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Article
Publication date: 6 June 2016

Essam Mansour

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use patterns and ownership of smartphone apps among students at the Department of Library and Information Science (DLIS) at the…

3130

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use patterns and ownership of smartphone apps among students at the Department of Library and Information Science (DLIS) at the South Valley University (SVU), Egypt. This study may help faculty members and students, as well as DLISs in general and SVU’s DLIS, in particular, to understand the nature and purpose of such use.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used quantitative research methodology in the form of a survey, which was undertaken from February to March 2015. The survey instrument was a self-administrated questionnaire, with a response rate 82.7 per cent (441/533).

Findings

The findings of this study showed that smartphone users (82.7 per cent) at SVU’s DLIS tended to be junior females. Smartphone non-users (17.3 per cent) tended to be also young females but primarily sophomores. The highest percentage of smartphone users had been using smartphones for four to five years, and the largest number of students was described to be advanced users who heard first about these mobile devices through friends and the Web. Most users had 21 to 25 apps. Social apps were the most popular and included Facebook, e-mail and Twitter. For professional purposes, students used smartphones more for communication purposes than learning purposes. Apps related to educational purposes included Google Mobile, Facebook, e-mail, Twitter, YouTube and Wikipedia Mobile. Students perceived most apps to be easy to use and useful to them. There were a number of uses for socializing including messaging, following the news and playing games. Students had mainly positive attitudes towards apps with a few negative concerns. Almost all students confirmed that they trust most apps. Barriers related to the use of apps included training and lack of awareness. Further research may be needed to specify the relationship between the students’ use of these apps and their academic performance. The main tasks done on smartphone devices were mainly for socializing. Students indicated that popular tasks and activities, such as sending and receiving messages, following the news, making communications, making chat, making friends, finding specific information, finding general information, making discussion groups, playing games, completing class assignments, checking materials related to courses, doing business, seeking jobs, watching movies, listening to music and accessing library services are important tasks accomplished by them through the use of these devices. The current study indicated very positive attitudes towards the use of these apps. Student at least agree with the statement that smartphone apps allow for easy dissemination of information, provide too much information, increase the speed of finding information, help communication, convenient, secure, build confident and reduce paper use. However, a large number of students also at least agree with the statement that these apps are time consuming, intimidating, addictive, violate privacy, require high language and technical skills, harmful and frustrating. Almost all students confirmed that they are at least trustful in some apps, such as WhatsApp, e-mail, YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and Viber. A large number of smartphone users surveyed in this study have been described to make excessive usage of social apps, such as communication apps, messaging/texting apps and social networking sites, which were at the forefront of use. Additionally, a large number of them adopted these devices, especially for communication purposes. The most used apps were Facebook, e-mail, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube and Viber. For professional purposes, students used smartphones more for communication purposes than learning purposes. However, some of the students were using some of apps related to educational purposes, such as Google mobile, Facebook, e-mail, Twitter, YouTube and Wikipedia mobile but not on a regular basis. Students perceived the use of e-mail app, Google mobile, Facebook app WhatsApp, Kik, Twitter, YouTube, Google maps, Viber, Line, Skype, Tango, Instagram, Flickr and Wikipedia mobile as at least fairly easy to them. Additionally, they perceived the use of e-mail app Google mobile, WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Viber, Instagram, Wikipedia mobile, Google maps, Kik, Skype, Line, Tango and Flickr as at least fairly useful to them, especially for the purpose socialization more than learning.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses only on undergraduate library and information science students belonging to SVU’s DLIS, Egypt. Any findings and conclusions resulting from this study are limited in scope to only SVU’s DLIS’s undergraduate students. The study does not contain a significantly large sample of a population from across Egypt to draw meaningful widespread conclusions indicative of such a larger population.

Practical implications

This study provides valuable insight into the use pattern of smartphones among a very important client group. It may serve as useful input to researchers who are interested in the study of mobile internet technologies (MITs), particularly in the education society.

Originality/value

Being the first study of its kind about university students in Egypt, it is considered a pioneering and a unique study among studies conducted in the field of ICTs and MITs, especially with this category of information users.

Article
Publication date: 13 June 2017

Essam Mansour

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential role of South Valley University (SVU) libraries’ manpower, collections, and services in the fight against terrorism in Upper…

1306

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential role of South Valley University (SVU) libraries’ manpower, collections, and services in the fight against terrorism in Upper Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research methodology was used in the form of a survey, which was undertaken from June to July 2015. The survey instrument was a self-administered questionnaire. The target population comprised the academic library staff (n=127) working in SVU libraries who were contacted to answer the structured questionnaire, of whom 93 library staff responded and returned their valid questionnaires, representing 73.2 percent of the whole library staff in the SVU.

Findings

Demographically, two-thirds of the SVU library staff were males and a large number of them are aged between 26 and 40 years, and 79.6 percent have a bachelor’s degree. The speciality of two-thirds of SVU library staff was library science, of whom a large number were librarians with lengthy work experience. This study showed that printed materials were the most adequate collections in the SVU libraries. Other materials, such as CDs/DVDs, audiovisual materials, microfilm and microfiche, online resources and electronic materials, respectively, were inadequate at SVU libraries. Few of the services provided by SVU libraries were characterized as adequate services; some are inadequate and other services do not exist. The average of the facilities provided by SVU libraries was somewhat adequate. A large number of the library staff showed that facilities, such as the availability of the learning labs were, at least, adequate for their needs. Activities, such as holding social field trips, holding training workshops, and holding academic field trips were, at least, somewhat adequate to SVU libraries. Other activities were also described to be either inadequate, such as holding lectures, seminars, conferences, etc. and library orientation, or not applicable such as activities related to bibliographic instruction. This study revealed that SVU libraries had no significant role in fighting the phenomenon of terrorism in Upper Egypt. There is no a reliable relationship between the professional characteristics of the SVU library staff and the potential role that their libraries may play in the fight against this phenomenon. Because of the lack of SVU libraries’ collections, services, facilities, and activities, this study concluded that such a role could not be achieved. Almost all the library staff admitted that this severe lack has affected the provision of library patrons and members of the library community to use these collections and services, which help in countering the threat of terrorism. Despite the significance of all these problems faced by SVU libraries in the fight against terrorism, it was found that the inadequacy of the librarys’ open hours is significantly correlated with the professional characteristics of the library staff, particularly their job title and work experience.

Research limitations/implications

This study investigates the potential role of SVU libraries’ manpower, collections, and services in the fight against terrorism in Upper Egypt. It covers none of the other universities or any type of other library. Any findings and conclusions resulting from this study are limited in scope to only the libraries of this university. The size, convenience and homogeneity of the sample may limit the generalizability of this study. The study was conducted with a survey approach, which was the most suitable research method technique to reach the community of the study. However, for further research, investigating more specific information about such or related topics, other methods/approaches should be used to investigate the potential role of the university library, as well as the other kinds of libraries, such as public and special libraries to combat terrorism.

Practical implications

This study provides valuable insight into the potential role the university library can have in the fight against terrorism in one of the most important countries hit recently by this brutal phenomenon. The study focuses on libraries of one of the regional universities called the SVU, located in the Southern part of Egypt that is called the Upper Egypt. This deep part of Egypt is one of the places most affected by barbaric terrorism. The study tries to explore how much these libraries are ready to combat this terrorism in terms of sizable, suitable, accessible, qualified, and relevant collections, as well as services, facilities and activities provided by these libraries.

Originality/value

This study is to be the first one of its kind conducted in the Arab world where Egypt is located and one of the very few studies conducted on this topic in the world. The importance of this study strongly emanates from its subject that has dominated the obsession of all Egyptians living inside and outside Egypt over the past five years.

Details

Library Management, vol. 38 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2017

Essam Mansour

The key purpose of this study is to explore digital information literacy (DIL) possessed by South Valley University (SVU) library and information professionals. It also tries to…

2579

Abstract

Purpose

The key purpose of this study is to explore digital information literacy (DIL) possessed by South Valley University (SVU) library and information professionals. It also tries to identify the various types of DIL and find constraints affecting the related skills and competencies of those professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research methodology was adopted in the form of a survey, which was undertaken from February to March 2016. As stated by Kerlinger (1986), the survey research is a useful instrument for educational fact-finding, and a means by which much information can be acquired from the study’s population. The survey instrument was a self-administrated questionnaire, which was adopted for data collection. A pilot questionnaire was first sent to a small random sample of the respondents, with feedback being used to fine-tune the final questionnaire. The targeted population of this study included library and information professionals (n = 127) belonging to SVU libraries that spread over three provinces/campuses: the Qena campus (number of libraries = 22), the Luxor campus (n = 3) and the Hurghada campus (n = 2). The library and information professionals are described to be librarians, library assistants and library directors. Of 127 questionnaires, 101 (79.5%) responses were received. To collect data, the study used a questionnaire, which has six sections reflecting the research objectives of the study.

Findings

The findings showed that over two-thirds of SVU library and information professionals are males, and almost one-third are females. Majority respondents are aged between 26 and 40 years, and most possessed bachelor’s degrees, of which nearly two-thirds held library science degrees. Regarding the respondents’ professional profile, the study also showed that majority were librarians, followed by library assistants and library managers, and nearly half had 10 years of experience, followed by those who have work experience of 6-7 years. This study showed that there is a significant relationship between some of the respondents’ demographic characteristics (age and education) and their DIL. The respondents’ gender had no effect on their DIL. The study also showed that there is a significant relationship between all the respondents’ professional characteristics, particularly their discipline, followed by job title, work experience and DIL. Regarding the level of respondents’ knowledge of the types of computers, many showed that their knowledge of using mobile devices, followed by PCs, workstations, portable media players/digital audio player and personal digital assistant was, at the least, high. The respondents’ knowledge of other types ranged between moderate to non-proficient. A large number of the respondents showed that their proficiency in using output devices, followed by input devices, processing devices, storage devices and communication devices was also, at the least, high. While the largest number of the respondents showed that their proficiency in using application software was, at least, high, the largest number of them showed that their proficiency in using system software was moderate. Regarding the respondents’ knowledge-based competencies, as well as skills-based competencies, especially when these competencies related to the integration of ICTs into the library work, this study showed that such kind of competencies possessed by SVU library and information professionals ranged between competent and somewhat competent. Regarding the challenges affecting the respondents’ acquiring skills and related competencies, the study revealed that the lack of funds, training, physical facilities, connection to the internet, subscribing to e-databases, lack of time as well as challenges related to SVU library system regulations, were significant to them. Other challenges such as the lack of incorporating and exploiting the new technologies and products into library integrated systems educators’ services, as well as challenges related to psychological barriers, lack of current curricula in the area of ICTs and a shortage of experienced LIS counselors, were also significant to them. This study reached conclusions that the SVU library and information professionals should be qualified and get adapted to ICTs and related competencies. They need to be provided with sufficient training to update their knowledge regarding the use and integration of technology in their library work.

Research limitations/implications

This study investigates DIL among library and information professionals at SVU, an Egyptian university. Any findings and conclusions resulted from this study are limited in scope to only the library professionals of this university. Such a topic has limited previous research. The size and homogeneity of the sample limit the generalizability of this study.

Practical/implications

The study aims to investigate DIL acquired by SVU library and information professionals. The potential results of this study would be useful for library schools, library associations and other pertinent authorities for the planning of training programs and courses. The findings may also be helpful for library educators to develop curricula that meet the needs of library and information professionals.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few studies conducted on this topic in Egypt. The literature on the topic of this research revealed that extensive research has been undertaken on DIL in higher education in developed countries, but very limited research has been conducted on this topic in Egypt and similar developing countries, particularly among academic library and information professionals. No definition for the concept of DIL has yet been produced, and many Egyptian academic institutions define this concept based on their own needs depending on existing models.

Details

Digital Library Perspectives, vol. 33 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5816

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 June 2012

M.M. Abou‐Krisha, F.H. Assaf, M. Khodari and E.M. Elkady

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the corrosion resistance and the electrodeposition behavior of electrodeposited nickel‐cobalt‐iron alloys. Also, to compare the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the corrosion resistance and the electrodeposition behavior of electrodeposited nickel‐cobalt‐iron alloys. Also, to compare the electrodeposition of ternary nickel‐cobalt‐iron alloy from acidic sulfate bath onto a steel substrate with the characteristics of Co‐Fe electrodeposits.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation of electrodeposition was carried out using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic techniques, while potentiodynamic polarization resistance and anodic linear sweep voltammetry techniques were used for corrosion study. The phase structure was characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction analysis. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the deposits were examined by using scanning electron microscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy, respectively.

Findings

The obtained results revealed that the Ni‐Co‐Fe alloys consisted of a mixture of iron (Fe10.8Ni) and (FeCo) phases. It was found that the obtained Ni‐Co‐Fe alloy exhibited a more‐preferred surface appearance and better corrosion resistance, compared to the Co‐Fe alloy that was electrodeposited under similar conditions.

Practical implications

Ni‐Co‐Fe alloy was successfully electroplated from a sulfate bath. This alloy showed better anticorrosion properties compared to Co‐Fe deposits. The Ni‐Co‐Fe alloy could be used advantageously in industry, e.g. the automotive industry. The coating also has particular interest due to it is ability to exhibit stable magnetic properties.

Originality/value

The paper evaluates the effect of electrodeposition of the ternary alloy on the corrosion behavior of electroplated steel. To date, there has been little research on this issue. It was found that the presence of Ni could increase the corrosion resistance of steel.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 59 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 December 2015

Mortaga Abou-Krisha, Fawzi Assaf, Omar Alduaij, Abdulrahman G Alshammari and Fatma El-Sheref

– The purpose of this study was to compare the electrodeposition behavior and corrosion resistance of ternary and binary alloys.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the electrodeposition behavior and corrosion resistance of ternary and binary alloys.

Design/methodology/approach

Potentiodynamic polarization resistance measurement and anodic linear sweep voltammetry techniques were used for the corrosion study. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the deposits were examined using scanning electron microscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy, respectively. The phase structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Electrodeposition behavior was carried out using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic techniques.

Findings

It was found that the obtained ternary alloy exhibited better corrosion resistance and a more-preferred surface appearance compared to the binary alloys that were electrodeposited under similar conditions.

Research limitations/implications

The ternary alloy showed better anticorrosion properties compared to binary deposits that were electroplated successfully from the plating baths. The Zn-Co-Fe alloy could be used advantageously in industry because the ternary alloy exhibits the collective properties of the binary alloys in one alloy via the electrodeposition of Zn-Ni-Co alloy.

Social implications

Increasing the corrosion resistance implies to social economic increases.

Originality/value

To date, the electrodeposition of Zn-Co-Fe alloy was studied in only a small number of articles. It was found that the presence of Co or Fe could provide a useful coating on the steel that would reduce its susceptibility to corrosion attack.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 63 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 January 2012

Mohamed A. Mansour, Mohamed M. Abd‐Elaziz, Ramadan Abdalla and Sameh Elsayed

The purpose of this paper is to deal with unsteady double diffusive natural convection in a square enclosure filled with a porous medium with various boundary condition effects in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deal with unsteady double diffusive natural convection in a square enclosure filled with a porous medium with various boundary condition effects in the presence of heat source or sink.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite difference method was employed to solve the dimensionless governing equations of the problem. The effects of governing parameters, namely, amplitude wave length ratio, dimensionless time parameter, Darcy number, buoyancy parameter and heat generation/absorption parameter on the streamlines, temperature and concentration contours, as well as Nusselt number and Sherwood number, were considered.

Findings

The sinusoidal variations of the temperature and concentration remove the singularities which appear in the case of fixed temperature and concentration.

Originality/value

The paper's results are validated by favorable comparisons with previously published results. The results of the problem are presented in graphical and tabular forms and discussed.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 22 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 October 2019

Ebikabowei Emmanuel Baro, Onyedikachi G. Obaro and Emetarom Doris Aduba

The purpose of this paper is to assess digital literacy skills possessed by library and information professionals working in university libraries in Africa.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess digital literacy skills possessed by library and information professionals working in university libraries in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Online questionnaire was developed to collect data from 214 librarians working in various university libraries in English-speaking countries in Africa.

Findings

The study found that librarians working in university libraries in Africa rated their database search skills, uploading documents to online platforms, skills in using different social media, sending and receiving e-mails skill, digital library development skills, skills in applying new technologies into library services, ability to create different file formats and ability to use open source software as very high. While, metadata development skills, and library website development skills were rated to be moderate and low. Overall, the librarians rated their level of digital literacy skills possessed to be moderate, and differences emerged between librarians in Nigeria and South Africa with regard to digital literacy skills possessed.

Practical implications

This study attempts to identify skills that are central to librarians working in university libraries. The study will be useful for trainers who want to arrange training for academic librarians in Africa and other developing countries. For some library schools, it may help them to review their curriculum in accordance with the required skills and competencies for academic librarians in the market.

Originality/value

Findings will be helpful to explore the skills and competencies needed by information professionals and to act as a guideline for competency development and curriculum update in library schools in developing countries.

Details

Digital Library Perspectives, vol. 35 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5816

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 February 2018

Mohamed I.A. Othman and Montaser Fekry

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of rotation and gravity on a homogeneous, isotropic, and generalized thermo-viscoelastic material with voids. The problem is…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of rotation and gravity on a homogeneous, isotropic, and generalized thermo-viscoelastic material with voids. The problem is studied in the context of the coupled theory, Lord-Shulman theory with one relaxation time, and Green-Lindsay theory with two relaxation times.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical method used was the normal mode analysis technique.

Findings

Numerical results for the physical quantities were analyzed and presented graphically. The graphical results indicated that the effects of rotation and gravity were observable physical effects on the thermo-viscoelastic material with voids. Comparisons were made between the results obtained in the absence and presence of rotation and gravity.

Originality/value

In the present work, the authors investigated the effect of rotation and gravity on thermo-viscoelastic medium with voids. Comparisons were also made between the three theories in the absence and the presence of rotation and gravity. Such problems are very important in many dynamical systems.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 September 2011

A.J. Chamkha, S.M.M. EL‐Kabeir and A.M. Rashad

The purpose of this paper is to consider heat and mass transfer by natural convection from a vertical cylinder in porous media for a temperature‐dependent fluid viscosity in the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider heat and mass transfer by natural convection from a vertical cylinder in porous media for a temperature‐dependent fluid viscosity in the presence of radiation and chemical reaction effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations are transformed into non‐similar differential equations and then solved numerically by an efficient finite‐difference method.

Findings

It is found that there are significant effects on the heat and mass transfer characteristics of the problem due to the variation of viscosity and radiation and chemical reaction effects.

Originality/value

The paper combines the effects of radiation, chemical reaction, non‐Darcy porous media effects along with the variation of viscosity with temperature.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 21 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 May 2011

A.M. Rashad, A.J. Chamkha and S.M.M. El‐Kabeir

The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of chemical reaction on mixed convection flow along a sphere in non‐Darcian porous media.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of chemical reaction on mixed convection flow along a sphere in non‐Darcian porous media.

Design/methodology/approach

The sphere surface is maintained at uniform temperature and species concentration for both cases of heated (assisting flow) and cooled (opposing flow) sphere. An appropriate transformation is employed and the transformed equations are solved numerically using an efficient implicit iterative tri‐diagonal finite difference method.

Findings

It is found that chemical reactions have significant effect on heat and mass transfer. Comparisons with previously published work are performed and the results are found to be in excellent agreement.

Originality/value

The paper is original and describes how a parametric study of the physical parameters was conducted and illustrates graphically a representative set of numerical results for the velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles, as well as the local skin‐friction coefficient, local wall temperature, and local wall concentration, to show interesting features of the solutions.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

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