A primary impact metric for institutional repositories (IR) is the number of file downloads, which are commonly measured through third-party Web analytics software. Google Analytics, a free service used by most academic libraries, relies on HTML page tagging to log visitor activity on Google's servers. However, Web aggregators such as Google Scholar link directly to high value content (usually PDF files), bypassing the HTML page and failing to register these direct access events. This article presents evidence of a study of four institutions demonstrating that the majority of IR activity is not counted by page tagging Web analytics software, and proposes a practical solution for significantly improving the reporting relevancy and accuracy of IR performance metrics using Google Analytics.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01930826.2016.1216224

Undercounting File Downloads from Institutional Repositories

Strategies for Small Business Sustainability by Victor Adoukonou MBA, Strayer University, 2012 MSc, University Montesquieu Bordeaux IV, 2007 MPS, University of Reduit/IFE, 2007 BA, University of Lomé, 2003 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University March 2019 Abstract Small businesses represent more than 99% of all employers in the United States, but more than 50% of small businesses have failed before 5 years. Climate change, digitization, and social media contribute to a paradigm shift in consumers’ habits, as more consumers have become environmentally and social justice conscious. Business leaders who are unable to follow the consumers’ trends and changes of habit may notSmall businesses represent more than 99% of all employers in the United States, but more than 50% of small businesses have failed before 5 years. Climate change, digitization, and social media contribute to a paradigm shift in consumers’ habits, as more consumers have become environmentally and social justice conscious. Business leaders who are unable to follow the consumers’ trends and changes of habit may not succeed in sustaining their businesses. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies owners of small businesses in the District of Columbia use to sustain their businesses for longer than 5 years while fulfilling their firms’ social responsibility obligations. The conceptual framework was the sustainability development theory. Data were collected from 5 small retailers through face-to-face, semistructured interviews, observations, field notes, and reviews of documents related to business sustainability. Data analysis was based on the thematic analysis model, which involved a process of organizing, coding, arranging data into common themes relevant to the research question and interpreting of the information. Member checking was used to enhance the credibility and validity of the data. Emerging themes included business establishment planning, sustainability planning, and sustainability factors use. The results of this study may contribute to positive social change by providing information to entrepreneurs about successful strategies for small business sustainability, which can lead to business owners, employees, and communities living and working in a human-oriented, prosperous, and healthy environment. Strategies for Small Business Sustainability by Victor Adoukonou MBA, Strayer University, 2012 MSc, University Montesquieu Bordeaux IV, 2007 MPS, University of Reduit/IFE, 2007 BA, University of Lomé, 2003 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University March 2019 Dedication I dedicate this doctoral study to my mother, Comfort Kossiwa Alagbe, and late father, Ognandon Adoukonou, for being my heroes and my inspirers who taught me to dream big and the sky is not the limit but another step. I also dedicate this study to my family, especially my children. To my children, I urge you to put God first in everything, surround yourselves with positivity, love knowledge, and strive for excellence. Trust in God but believe in yourself. Dream big, chase your dream with hard work and know that you are limitless. May the Lord guide you, bless you, make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you always. Acknowledgments I am grateful to the Lord for his unending mercy and immeasurable grace. I am very thankful to my chair, Dr. Isabel Wan for the support, patience, and guidance toward the successful completion of this study. I owe a moral debt to Dr. Greg Uche who boosted my confidence at a critical moment of this study. I use this opportunity to thank my URR, Dr. Peter Anthony, my program director, Dr. Susan Davis, and my assigned editor, Ms. Angie Drennen for reviews, corrections, instructions, and words of encouragement. To others not mentioned here, the memories of all your contributions remain in my heart forever. Finally, I pay a special tribute to the Togolese community for giving me the opportunity to lead the Togolese Diaspora in the United States (DTUSA) to the historic milestone of Congressional Recognition. Together, we saved lives, provided jobs, housing, scholarships, and healthcare opportunities and contributed to our community well-being.

/pdf/strategies-for-small-business-sustainability-451ceav1al.pdf

Strategies for Small Business Sustainability

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, to the rural libraries we go! - a systematic literature review

This article presents a mixed-methods study of the methods and maturity of user experience (UX) practice in academic libraries. The authors apply qualitative content analysis and quantitative statistical analysis to a research dataset derived from a survey of UX practitioners. Results reveal the type and extent of UX methods currently in use by practitioners in academic libraries. Themes extracted from the survey responses also reveal a set of factors that influence the development of UX maturity. Analysis and discussion focus on organizational characteristics that influence UX methods and maturity. The authors conclude by offering a library-focused maturity scale with recommended practices for advancing UX maturity in academic libraries.

/pdf/user-experience-methods-and-maturity-in-academic-libraries-14wljod729.pdf

User Experience Methods and Maturity in Academic Libraries

This is a book that lives up to its title. If you're reading this review with no idea what UX means (short for User Experience), this book is for you. If you're already a UX convert, this book is f...

Useful, Usable, Desirable: Applying User Experience Design to Your Library

Rethinking User Experience Studies in Libraries: The Story of UX Café

The purpose of this paper, conducted at Penn State University, is to inform a redesign of the library facility integrating a Collaboration Commons projected to cost over $20m.,A mixed-methods design comprised of observation, focus groups, conversations with students, interviews with Knowledge Commons personnel and a UX Cafe was employed. Researchers investigated the students’ need for workspaces and soft-seating.,Findings suggested that students generally come to the libraries with a goal of being productive and they value the productivity generated by spacious and well-designed workspaces over the comfort of soft-seating. Students desire an increase in the availability of workspaces.,These findings informed facility enhancement recommendations, and have been integrated into the program statement made available to design firms bidding on the renovation project.

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/LM-10-2017-0102/full/pdf

Reflecting the voice of the student: A case study from The Pennsylvania State University using mixed-methods in assessing space

Purpose – Search engines and web applications have evolved to be more tailored toward individual user’s needs, including the individual’s personal preferences and geographic location. By integrating the free Google Maps Application Program Interface with locally stored metadata, the author created an interactive map search for users to locate, and navigate to, destinations on the University of New Mexico (UNM) campus. The purpose of this paper is to identify the characteristics of UNM map search queries, the options and prioritization of the metadata augmentation, and the usefulness and possible improvement of the interface. Design/methodology/approach – Queries, search date/time, and the number of results found were logged and examined. Queries’ search frequency and characteristics were analyzed and categorized. Findings – From November 1, 2012 to September 15, 2013, the author had a total 14,097 visits to the SearchUNM Maps page (http://search.unm.edu/maps/). There were total 5,868 searches (41 percent ...

From query analysis to user information needs: a study of campus map searches

The purpose of this paper is to triangulate qualitative and quantitative data with existing data to inform on the function and user experience of a newly created the “News Library,” and, further, to inform on the viability of “bring your own device spaces” (BYOD) in meeting the computing needs of Penn State University Park students through a multi-dimensional study.,This study leverages several methodologies for data collection, including observation, survey, flip chart prompts, interviews and focus groups.,Findings suggest that the News Library accommodates users’ social needs. However, it does not accommodate their communal needs well. The majority of students at the Penn State University Park campus, own laptops and bring them to the library when they intend to study. Personal device usage is preferable to library-provided computers per a familiarity with their personal device, access to personal files and independence of workspace.,As this is a case study, the findings are not generalizable. This study was conducted in one library, on one campus at a 24-campus institution with over 30 libraries.,The mixed-methods study provides multiple views into user behaviors and expectations. The authors propose guidelines for informing the design of BYOD spaces.

Zoe Chao

Papers

User Experience Methods and Maturity in Academic Libraries

Rethinking User Experience Studies in Libraries: The Story of UX Café

Reflecting the voice of the student: A case study from The Pennsylvania State University using mixed-methods in assessing space

From query analysis to user information needs: a study of campus map searches

Understanding user experience in bring your own device spaces in the library: A case study of space planning and use at a large research university