why users search for images, how users describe their image needs and what the images are used for by analysing questions obtained from two Chinese…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine why users search for images, how users describe their image needs and what the images are used for by analysing questions obtained from two Chinese social Q&A sites, Zhihu and Baidu Zhidao.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 1,402 image questions were collected from Zhihu and Baidu Zhidao. Both quantitative analysis and qualitative content analysis were performed to identify user image needs and the potential differences on the two social Q&A sites.
Findings
Question-asker’s intention varies in different platforms. Zhihu users asked questions mainly aiming at a promotion of subsequent discussion, whereas users of Baidu Zhidao often did so to seek information. Syntactic attributes were not frequently used in both two sites. Zhihu users were more likely to express subjective evaluations on images (concept, emotion, theme and style) in their questions than users of Baidu Zhidao. In contrast, questions from Baidu Zhidao showed a tendency to more frequently include descriptive metadata (rights, format, size, quality and authenticity) and semantic attributes (generic activity, specific people, fashion and text) of the images than questions from Zhihu. Learning was an important use on social Q&A sites, especially on Baidu Zhidao. In addition, the images were primarily used to trigger emotion or served a persuasive purpose in Zhihu.
Practical implications
This study contributes to a better understanding of user image search behaviour, and the findings could be used to develop better image services on social Q&A sites. Meanwhile, the image attributes extracted from the questions are conducive to the improvement of image retrieval systems.
Originality/value
This study explored the features of image needs on social Q&A sites, especially considering image use specified in the question. The difference of image needs between two Chinese social Q&A sites (Zhihu and Baidu Zhidao) was identified.
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Ruhua Huang, Chunying Wang, Xiaoyu Zhang, Dan Wu and Qingwen Xie
The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of designing, developing and evaluating a prototype of an open government data (OGD) platform that provided user-centred…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of designing, developing and evaluating a prototype of an open government data (OGD) platform that provided user-centred experiences.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the OGD lifecycle, an OGD prototype was created, which involved the system functionality, user interface, standard specification and security mechanism. The main functionalities of the system included data acquisition, data processing and data management. A usability test was conducted following the prototype implementation.
Findings
The usability test indicated that an OGD platform was desired to help the public to find, access, reuse and share government data effectively and efficiently. Functions, such as visualization, local download and digital watermark should be provided and integrated into the platform.
Originality/value
This paper provided a complete case study on the design of an OGD platform and a reference for information system developers to design such system in the future.
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Ruhua Huang, Baiyang Li and Lihong Zhou
The purpose of this paper is to discuss a teaching project and a series of systematic efforts to promote an information literacy instruction (ILI) module and transform it into a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss a teaching project and a series of systematic efforts to promote an information literacy instruction (ILI) module and transform it into a successful and well-established massive open online courses (MOOCs). Specifically, this paper provides not only a detailed description and discussion on these transformation processes, but also a comparative analysis of two very different teaching approaches.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper focuses on the ILI module in Wuhan University with a top-ranked Library and Information School in China. As a result, this module has been treated as a case study to investigate the transformation processes from a traditional module to MOOCs. Specifically, two research processes are scrutinized in this study, namely, analytic hierarchy process analysis and data analysis on the ILI MOOCs.
Findings
It has become evident that ILI is widely considered to be extremely important, not only for university students, but also for a large number of post-college professionals in various industries. Moreover, by using innovation and interactive online techniques, MOOCs have significantly improved the quality of ILI.
Practical implications
If a module is delivered to a large number of students, MOOCs are effective and convenient. To ensure a successful ILI course, this study describes a detailed procedure for transforming a traditional course to a ubiquitous, high-quality and interactive one.
Originality/value
This paper represents early attempts to develop MOOCs on ILI in China. In addition, experience and insight from this study are of interest to university educators and policy makers with implications beyond the Chinese educational system.