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Information Users (information + user)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Information Science and Computing	50%

Selected Abstracts

Climate Science and Decision Making

GEOGRAPHY COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2007
Kirstin Dow
This article reviews progress in understanding climate variability and change and how such understanding might better contribute to decision processes and the design of decision support tools. We emphasize the value of collaborative engagement between climate information users and scientists to continue innovation in this area. Our assessment presents opportunities for geographic perspectives and insights that can increase understanding of the physical processes causing interannual variability and improve climate model output for climate impact assessment. As decision-makers' interests expand to address adaptation, nature-society research can also contribute significantly to understanding the diversity of climate information users, their evolving needs, and to the development of strategies for communicating risk and uncertainty. [source]

A conceptual framework and belief-function approach to assessing overall information quality

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 1 2003
Matthew Bovee
We develop an information quality model based on a user-centric view adapted from Financial Accounting Standards Board,1 Wang et al.,2 and Wang and Strong.3 The model consists of four essential attributes (or assertions): accessibility, interpretability, relevance, and integrity. Four subattributes lead to an evaluation of integrity: accuracy, completeness, consistency, and existence. These subattributes relating to integrity are intrinsic in nature and relate to the process of how the information was created and the first three attributes: (accessibility, interpretability, and relevance) are extrinsic in nature. We present our model as an evidential network under the belief-function framework to permit user assessment of quality parameters. Two algorithms for combining assessments into an overall IQ measure are explored, and examples in the domain of medical information are used to illustrate key concepts. We discuss two scenarios, online user and assurance provider, which reflect two likely and important aspects of IQ evaluation currently facing information users,concerns about the impact of poor quality online information and the need for IQ assurance. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]

Effects of granularity of search results on the relevance judgment behavior of engineers: Building systems for retrieval and understanding of context

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Panos Balatsoukas
Granularity is a novel concept for presenting information in search result interfaces of hierarchical query-driven information retrieval systems in a manner that can support understanding and exploration of the context of the retrieved information (e.g., by highlighting its position in the granular hierarchy and exposing its relationship with relatives in the hierarchy). Little research, however, has been conducted on the effects of granularity of search results on the relevance judgment behavior of engineers. Engineers are highly motivated information users who are particularly interested in understanding the context of the retrieved information. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the design of systems with careful regard for granularity would improve engineers' relevance judgment behavior. To test this hypothesis, a prototype system was developed and evaluated in terms of the time needed for users to find relevant information, the accuracy of their relevance judgment, and their subjective satisfaction. To evaluate the prototype, a user study was conducted where participants were asked to complete tasks, complete a satisfaction questionnaire, and be interviewed. The findings showed that participants performed better and were more satisfied when the prototype system presented only relevant information in context. Although this study presents some novel findings about the effects of granularity and context on user relevance judgment behavior, the results should be interpreted with caution. For example, participants in this research were recruited by convenience and performed a set of simulated tasks as opposed to real ones. However, suggestions for further research are presented. [source]

Electronic information resources in undergraduate education: an exploratory study of opportunities for student learning and independence

BRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
Liz McDowell
The fast,growing array of electronic information resources is often viewed as a significant opportunity for change in education, with shifts towards increased student independence in learning. In order for this to happen students need to develop the capability to deal with information. This qualitative interview,based study examines lecturer perspectives on the roles of electronic information resources in undergraduate education. In line with the phenomenographic tradition, three functional categories of electronic information use are proposed. Firstly, the "electronic academic library" offers new opportunities for access to materials but lecturers indicated minimal change to their teaching approaches. Electronic resources were simply added to reading lists and the responsibility for developing students' information skills was seen to rest with librarians. Secondly, lecturers identified changes towards more constructivist approaches to learning, drawing upon new sources of primary data available electronically and described specific teaching approaches to assist students to develop the relevant information handling skills. Finally, lecturers were uncertain about the value of the wider information resources of the Internet/Web for students and were concerned about variable information quality and the possibilities of plagiarism. The research indicates that information use in student learning is a multi,faceted phenomenon. Much current discussion centres on the concept of information literacy which draws together information skills and subject-related skills and knowledge. Students do not merely require generic information skills but a knowledge of the discipline and the capability to handle complex information. Partnerships between academics and librarians are a way forward in helping students to develop as autonomous information users. Not only do the two professional groups offer different expertise, but they also bring different perspectives on the problematic balance between student autonomy and student support. [source]