Showing papers in "Online Information Review in 2003"
272 citations
TL;DR: These factors that influence consumers are marketing efforts, socio‐cultural influences, psychological factors, personal questions, post‐decision behaviour, and experience and these factors will be further discussed by way of a consumer decision‐making model for online shoppers.
Abstract: Online shopping phenomena are governed by a number of consumer acceptance and behaviour characteristics and grounded in theoretical aspects of consumer decision making. There are a number of factors that affect what we buy, when we buy, and why we buy. In reference to buying online, the factors that influence consumers are marketing efforts, socio‐cultural influences, psychological factors, personal questions, post‐decision behaviour, and experience. These factors will be further discussed by way of a consumer decision‐making model for online shoppers.
129 citations
TL;DR: The ‘Management Issues’ arising out of the use of the Internet are addressed from an interdisciplinary perspective in the book ‘Internet Management Issues: Al Global Perspective’, edited by Haynes.
Abstract: w w w .m ed ia jo ur na l.o rg ‘Management Issues’ arising out of the use of the Internet are addressed from an interdisciplinary perspective in the book ‘Internet Management Issues: Al Global Perspective’, edited by Haynes. To extend the existing discipline of information systems is one major goal of the book. The 19 papers are organized in five sections. As a ‘collection of papers’ the single papers are grouped into the sections but do not follow a continuous thread. While most of the authors are academics coming from the IS field there are papers authored by mathematicians and psychologists as well as two chapters authored by academics from field of philosophy of information technology. As a collection of papers the book is targeted to all readers which are interested in management issues relating to the use of the Internet, academics and students as well as managers and the interested public. While many papers address directly the global perspective others deal with it only very generally. Most of the papers provide beside a thorough literature review and a theoretical analysis a discussion of cases from the real world as well.
61 citations
TL;DR: The highest impact sites were from computing, but there were major national differences in the impact of engineering and technology sites, and Taiwan had more high impact non‐academic sites hosted by universities.
Abstract: The use of the Web by academic researchers is discipline‐dependent and highly variable. It is increasingly central for sharing information, disseminating results and publicising research projects. This pilot study seeks to identify the subjects that have the most impact on the Web, and look for national differences in online subject visibility. The highest impact sites were from computing, but there were major national differences in the impact of engineering and technology sites. Another difference was that Taiwan had more high impact non‐academic sites hosted by universities. As a pilot study, the classification process itself was also investigated and the problems of applying subject classification to academic Web sites discussed. The study draws out a number of issues in this regard, having no simple solutions and point to the need to interpret the results with caution.
60 citations
57 citations
TL;DR: It is found that electronic books only bring several evolutionary changes to the current operations of publishing and distribution in comparison with traditional books.
Abstract: Since Gutenberg invented printing in the fifteenth century, the book has become one of the most important information carriers for knowledge distribution, academic research, cultural heritage, and preservation. With advancements in technology both of electronic publishing and universal distribution and access on the Internet, the electronic book is supposed to become another revolution for information dissemination. This paper examines electronic books by giving a review of their historical development, definition and scope, characteristics and constraints, typology, related issues for library services, and user preferences. Consequently, this paper finds that electronic books only bring several evolutionary changes to the current operations of publishing and distribution in comparison with traditional books. The electronic book is just as much a consequence of the application of innovative information technologies as Gutenberg’s were for paper books. A revolutionary change is still required for the electronic book to become ubiquitous.
47 citations
TL;DR: Since 1996, hyperlinks have been studied extensively by applying existing bibliometric methods to the Web and patterns that might have otherwise been ignored have been found from hyperlinks.
Abstract: Since 1996, hyperlinks have been studied extensively by applying existing bibliometric methods. The Web impact factor (WIF), for example, is the online counterpart of the journal impact factor. This paper reviews how this link‐based metric has been developed, enhanced and applied. Not only has the metric itself undergone improvement but also the relevant data collection techniques have been enhanced. WIFs have also been validated by significant correlations with traditional research measures. Bibliometric techniques have been further applied to the Web and patterns that might have otherwise been ignored have been found from hyperlinks. This paper concludes with some suggestions for future research.
39 citations
TL;DR: Internet use by academics is useful for some common needs and that the academic rank of users is an important factor in determining the priority of needs, and it showed that there are some barriers to adequate use of Internet resources.
Abstract: In Bangladesh, there are only 02 million Internet users out of a population of 140 million Because there is a lack of academic research on Internet usage, the prime objective of this study is to report the level of Internet use by university academics for their information and communication needs The study also sought to find out whether differences exist among the various levels of academics in terms of their use of the Internet Six categories of information and communication needs were identified and a survey conducted among the lecturers of Rajshahi University where the Internet was introduced in 2001 Findings showed that Internet use by academics is useful for some common needs and that the academic rank of users is an important factor in determining the priority of needs It also showed that there are some barriers to adequate use of Internet resources Suggestions are made for increased use of the Internet, to benefit the nation as a whole
38 citations
TL;DR: The results of the preliminary experiment have shown the potential of the proposed approach in generating taxonomies for queries, which may be useful in various Web information retrieval applications.
Abstract: It is crucial for information retrieval systems to learn more about what users search for in order to fulfil the intent of searches. This paper introduces query taxonomy generation, which attempts to organise users’ queries into a hierarchical structure of topic classes. Such a query taxonomy provides a basis for the in‐depth analysis of users’ queries on a larger scale and can benefit many information retrieval systems. The proposed approach to this problem consists of two computational processes: hierarchical query clustering to generate a query taxonomy from scratch, and query categorisation to place newly‐arrived queries into the taxonomy. The results of the preliminary experiment have shown the potential of the proposed approach in generating taxonomies for queries, which may be useful in various Web information retrieval applications.
35 citations
31 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that copyright law has not disappeared with the evolution of technology and the development of a globalised IPR regime is recommended.
Abstract: This paper presents an overview of copyright, its history, and implications for electronic and multimedia. The international treaties on copyright are listed and the status of copyright protection in select countries is covered, including copyright law enactment, term, scope, sanctions, percentage of piracy and revenue loss in software piracy. Copyright issues for e‐information, the Internet and library and information centres are discussed. Digital copyright protection technologies – ECMS, watermarks, fingerprints and digital signatures, etc. – are described. It is concluded that copyright law has not disappeared with the evolution of technology and the development of a globalised IPR regime is recommended.
TL;DR: The proposed literature recommendation system makes use of the Web usage logs of a literature digital library, which has been incorporated into the university’s ETD system, and is currently operational.
Abstract: This article describes a service for providing literature recommendations, which is part of a networked digital library project whose principal goal is to develop technologies for supporting digital services. The proposed literature recommendation system makes use of the Web usage logs of a literature digital library. The recommendation framework consists of three sequential steps: data preparation of the Web usage log, discovery of article associations, and article recommendations. We discuss several design alternatives for conducting these steps. These alternatives are evaluated using the Web logs of our university’s electronic thesis and dissertation (ETD) system. The proposed literature recommendation system has been incorporated into our university’s ETD system, and is currently operational.
TL;DR: An overview of some of the most recent developments in concepts and practices associated with information literacy worldwide is provided, revealing the paradox that, while information literacy is a key discipline of the information society and knowledge economy, it has made little progress educationally.
Abstract: This paper aims to provide an overview of some of the most recent developments in concepts and practices associated with information literacy worldwide, revealing the paradox that, while information literacy is a key discipline of the information society and knowledge economy and is well‐understood in its broader sense, it has made little progress educationally, save for a few exceptions in countries such as Australia, the USA, Canada and the UK. Deriving from the authors' background as university professors, the paper concentrates on approaches to promote information literacy in higher education. The paper concludes by pointing to the need to expand the debate on information literacy and how to raise ethical and moral concerns in the use of the Internet and the new technologies. It also explores the potential role that the European Commission eSafe (2003‐2004) programme can play to encourage research and practice on information literacy in its widest sense, as an intrinsic competency in the fight against the effects of disseminating illegal and harmful content through online and other new technologies.
TL;DR: It is concluded that, although the meta‐tag has shortcomings, it can help improve the retrievability of information on the Web, and should be utilised by Web masters and search engine designers.
Abstract: Search engines are used to locate information on the Web, but they cannot always adequately meet the information needs of users. Some schemes have been developed to solve this problem and meta‐tags are one of them. This article provides a comprehensive definition of meta‐tags and explains their function. Then, the possible attributes of meta‐tags and the most important meta‐tags are introduced in detail. It concludes that, although the meta‐tag has shortcomings, as do other schemes of information organizing, it can help improve the retrievability of information on the Web, and should be utilised by Web masters and search engine designers.
TL;DR: Whether general Web queries are shifting towards a more question/request format is examined by analysing large‐scale Web query data from two different (US and European) Web queryData sets, including 1.2 million Excite queries and AlltheWeb.com queries from 2001.
Abstract: Recent studies show that many Web users only submit short queries and conduct short search sessions This paper examines aspects of users’ attempting longer more complex queries Web search services such as Ask Jeeves – publicly accessible question and answer (Q&A) search engines – encourage queries in question or request format In light of this trend, this study examines whether general Web queries are shifting towards a more question/request format Previous studies show that some users were submitting question or request format queries to general non‐Q&A Web search engines This paper re‐examines this issue by analysing large‐scale Web query data from two different (US and European) Web query data sets, including 12 million Excite queries (wwwexcitecom) and 12 million AlltheWebcom (http://AlltheWebcom) queries from 2001
TL;DR: The five evaluation methods are presented and described, beginning with focus group reviews, Web log analysis, database transaction logs, a Web survey, and most recently, a remote usability evaluation of the educational digital library resource, Project i‐DLR.
Abstract: This paper presents the current status in the development of the ongoing project now known as Project i‐DLR The content of this “pointer site” includes resources pertaining to digital libraries organised using an educational framework for access The paper describes the five‐stage evaluation of that educational digital library resource (wwwcoemissouriedu/ rafee/idigital libraryR/indexphp) The focus of this particular effort is on the continued development and refinement based on the recent evaluations of this resource by end users seeking to access digital library resources The five evaluation methods are presented and described, beginning with focus group reviews, Web log analysis, database transaction logs, a Web survey, and most recently, a remote usability evaluation As the resource continues to grow in both breadth and depth, such analyses are critical to continued refinement of the interface, the sources themselves, and the manner in which they are organised and presented
TL;DR: An exploratory investigation of the behaviour of the students in the Web‐based learning environment, which included questionnaires, posted documents, online logs, interviews and observations is implemented.
Abstract: Tertiary institutions are increasingly providing Web‐based courses to learners both on‐campus and off‐campus, enabling more students to take these courses and get the most recent information. Students can also learn more interactively with the new types of instruction methods used online. Synchronous or asynchronous communication via computer networks can also greatly facilitate the learning process. In order to help the teachers and administrators of the Web‐based learning systems to improve the effectiveness of their instruction and design better online learning software, we have implemented an exploratory investigation of the behaviour of the students in the Web‐based learning environment. Multiple approaches were adopted to collect data, which included questionnaires, posted documents, online logs, interviews and observations. Comparison and analyses are also made between students in different semesters, and under different instruction methods. Some viewpoints on the construction of the Web‐based learning systems are proposed.
TL;DR: This paper discusses facilitated Internet evaluation, explores heuristics, tools and systems that have been developed to help users evaluate Internet information, and defines a taxonomy for these systems.
Abstract: This paper discusses facilitated Internet evaluation, explores heuristics, tools and systems that have been developed to help users evaluate Internet information. Delineates a taxonomy for these systems, and offers descriptive information and sample tools representative of each category.
TL;DR: An investigation of 20 different meta‐search engines was characterised and classified into six distinct categories based on their functionality and use, which will benefit both meta‐ search‐engine developers and ordinary search users.
Abstract: This paper describes an investigation of 20 different meta‐search engines. Their features were characterised and classified into six distinct categories based on their functionality and use. The most used features and unique features were specified and explained in detail. The findings of this study will benefit both meta‐search‐engine developers and ordinary search users.
TL;DR: It is argued that ICT is a very strong engine for change as it has the potential not only to transform the research information system, but also the educational information system or even the education system at large.
Abstract: The economic impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on the academic library and on the academic institution are discussed in terms of changes in the value chain of scientific information induced by the use of ICT. Argues that ICT is a very strong engine for change as it has the potential not only to transform the research information system, but also the educational information system or even the education system at large. Academic institutions will have to create their own publishing and archiving environments using the same technology as in research publishing. These developments will have a profound impact on the value chain of scientific information as it leads academic institutions to assume entirely new roles in this chain and to develop new capabilities. As well as a digital collection strategy, academic libraries will develop strategies for supporting e-learning and e-publishing. This leads to changes in the economic conditions at the institutional and also industrial level. The developments will be discussed in general.
TL;DR: The Open Digital Library model is an emerging framework which attempts to break up the services into appropriate components based also on the basic philosophy of the OAI model to support the hypothesis that digital libraries should be built from simple Web service‐like components instead of as monolithic software applications.
Abstract: Metadata harvesting has been established by the Open Archives Initiative as a viable mechanism for connecting a provider of data to a purveyor of services. The Open Digital Library model is an emerging framework which attempts to break up the services into appropriate components based also on the basic philosophy of the OAI model. This framework has been applied to various projects and evaluated for its simplicity, extensibility and reusability to support the hypothesis that digital libraries should be built from simple Web service‐like components instead of as monolithic software applications.
TL;DR: This study evaluates the retrieval of New Zealand information using three local New Zealand search engines, four major global search engines and three metasearch engines, with implications for searching for geographically specific information, and for evaluation of search engines.
Abstract: This study evaluates the retrieval of New Zealand information using three local New Zealand search engines, four major global search engines and three metasearch engines. Searches for NZ topics were carried out on all the search engines, and the relative recall calculated. The local search engines did not achieve higher recall than the global search engines or metasearch engines, but no search engine achieved more than 45 percent recall. Despite the theoretical advantage of searching the databases of several individual search engines, metasearch engines did not achieve higher recall. Of relevant pages for the queries, 36 percent were outside the .nz domain. Implications for searching for geographically specific information, and for evaluation of search engines, are discussed.
TL;DR: A two‐stage mapping model (TSMM), which can be thought of as a two‐levels stacked generalisation scheme for image classification, is presented to bridge the semantic gap between low‐level image features and high‐level concepts in a divide‐and‐conquer manner and aimed at minimising the gap by reducing classification errors.
Abstract: A two‐stage mapping model (TSMM), which can be thought of as a two‐levels stacked generalisation scheme for image classification, is presented. The model is proposed to bridge the semantic gap between low‐level image features and high‐level concepts in a divide‐and‐conquer manner, and aimed at minimising the gap by reducing classification errors. The idea is to design two level‐0 generalisers to classify colour and texture features into colour and texture concepts respectively. Then, a level‐1 generaliser is designed to classify the colour and texture concepts as middle‐(words)‐level concepts into high‐level conceptual classes.
TL;DR: This study explores the demographic characteristics of public library public access Internet users, the extent to whichpublic access Internet provision meets the needs of those users, and users' planned/future use of public access internet.
Abstract: Provision of public Internet access has been viewed by governments as a key step towards encouraging uptake among people who do not have access to information communication technologies, and as an important means of building an equitable information society. The Victorian Public Library network has led Australia in providing this access, at no small cost. However, little substantial data is available about the users of this public access, little is known of what they use the access for, nor how well it meets their needs. Through a wide‐scale survey, and through focus groups this study explores the demographic characteristics of public library public access Internet users, the extent to which public access Internet provision meets the needs of those users, and users' planned/future use of public access Internet. The role of public access and the policy implications of this data are discussed.