Search results

1 – 10 of 111
Article
Publication date: 20 October 2020

Gerd Berget, Andrew MacFarlane and Nils Pharo

A substantial number of models have been developed over the years, with the purpose of describing the information seeking and searching of people in various user groups and…

1622

Abstract

Purpose

A substantial number of models have been developed over the years, with the purpose of describing the information seeking and searching of people in various user groups and contexts. Several models have been frequently applied in user studies, but are rarely included in research on participants with impairments. Models are purposeful when developing theories. Consequently, it might be valuable to apply models when studying this user group, as well. The purpose of this study was to explore whether existing models are applicable in describing the online information seeking and searching of users with impairments, with an overall aim to increase the use of models in studies involving impairments.

Design/methodology/approach

Six models were selected according to the following criteria: the model should address information seeking or searching, include the interaction between users and systems whilst incorporating assistive technology. Two user groups were selected from each of the categories: cognitive, sensory and motor impairments, namely dyslexia, autism, blindness, deafness, paralysation and Parkinson's. The models were then analysed based on known barriers reported for these cohorts.

Findings

All the selected models had potential to be applied in user studies involving impairments. While three of the models had the highest potential to be used in the current form, the other three models were applicable either through minor revisions or by combining models.

Originality/value

This study contributes with a new perspective on the use of models in information seeking and searching research on users with impairments.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 77 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 July 2021

Andrew MacFarlane, Sondess Missaoui, Stephann Makri and Marisela Gutierrez Lopez

Belkin and Robertson (1976a) reflected on the ethical implications of theoretical research in information science and warned that there was potential for abuse of knowledge gained…

Abstract

Purpose

Belkin and Robertson (1976a) reflected on the ethical implications of theoretical research in information science and warned that there was potential for abuse of knowledge gained by undertaking such research and applying it to information systems. In particular, they identified the domains of advertising and political propaganda that posed particular problems. The purpose of this literature review is to revisit these ideas in the light of recent events in global information systems that demonstrate that their fears were justified.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors revisit the theory in information science that Belkin and Robertson used to build their argument, together with the discussion on ethics that resulted from this work in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The authors then review recent literature in the field of information systems, specifically information retrieval, social media and recommendation systems that highlight the problems identified by Belkin and Robertson.

Findings

Information science theories have been used in conjunction with empirical evidence gathered from user interactions that have been detrimental to both individuals and society. It is argued in the paper that the information science and systems communities should find ways to return control to the user wherever possible, and the ways to achieve this are considered.

Research limitations/implications

The ethical issues identified require a multidisciplinary approach with research in information science, computer science, information systems, business, sociology, psychology, journalism, government and politics, etc. required. This is too large a scope to deal with in a literature review, and we focus only on the design and implementation of information systems (Zimmer, 2008a) through an information science and information systems perspective.

Practical implications

The authors argue that information systems such as search technologies, social media applications and recommendation systems should be designed with the recipient of the information in mind (Paisley and Parker, 1965), not the sender of that information.

Social implications

Information systems designed ethically and with users in mind will go some way to addressing the ill effects typified by the problems for individuals and society evident in global information systems.

Originality/value

The authors synthesize the evidence from the literature to provide potential technological solutions to the ethical issues identified, with a set of recommendations to information systems designers and implementers.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 78 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2003

Andrew MacFarlane

Open source software development is becoming increasingly popular as a way of producing software, due to a number of factors. It is argued in this paper that these factors may…

2107

Abstract

Open source software development is becoming increasingly popular as a way of producing software, due to a number of factors. It is argued in this paper that these factors may have a significant impact on the future of information retrieval (IR) systems, and that it is desirable that these systems are made open to all. Some problems are outlined that may prevent the uptake of open source IR systems and a number of open source IR systems are described.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 55 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 19 July 2013

Andrew MacFarlane

241

Abstract

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 69 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 September 2004

Andrew MacFarlane

367

Abstract

Details

Program, vol. 38 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 September 2009

Wei Lu, Andrew MacFarlane and Fabio Venuti

Being an important data exchange and information storage standard, XML has generated a great deal of interest and particular attention has been paid to the issue of XML indexing…

Abstract

Purpose

Being an important data exchange and information storage standard, XML has generated a great deal of interest and particular attention has been paid to the issue of XML indexing. Clear use cases for structured search in XML have been established. However, most of the research in the area is either based on relational database systems or specialized semi‐structured data management systems. This paper aims to propose a method for XML indexing based on the information retrieval (IR) system Okapi.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper reviews the structure of inverted files and gives an overview of the issues of why this indexing mechanism cannot properly support XML retrieval, using the underlying data structures of Okapi as an example. Then the paper explores a revised method implemented on Okapi using path indexing structures. The paper evaluates these index structures through the metrics of indexing run time, path search run time and space costs using the INEX and Reuters RVC1 collections.

Findings

Initial results on the INEX collections show that there is a substantial overhead in space costs for the method, but this increase does not affect run time adversely. Indexing results on differing sized Reuters RVC1 sub‐collections show that the increase in space costs with increasing the size of a collection is significant, but in terms of run time the increase is linear. Path search results show sub‐millisecond run times, demonstrating minimal overhead for XML search.

Practical implications

Overall, the results show the method implemented to support XML search in a traditional IR system such as Okapi is viable.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on a method for XML indexing based on the IR system Okapi.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 61 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2016

Ayse Göker, Richard Butterworth, Andrew MacFarlane, Tanya S Ahmed and Simone Stumpf

Searching for appropriate images as part of a work task is a non-trivial problem. Journalists and copywriters need to find images that are not only visually appropriate to…

Abstract

Purpose

Searching for appropriate images as part of a work task is a non-trivial problem. Journalists and copywriters need to find images that are not only visually appropriate to accompany the documents they are creating, but are acceptably priced and licensed. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A work-based study methodology and grounded theory are used to collect qualitative data from a variety of creative professionals including journalists.

Findings

The authors report the findings of a study to investigate image search, retrieval and use by creative professionals who routinely use images as part of their work in an online environment. The authors describe the commercial constraints that have an impact on the image users’ behaviour that are not reported in other more academic and lab-based studies of image use (Westman, 2009).

Practical implications

The authors show that the commercial image retrieval systems are based on document retrieval systems, and that this is not the most appropriate approach in the journalism domain.

Originality/value

The authors describe the properties of an “information expedition”; the image seeking behaviour exhibited by journalists in an online environment, and contend that it is significantly different to existing image seeking models which represent other user types.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 72 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2008

Charles Inskip, Andrew MacFarlane and Pauline Rafferty

If an information retrieval system is going to be of value to the user then it must give meaning to the information which matches the meaning given to it by the user. The meaning…

7299

Abstract

Purpose

If an information retrieval system is going to be of value to the user then it must give meaning to the information which matches the meaning given to it by the user. The meaning given to music varies according to who is interpreting it – the author/composer, the performer, cataloguer or the listener – and this affects how music is organized and retrieved. This paper aims to examine the meaning of music, how meaning is communicated and suggests this may affect music retrieval.

Design/methodology/approach

Musicology is used to define music and examine its functions leading to a discussion of how music has been organised and described. Various ways of establishing the meaning of music are reviewed, focussing on established musical analysis techniques. It is suggested that traditional methods are of limited use with digitised popular music. A discussion of semiotics and a review of semiotic analysis in western art music leads to a discussion of semiotics of popular music and examines ideas of Middleton, Stefani and Tagg.

Findings

Agreeing that music exists when communication takes place, a discussion of selected communication models leads to the proposal of a revised version of Tagg's model, adjusting it to include listener feedback.

Originality/value

The outcome of the analysis is a revised version of Tagg's communication model, adapted to reflect user feedback. It is suggested that this revised communication model reflects the way in which meaning is given to music.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 64 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1994

Morton International Inc. have purchased Hoechst AG's printed circuit materials business including their Ozatec dry film and liquid primary imaging photoresists, Ozatec liquid…

Abstract

Morton International Inc. have purchased Hoechst AG's printed circuit materials business including their Ozatec dry film and liquid primary imaging photoresists, Ozatec liquid photoimageable solder masks and related process equipment. Concurrently, Hoechst and its US subsidiary Hoechst Celanese Corporation purchased Morton's semiconductor photoresist business. Completion of these transactions was effective from 4 August 1993.

Details

Circuit World, vol. 20 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

Content available
Article
Publication date: 9 March 2010

197

Abstract

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

1 – 10 of 111