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Article
Publication date: 7 July 2020

Essam Mansour

The purpose of this paper is attracting attention to the use of information by mosque speechmakers (MSs) in the Islamic and Arabic world, specifically in Upper Egypt.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is attracting attention to the use of information by mosque speechmakers (MSs) in the Islamic and Arabic world, specifically in Upper Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a survey, which was conducted from September to November 2019. A structured questionnaire was designed in Arabic and distributed to the mosques that were chosen as a sample to represent all the mosques of Upper Egypt. The researcher sampled 5% (n = 421) of the total of 8,421 mosques in Upper Egypt.

Findings

The findings showed the majority of the MSs in Upper Egypt are to be older (from 36 to 60 years, educated [mostly with BA degrees]), married and with an average monthly income over LE 3,500. Almost all MSs were strongly looking for information to make specific/general research, to make a religious lecture and be aware of contemporary events. The most frequently used sources of information by MSs were biographies, books, mass media, references and the Web. Most of the MSs had been using information heavily. The highest percentage of them spent from 7 to 12 h a week searching for information. MSs preferred the use of printed sources of information to those non-print sources. Mobile apps, followed by the Web and information databases were the most significant technological tools used by MSs. MSs’ efficiency level of using English was good and a reasonable number of them indicated that they were not good at speaking other languages, such as French. The home/personal library and the special library were the most important types of libraries used by MSs. The unaffected role of the library to access information, followed by the use of foreign languages to access some sources of information, as well as the use of technology, were the most significant problems faced by MSs when searching for information.

Research limitations/implications

This paper investigates the topic of MSs’ use of and access to information. This topic, unfortunately, has limited previous research, particularly in the Arabic and Islamic environment.

Practical implications

This paper provides valuable insight into the information behavior of a very significant client group, namely, MSs.

Originality/value

Being one of the very few studies conducted on these beneficiaries of information in the Arab and Islamic environment, this study is considered a unique one among several studies conducted in the area of the information-seeking behavior, especially with such a significant group of information users/seekers in such influencing environment in the world. The findings of this study may help in a better understanding of the information-seeking behavior of the MSs.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. 69 no. 8/9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2002

Crystal Fulton

Provides the foundation for work accomplished by information professionals. As telework, or working regularly from home using telecommunications technology, is increasingly…

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Abstract

Provides the foundation for work accomplished by information professionals. As telework, or working regularly from home using telecommunications technology, is increasingly adopted in the workplace, employees are challenged to maintain the same level of connectivity in their network of information sources. Teleworkers experience a variety of changes in their work situations, as not only is their physical work location altered, but also their means of working changes. Examines ways in which library and information science professionals can facilitate teleworkers’ information access. The information environments of 20 teleworkers and 20 at‐office information professionals with similar jobs are discussed. Researchers have predicted a restructuring of organizations and of information into electronic formats to accommodate work done from home results and reveal that teleworkers still relied heavily on print sources of information. Teleworkers adopted specific strategies for ensuring availability of information in their at‐home work environments, including asking colleagues to send information to them at home. Suggests that library and information science professionals have a vital role to play in teleworkers’ interaction with information. Ways of training library and information science professionals are discussed.

Details

New Library World, vol. 103 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 23 September 2009

Julie M. Bjorkman

In the past decade internal communication began to take on a new identity as it supports the many change efforts underway in organizations today. Change communication – how…

Abstract

In the past decade internal communication began to take on a new identity as it supports the many change efforts underway in organizations today. Change communication – how internal messaging effects individual behavior change – is a key element for an organization undergoing transformation. Although research points to the need to communicate during change, very little information is available on what the outcomes are of an internal communication strategy that can positively influence individual behavior change during transformation. This chapter enhances current knowledge on this topic by investigating the relationship of awareness and understanding of change messages to individual behavior change through the case study examination of the intentional organizational transformation experienced in a large, consumer packaged goods (CPG) company.

Details

Research in Organizational Change and Development
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84855-547-1

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2017

Nazir Ahmad Bhat and Shabir Ahmad Ganaie

This paper of this study is to attempt to explore the status of collection in agricultural libraries of Northern India and assess the magnitude of impact of the advent of…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper of this study is to attempt to explore the status of collection in agricultural libraries of Northern India and assess the magnitude of impact of the advent of electronic information resources (EIRs) on the contemporary acquisition.

Design/methodology/approach

While adhering to the survey method, the questionnaire was used as a data collection tool to collect data from university librarians. Telephonic interaction and e-mail correspondence were also used to clear doubts, remove ambiguities and obtain data of higher significance from the respondents.

Findings

The majority of the agricultural libraries in Northern India have a sound collection of information resources in the print form, which may continue to act as a source of attraction for users in the future for a long time to come. Yet, the acquisition of information resources in the print form across the studied libraries continues at routine pace, and as such the advent of e-resources seems to have not yet laid any prominent impact on acquisition of resources in print form. E-Books have not yet been fully incorporated into the library collection and that e-journal collection “CeRA” (Consortium for Electronic Resources in Agriculture) seems to gratify the needs of users of these libraries, as no additional e-journals are seen to be subscribed to at present.

Research limitations/implications

Only seven agricultural libraries have been taken as a sample. Moreover, the work is confined to only two aspects, i.e. current status and the impact of EIRs on acquisition of information resources. Other aspects like those of collection development, storage and accommodation, preservation, library functionality and library services need to also be studied.

Originality/value

This is first work of its nature in Northern India with agricultural libraries as their domain. The findings will help the librarians and the library advisory committees decide on logical grounds about the proportion at which the print and electronic forms of information resources need to be acquired.

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2017

Alia Arshad and Kanwal Ameen

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use patterns of scholarly e-journals by academics for teaching, research and keeping themselves up-to-date. The study also looks at…

1518

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use patterns of scholarly e-journals by academics for teaching, research and keeping themselves up-to-date. The study also looks at differences in the use patterns across 12 disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted to explore academics’ use patterns of scholarly e-journals in 12 disciplines. The University of the Punjab was used for the sample population. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to all regular and contractual academics of Lahore campuses of the University. After follow up, 457 questionnaires were received with a response rate of 54 per cent. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistics were used to analyse data.

Findings

The results showed that the academics made more frequent use of e-journals, online reference sources and discussion with colleagues for scholarly activities. E-journals were used predominantly for research-related activities rather than for teaching and instruction. Academics obtained e-journal articles primarily from open access sources, i.e. general search engines and Google Scholar as compared to subscribed and other sources of e-journal articles. Disciplinary differences were also found in academics’ use patterns of e-journals. However, academics showed just satisfactory skills regarding use of advanced searching techniques and evaluation of the quality of e-journals.

Practical implications

Findings will be helpful for information professionals to review their policies and practices in relation to e-journal services for academic community. The needs for e-literacy skills to use e-journals will also be identified and findings will be significant for information professionals in arranging information literacy instruction programmes for targeted disciplines.

Originality/value

Most of e-journals use studies focused on specific disciplines – Sciences, Life Sciences, Engineering and Technology and Social Sciences. This research study is valuable that investigated use patterns of e-journals across 12 different disciplines at the University of the Punjab.

Article
Publication date: 8 December 2023

Spyros Kolyvas and Petros Kostagiolas

Information makes an important contribution to the promotion of the creativity of visual artists. This work aims to explore relevant research through a systematic review of the…

277

Abstract

Purpose

Information makes an important contribution to the promotion of the creativity of visual artists. This work aims to explore relevant research through a systematic review of the literature and discuss the impact of information on visual artists' creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted through Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses method. The authors searched and retrieved 1,320 papers from which, after evaluation, 41 papers have been analyzed.

Findings

Two thematic categories were identified for visual artists' information needs: (1) the need for professional development and (2) the need for creative techniques and materials. In terms of information sources visual artists employ, the authors have also identified seven broad categories: (1) conventional resources (galleries, museums, etc.), (2) professional scholar sources, (3) digital art websites, (4) informal information online and colleagues, (5) libraries, (6) personal collections and (7) professional scholar social networks. In addition, the study proceeded to classify the obstacles faced by visual artists in their search for visual information into two general categories: (1) environmental barriers and (2) digital literacy barriers.

Originality/value

Although the investigation of the information needs satisfaction of visual artists as well as the evaluation of their information behavior patterns and information literacy competences is essential, it is understudied. This paper summarizes the relevant literature in a concrete and systematic way providing evidences to be considered in a variety of situations, i.e. developing lifelong learning programs, managing visual art library collections, library services development for artists, etc.

Details

Library Management, vol. 45 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1984

Ruth Dickstein and Robert Mitchell

If being funded for research or other projects were as easy as locating books on finding and writing grants, the grant seeking process would be greatly simplified. In the 1982–83…

Abstract

If being funded for research or other projects were as easy as locating books on finding and writing grants, the grant seeking process would be greatly simplified. In the 1982–83 edition of Books in Print there are over 57 titles listed under the subject heading “Grants‐in‐Aid.” Most of these publications either discuss the grant process, i.e., how to prepare a grant proposal, or they identify sources of funding. A few rare exceptions do both. The procedures for organizing a grant proposal are fairly standardized, and any number of publications will provide the grant seeker who has a creative idea with the information needed to go from idea to grant proposal.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1994

D.T. YEOMANS

The sources of printed information used by building designers are largely ephemeral and the survival of this material has been rather haphazard. This presents problems for both…

Abstract

The sources of printed information used by building designers are largely ephemeral and the survival of this material has been rather haphazard. This presents problems for both historians of modern building and building conservators, although the two have different needs. This paper examines the various kinds of printed material used in building and the factors affecting its likely survival. It also notes the extent to which historical material of various kinds has been collected. The vulnerability of many collections and the poor survival rate of many of the different kinds of historical printed material suggest a need for a more positive policy toward its collection. Some recommendations are outlined.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 50 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Article
Publication date: 31 December 2015

Yosef Solomon and Jenny Bronstein

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of serendipity in legal information seeking behavior of family law advocates, whom act in a challenging information…

2499

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of serendipity in legal information seeking behavior of family law advocates, whom act in a challenging information environment that lacks published court rulings.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research using a web-based structured questionnaire, among Israeli family law advocates. Single stage systematic sampling, with random starting point and no recurring pattern of each sixth family law advocate on the Israel Bar Advocates List, was applied. Data from 135 Israeli family law advocates were used for analysis.

Findings

Electronic information sources were found as most serendipitous; family law advocates were identified as super encounterers; four types of professional background concerns and seven legal professional contributions of the unexpected encounters with court rulings, were identified. Furthermore, findings support several frameworks presented on earlier information encounter literature.

Research limitations/implications

Data absence on demographic and professional variables distributions of Israeli family law advocates was a limiting factor, compensated by the systematic sampling method used, thus can be regarded to reflect the views of the entire study population. Surveys’ reliance on self-reporting recalls of serendipitous events is also a limiting factor, though predicted and acceptable in this matter since chance encounters occur unexpectedly and are complex to capture.

Practical implications

Chance encounters may expose lawyers to meaningful information it is unlikely they were able to find because its limited publication, and assist them keep up with current law for better serves their clients.

Originality/value

The study augments the current empirically based knowledge on serendipity and provides insights into legal information chance encounters among a little-studied group of knowledge workers: family law advocates.

Details

Aslib Journal of Information Management, vol. 68 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-3806

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2005

Joanne E. Callinan

To understand what differences exist between first year biology and final year biochemistry students in University College Dublin so that measures can be taken to address those…

7058

Abstract

Purpose

To understand what differences exist between first year biology and final year biochemistry students in University College Dublin so that measures can be taken to address those needs. It examines student's awareness and use of different sources of information for their course‐work, their use of the (E‐) library, why they visited the university library, the type of assistance they had received in using the library as well as the type of instruction they would like to receive in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was designed and administered to both sample groups to investigate the information‐seeking behaviour of these students in different years of their studies.

Findings

The study highlights the positive aspects of seeking information from the student's perspective as well as the barriers they encountered when seeking course‐related information. The findings show that there are differences in the extent to which sources of information are used by students in different years of their studies. Apart from web sites and web‐based lecture notes, lack of awareness is the primary reason why undergraduate biology students did not use the library's electronic databases.

Research limitations/implications

The study does not distinguish between third and fourth year students in the final year sample.

Practical implications

One of the key recommendations is that bibliographic instruction should meet the specific information needs of first year biology and final year biochemistry students as well as greater liaison between faculty and librarians in the area of collection development and information literacy.

Originality/value

This paper establishes the importance of a cross‐sectional study in understanding the difference in students' information needs in different years of their studies.

Details

Library Review, vol. 54 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

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