Library and Information Science Research
Year:2016 | Volume:5 | Issue:2|Papers Count:20

]Purpose: Regarding the role of the observer in cybernetics, this paper aims to investigate the evolution of knowledge. It states the philosophical foundations of four types of cybernetics in order to reveal the necessity of these approaches in knowledge and information science.Methodology: Review and analysis of published resources.Findings: The observer performs different roles in various orders of cybernetics. In the first order cybernetics, knowledge is a picture of observed facts without the inclusion of the observer in a system. There is an observer’s construct with the inclusion of him/ her in the second order cybernetics and there is a social construct based on the actors in the third order. As the fourth order cybernetics applies Universal Dialectic Systems Theory and scholarly communications, it seems that knowledge could consequently evolve through. A quadruple cybernetic approach is paramount in the field of knowledge and information science. Moreover, the peak of this importance could be noticed in scholarly communications and in the fourth order cybernetics. As an interdisciplinary field of study, knowledge and information science is the cybernetic knowledge evolution standpoint.

Purpose: This research seeks to determine the level of knowledge sharing, the absorptive capacity, and the innovation capability at the central libraries of the state universities of Tehran in 1393. Besides, it seeks to identify the relationship between knowledge sharing and innovation capability in the library.Methodology: This applied research is carried out using survey method correlation. The research population of 190 people of university libraries are totally included among which 123 of them were selected according to the Morgan, 98 of these participants responded to the questionnaire. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistics, t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficient are used. The structural equation modeling using Amos software is used to illustrate the parallel relationship between the variables.Findings: Research findings indicate that the level of knowledge sharing, innovation capability and capacity are not desirable in the central libraries of the state universities in Tehran. According to Table 6, the positive relationship between knowledge sharing and absorptive capacity is absorbed. Also, a significant correlation was observed between the absorption capacity and the innovation capability. Finally there is a significant correlation between the two variables, knowledge sharing and innovation capability Based on the three major variables it can be concluded that the absorption capacity has no role as a variable between the two variables of knowledge sharing and innovation capability.

Purpose: This paper aims to determine the individual factors that influence on knowledge sharing behavior of Library & Information Science (LIS) faculties that in this context refers to trust, cooperations, communications and IT capabilities.Methodology: The methodology of this study is based on survey research. The instrument for collecting data was questionnaire and the research population consisted of 120 faculty members working fulltime in the universities affiliated to Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research & Technology and Azad universities. Out of this number, 93 questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 77.5%. Results: Findings indicated that the extent of knowledge-sharing of LIS educators is at the average level and they are intended to share knowledge in teaching area more than research & professional activities. Also results showed that trust, cooperations, communications and IT capabilities significantly affect on LIS educators’ knowledge sharing behavior.

Purpose: The aim of this research was to identify the knowledge management processes for the successful implementation of the strategic planning at the Information Centre and the Central Library of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.Methodology: Qualitative research method and case study were applied for this research. 14 strategies of education strategies were the basis for the sampling of this research. KM (six steps) cycle as a theoretical framework, was used to design a matrix for the data collecting. Since each strategy was related to a subject field, a set of documents associated with each strategy was identified, studied, and coded. These concepts were interpreted and translated. To control the validity of the analysis 6 matrixes of 11 completed matrixes were distributed among 12 specialists as reviewers.Findings: The results of reviews with regards to each strategy show that there is an agreement on selecting the practice between opinions of the researcher and reviewers. The results of the survey indicate that there is a close relationship between the chosen practices and strategies (median is 8 out of 11) as well between the practices and the aim of each stage of KM (median is 9 out of 11). It is expected that the implementation of these specified practices would lead to the success of strategic plans. According to the reviewers' viewpoints, there is a match between the extracted concepts about strategies and the knowledge management steps. Thus, actions for educational strategies can support those strategies.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine and identify the components of the strategic plan of academic libraries so that the academic libraries can take steps to better track the progress of their goals.Methodology: Using descriptive method and reviewing the literature related to the strategic planning and the strategic plans of 65 international academic libraries, the common components of their strategic plans were identified. Then, a model was developed based on the common components.Findings: Through analyzing the strategic plans of the academic libraries, 22 common components were chosen. More than 50 percent of the academic libraries have used the selected components. The results showed that most of the libraries have included the components of the strategic planning within their strategic plans. Besides, they had a good strategic plan written on the basis of the main principles and issues necessary for a good strategic planning.

Purpose: With the entrance of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the context of libraries and with the development of electronic services, the evaluation of these kinds of services has become more important. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of electronic services at the libraries of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM) form the point of view of librarians as the service providers and the higher education students as the users.Methodology: In order to study the perspectives of the users and the librarians towards the quality of electronic services, an integrated questionnaire including eight dimensions and 84 items with the two levels of perceived and expected service quality was used. Findings: The findings of this study indicate that the quality of electronic services had not met the expectations of the users; thus, the quality of electronic services needs to be improved to meet the users' expectations.

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to examine the feasibility of implementation organizational health in the public libraries under the supervision of Isfahan municipality in 2012-2013 based on Mile's model (1969).Methodology: A survey - descriptive method was used. The population included all the staff at the public libraries of Isfahan (n = 158) in 2012-2013. To determine the sample size, 121 librarians were selected based on Cochran formula through simple random sampling method. To collect the data the researcher- \developed questionnaire was used based on Miles model the face validity of which was approved by experts. Its reliability Cronbach's alpha coefficient was (0.95). To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using SPSS software.Findings: The results revealed that the possibility of implementing health organization in the public library of municipal Isfahan based Miles model is the average while it was impossible to be implemented equally. Regarding the components, the possibility of implementing goal focus was more than other components. Besides, the possibility of implementing health organization in the public library of Isfahan municipality based on demographic variables (gender, measure of study, academic degree, and the type of work) was not significant, however, there was a significant difference in the variables of background of employment and optimal power equalization. With the proper implementation of organizational health in the libraries, the potentials of the employees at the right time can be actualized with only minimal costs in order to increase the productivity of the library.

Purpose: This article aims to investigate the relationship between the personality characteristics of the librarians who are working in the libraries of Birjand Universities and their attitudes toward entrepreneurship in libraries (2014).Methodology: In this descriptive-analytic study which was of the correlation type, all the librarians who were working in the libraries of Birjand Universities in 2014 were included. The data collection included demographic forms (gender, age, level of education, field of study, work experience, and the service location) as well as a researcher-made questionnaire including 77 questions. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by five faculty members of librarians and its reported reliability was 0.94 using Chronbach's alpha. The data were analyzed using SPSS 15 software as well as the statistical tests of t-test, one-way variance analysis, Tokay follow-up range, Pearson correlation, and regression at the significance level of p≤0.05.Findings: Of 46 librarians under study, 15 cases were male (%32.6) and 31 cases were female (%67.4). The mean score of the librarians' attitudes regarding actions in the field of entrepreneurship in libraries was significantly higher in women compared to men. Besides, BA, MA, and doctoral librarians had a higher mean compared to those with diploma and associate degrees. Finally, the librarians of university of medical sciences outperformed Birjand, PayameNour, Azad, Farhangian, and Industrial Universities (p<0.05). The mean score of the librarians attitudes in the university of medical sciences regarding the reward system in library was significantly higher compared to the librarians attitudes in Birjand University (p=0.03). There was a significant and positive relationship between the prospective personal characteristic and entrepreneurship in the libraries accounting for %9 of entrepreneurial spirit in libraries (p=0.05).

Purpose: This study investigates the satisfaction score of the potential users from resources and services offered by the digital library of Shiraz University.Methodology: This is a quantitative study and the type of research project is the survey. A questionnaire is used for data collection. The study sample consisted of faculty members and graduate students at Shiraz University For this study, a researcher-made questionnaire was distributed to collect data from the members of potential users' of digital library of Shiraz University. The number of the subjects of the study was 5860 of which 357 persons were selected through cluster sampling method of the study.Findings: This paper showed that the average satisfaction from the current status was at the middle level. The highest priority for collection development was given to research reports produced by the academic staff. The highest and the lowest levels of satisfaction were related to the ease of access and the provisional level of information, respectively. The lack of user name and password was the main reason for not using or low using of the digital library

Purpose: Throughout the concrete operational stage children gradually become socialized. This is the result of the reduction in egocentrism and the increase in decentralization and personal identity. Piaget believes that both the manipulation of concrete objects and interaction with people can form an active experience while facilitating children socialization. This results in their cognitive development. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the extent to which children’s websites, as concrete objects, are well-equipped with the necessary features to facilitate their socialization.Methodology: This research employed mixed methods including qualitative and quantitative approach for the data gathering. The research population included 11 available Persian websites and 30 English websites which were selected from the list of The Great Websites for Children through systematic sampling method. Findings: The findings indicate that, in general, children’s websites are not completely capable of fostering socialization in children. However, some particular websites such as Disney, PBS, and KOL were equipped with suitable features to the facilitate socialization processes in children. Despite the developmental importance of children’s websites and the possible role that they can play in facilitating the process of socialisation, no research is conducted or implemented a tool to evaluate the capability of children’s websites in this regard.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the image search and retrieval problems in selected search engines in relation to the Persian writing style challenges.Methodology: This study is an applied one. In order to answer the questions an evaluative method and direct observation were used. The aim of the research is to explore the morphological and semantic problems of Persian language in connection with the image search and retrieval among the three major and widespread search engines: Google, Yahoo, and Bing. These search engines can also support Persian language. In order to collect data, a checklist designed by the researcher was used and then the data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics.Findings: The Results indicated that Google, Yahoo, and Bing search engines do not pay enough attention to the morphological and semantic features of Persian language during image search and retrieval. This research reveals that seven groups of Persian language features are the major problems in this area. In addition, the results suggested that Google is the best search engine of all in terms of its compatibility with Persian language features.

Purpose: This research has done in order to study Ranganathan's reference theory and its durability throughout the time.Methodology: The method of this research was the review method to study and investigate Ranganathan's works and the related literature that used his view and theory in the reference and the reference services.Findings: The results of the study is about introducing Ranganathan' reference theory and doing research in this field. Besides, this research shows us how researchers have applied Ranganathan's view about the reference and the reference services in various fields, for example, in marketing, web design, etc. After years of their declaration by Ranganathan, they are still efficient. Studies show that the five laws of Ranganathan are still efficient in the library and new information affairs. This paper emphasizes on Ranganathan theory in the reference and the reference services along with supporting them in the field of library.

Purpose: Persian language is the target language which imports scientific and technical words from English. Technical words are imported into Persian through borrowing, loan translations and other Persian word-formation processes. By adopting a morphological and semantic framework, the present study sought to determine the morphological and semantic problems of Persian technical terms in librarianship and information science.Methodology: This descriptive-comparative study is conducted through content analysis. 1510 Persian technical terms were compared to their English equivalents. The sample data of the study were extracted from "Vocabulary of Information & Librarianship" by Abolfazl Hashemi.Findings: The results showed that Persian technical terms of librarianship and information science were made by the processes of syntactic groups (77.21%), derivation and compounding (18.14%), borrowing (2.98%), and finally conjunction. Clipping, acronymy, and abbreviation are not common in Persian. Some Persian technical terms of librarianship and information science suffer from duplicate redundant surface forms, ignoring lexical dependencies, ignoring lexical clusters, extreme loantranslation, deviation from Persian grammar, use of definitions rather than equivalents, missing the emotive sense of lexical items, use of long lexical forms, mismatch of word form and meaning, and ignoring equivalents approved by the Academy of Persian Language and Literature.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the structure of the discipline categorization and its overlap with ISI subject categories. This will help detect the systematic errors arising from the scientometrics studies.Methodology: The scientometrics methodology was used. All articles which were indexed in the Web of Science database (2007) and also the articles citing them during 2007-2011 were retrieved and categorized.Findings: The findings show that the articles in the Social Science Citation Index had the highest overlap (32420) with the Science Citation Index Expanded (32.79%) and the articles in the Art & Humanities Citation Index had the lowest overlap with SCIE (32.79%).This overlap leads to an increase in the volume of outputs and the visibility of some fields. The highest increase of outputs and the visibility occurred in the Art and Humanities fields is in contrast with the initial outputs and the visibility of them. There was a converse tendency between the subject overlap and the fields of SCIE and SSCI; however, the tendency of its overlap with the Art and Humanities fields, SCIE, and SSCI fields was not significant.

Propose: The stratification of Iranian knowledge and information science academic member in viewpoint of presence and effectiveness and scientific and professional performance are the main aims of this article.Methodology: In this applied research, descriptive survey and webometrics methods were implemented. The research population included the Iranian knowledge and information science academic members (Assistant Prof., Associate Prof and Full Prof). To gather data about presence and effectiveness of stratification Google Scholar and Iran Science Citation Index (PSCI) have been used. Besides, the researcher made questionnaire has been applied for the scientific and professional stratification.Findings: The results showed that graduation from foreign universities, skillful in English language, collaborated publishing, scientific collaboration with international scientists, membership in research groups, and occupation in reputable departments running graduate levels are among some of the main important causes for the presence of the members of this research population in the central (core) stratification.

Purpose: The Purpose of this paper is to determine the UNIMARC &MARC21capabilities for Persian printed books and electronic resources cataloguing along with comparing the rate of their adaptation with Persian cataloguing rules. The emphasis of this paper is on printed books and electronic resources.Methodology: Firstly, all the UNIMARC &MARC21 fields that were related to printed books and electronic resources were selected. Then, the comparison between the book and electronic resources’ worksheets of national library was made since there is no updated and authoritative manual in Persian cataloguing rules. The results of comparing MARC21 and UNIMARC formats with 17 identified problems in kokabi’s Ph.d. thesis were used for the last step.Findings: The findings revealed that MARC21 is more adapted with Persian cataloguing rules and their strengths can be used in Iran MARC more than the past.

Purpose: The main objective of this research is the development of technology acceptance model (TAM) by measuring the effects of self-efficacy beliefs and dysfunctional attitude of users on the acceptance of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Information System (Pazhoohan) based on social cognitive approach.Methodology: This study used a survey method. The sample of study consisted of 248 of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences faculty members who were appointed through stratified random sampling. The data were collected with a questionnaire the overall estimated Cronbach's alpha coefficient of which was .95. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using SPSS and LISRER Findings: Acceptance of Pazhoohan system had a significant positive relationship with the self-efficacy of users, however, it had a significant negative correlation with their dysfunctional attitude. Eliminating the effect of internal variables (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward using, and the behavioral intention to use), no significant relationship was found between self-efficacy and dysfunctional attitude with the actual users of the Pazhoohan. Finally, the results showed that the proposed model and the conceptual relationships predicted a positive and meaningful research with a fit enough resulting model.

Purpose: The user interface of federated search engines is very important because it can make effective search, retrieval, and user interaction with the system. Identifying the most important indicators of the federated search engine user interface is a solution to enhance the applicability of the search engine interface. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of search, screen, navigating documents, retrieved results, consistency, guidance and navigation, and the error correction criteria on the user interface effectiveness of the federated search engines from the perspective of M.A / M.S.C studentsMethodology: The research method is survey in which the data collecting is done through a researcher-made questionnaire. This study measures the effectiveness of the model in the field of user interface to provide a federated search engine while testing the model as well. For the data analysis, the acceptability of the theoretical model was examined through LISREL software. To answer the research hypotheses, SPSS software was used to examine the relationship between the measures.Findings: The results showed that the model can be used for the target population. According to the model, the characteristics of the user interface, the information display of the outward features, and the error correction of the structural features are more important than the other criteria.