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11 – 20 of over 127000Sudatta Chowdhury and Monica Landoni
The paper aims to find out what users expect from a news aggregator service, and how the current and available news aggregator services compare to each other in terms of their…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to find out what users expect from a news aggregator service, and how the current and available news aggregator services compare to each other in terms of their features and usability from users' perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
Five news aggregator services were chosen randomly, and a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data collection involving users from the academic and research community. A total of 45 users participated in the questionnaire survey, and ten users participated in the interview. The researchers created the factors used for comparison of the features and usability of the chosen services based on the review of appropriate literature and a study of the chosen news aggregator services. Users were asked to comment on every feature of a chosen service using a ten‐point scale.
Findings
Users identified a number of expected features of news aggregators. Survey results show that an ideal news aggregator service may be created by combining the usability features of TVEyes and the retrieval performance of GoogleNews.
Research limitations/implications
This research is based on a small set of users and a small number of news aggregator services. A larger sample set may produce more conclusive results.
Originality/value
Studies reporting on the features and usability of news aggregator services is not common in the literature. In that respect, this is an important and new piece of research. The findings of this research may be used by researchers or service providers to produce a new aggregator service, or improve an existing news aggregator service.
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Eun‐Ja Shin and Young‐Seok Kim
This article examines why Korean academic libraries embarked on restructuring their organization and identifies possible solutions to some problems that these libraries face. The…
Abstract
This article examines why Korean academic libraries embarked on restructuring their organization and identifies possible solutions to some problems that these libraries face. The conclusion is drawn from the results of a case study on Sejong University Library that Korean academic librarians should become user‐centered professionals. After restructuring, the user service librarian’s job content has changed to concentrate on servicing users on specific subjects. The subject librarian will take care of reference services, SDI, DB instruction and book selection on the same subject.
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Research networking in The Netherlands is exemplified by SURFnet BV. From the start user support has been given a high priority because networked information and communication…
Abstract
Research networking in The Netherlands is exemplified by SURFnet BV. From the start user support has been given a high priority because networked information and communication services are still areas where inexperienced users need a lot of support before being able to benefit from them. However, providing every network user individually with suitable information is a major task and not necessarily one suited to network providers.
The purpose of this paper is to explore key issues involved with opportunities, challenges, and future developing trends of delivering dynamic and distributed web‐based academic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore key issues involved with opportunities, challenges, and future developing trends of delivering dynamic and distributed web‐based academic library information resources, services, and instructions for library users in the digital age.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the typical web‐based, three‐tier client/server architecture, this paper explores ten key issues how to leverage quality library user services in the digital age: roles of academic libraries; funding support; information resources; information access; information services; instructions and trainings; impacts of cutting‐edge technologies and emerging technologies; web contents management and knowledge base; assessment and evaluation; and Librarians. Also discussed are the next‐generation web‐based client/server library information architecture and services in the foreseeable future.
Findings
With the rapid development of the internet and the world wide web, information exchange and information distribution can be transformed either by disparate formats or by dynamic channels. Knowledge, competence, and skills cannot follow up with the rapid advances of science and technologies. Many library users need assistance to access, locate, convert, synthesize, and evaluate information effectively and efficiently. It is very imperative for libraries and librarians to design, develop, enhance, implement, and deliver high quality user‐centered information services, resources, and instruction at the fingertips of library users.
Originality/value
Target readers who include librarians, instructors, trainers, consultants, managers, IT specialists, executives, and other professionals who are involved with developing and delivering distributed library user services via the internet will find this article of value.
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– The purpose of this paper is to consider four recent articles relating to how included service users are in decision making about their medication in mental health services.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to consider four recent articles relating to how included service users are in decision making about their medication in mental health services.
Design/methodology/approach
One article describes conversations between a psychiatrist and service users about medication. The second paper describes a study in which young people were supported with the aim of developing their confidence to challenge medication decisions. The third paper reports on interviews with both professionals and service users about medication decisions. The fourth paper presents a theory of how the wider context can affect medication decision making in mental health.
Findings
The first paper shows how a psychiatrist can persuade service users to accept medication decisions. The second paper shows how some young people can challenge medication decisions if they have the right support. The third paper illustrates how both professionals and service users may doubt service users’ ability to decide about medication, and pessimistically suggests that shared decision making may be unrealistic. In contrast to this, the fourth paper offers hope of changing how mental health services are organised in order to enable service users to be more empowered about medication decisions.
Originality/value
A model of shared decision making is being imported into mental health from physical health. These four papers illustrate problems with a simple transfer from physical to mental health. The present paper points to differences in apparent awareness of different clinical researchers of the need to tackle service users’ disempowerment in mental health care, showing how some researchers are tackling this.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine three recent papers on mental health services and how they support recovery following a diagnosis of a severe mental health condition.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine three recent papers on mental health services and how they support recovery following a diagnosis of a severe mental health condition.
Design/methodology/approach
A search was carried out for recent papers on mental health and recovery. The author selected three papers that seemed to advance understanding of not only whether, but also how recovery of a meaningful life may be best supported in mental health services.
Findings
One paper suggested how staff were able to support service users’ personal goals and focus on recovery in acute inpatient settings, and what got in the way. The author suggests practical ways to address the barriers. A second paper reported the testing of a new model for supporting staff in primary and secondary care to work together so that service users with a diagnosis of bipolar or schizophrenia were better supported to work towards valued goals. A third paper reviewed 40 studies of how people can experience positive change after a first diagnosis of psychosis, and how change happened.
Originality/value
By studying the issues in detail, all three papers show how improved support for recovery and inclusion can be implemented against the backdrop of many years of service shortcomings.
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John Campbell gives a personal story of how his own fight with alcoholism gave him the vision for arguably the UK's biggest service user involvement programme.
Qiaoying Zheng and Shaoping Wang
The aim of this paper is to focus on the formulation of a Library 2.0 program that will guide the realization of a “user‐centered” service pattern.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to focus on the formulation of a Library 2.0 program that will guide the realization of a “user‐centered” service pattern.
Design/methodology/approach
In‐depth user investigations are the first step toward a successful Library 2.0 program, which will reflect what users really hope to achieve through Library 2.0. Three user investigations were carried out with the purpose to get users' opinions and suggestions about Library 2.0 services. Then the target was formed on the basis of analysis and evaluation of users' needs. The Library 2.0 programming was analyzed in four tiers of management ideas, service patterns, technical support, and content development.
Findings
User investigations are of primary importance in programming Library 2.0, and a program formulated on such investigations will not miss its aim, and be more realistic.
Originality/value
The paper does not dwell on technical particularities of Library 2.0, but focuses on the key role of a program in realization of the concept of Library 2.0, and the methodology of programming.
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Based on the experience of Wiltshire and Swindon Users' Network, this article presents findings from a small user‐controlled study of members' perceptions of their own…
Abstract
Based on the experience of Wiltshire and Swindon Users' Network, this article presents findings from a small user‐controlled study of members' perceptions of their own organisation. Peer support, information provision and speaking with a ‘collective voice’ emerged as key aspects of their involvement which members valued. Although WSUN provided a range of opportunities for involvement in social care and health services, members identified training and recruitment of professionals and presentations as areas for greater involvement. The study calls for greater recognition of the important role that usercontrolled organisations can play in empowering users on a personal level, as well as bringing about change in social care and health services through effective user involvement.
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