Pub Date : 2023-11-15DOI: 10.1177/02666669231215297
Clement Ola Adekoya, Isaac Oluwadare Busayo
This study investigates DL practice among heads of library and job performance of librarians in HEIs in Nigeria. A descriptive design of survey type was applied for the study. The 164 librarians (19 heads of library and 145 librarians) in 19 public higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States formed the population of the study. The study adopted total enumeration sampling technique. A self-structured close-ended questionnaire and interview were used for data collection. It was found that the levels of DL among the heads of library and job performance among librarians in HEIs in Nigeria are high. The study also found that there is significant relationship between: delegation of duties and job performance, delegated decision making and staff job performance, delegated instructional supervision and job performance, and delegated administrative supervision and job performance among the librarians. There is no significant difference between the levels of DL among the male and female heads of the library. It was recommended that subordinate librarians should be trained to develop their leadership capacity to perform optimally when leadership role is distributed to them within the library.
{"title":"Distributed leadership practice among heads of library and job performance of librarians in higher educational institutions in Nigeria","authors":"Clement Ola Adekoya, Isaac Oluwadare Busayo","doi":"10.1177/02666669231215297","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669231215297","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates DL practice among heads of library and job performance of librarians in HEIs in Nigeria. A descriptive design of survey type was applied for the study. The 164 librarians (19 heads of library and 145 librarians) in 19 public higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States formed the population of the study. The study adopted total enumeration sampling technique. A self-structured close-ended questionnaire and interview were used for data collection. It was found that the levels of DL among the heads of library and job performance among librarians in HEIs in Nigeria are high. The study also found that there is significant relationship between: delegation of duties and job performance, delegated decision making and staff job performance, delegated instructional supervision and job performance, and delegated administrative supervision and job performance among the librarians. There is no significant difference between the levels of DL among the male and female heads of the library. It was recommended that subordinate librarians should be trained to develop their leadership capacity to perform optimally when leadership role is distributed to them within the library.","PeriodicalId":47137,"journal":{"name":"Information Development","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139274213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-15DOI: 10.1177/02666669231213641
Farshad Parhamnia
The present study investigated foreign students’ perceptions of their information literacy competencies in Iranian universities in order to identify the weaknesses and strengths so that libraries can meet the information needs of the students. A survey method using a questionnaire was deployed for assessing foreign students’ perceptions of information literacy competencies in Iranian universities. A total of 335 students participated in the study. The research community is all foreign students of Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah Branch, and Razi University who were studying in 2022. The findings showed that the actual average understanding of information needs, information seeking, information evaluation, information storage and retrieval, and communication and dissemination of information was lower than the theoretical average. The results of the present study reveal the areas of strength and weakness of information literacy skills among foreign students in Iranian universities. Thus, this study, gives libraries the knowledge of how to provide their services and helps them make decisions about how to develop the services for these students.
{"title":"Investigating foreign students’ perceptions of their information literacy competencies","authors":"Farshad Parhamnia","doi":"10.1177/02666669231213641","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669231213641","url":null,"abstract":"The present study investigated foreign students’ perceptions of their information literacy competencies in Iranian universities in order to identify the weaknesses and strengths so that libraries can meet the information needs of the students. A survey method using a questionnaire was deployed for assessing foreign students’ perceptions of information literacy competencies in Iranian universities. A total of 335 students participated in the study. The research community is all foreign students of Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah Branch, and Razi University who were studying in 2022. The findings showed that the actual average understanding of information needs, information seeking, information evaluation, information storage and retrieval, and communication and dissemination of information was lower than the theoretical average. The results of the present study reveal the areas of strength and weakness of information literacy skills among foreign students in Iranian universities. Thus, this study, gives libraries the knowledge of how to provide their services and helps them make decisions about how to develop the services for these students.","PeriodicalId":47137,"journal":{"name":"Information Development","volume":"37 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139271297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-14DOI: 10.1177/02666669231206762
G. Yamson
The paper examines ChatGPT's application in library services and assesses its shortcomings. The study emphasizes the immediateness that new technologies offer to library services and how ChatGPT falls short of satisfying this demand because it relies on pre-existing data and lacks real-time interaction. The paper suggests that while ChatGPT can assist in basic inquiries, it cannot replace human interaction and expertise in addressing more complex questions and concerns. The study suggests that libraries should give preference to efficient and individualized service to better meet the demands of their patrons. The study provides valuable insights for libraries and other service organizations considering the implementation of chatbots or similar AI technologies.
{"title":"Immediacy as a better service: Analysis of limitations of the use of ChatGPT in library services","authors":"G. Yamson","doi":"10.1177/02666669231206762","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669231206762","url":null,"abstract":"The paper examines ChatGPT's application in library services and assesses its shortcomings. The study emphasizes the immediateness that new technologies offer to library services and how ChatGPT falls short of satisfying this demand because it relies on pre-existing data and lacks real-time interaction. The paper suggests that while ChatGPT can assist in basic inquiries, it cannot replace human interaction and expertise in addressing more complex questions and concerns. The study suggests that libraries should give preference to efficient and individualized service to better meet the demands of their patrons. The study provides valuable insights for libraries and other service organizations considering the implementation of chatbots or similar AI technologies.","PeriodicalId":47137,"journal":{"name":"Information Development","volume":"R-32 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139277382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-14DOI: 10.1177/02666669231213023
Yavuz Selim Balcıoğlu, Melike Artar
This study investigates the effectiveness of machine learning and deep learning models for early prediction of student performance in higher education institutions. Using the Open University Learning Analytics (OULA) dataset, various models, including Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, Neural Network, and Ensemble Model, were employed to predict student performance in three categories: Pass/Fail, Close to Fail, and Close to Pass. The Ensemble Model (EM) consistently outperformed other models, achieving the highest overall F1 measure, precision, recall, and accuracy. These results highlight the potential of data-driven techniques in informing educational stakeholders’ decision-making processes, enabling targeted interventions, and facilitating personalized learning strategies tailored to students’ needs. By identifying at-risk students early in the academic year, institutions can provide additional support to improve academic outcomes and retention rates. The study also discusses practical implications, including the development of pedagogical policies and guidelines based on early predictions, which can help educational institutions maintain strong academic outcomes and enhance their reputation for academic excellence. Future research aims to investigate the impact of individual activities on student performance and explore day-to-day student behaviors, enabling the creation of tailored pedagogical policies and guidelines.
本研究探讨了机器学习和深度学习模型在早期预测高等教育机构学生成绩方面的有效性。利用开放大学学习分析(OULA)数据集,采用了包括决策树、支持向量机、神经网络和集合模型在内的各种模型来预测三个类别的学生成绩:及格/不及格、接近不及格和接近及格。集合模型(EM)的表现始终优于其他模型,在总体 F1 指标、精确度、召回率和准确度方面均名列前茅。这些结果凸显了数据驱动技术在为教育利益相关者的决策过程提供信息、实现有针对性的干预和促进针对学生需求的个性化学习策略方面的潜力。通过在学年早期识别高危学生,院校可以提供额外的支持,以提高学习成绩和保留率。研究还讨论了实际意义,包括根据早期预测制定教学政策和指导方针,这有助于教育机构保持优异的学业成绩,提高其学术声誉。未来的研究旨在调查个别活动对学生成绩的影响,并探索学生的日常行为,从而制定有针对性的教学政策和指导方针。
{"title":"Predicting academic performance of students with machine learning","authors":"Yavuz Selim Balcıoğlu, Melike Artar","doi":"10.1177/02666669231213023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669231213023","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates the effectiveness of machine learning and deep learning models for early prediction of student performance in higher education institutions. Using the Open University Learning Analytics (OULA) dataset, various models, including Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, Neural Network, and Ensemble Model, were employed to predict student performance in three categories: Pass/Fail, Close to Fail, and Close to Pass. The Ensemble Model (EM) consistently outperformed other models, achieving the highest overall F1 measure, precision, recall, and accuracy. These results highlight the potential of data-driven techniques in informing educational stakeholders’ decision-making processes, enabling targeted interventions, and facilitating personalized learning strategies tailored to students’ needs. By identifying at-risk students early in the academic year, institutions can provide additional support to improve academic outcomes and retention rates. The study also discusses practical implications, including the development of pedagogical policies and guidelines based on early predictions, which can help educational institutions maintain strong academic outcomes and enhance their reputation for academic excellence. Future research aims to investigate the impact of individual activities on student performance and explore day-to-day student behaviors, enabling the creation of tailored pedagogical policies and guidelines.","PeriodicalId":47137,"journal":{"name":"Information Development","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139276754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-14DOI: 10.1177/02666669231214529
Emine Cengiz Mater, Lale Özdemir Şahin
In the Turkish public sector, official policy, and practice on the transfer of digital records to the Turkish State Archives has yet to be implemented, and the consequences of this have yet to be fully identified or comprehended. As such there is a need for research and recommendations on this problem. The purpose of this study is to provide a situational analysis of the transfer process of born-digital records to the national archives in Türkiye, by identifying the challenges faced in the digital transfer process, with the aim of raising awareness among public bodies. The survey method was used to collect data about the digital transfer process in Türkiye. A total of 120 public bodies participated in the survey. The originality value of this study can be said to be significant as of the target population, 120 Turkish public sector bodies were surveyed to determine their challenges and level of awareness regarding the born-digital transfer process. In addition to the high number of Turkish public bodies surveyed, this is the first study of its kind in Türkiye on digital transfer and its processes. The findings of the research revealed that public bodies in Türkiye are not currently ready for digital transfer. The findings also highlighted that the legal and technical infrastructure required for digital transfer in the public sector was inadequate. The research findings also concluded that staff working in the public sector require training in the processes related to the transfer of digital records. In line with the research data recommendations have been made regarding the digital transfer process in Türkiye.
{"title":"An examination of the challenges and awareness presented by the transfer of born-digital records in the public sector: A case study of Türkiye","authors":"Emine Cengiz Mater, Lale Özdemir Şahin","doi":"10.1177/02666669231214529","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669231214529","url":null,"abstract":"In the Turkish public sector, official policy, and practice on the transfer of digital records to the Turkish State Archives has yet to be implemented, and the consequences of this have yet to be fully identified or comprehended. As such there is a need for research and recommendations on this problem. The purpose of this study is to provide a situational analysis of the transfer process of born-digital records to the national archives in Türkiye, by identifying the challenges faced in the digital transfer process, with the aim of raising awareness among public bodies. The survey method was used to collect data about the digital transfer process in Türkiye. A total of 120 public bodies participated in the survey. The originality value of this study can be said to be significant as of the target population, 120 Turkish public sector bodies were surveyed to determine their challenges and level of awareness regarding the born-digital transfer process. In addition to the high number of Turkish public bodies surveyed, this is the first study of its kind in Türkiye on digital transfer and its processes. The findings of the research revealed that public bodies in Türkiye are not currently ready for digital transfer. The findings also highlighted that the legal and technical infrastructure required for digital transfer in the public sector was inadequate. The research findings also concluded that staff working in the public sector require training in the processes related to the transfer of digital records. In line with the research data recommendations have been made regarding the digital transfer process in Türkiye.","PeriodicalId":47137,"journal":{"name":"Information Development","volume":"10 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139277163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-09DOI: 10.1177/02666669231209956
Josias Kgwadi Mamabolo, MC Fombad
This paper explores the existing knowledge retention strategies for professional nurses at Philadelphia hospital, in South Africa, located in one of the previously disadvantaged district municipalities in the country and it develops a strategy for retaining nurses. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopted a qualitative research approach and a case-study design. Semi-structured interviews were used to solicit in-depth understanding of the current knowledge retention practices. Out of the 90 professional nurses at Philadelphia hospital, 20 were purposively interviewed to a point of saturation. Data was analysed thematically. Findings: A knowledge retention strategy was developed. It calls for a knowledge retention policy; awareness training programmes; reward systems for effectively encouraging professional nurses to participate in knowledge retention practices; programmes for recovering lost knowledge and conducting knowledge audits. The strategy contributes to the existing body of knowledge-on-knowledge retention in the health care sector. The article is part of the findings from the authors master's dissertation. Conclusion: The loss of critical nursing knowledge remains a challenge in South Africa and to the rest of the globe, as highly skilled and experienced nurses migrate from place to place in search of greener pastures, hence this has affected patient care. Although the country has engaged in several efforts such as educating and training nurses, its knowledge retention strategies have not been prioritised in the country. Limitations: This paper focuses on knowledge retention practices in the nursing profession, which is only one part of the health sector in the former disadvantaged province. It is a qualitative study performed in one out of the nine provinces in South Africa. There is a dire need for a quantitative study, which will explore knowledge retention amongst nurses in the country and the health sector as a whole
{"title":"A knowledge retention strategy for professional nurses in South Africa","authors":"Josias Kgwadi Mamabolo, MC Fombad","doi":"10.1177/02666669231209956","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669231209956","url":null,"abstract":"This paper explores the existing knowledge retention strategies for professional nurses at Philadelphia hospital, in South Africa, located in one of the previously disadvantaged district municipalities in the country and it develops a strategy for retaining nurses. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopted a qualitative research approach and a case-study design. Semi-structured interviews were used to solicit in-depth understanding of the current knowledge retention practices. Out of the 90 professional nurses at Philadelphia hospital, 20 were purposively interviewed to a point of saturation. Data was analysed thematically. Findings: A knowledge retention strategy was developed. It calls for a knowledge retention policy; awareness training programmes; reward systems for effectively encouraging professional nurses to participate in knowledge retention practices; programmes for recovering lost knowledge and conducting knowledge audits. The strategy contributes to the existing body of knowledge-on-knowledge retention in the health care sector. The article is part of the findings from the authors master's dissertation. Conclusion: The loss of critical nursing knowledge remains a challenge in South Africa and to the rest of the globe, as highly skilled and experienced nurses migrate from place to place in search of greener pastures, hence this has affected patient care. Although the country has engaged in several efforts such as educating and training nurses, its knowledge retention strategies have not been prioritised in the country. Limitations: This paper focuses on knowledge retention practices in the nursing profession, which is only one part of the health sector in the former disadvantaged province. It is a qualitative study performed in one out of the nine provinces in South Africa. There is a dire need for a quantitative study, which will explore knowledge retention amongst nurses in the country and the health sector as a whole","PeriodicalId":47137,"journal":{"name":"Information Development","volume":" 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135291347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-06DOI: 10.1177/02666669231210839
Hanjin Li, Hu Tian, Muhammad Ahsan Rabbi
Informatization has changed people's production and lifestyle through the application of information technology, which provides a breakthrough point for solving the urban-rural income gap problem. This paper uses panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020 to measure the level of information technology development in each province of China using the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method and empirically tests the impact and mechanism of the level of information technology on the urban-rural income gap through a panel effects model. It is found that: the level of informatization significantly reduces the urban-rural income gap, and the results still hold after robustness tests; the level of informatization may indirectly affect the urban-rural income gap through technological progress; there is significant regional heterogeneity in the level of informatization development on the urban-rural income gap, with the degree of influence showing a decreasing trend from the eastern coast to the western inland.
{"title":"The impact of informatization on the urban-rural income gap: An empirical investigation of China","authors":"Hanjin Li, Hu Tian, Muhammad Ahsan Rabbi","doi":"10.1177/02666669231210839","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669231210839","url":null,"abstract":"Informatization has changed people's production and lifestyle through the application of information technology, which provides a breakthrough point for solving the urban-rural income gap problem. This paper uses panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020 to measure the level of information technology development in each province of China using the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method and empirically tests the impact and mechanism of the level of information technology on the urban-rural income gap through a panel effects model. It is found that: the level of informatization significantly reduces the urban-rural income gap, and the results still hold after robustness tests; the level of informatization may indirectly affect the urban-rural income gap through technological progress; there is significant regional heterogeneity in the level of informatization development on the urban-rural income gap, with the degree of influence showing a decreasing trend from the eastern coast to the western inland.","PeriodicalId":47137,"journal":{"name":"Information Development","volume":"67 9","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135683733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The purpose of this paper is the comparative analysis of traditional education and e-learning by the application of key performance indicators. The general objective of the study is to indicate the advantages and disadvantages of traditional education and e-learning through the analysis and comparison of these two forms of education by applying defined key performance indicators. The research was carried out in 15 gymnasiums and vocational high schools in the Republic of Serbia, with a sample of 11.204 students (the school year 2018–19) and 11.251 students (the school year 2019–20). The results of the research and conducted comparative analysis presented in this paper indicate that e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has significant advantages over traditional education, such as a reduction in the percentage of students who were sent to the make-up exam and who did not complete the school year, a reduction of the number of imposed disciplinary measures and absences from classes per student at the end of the school year and an increasing percentage of excellent students at the school level at the end of the school year. Based on the results, recommendations for improving the education process by implementing e-learning in developing countries are proposed. This paper presents a valuable resource for educators and scholars in defining the elements that can improve student learning outcomes, motivation and satisfaction levels.
{"title":"Measuring improvements of the education system in the COVID-19 pandemic – A case study of Serbia","authors":"Teodora Rajković, Danica Lečić-Cvetković, Jovana Perović, Jasna Petković","doi":"10.1177/02666669231211533","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669231211533","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of this paper is the comparative analysis of traditional education and e-learning by the application of key performance indicators. The general objective of the study is to indicate the advantages and disadvantages of traditional education and e-learning through the analysis and comparison of these two forms of education by applying defined key performance indicators. The research was carried out in 15 gymnasiums and vocational high schools in the Republic of Serbia, with a sample of 11.204 students (the school year 2018–19) and 11.251 students (the school year 2019–20). The results of the research and conducted comparative analysis presented in this paper indicate that e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has significant advantages over traditional education, such as a reduction in the percentage of students who were sent to the make-up exam and who did not complete the school year, a reduction of the number of imposed disciplinary measures and absences from classes per student at the end of the school year and an increasing percentage of excellent students at the school level at the end of the school year. Based on the results, recommendations for improving the education process by implementing e-learning in developing countries are proposed. This paper presents a valuable resource for educators and scholars in defining the elements that can improve student learning outcomes, motivation and satisfaction levels.","PeriodicalId":47137,"journal":{"name":"Information Development","volume":"65 12","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135684838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-03DOI: 10.1177/02666669231210259
Elizabeth Okantah Ntsiful, Ebenezer Ankrah, Kwesi Gyesi, Naomi Bada
School libraries have a strong commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) four. The United Nations SDG four aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Librarians are in the right position to foster the attainment of the SDGs. Therefore, this study sought to investigate how school libraries in high schools attain SDG four at the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School, Benkum Senior High School, and Kwabenya Senior High School. This study was guided by the Partnership Relationships Model. This study adopted a quantitative approach and survey research design to select 257 out of the total population of 2574 using a stratified sampling method. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The study found that most respondents had a basic level of knowledge of what constitutes SDG four. The Chi-square test showed that there is a relationship between school libraries and SDG four in Kwabenya Senior High School, unlike in Presbyterian and Benkum Senior High Schools. The findings can be explained by the fact that in Kwabenya, the school library plays a critical role by supporting teaching and learning in schools, but in Presbyterian and Benkum, school libraries only provide training for teachers and learners. The study concluded that it is important for school management to assist the school library through the provision of training and supporting teaching and learning to learners in attaining SDG four with available resources. The study recommended the following, awareness creation of SDG four through workshops, provision of training, and enhancement of collection to support the teaching and learning of learners.
{"title":"Sustainable development goal four (SDG 4) in Ghana: Can second cycle school libraries play a role?","authors":"Elizabeth Okantah Ntsiful, Ebenezer Ankrah, Kwesi Gyesi, Naomi Bada","doi":"10.1177/02666669231210259","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669231210259","url":null,"abstract":"School libraries have a strong commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) four. The United Nations SDG four aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Librarians are in the right position to foster the attainment of the SDGs. Therefore, this study sought to investigate how school libraries in high schools attain SDG four at the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School, Benkum Senior High School, and Kwabenya Senior High School. This study was guided by the Partnership Relationships Model. This study adopted a quantitative approach and survey research design to select 257 out of the total population of 2574 using a stratified sampling method. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The study found that most respondents had a basic level of knowledge of what constitutes SDG four. The Chi-square test showed that there is a relationship between school libraries and SDG four in Kwabenya Senior High School, unlike in Presbyterian and Benkum Senior High Schools. The findings can be explained by the fact that in Kwabenya, the school library plays a critical role by supporting teaching and learning in schools, but in Presbyterian and Benkum, school libraries only provide training for teachers and learners. The study concluded that it is important for school management to assist the school library through the provision of training and supporting teaching and learning to learners in attaining SDG four with available resources. The study recommended the following, awareness creation of SDG four through workshops, provision of training, and enhancement of collection to support the teaching and learning of learners.","PeriodicalId":47137,"journal":{"name":"Information Development","volume":"35 9","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135868397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-03DOI: 10.1177/02666669231208017
Sumanya Ngandee, Attaphongse Taparugssanagorn
The upward surge in world population, sustainability, and concerns about food and nutritional security place the food and agricultural sector amidst challenges. These challenges encompass increasing food supply, meeting higher quality standards, and enhancing productivity and crop yield prediction. This study discusses the development and evaluation of a Machine Learning (ML) based rice yield prediction system. Utilizing extensive historical datasets from the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), Thai Meteorological Department, and Department of Internal Trade of Thailand, all pivotal variables at the national rice level were considered. Examining ML models like the Generalized Linear Model (GLM), Feed-Forward Neural Network (FFNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest (RF), the study proposes a Web-based system to disseminate Thailand's rice information and yield predictions, aiding decision-making processes. Beyond evaluating the performance of each prediction model, user satisfaction was scrutinized. Results reveal that the FFNN, a deep neural network, adeptly handles complex nonlinear relationships in high-dimensional datasets. Despite the FFNN's longer training runtime due to Big-O complexity, it exhibits the shortest execution time for predictions. System usability assessment, based on ten standardized questions, indicates participants found the proposed system marginally acceptable, reporting positive user experiences and feeling confident in system use without perceiving it as inconsistent or cumbersome. This study is significant for enhancing agricultural information dissemination services across diverse sectors, benefiting farmers, wholesalers, retailers, and policymakers.
{"title":"Improved information dissemination services for the agricultural sector in Thailand: development and evaluation of a machine learning based rice crop yield prediction system","authors":"Sumanya Ngandee, Attaphongse Taparugssanagorn","doi":"10.1177/02666669231208017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669231208017","url":null,"abstract":"The upward surge in world population, sustainability, and concerns about food and nutritional security place the food and agricultural sector amidst challenges. These challenges encompass increasing food supply, meeting higher quality standards, and enhancing productivity and crop yield prediction. This study discusses the development and evaluation of a Machine Learning (ML) based rice yield prediction system. Utilizing extensive historical datasets from the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), Thai Meteorological Department, and Department of Internal Trade of Thailand, all pivotal variables at the national rice level were considered. Examining ML models like the Generalized Linear Model (GLM), Feed-Forward Neural Network (FFNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest (RF), the study proposes a Web-based system to disseminate Thailand's rice information and yield predictions, aiding decision-making processes. Beyond evaluating the performance of each prediction model, user satisfaction was scrutinized. Results reveal that the FFNN, a deep neural network, adeptly handles complex nonlinear relationships in high-dimensional datasets. Despite the FFNN's longer training runtime due to Big-O complexity, it exhibits the shortest execution time for predictions. System usability assessment, based on ten standardized questions, indicates participants found the proposed system marginally acceptable, reporting positive user experiences and feeling confident in system use without perceiving it as inconsistent or cumbersome. This study is significant for enhancing agricultural information dissemination services across diverse sectors, benefiting farmers, wholesalers, retailers, and policymakers.","PeriodicalId":47137,"journal":{"name":"Information Development","volume":"34 19","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135868231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}