bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
León y la Real Academia Española. Académicos leoneses en el primer siglo de vida de la institución
Authors: Prieto Sarro Marta
Published: February 2016

Desde su fundación, nueve leoneses han sido académicos de número de la Real Academia Española. Cuatro de ellos en el primer siglo de vida de la institución
Características temporales del lenguaje oral infantil: (investigaciones comparativas entre niños españoles y rusos)
Authors: Abakumova Olga , López González Hermenegildo
Published: February 2016

El presente trabajo representa un intento de describir las características temporales del habla infantil desde el punto de vista de su ritmo, y ello a partir de una serie de grabaciones realizadas tanto en español como en ruso
Los viejos fantasmas vuelven al presente: lo gótico en la literatura española actual
Authors: López Santos Miriam
Published: February 2016

La literatura recupera figuras, uno de los muchos movimientos capaces de regalar a la literatura una formidable cosecha, una extraordinaria colección de mitos que no han perdido vigencia con el transcurso de los siglos fue el de la novela gótica
Amis y Amiles: la difusión de un tema medieval en España
Authors: Alvar Carlos
Published: February 2016

Recorrido por las diferentes versiones latinas y francesas de la leyenda de Amís y Amile para detenerse posteriormente en las obras derivadas de esta leyenda en la literatura española: entre las versiones catalanas, se encuentra el Recull de exemples y miracles per alfabeto, el Llibre de les nobleses dels reys y la Història d’Amic i Melis, y entre las castellanas, destaca la Historia de Amic y Meliz y el Oliveros de Castilla y Artús d’Algarbe, además del capítulo 21 de los Siete sabios de Roma. Considera por último la conexión con esta leyenda del romance de Melisenda o Melusina y otros romances y obras dramaticas
El modelo latino de la versión castellana medieval de "Epitoma rei militaris" de Vegecio
Authors: Fradejas Rueda José Manuel
Published: February 2016

En este artículo, tras el examen de los procedimientos de traducción utilizados por Alfonso de San Cristóbal a la hora de traducir al castellano medieval la Epitome rei militaris de Vegecio, se muestra que el modelo latino empleado es un manuscrito cuyo antecedente descendiente del arquetipo β y no del de ε, como creía Reeve
Cólera e ingenio en "Enrique Fi de Oliva"
Authors: González Cristina
Published: February 2016

Enrique Fi de Oliva, alabado por Cervantes en Don Quijote, es una de las fuentes de esta obra, cuyo protagonista es ingenioso y colérico, rasgos que comparte con Enrique. Este artículo analiza la personalidad un tanto extrema de éste, quien sufre frecuentes y abruptos cambios de humor que lo convierten en uno de los más agresivos y creativos, alocados y desaforados héroes caballerescos de la literatura hispánica medieval
El desierto de los Tártaros: un paradigma de Locus Melancholiae
Authors: Alonso Monedero Begoña
Published: February 2016

La fascinación que ejerce en los lectores El desierto de los tártaros de Buzzati es indisociable del espacio y de la atmósfera creados en esta novela. Este trabajo estudia los elementos que confi guran ese laberinto de tiempo que es la fortaleza Bastiani, y a los “enfermos” que por él transitan, como un paradigma contemporáneo de locus melancholiae. La novela de Buzzati construye, quizá mejor que ninguna otra novela del siglo XX, un escenario simbólico difícilmente superable en la representación de la tragedia de la vida humana
De l'Espagne au Québec (1937 et 1963): continuité culturelle
Authors: Pillet Claude
Published: February 2016

A principios de 1937, Malraux deja a España con el fin de defender la causa republicana en América del Norte. Sin embargo, como fue el caso en Montreal el 04 de abril, ni la política, ni las apuestas ideológicas de la guerra, el aspecto universal y casi metafísico de la lucha contra todo lo que ignora o desprecia la humanidad. Curiosamente, cuando Malraux regresa a Canadá en 1963, el contexto político y diplomático es similar al otro lado, para destacar una vez más el campo esencial que desafía al destino de la humanidad, y que el ministro llama cultura
André Malraux: roman, histoire et quête identitaire
Authors: Abah Antagana Joshep
Published: February 2016

Las relaciones entre la historia y la creación literaria a menudo han sido difíciles de determinar, ya que ambos tiene siempre se ha interconectado. Habida cuenta de esta convivencia, es importante preguntarse si el novelista-historiador es un historiador. Este ensayo no pretende hacer un estudio comparativo sistemático entre L'Espoir escrito por André Malraux y los hechos históricos, sino centrarse en la influencia de la historia en la novela. El novelista se apodera de la historia a través de diversas técnicas para ofrecer una interpretación personal e Histórica, por lo tanto. En el sentido simbólico y literario que implica su explotación por parte de ficición que es la integración y el uso de estética.
El modo gótico en "La invención de Morel" de Adolfo Bioy Casares
Authors: Ordíz Alonso-Collada Inés
Published: February 2016

A pesar del rechazo de algunos escritores y críticos hispanoamericanos a lo gótico tradicional en literatura, muchos textos del continente muestran temas, estructuras y personajes pertenecientes a la evolución moderna de este modo. Este estudio propone una exploración de la novela La Invención de Morel del escritor argentino Adolfo Bioy Casares desde una perspectiva más amplia que la meramente fantástica, para subrayar y analizar los numerosos rasgos góticos de la narración
La noción de la cantidad representada metafóricamente en los proverbios españoles
Authors: Pikul Svetlana
Published: February 2016

El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar la representación metafórica de la noción de la cantidad en los proverbios españoles. Como resultado del análisis realizado, se determinaron algunos modos de la representación metafórica de la cantidad. Una de las categorías de la existencia, la cantidad se expresa en el proverbio español a través de los conceptos básicos de la vida del pueblo: el tiempo, el espacio, la medida, la distancia, la forma y la unidad monetaria
Mid-Cretaceous acanthomorph fishes with the description of a new species from the Turonian of Lac des Bois, Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Murray Alison M
Published: February 2016

A single specimen of a new acanthomorph fish is described from a Turonian locality sampling the northern part of the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway. This brings to three the number of acanthomorphs from Lac des Bois, Northwest Territories, Canada. The previously named acanthomorph, Boreiohydrias dayi (Boriohydriidae), was placed in the Polymixiiformes. The second, represented by a poorly preserved fish, was left unnamed and incertae sedis in Acanthomorpha. The new one described here, Cumbaaichthys oxyrhynchus gen. et sp. nov. cannot be easily placed in any previously described families. This fish is placed in the Polymixiiformes based on the caudal skeleton having 18 principal rays (16 branched), and having a full neural spine on the second preural centrum. Polymixiiform relationships are not well established but they are the subject of several current studies; therefore, the new acanthomorph is placed incertae sedis within this order but with the understanding that this placement may be refined with future work. Previous studies have suggested that acanthomorphs may have flourished with warming climates of the Cenomanian–Turonian. A comprehensive survey of named acanthomorphs from mid-Cretaceous deposits shows there are more species known from the Cenomanian rather than the Turonian, although this may be biased by the age of known fossiliferous deposits.
Xiphactinus audax Leidy 1870 from the Puskwaskau Formation (Santonian to Campanian) of northwestern Alberta, Canada and the distribution of Xiphactinus in North America
Authors: Vavrek Matthew J. , Murray Alison M. , Bell Phil R.
Published: February 2016

Xiphactinus is one of the largest teleost fish known from the Late Cretaceous of North America, and has been found across much of the Western Interior Basin. Despite extensive Late Cretaceous marine deposits occurring in Alberta, there has previously been only two possible records of Xiphactinus from the province, neither of which has been diagnosable to the species level. We describe here a portion of the lower jaws, including teeth, of Xiphactinus audax from northeast of Grande Prairie, Alberta. The fossil has large, thecodont teeth that are circular in cross section and lack any carinae, and are highly variable in their overall size. This fossil is the first diagnostic material of X. audax from Alberta, and extends the range of the species by over a thousand kilometres. During the Late Cretaceous, the area the fossil was found in was near the Arctic Circle, and represents an important datapoint within the poorly known, northern portion of the Western Interior Basin.
Multiple tooth-rowed captorhinids from the Early Permian fissure fills of the Bally Mountain Locality of Oklahoma
Authors: LeBlanc Aaron R. H. , Brar Amanpreet K , May William J , Reisz Robert R
Published: February 2016

Captorhinids were Paleozoic eureptiles that originated in the Late Pennsylvanian in Laurasia and dispersed across the major landmasses of Pangaea by the Late Permian. Their evolutionary success as omnivorous and herbivorous members of Permian terrestrial communities has been attributed to the evolution of multiple marginal tooth rows. Multiple tooth rows evolved at least twice within Captorhinidae: once in the omnivorous Captorhinus aguti and again in the diverse subfamily of herbivorous moradisaurines. The earliest known moradisaurines co-occured with C. aguti in Lower Permian strata of Texas; however C. aguti is also known from much older fissure fills in the famous Dolese Brothers quarry near Richards Spur, Oklahoma, suggesting that C. aguti preceded any other multiple-rowed captorhinid. Here we report on new material of multiple-rowed captorhinids from the Lower Permian fissure fills of the Bally Mountain locality in Oklahoma, only 35 miles from Richards Spur. Some of this material is referrable to Captorhinikos valensis, which was previously only known from younger strata in Texas, making this species the geologically and phylogenetically oldest moradisaurine. Furthermore, we determined that Ca. valensis co-existed with C. aguti at Bally Mountain and we explore the potential for niche partitioning in these early captorhinids. Lastly, we assess the potential temporal and environmental differences between Bally Mountain and Richards Spur, in order to explain the abundance of herbivorous moradisaurines at Bally Mountain and the complete lack of moradisaurines at the neighbouring Richards Spur locality.
Study of Search Engine Transaction Logs Shows Little Change in How Users use Search Engines
Authors: Hook David
Published: February 2016

A review of:

Jansen, Bernard J., and Amanda Spink. “How Are We Searching the World Wide Web? A Comparison of Nine Search Engine Transaction Logs.” Information Processing & Management 42.1 (2006): 248-263.

Objective – To examine the interactions between users and search engines, and how they have changed over time.

Design – Comparative analysis of search engine transaction logs.

Setting – Nine major analyses of search engine transaction logs.

Subjects – Nine web search engine studies (4 European, 5 American) over a seven-year period, covering the search engines Excite, Fireball, AltaVista, BWIE and AllTheWeb.

Methods – The results from individual studies are compared by year of study for percentages of single query sessions, one-term queries, operator (and, or, not, etc.) usage and single result page viewing. As well, the authors group the search queries into eleven different topical categories and compare how the breakdown has changed over time.

Main Results – Based on the percentage of single query sessions, it does not appear that the complexity of interactions has changed significantly for either the U.S.-based or the European-based search engines. As well, there was little change observed in the percentage of one-term queries over the years of study for either the U.S.-based or the European-based search engines. Few users (generally less than 20%) use Boolean or other operators in their queries, and these percentages have remained relatively stable. One area of noticeable change is in the percentage of users viewing only one results page, which has increased over the years of study. Based on the studies of the U.S.-based search engines, the topical categories of ‘People, Place or Things’ and ‘Commerce, Travel, Employment or Economy’ are becoming more popular, while the categories of ‘Sex and Pornography’ and ‘Entertainment or Recreation’ are declining.

Conclusions – The percentage of users viewing only one results page increased during the years of the study, while the percentages of single query sessions, one-term sessions and operator usage remained stable. The increase in single result page viewing implies that users are tending to view fewer results per web query. There was also a significant difference in the percentage of queries using Boolean operators between the US-based and the European-based search engines. One of the study’s findings was that results from a study of a particular search engine cannot necessarily be applied to all search engines. Finally, web search topics show a trend towards information or commerce searching rather than entertainment.
Using Cost Effectiveness Analysis; a Beginners Guide
Authors: Hulme Claire
Published: February 2016

Objective - To describe the key elements of cost effectiveness analysis (CEA) and demonstrate how such analysis may be used in the library environment.

Methods - The paper uses a step by step approach to walk the (non-economist) reader through the basics of conducting a cost effectiveness study. The key elements of a CEA are outlined using examples that illustrate how the analysis may be carried out in the library sector. A case study of a CEA in a hospital library is presented. The case study compares two library services, mediated searching and information skills training, to illustrate the application of CEA and highlight some of its limitations.

Results - CEA is a comparative analysis; its key elements include a study question that includes both costs and effectiveness; justification of the perspective the study; evidence of the effectiveness; comprehensive identification of all relevant costs and appropriate measurement of costs and effectiveness.

Conclusions - CEA enables comparison of services or interventions in terms of their costs and how effective they are. The results can be used to aid decision-making about service provision.
“Prediction is Difficult, Especially the Future”: A Progress Report
Authors: Booth Andrew , Brice Anne
Published: February 2016

Objective - This paper reviews developments in the consolidation and diversification of the evidence based library and information practice (EBLIP) paradigm since publication of the authors’ book Evidence Based Practice for Information Professionals: a Handbook in 2004.

Methods - The authors provide an updated narrative review of key themes in the development of evidence based librarianship within the context of the new consensual term ‘EBLIP.’ Sources for this thematic framework included professional literature, Internet searches, and the authors’ personal experiences.

Results - While considerable achievements have been realized within a three-year period, most notably the instigation of the journal known as EBLIP, a broadening of the paradigm to other library sectors, and increased availability of implementation studies, many challenges remain. Of particular concern is the lack of international strategic foresight in determining rotation of the biennial international conferences and distribution of influential EBLIP infrastructures and initiatives.

Conclusion - While the enthusiasms and energies of individual practitioners and work teams have made considerable progress in meeting short-term objectives, uncertainty remains concerning how longer-term objectives requiring infrastructure and resources might be realized. From its faltering steps as a toddler EBLIP has developed to a ‘pre-pubescent’ stage with the promise of ‘growth spurts’ and ‘emotional crises.’ The next three years should prove both challenging and demanding.
Reporting of the Role of the Expert Searcher in Cochrane Reviews
Authors: Zhang Li , Sampson Margaret , McGowan Jessie
Published: February 2016

Introduction - This study applied the principles of evidence based information practice to clarify the role of information specialists and librarians in the preparation of Cochrane systematic reviews and to determine whether information specialists impact the quality of searching in Cochrane systematic reviews.

Objectives - This research project sought to determine how the contribution of the person responsible for searching in the preparation of Cochrane systematic reviews was reported; whether the contribution was recognized through authorship or acknowledgement; the qualifications of the searcher; and the association between the type of contributorship and characteristics of the search strategy, assessability, and the presence of certain types of errors.

Methods -

Data sources: The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, The Cochrane Library 3 (2002).

Inclusion criteria: The study included systematic reviews that met the following criteria: one or more sections of the Cochrane Highly Sensitive Search Strategy were utilised, primary studies were either randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs, and included and excluded studies were clearly identified.

Data extraction: Two librarians assessed the searches for errors, establishing consensus on discordant ratings.

Results - Of the 169 reviews screened for this project, 105 met all eligibility criteria. Authors fulfilled the searching role in 41.9% of reviews studied, acknowledged persons or groups in 13.3%, a combination in 9.5%, and the role was not reported in 35.2% of reviews. For the 78 reviews in which meta-analyses were performed, the positions of those responsible for statistical decisions were examined for comparative purposes. The statistical role was performed by an author in 47.4% of cases and unreported in the same number of cases. Insufficient analyzable data was obtained regarding professional qualifications (3/105 for searching, 2/78 for statistical decisions).

Search quality was assessed for 66 searches across 74 reviews. In general, it was more possible to assess the search quality when the searcher role was reported. An association was found between the reporting of searcher role and the presence of a consequential error. There was no association between the number of consequential errors and how the contribution of the searcher was reported.

Conclusions - Qualifications of the persons responsible for searching and statistical decision-making were poorly reported in Cochrane reviews, but more complete role reporting is associated with greater assessability of searches and fewer substantive errors in search strategies.
A Virtual Standoff – Using Q Methodology to Analyze Virtual Reference
Authors: Shrimplin Aaron , Hurst Susan
Published: February 2016

Abstract

Objective - To develop an exploratory understanding of reference librarians’ perceptions of virtual reference.

Methods – Q methodology was used to uncover points of view about virtual reference. Thirty-four librarians sorted 28 statements covering a wide range of opinions about virtual reference. Factor analysis was used to analyze the Q-sorts and factor scores were calculated to aid the task of understanding and interpretation.

Results - The factor analysis revealed three attitudinal typologies: Technophiles, Traditionalists, and Pragmatists. Each factor represents a group of reference librarians who think similarly about virtual reference.

Conclusions - This type of analysis provides data on the actual range of feelings and attitudes about providing virtual reference services. The factor analysis demonstrates that there are still a variety of strongly held viewpoints concerning virtual reference. Convergence towards either acceptance or rejection does not appear to be forthcoming.

By using this type of analysis and the resulting data as a basis for decision making, administrators could staff services more efficiently and with the resulting better fit between librarians and their positions, possibly increase morale.
Further Research is Required to Determine Which Database Products Best Support Research in Public Administration
Authors: Hook David
Published: February 2016

A review of:

Tucker, James, Corey. “Database Support for Research in Public Administration.” Behavioral & Social Sciences Librarian 24.1 (2005): 47-60.

Objective – To examine the extent to which six commercial database products support student and faculty research in the area of public administration.

Design – Bibliometric study.

Setting – Academic library in the United States.

Subjects – Six commercial business-related database products were examined: Proquest’s ABI/INFORM Global edition (ABI), EBSCO’s Business Source Premier (BSP), Gale’s General BusinessFile ASAP (GBF), EBSCO’s Academic Search Premier (ASP), EBSCO’s Expanded Academic Index (EAI) and Proquest’s International Academic Research Library (ARL). Three of the databases (ABI, BSP, GBF) were chosen because they address the management, human resource, and financing elements of public administration. The other three (ASP, EAI, ARL) were included because of their multidisciplinary coverage.

Methods – A list of journal titles covering public administration was assembled from the Institute of Scientific Information’s Social Sciences Citation Index and previously published lists of recommended journals in the field. The author then compared the compiled list of journal titles against the journal titles indexed by the six database

products. He further analyzed the results by level of journal coverage (abstract only, full-text, and full-text with embargo) and subject area based on categories described in Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory.

Main Results – The study found that three of the six database products --EAI, BSP, and ARL -- provide indexing for the greatest number of public administration journals contained in the compiled list. EIA and ARL cover the greatest number of those that are full-text journals, while BSP and ASP cover the greatest number of those full-text journals limited by publisher embargoes.

Conclusion – The author concludes that of the six databases examined, EAI, BSP, and ARL are the best for public administration research, based on their strength in the subject areas of public administration and public finance. The author also recommends that librarians in the field of public administration “carefully evaluate each database to see which one best fits the needs of the library and patrons” (56).
EBLIG Report: Interest Group Meets in Atlantic Canada and New Co-convenors are Chosen
Authors: Wilson Virginia , Currie Lyn
Published: February 2016

May was a month of travel for many Evidence-Based Librarianship Interest Group (EBLIG) members. From May 6 – 11, the 4th International Evidence Based Library and Information Practice conference was held in Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina. From May 22 – 26, EBLIG members attended the Canadian Library Association (CLA) conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland. As the second anniversary of the formation of EBLIG has come around, the inaugural co-conveners, Lyn Currie and Virginia Wilson, are wrapping up their two-year term. Congratulations to Sue Fahey of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Renée deGannes, Canadian Dental Association, Ottawa, who have taken over the reins and accepted a two-year term as EBLIG’s new co-conveners.

EBLIG has been active this past year, mainly in the area of conference workshops and sessions. At the organizers’ invitation, we successfully submitted and presented a half-day post-conference workshop for the 4th International Evidence Based Librarianship Conference. How to Assess the Evidence: A Critical Appraisal Tool for Library and Information Research, facilitated by Lindsay Glynn, of Memorial University of Newfoundland, was an extremely well-received session with nearly 30 participants in attendance.

Virginia Wilson and Stephanie Hall created a practical toolkit on evidence-based library and information practice specifically for public librarians: http://ebltoolkit.pbwiki.com/. This toolkit was unveiled at the 2007 CLA conference in St. John’s by Stephanie Hall.

A wiki was launched in 2007 entitled eblibrarianship: the Wiki of the Evidence Based Librarianship Interest Group (EBLIG) to facilitate interest group collaboration, sharing, and information access, as well as a means of communication: http://eblibrarianship.pbwiki.com/

EBLIG members are active in the EBLIP community and beyond:

EBLIG members edited and contributed to an EBL-themed issue of Feliciter.

EBLIG members are participating as editors, on the editorial advisory board, and on the evidence summary team of the open access journal, Evidence Based Library and Information Practice.

As a result of a posting on the eblibrarianship wiki for the CLA conference session, Evidence-Based Librarianship: A Toolkit for Public Libraries, Virginia Wilson and Stephanie Hall have been invited to present a 1-hour audio conference for the Education Institute in the fall of 2007.

International membership to the interest group is available without having to become a full member of CLA. For only $30 CAD, people residing outside of Canada can join EBLIG and take advantage of networking and continuing education opportunities. More information on international membership is available at http://www.cla.ca/about/igroups/evidence_based.htm.

The past two years have been challenging and exciting. An active and engaged membership goes a long way in making this interest group vital and productive.
Web-Based Portal for Impact Evaluation Reveals Information Needs for Museums, Libraries and Archives
Authors: Hook David
Published: February 2016

Objective – This study reports on research into the information and support needs of practitioners in the museum, archive, and library sectors, who are undergoing an impact evaluation.

Design – Qualitative survey.

Setting – Web-based questionnaire.

Subjects – Twenty-one practitioners in the fields of museums, archives, and libraries.

Methods – The study made use of a small-scale web portal that provides impact evaluation research findings, toolkits, and examples of methods. The portal’s intent was to present to the users multiple views of the available information in order to overcome the problem of users not being able to identify their needs. A purposive sample group consisting of 50 practitioners from the museum, library, and archive fields was invited to participate in a questionnaire evaluating the website.

Main Results – Despite a fairly low response rate (49%) and poor distribution among the three sectors (museums, libraries, and archives), the results indicated a significant difference in the levels of knowledge and understanding of impact evaluation. Over half of the organizations surveyed had done some assessment of their institution’s economic impact, and there appears to be a rising trend towards doing impact studies for specific projects and developments. Nearly a quarter of the organizations had not undertaken any impact evaluation study previously. Practitioners already familiar with impact evaluation tended to look at broader range of fields for expertise, whereas those with less familiarity remained within their own sector. Practitioners with less experience preferred tools, guidance, and examples of methodologies as opposed to actual evidence of impact. The results also provided the authors with feedback on their web portal and how to organize the information therein.

Conclusions – One of the findings of the study was that the overall reaction to impact evaluation support through research evidence, guidance, and other mechanisms was positive. For most practitioners, evaluation itself and the level of understanding of impact evaluation are at early stages. The primary goals for those undertaking impact evaluation were found to be professional and organizational learning, thus there is a need for practical help and guidance in these areas. Time limitation appeared to be a significant factor in the responses – particularly with smaller organizations – suggesting that their portal material would provide much-needed assistance to such organizations. Finally, it was concluded that future emphasis should be placed on developing practical applications rather than pure research.
Rehabilitating the Stroke Collection
Authors: Grimmond Mary , Carter Sharna , Lewis Suzanne
Published: February 2016

Objective - The aim of this project was to complete an analysis of monograph and audiovisual items held in the Central Coast Health Service (CCHS) Libraries and containing information relevant to the treatment of acute stroke. Acute stroke is treated by multidisciplinary teams of clinicians based at two hospitals within the CCHS. The adequacy of the library collection was measured by subject coverage and age.

Methods - The methodology used consisted of three main steps: a literature review; design, administration, and analysis of a questionnaire to members of the CCHS Acute Stroke Team; and an analysis of the libraries’ collections. The research project utilised project management methodology and an evidence based librarianship framework.

Results - The questionnaire revealed that electronic resources were by far the most frequently used by participants, followed in order by print journals, books, interlibrary loan articles, and audiovisual items. Collection analysis demonstrated that the monograph and audiovisual collections were adequate in both scope and currency to support the information needs of Acute Stroke Team members, with the exception of resources to support patient education.

Conclusion - The researchers developed recommendations for future collection development in the area of acute stroke resources. Conducting this project within the evidence based librarianship framework helped to develop library staff members’ confidence in their ability to make future collection development decisions, informed by the target group’s information needs and preferences. The collection analysis methodology was designed to be replicated, and new specialist groups within the client base of the library will be targeted to repeat the collection analysis process.
Getting to the Source: a Survey of Quantitative Data Sources Available to the Everyday Librarian: Part I: Web Server Log Analysis
Authors: Goddard Lisa
Published: February 2016

This is the first part of a two-part article that provides a survey of data sources which are likely to be immediately available to the typical practitioner who wishes to engage in statistical analysis of collections and services within his or her own library. Part I outlines the data elements which can be extracted from web server logs, and discusses web log analysis tools. Part II looks at logs, reports, and data sources from proxy servers, resource vendors, link resolvers, federated search engines, institutional repositories, electronic reference services, and the integrated library system.
Out of the Question!...How We Are Using Our Students' Virtual Reference Questions to Add a Personal Touch to a Virtual World
Authors: Rourke Lorna Evelyn , Lupien Pascal
Published: February 2016

Objective - To investigate the types of questions students ask and the language they use in virtual reference. It is hoped that this examination will provide understanding of students’ needs and thus improve/enhance library services.

Methods - Over 600 virtual reference transcripts were reviewed, analysed and categorised. This work was focused on three levels of analysis: broad categories based on the general type of question being asked, subcategories based on the specific question and the language that students used to ask their questions.

Results - Students are primarily using the library’s virtual reference service for higher-level research assistance rather than using the tool to obtain quick answers to simple questions. The two most common types of questions involved staff providing detailed information or instruction on a topic. More specifically, the most frequently occurring type of question was related to finding journal articles on a given topic. Our analysis of the words students use to ask their questions confirmed that students and librarians often do not speak the same language.

Conclusion - The results of our analysis of students’ needs and language can help us understand our users. This study demonstrated that our library can enhance services in five areas: online services, collections, relationships, staff skills, and the library as place.
Open Access Articles Have a Greater Research Impact Than Articles Not Freely Available
Authors: Lewis Suzanne Pamela
Published: February 2016

A review of:

Antelman, Kristin. “Do Open-Access Articles Have a Greater Research Impact?” College & Research Libraries 65.5 (Sep. 2004): 372-82.

Objective – To ascertain whether open access articles have a greater research impact than articles not freely available, as measured by citations in the ISI Web of Science database.

Design – Analysis of mean citation rates of a sample population of journal articles across four disciplines.

Setting – Journal literature across the disciplines of philosophy, political science, mathematics, and electrical and electronic engineering.

Subjects – A sample of 2,017 articles across the four disciplines published between 2001 and 2002 (for political science, mathematics, and electrical and electronic engineering) and between 1999 and 2000 (for philosophy).

Methods – A systematic presample of articles for each of the disciplines was taken to calculate the necessary sample sizes. Based on this calculation, articles were sourced from ten leading journals in each discipline. The leading journals in political science, mathematics, and electrical and electronic engineering were defined by ISI’s Journal Citation Reports for 2002. The ten leading philosophy journals were selected using a combination of other methods.

Once the sample population had been identified, each article title and the number of citations to each article (in the ISI Web of Science database) were recorded. Then the article title was searched in Google and if any freely available full text version was found, the article was classified as open access. The mean citation rate for open access and non-open access articles in each discipline was identified, and the percentage difference between the means was calculated.

Main results – The four disciplines represented a range of open access uptake: 17% of articles in philosophy were open access, 29% in political science, 37% in electrical and electronic engineering, and 69% in mathematics. There was a significant difference in the mean citation rates for open access articles and non-open access articles in all four disciplines. The percentage difference in means was 45% in philosophy, 51% in electrical and electronic engineering, 86% in political science, and 91% in mathematics. Mathematics had the highest rate of open access availability of articles, but political science had the greatest difference in mean citation rates, suggesting there are other, discipline-specific factors apart from rate of open access uptake affecting research impact.

Conclusion – The finding that, across these four disciplines, open access articles have a greater research impact than non-open access articles, is only one aspect of the complex changes that are presently taking place in scholarly publishing and communication. However, it is useful information for librarians formulating strategies for building institutional repositories, or exploring open access publishing with patrons or publishers.
The Use of Value Engineering in the Evaluation and Selection of Digitization Projects
Authors: Boock Michael H. , Chau May
Published: February 2016

Objective - The authors describe a simple and effective tool for selecting digitization projects from competing alternatives, providing decision makers with objective, quantitative data.

Methods - The paper adopts the value engineering methodology for the selection, evaluation and ranking of digitization project proposals. Project selection steps are described. Selection criteria are developed. Digitization costs are presented as an equation. Project value is determined by calculating projected performance of digital collections based on the established criteria over cost.

Results - Scenarios are presented that evaluate and rank projects based on an evaluation of performance criteria and cost. The communication and use of rating criteria provides selectors with information about how proposed collections are evaluated. The transparency of the process output is easily communicated to stakeholders.

Conclusions - Value engineering methodology provides a tool and a process that gives decision makers a set of objective, quantitative data upon which selection of digitization projects is based. This approach simplifies the selection process, and creates transparency so that all stakeholders are able to see why a decision was made.
PDA Use by Clinicians has a Positive Impact on Clinical Decision Making
Authors: Lewis Suzanne Pamela
Published: February 2016

A review of:

Dee, Cheryl R., Marilyn Teolis, and Andrew D. Todd. “Physicians’ use of the personal digital assistant (PDA) in clinical decision making.” Journal of the Medical Library Association 93.4 (October 2005): 480-6.

Objective – To examine how frequently attending physicians and physicians in training (medical students, interns and residents) used PDAs for patient care and to explore physicians’ perceptions of the impact of PDA use on several aspects of clinical care.

Design – User study via a questionnaire.

Setting – Teaching hospitals in Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania in the United States.

Subjects – A convenience sample of fifty-nine attending physicians and forty-nine physicians in training (108 total), spread unevenly across the five states.

Methods – Subjects were recruited by librarians at teaching hospitals to answer a questionnaire which was distributed and collected at medical meetings, as well as by email, mail, and fax. The subjects were required to have and use a PDA, but prior training on PDA use was not a requirement, nor was it offered to the subjects before the study. Most of the questions required the respondent to choose from five Likert scale answers regarding frequency of PDA use: almost always, often, a few times, rarely, or never. In the reporting of results, the options ‘almost always’ and ‘often’ were combined and reported as ‘frequent’, and the options ‘a few times’ and ‘rarely’, were combined and reported as ‘occasional’. Subjects could also record comments for each question, but only for affirmative responses.

Subjects were asked about their frequency of PDA use before, during, or after a patient encounter. They were also asked if PDA use had influenced one or more of five aspects of clinical care – decision making, diagnosis, treatment, test ordering, and in-patient hospital length of stay.

Data analysis included chi square tests to assess differences between attending physicians and physicians in training regarding frequency of PDA use and the influence of PDA use on the five aspects of clinical care. The subject population was also divided into frequent and occasional users of PDAs, and chi square testing was used to assess differences between these two groups regarding the influence of PDA use on clinical care. A significance value of P
First International M-Libraries Conference 13th – 14th November 2007
Authors: Needham Gillian
Published: February 2016

The Open University (UK) and Athabasca University (Canada) are hosting the very first international conference to focus on the delivery of library services and resources to users via mobile and handheld devices. This event on November 13th and 14th at the Open University in Milton Keynes will bring together researchers, managers and practitioners from around the world who are interested in extending the value and flexibility of libraries in new and exciting ways.

For more details and to register, please visit the website at: http://library.open.ac.uk/mLibraries/.
Using a Prompt Sheet to Improve the Reference Interview in a Health Telephone Helpline Service
Authors: Price Toni , Urquhart Christine
Published: February 2016

Objective - The study examined whether a prompt sheet improved the reference interview process for health information advisers working at NHS Direct, a 24 hour telephone helpline that provides confidential health care advice for the public in England.

Method - A randomised control trial was conducted at eight NHS Direct sites across England in 2003-04. Newly recruited health information advisers (n=30), full and part-time, were randomly allocated to a control group (n=15) or intervention group (n=15), and 26 completed the study. Existing health information advisers were involved in the planning and design of the intervention. The prompt sheet included prompts for demographic information, reason for call, condition/treatment plan, existing knowledge of caller, special needs of the caller, handling a call empathetically, conclusion. Testing of reference interview expertise was done at the end of basic training, and two months later, using the same ten test questions, that were based on common questions received by NHS Direct. A relevance framework for possible responses was drawn up for each question for scoring test responses, with more relevant responses scoring higher than less relevant responses.

Results - The average score of prompt (experimental) and non-prompt (control) participants increased on the second test, for each of the 10 questions. The prompt group improved significantly more overall than the control group. There was variation within the groups. Sixteen health information assistants showed a net increase in their score over all ten questions (10 experimental group, six control group). The post-test score for an individual on a particular question did sometimes decrease from the pre-test score, but all 26 improved on at least one question. Previous call handler experience did not appear to influence the extent of improvement, but length and type of experience in the post may have an influence.

Conclusion - The trial demonstrated the benefit of a simple and inexpensive prompt sheet for some, though not all, newly recruited health information advisers to improve their reference interview technique.
Identifying Appropriate Quantitative Study Designs for Library Research
Authors: Lorenzetti Diane Louise
Published: February 2016

This paper is concerned with the identification of quantitative study designs suitable for library research. Identifying a researchable question and selecting a research method best suited to it are key to the successful design and execution of any research project. Each research situation is unique, and each researcher must find the method that best suits both their situation and the question at hand. Following a brief discussion of issues related to question development, the author outlines a checklist that may assist the process of selecting study designs for quantitative research projects. When faced with options in terms of study design selection, pragmatic issues such as expertise, funding, time, and access to participants may influence this decision-making process.
There is a Significant Relationship Between Computer Attitudes and Library Anxiety Among African American Graduate Students
Authors: Needham Gill
Published: February 2016

Objective – To investigate whether African American students’ computer attitudes predict levels of library anxiety.

Design – A user study in which two instruments were administered to a group of graduate students to measure computer attitudes and library anxiety.

Setting – The College of Education at an historically black college and university in the United States of America.

Subjects – Ninety-four, predominantly female, African American graduate students, ranging in age from 22-62 years old, and enrolled in either a statistics or a measurement course.

Methods – Two instruments, the Computer Attitude Scale (CAS) and the Library Anxiety Scale (LAS) were administered to all the study participants. The Computer Anxiety Scale contains forty Likert-type items that assess individuals’ attitudes toward computers and their use. It includes four scales which can be administered separately:

1. Anxiety or fear of computers

2. Confidence in the ability to use computers

3. Liking or enjoying working with computers

4. Computer usefulness

The LAS contains forty-three, 5-point, Likert-format items that assess levels of library anxiety experienced by college students. It also has five subscales as follows:

1. Barriers with staff

2. Affective barriers

3. Comfort with the library

4. Knowledge of the library

5. Mechanical barriers

Main results – There were twenty correlations between the library anxiety subscale scores and the computer attitude subscale scores. Four of these correlations were statistically significant. Liking or enjoying working with computers was statistically significantly linked to affective barriers, comfort with the library, and knowledge of the library. There was also a statistically significant association between an attitude of computer usefulness and knowledge of the library.

Conclusion – These findings suggest that in this group of students there is a medium to strong relationship between computer attitudes and library anxiety.
Contribución de Intermón Oxfam a la seguridad de las poblaciones civiles: incorporación de protección como eje trasversal en las respuestas humanitarias
Authors: Duch Pilar
Published: February 2016

After a brief introduction about the debate on the role of humanitarian NGOs non mandatory on protection of civilians, the article points out the commitment of IO, an organization with a rights approach and member of Oxfam, to contribute to the protection of civilians through the incorporation of protection mainstreaming in its humanitarian programs. With this objective, the organization has set a framework on protection, strategies and tools. The risk analysis methodology enables to collect all the necessary information. IO uses three strategies to incorporate protection into their programs: 1 - Adapt programs to keep people safe, two-coordinate action with other agencies; 3 - “Advocacy.”

Published online: 11 December 2017
Diseñando un programa de protección en contextos de asistencia humanitaria
Authors: Eguren Enrique
Published: February 2016

Protection is a key aspect of humanitarian assistance, and as such it should be included in humanitarian programmes. In order to program protection we need a proper working definition that defines protection as a complex outcome. We will discuss which is the moral and legal framework for protection, which are the main stakeholders in protection, how to define protection objectives, and which are the main kind of activities in protection. Then we will discuss briefly which are the main assumptions and risks when programming protection. Finally we will analyse how to mainstream protection using a logical framework chart.

Published online: 11 December 2017