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1 – 10 of over 120000The purpose of this paper is to present the necessary accessories for creating a job description, through a model. The model concentrates on the person and a job description…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the necessary accessories for creating a job description, through a model. The model concentrates on the person and a job description document, which is capable of connecting and synchronising the organizational goals. The author introduces a tool that assists in creating job descriptions.
Design/methodology/approach
In the present paper the author integrates the conclusions of the authors on the subject and her own research results, on the basis of which she creates a three dimensional (3D) job description model. This 3D model could be used as a resource in the human resource development field.
Findings
The elements of the resulting job description document: the method specific accessories of the job descriptions. The content specific accessories of the job descriptions. The person specific accessories of the job descriptions.
Research limitations/implications
The 3D job description, which is presented in the study, was preceded by the development of a general model. The very first application of the general model was in connection with competence tests, which have gained popularity lately. Competences can be classified in different ways. Each aspect of classification corresponds to a face of a tetrahedron, five of which comprise the model. This model is also adaptable for other kinds of research used at research centres, educational institutions and companies.
Practical implications
The 3D job description being presented was developed as a special, multi-dimensional data model. The model allows us to discover and present the causal relationships and the connections between the parts and the whole of job description elements. It demonstrates the interacting factors clearly due to the fact that the tetrahedrons can be rolled over one another, and it is adaptable for the mapping of the connections between these factors.
Social implications
The model is capable of defining the central elements. In this case, the people and the organization of work are in the centre. The 3D job description is adaptable for modelling by the exploration of logical links, so it can show what kind of “whole” is generated by the given elements and what parts it consists of. Therefore the model can be interpreted as a network of connections, which is capable of illustrating the vertical and horizontal structure, due to the special form of tetrahedrons. The model is perfect for the demonstration of the connections between contents on the faces of the tetrahedrons, due to their form and movability.
Originality/value
The elaboration and presentation of the general model, protected by design patent (90 806 D0500121) in Hungary, was stimulated by the fact that during different kinds of research and analyses it is an important task to explore the influencing factors, elements and their connections. This is of primary importance especially at the early stage of research and analysis, because the negligence of these in the early stages results in the fact that those particular factors can be taken into account only during a repeated analysis.
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Keng Yang, Hanying Qi and Qian Huang
Existing studies on the relationship between task description and task performance are insufficient, with many studies considering description length rather than content to…
Abstract
Purpose
Existing studies on the relationship between task description and task performance are insufficient, with many studies considering description length rather than content to measure quality or only evaluating a single aspect of task performance. To address this gap, this study analyzes the linguistic styles of task descriptions from 2,545 tasks on the Taskcn.com crowdsourcing platform.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical analysis was completed for task description language styles and task performance. The paper used text mining tool Simplified Chinese Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count to extract eight linguistic styles, namely readability, self-distancing, cognitive complexity, causality, tentative language, humanizing personal details, normative information and language intensity. And it tests the relationship between the eight language styles and task performance.
Findings
The study found that more cognitive complexity markers, tentative language, humanized details and normative information increase the quantity of submissions for a task. In addition, more humanized details and normative information in a task description improves the quality of task. Conversely, the inclusion of more causal relationships in a task description reduces the quantity of submissions. Poorer readability of the task description, less self-estrangement and higher language intensity reduces the quality of the task.
Originality/value
This study first reveals the importance of the linguistic styles used in task descriptions and provides a reference for how to attract more task solvers and achieve higher quality task performance by improving task descriptions. The research also enriches existing knowledge on the impact of linguistic styles and the applications of text mining.
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The purpose of this paper is to present the possibilities of formal and structural appearances of a job description, with correct content, through corporate examples and the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the possibilities of formal and structural appearances of a job description, with correct content, through corporate examples and the result of a research.
Design/methodology/approach
The author in this paper aims to demonstrate the possibilities of the design of job descriptions, based on more than ten-year-long, intense, empirical research of job descriptions (cca. 1,200 examined and analyzed items).
Findings
During the research work, a 2D job description sample has been created, mapped from a 3D job description, based on an earlier research. This 2D sample can serve as a good starting point for companies in the creation of new documents. Furthermore, the process of the formal visualization of job descriptions has been described, and structured and semi-structured formal visualization have been illustrated, with corporate examples.
Research limitations/implications
A well-visualized job description can lead the employee, the employer and the company as well to comprehension and competence, thus job descriptions become one of the tools of HRD visual management.
Practical implications
The aim is to support the job description writing process, which therefore will lead to a well-formed and well-structured, attractive, “living” document.
Originality/value
The form and content of a job description, the aims that it serves and the message it conveys really make a difference. 3D job descriptions are under patent design protection in Hungary (Registration Number: 90 806 D0500121).
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Abdol Hossein Farajpahlou and Farshid Danesh
The aim of this paper is to prepare and propose a job description for and identify the organizational position of systems librarians in university libraries in Iran.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to prepare and propose a job description for and identify the organizational position of systems librarians in university libraries in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
The required data were collected in two ways: literature review and survey of opinions. The respondents completed a questionnaire designed by the researchers in order to specify the skills, duties, characteristics and other qualifications of the librarians in Iranian university libraries. The material covered by the questionnaire was extracted from the existing cultural and organizational structure systems librarianship texts and their recruitment advertisements. Differences between Iranian university libraries and those of developed nations are noted. The research population included all administrators and supervisors of information sections in university libraries of Iran.
Findings
It was found that in Iran information sciences librarians require assistance from computer experts, since the IT training programme on offer does not meet the required standard. This has resulted in a reduced ability to perform their duties adequately, prompting the proposed survey for the purpose of producing a revised job description.
Practical implications
Based on the findings of this research, a job description is formulated for systems librarians in Iranian university libraries. The job description thus presented includes: responsibilities, skills, job features, factors, tools of work, condition of work environment, intellectual capabilities required, body posture, and required technologies.
Originality/value
The survey is unique in that the focus is on an Iranian systems librarian's job description based on requirements resulting from the opinions expressed by the managers and the librarians of the Iranian university libraries. Its structure therefore corresponds to the occupations widespread in Iran.
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– The purpose of this paper is to survey the treatment of relationships, relationship expressions and the ways in which they manifest themselves in image descriptions.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to survey the treatment of relationships, relationship expressions and the ways in which they manifest themselves in image descriptions.
Design/methodology/approach
The term “relationship” is construed in the broadest possible way to include spatial relationships (“to the right of”), temporal (“in 1936,” “at noon”), meronymic (“part of”), and attributive (“has color,” “has dimension”). The intentions of these vaguely delimited categories with image information, image creation, and description in libraries and archives is complex and in need of explanation.
Findings
The review brings into question many generally held beliefs about the relationship problem such as the belief that the semantics of relationships are somehow embedded in the relationship term itself and that image search and retrieval solutions can be found through refinement of word-matching systems.
Originality/value
This review has no hope of systematically examining all evidence in all disciplines pertaining to this topic. It instead focusses on a general description of a theoretical treatment in Library and Information Science.
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The study aims to promote the use of qualitative methods in service research by investigating how these methods are reported in service journals, how the level of reporting has…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to promote the use of qualitative methods in service research by investigating how these methods are reported in service journals, how the level of reporting has evolved and whether methodological reporting influences the downloads or citations received by qualitative articles.
Design/methodology/approach
Methodological reporting practices were identified through content analysis of 318 qualitative articles published in three major service research journals and comparison with prior methodological literature. Regression analysis was used to test how the level of methodological reporting influences article downloads and citations.
Findings
The study identifies 29 reporting practices related to 9 key methodological reporting areas. The overall level of methodological reporting in published qualitative articles has increased over time. While differences in the level of reporting between service journals persist, they are narrowing. The level of methodological reporting did not influence downloads or citations of qualitative articles.
Research limitations/implications
Service scholars using qualitative methods should pay attention to methodological reporting as it can improve the chances of being published. Factors such as theoretical contributions are likely to have a greater influence on article impact than methodological reporting.
Originality/value
No prior study has explored methodological reporting practices across different qualitative methodologies or how reporting influences article impact. For authors, reviewers and editors, the study provides an inventory of reporting practices relevant for evaluating qualitative articles, which should lower barriers for qualitative methods in service research by providing practical guidelines on what to focus on when reporting and assessing qualitative research.
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John Goodwin, Eileen Savage and Aine O'Donovan
Significant advances have been made in using applied methodological approaches. These approaches facilitate critical and creative ways to generate new knowledge, encouraging…
Abstract
Purpose
Significant advances have been made in using applied methodological approaches. These approaches facilitate critical and creative ways to generate new knowledge, encouraging researchers to explore novel research questions which could not be sufficiently addressed using traditional “branded” methodologies. It is important that, in addition to design, researchers consider the most appropriate methods to collect data. The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of the draw and tell method in the context of an interpretive descriptive study.
Design/methodology/approach
Given the challenges associated with eliciting responses from adolescent populations, in addition to the use of a semi-structured interview guide, the authors encouraged adolescent participants to produce drawings as part of an interpretive descriptive study.
Findings
Despite the fact that drawings are seldom used with adolescents during research interviews, the authors found this method promoted conversation and facilitated deep exploration into adolescents' perspectives.
Originality/value
The authors argue that this creative approach to data collection should be embraced by researchers engaging in applied methodological research, particularly with participants who may be challenging to engage. Drawings, although seldom used with adolescent research participants, can stimulate engagement and facilitate conversations.
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Brady Lund and Ting Wang
Considerable overlap exists between the disciplines of library and information science and museum studies. Exploiting the overlap and examining those areas were library/museum…
Abstract
Purpose
Considerable overlap exists between the disciplines of library and information science and museum studies. Exploiting the overlap and examining those areas were library/museum instruction courses diverge may provide valuable insights for how to improve the quality of these courses and better prepare students for instructional roles in both disciplines.
Design/methodology/approach
Word frequency and thematic analysis of the instructional course descriptions for all 52 American Library Association-accredited Master of Library and Information Science programs in the USA and 49 museum studies and affiliated (e.g. MA in anthropology with museum studies concentration) programs is performed.
Findings
Each discipline has some specific language to describe tasks specific to itself (e.g. museums), but these comprise a small percentage of the total language usage. Among other terms and themes, overlap occurs at a rate of about 50%. The remaining 35-45% of terms and themes reveal areas that are emphasized in only one discipline, but could be beneficial to incorporate in the curriculum/content in both disciplines.
Research limitations/implications
This research builds on a growing corpus of work demonstrating relations between museum studies and library and information science, and their status within a metadiscipline of information; this research presents a comparison of course content that may inform future curriculum/content development.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study of this type has been performed with museum studies courses, nor has a comparison between the two disciplines been investigated at this level.
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Sarah M. Urquhart, Michelle A. Maher, David F. Feldon and Joanna Gilmore
Using the threshold concepts framework, this paper aims to explore how differences in the ability to meaningfully apply relevant literature to one’s research are reflected in…
Abstract
Purpose
Using the threshold concepts framework, this paper aims to explore how differences in the ability to meaningfully apply relevant literature to one’s research are reflected in descriptions of graduate training undertaken in an academic year.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used a sequential-explanatory mixed method design. Phase I analysis used quantitative performance data to differentiate research skill threshold crossers from non-crossers. Phase II analysis used qualitative interview data to identify common and differentiating themes across and between the two groups.
Findings
Participants identified coursework, research activities and teaching assignments as primary research skill development sites. However, only the patterns of mentorship and engagement with literature within the context of supervised research activities consistently differentiated threshold crossers from non-crossers. All non-crossers reported having full autonomy in their research endeavors, whereas all crossers articulated reliance on supervising mentor guidance. Similarly, most non-crossers did not frame research as incremental contributions to existing literature, while most crossers did.
Research limitations/implications
The study sample size is small (n = 14), and the study is exploratory in nature.
Practical implications
The importance of exploring the factors that actually indicate and lead to research skill development is highlighted.
Originality/value
Few studies address graduate student research skill development, although this skill development is a core goal of many graduate programs. This study does so, using performance rather than self-report data.
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Writers present very different descriptions of what constitutes ‘ethnography’ and ‘case study’. While not attempting to review the literature, nor to comment on or endorse the…
Abstract
Writers present very different descriptions of what constitutes ‘ethnography’ and ‘case study’. While not attempting to review the literature, nor to comment on or endorse the overall quality of argument and presentation of research methodology made by each of the authors considered here, the following demonstrates how different the explanations and definitions offered can be.