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1 – 10 of over 27000Paul Frantz and Caleb Tucker‐Raymond
A recent thread in the DIG_REF listserv addressed the integration of text messaging into mainstream reference service. The purpose of this paper is to expand upon that discussion…
Abstract
Purpose
A recent thread in the DIG_REF listserv addressed the integration of text messaging into mainstream reference service. The purpose of this paper is to expand upon that discussion, pointing out the predominant software used by libraries to handle text message reference questions and the volume of reference traffic generated by text messaging queries.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper also addresses the ramifications on staffing of the added traffic in text messaging and how libraries might market text messaging reference services to their patrons.
Findings
The paper further discusses the unique nature of text messaging queries and how this affects the reference interview.
Originality/value
The paper is intended for the reference services manager looking to incorporate text messaging into a library's repertoire of reference services.
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Steve Baron, Anthony Patterson and Kim Harris
To critically examine the current definitions of key constructs of the technology acceptance model (TAM) in a consumer technology‐based service.
Abstract
Purpose
To critically examine the current definitions of key constructs of the technology acceptance model (TAM) in a consumer technology‐based service.
Design/methodology/approach
Two qualitative research studies were undertaken that encouraged consumers to reflect upon their text message (short message service – SMS) behaviour.
Findings
The research highlights the inadequacy of a concentration on simple acceptance of technology where technology is embedded in a consumer community of practice. The existence of counter‐intuitive behaviours, technology paradoxes and intense social and emotional elements in actual text message usage all point to the need for a review of the definition of the key TAM constructs.
Research limitations/implications
There is a need to re‐examine the construct of use behaviour in the context of the practice of technology‐based services that owe much to consumer creativity. Theory development of the constructs of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived enjoyment should not be constrained by adherence to the existing (well developed) quantitative models of technology acceptance. There is a methodological potential of employing consumers as practical authors.
Practical implications
Where there is evidence of counter‐intuitive consumer behaviour in the marketplace for technology‐based products or services, a study of practice, with a view to the subsequent derivation of adapted theory constitutes worthwhile research. This may be of special importance to cell phone operators promoting SMS to US consumers.
Originality/value
The approach offers a method of complementing the dominant quantitative modelling research on technology acceptance. The findings are relevant to an era where consumer co‐creation of value is of increasing interest.
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Ingrid Müller, Margret Buchholz and Ulrika Ferm
Current technology offers many possibilities for remote communication. Nevertheless, people with cognitive and communicative disabilities have limited access to common…
Abstract
Current technology offers many possibilities for remote communication. Nevertheless, people with cognitive and communicative disabilities have limited access to common communication technology like text messaging via a mobile phone. This study is part of the project Text messaging with picture symbols ‐ possibilities for persons with cognitive and communicative disabilities. Semi‐structured interviews were used to investigate the experience of using Windows mobiles with adapted functions for text messaging by three men and four women. The participants' opinions about the content and organisation of the project were also evaluated. All participants except one experienced increased possibilities for remote communication via text messaging. Increased participation was another relevant finding. Technical aids and interventions were individually tailored and the majority of the participants thought that Talking Mats for goal setting and repeated interviews during the project had been successful methods.
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Sarah Tulane, J. Mitchell Vaterlaus and Troy E. Beckert
The authors of this paper sought to qualitatively understand the perceived stereotypes associated with the youth culture surrounding texting.
Abstract
Purpose
The authors of this paper sought to qualitatively understand the perceived stereotypes associated with the youth culture surrounding texting.
Methodology
Drawing on responses from 161 high school students and using qualitative methods as outlined by Bogden and Biklen to analyze data, four main themes of perceived adult misconceptions emerged. Adolescents spoke about adults’ general misperceptions about adolescents’ motivations to text, practices associated with texting, the content of their messages, and the impact of texting behaviors on adolescents’ developmental processes.
Findings
The existence of a youth culture that is imperceptible to adults seems evident from these findings. Texting is a primary form of communication for adolescents and, for this sample, enhances face-to-face relationships. Adolescents indicated they have control over their texting choices and behaviors.
Implications
Two common limitations existed in this study. These included using a convenience sample from only one high school, and including only adolescent perspectives. Future research should also examine the parent–child dyad in relationship to texting.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the understanding of social implications of adolescent text messaging and helps to further clarify the youth culture of texting. Although there are media that have been extensively studied in relation to adolescent development, newer media such as social networking and texting need further examination, as they have become definitive components of youth culture.
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Emily B. Peterson, Xiaoquan Zhao, Xiaomei Cai and Kyeung Mi Oh
Purpose: The public health burden caused by tobacco is heavy among first-generation Chinese immigrant men whose home country has significantly higher smoking rates than the United…
Abstract
Purpose: The public health burden caused by tobacco is heavy among first-generation Chinese immigrant men whose home country has significantly higher smoking rates than the United States. The current study is part of a larger effort to pilot an mHealth tobacco cessation intervention using MMS (graphic) mobile phone technologies to target East Asian immigrant populations. Grounded in the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), our specific aims were to determine what message themes, level of graphic intensity, and types of efficacy information are most appropriate and useful for mHealth interventions targeting this population.
Methodology/Approach: A qualitative study utilizing a series of focus groups (k = 5) was conducted with male adult smokers who were born in China and currently reside in the United States. The primary aim of the focus groups was to solicit reactions to a series of preliminary messages developed by the research team. A secondary aim was to gauge receptivity to the use of MMS as a vehicle for smoking cessation intervention. Participants (n = 32) were recruited from local Chinese communities in a large Mid-Atlantic metropolitan area.
Findings: Opinions about different message strategies were mixed. However, participants tended to rate messages more positively when they focused on the impact of smoking on family and loved ones, particularly children. Messages with fear-arousing images were also perceived to be effective at low frequency of exposure, but there were concerns that they may backfire at high exposure. Awareness of and interest in Quitline were low, and concrete quitting tips were perceived as more effective. Participants reported a preference for receiving messages a few times a week, and an MMS message platform was generally preferred to WeChat (a Chinese social media platform).
Implications: Our results suggest that graphic MMS messaging holds promise as an effective intervention method for this population and that EPPM is an appropriate framework to develop, test, and analyze mHealth intervention messages. While messages that focused primarily on impact on children, health, and specific quitting tips were generally found to be more effective, a mix of different types of messages that address a wide range of issues may be most appropriate for this population.
Originality/Value: This study is the first to explore the utility of graphic text messaging as an intervention method to promote smoking cessation among male Chinese immigrants. Findings from the study provide important insights for future intervention work targeting this underserved population.
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The purpose of this paper is to discuss how text messaging offers a variety of ways to stay vital and visible to younger patrons with whom libraries most need to establish a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss how text messaging offers a variety of ways to stay vital and visible to younger patrons with whom libraries most need to establish a relationship to ensure their future.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper discusses narrowcasting, one‐to‐one communication and reference queries, all methods of text messaging
Findings
Even with the inherent drawbacks of message length and the incurring of charges by library users, there seems to be a place for text messaging services within the library framework. Because of the portability, popularity and pervasiveness of cell phones among our users, particularly our younger ones, this service is a way for us to stay current.
Originality/value
The paper provides an original viewpoint on how text messaging could be used in libraries.
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Valerie A. Yeager and Nir Menachemi
Background – Studies suggest text messaging is beneficial to health care; however, no one has synthesized the overall evidence on texting interventions. In response to this need…
Abstract
Background – Studies suggest text messaging is beneficial to health care; however, no one has synthesized the overall evidence on texting interventions. In response to this need, we conducted a systematic review of the impacts of text messaging in health care.
Methods – PubMed database searches and subsequent reference list reviews sought English-language, peer-reviewed studies involving text messaging in health care. Commentaries, conference proceedings, and feasibilities studies were excluded. Data was extracted using an article coding sheet and input into a database for analysis.
Results – Of the 61 papers reviewed, 50 articles (82%) found text messaging had a positive effect on the primary outcome. Average sample sizes in articles reporting positive findings (n=813) were significantly larger than those that did not find a positive impact (n=178) on outcomes (p=0.032). Articles were categorized into focal groups as follows: 27 articles (44.3%) investigated the impact of texting on disease management, 24 articles (39.3%) focused texting's impact to public health related outcomes, and 10 articles (16.4%) examined texting and its influence on administrative processes. Articles in focal groups differed by the purpose of the study, direction of the communication, and where they were published, but not in likelihood of reporting a positive impact from texting.
Conclusions – Current evidence indicates that text messaging health care interventions are largely beneficial clinically, in public health related uses, and in terms of administrative processes. However, despite the promise of these findings, literature gaps exist, especially in primary care settings, across geographic regions and with vulnerable populations.
Kitty Pope, Tom Peters and Lori Bell
The purpose of this paper is to discuss text messaging services for libraries. Text messaging presents a new and exciting opportunity for libraries of all types to provide…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss text messaging services for libraries. Text messaging presents a new and exciting opportunity for libraries of all types to provide information to people of all ages on the go, where they are, on their cell phones.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on experiences in the USA, examples are presented of the service use, for example, Altarama, TextALibrarian, AIM.
Findings
Alliance library system (ALS), a regional library system in central Illinois, is spearheading an effort to provide the nation's first collaborative text message reference service – InfoQuest – inviting libraries of all types and across the country (and internationally) to work together to increase coverage, reference expertise, and to allow libraries to test the service and the software before venturing out on their own.
Originality/value
This paper will be of interest to librarians, as the InfoQuest project described in it is giving libraries the opportunity to learn how to use the technology, work together to see how their patrons respond to the service, and share promotion and coverage.
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A questionnaire was used to collect data from 1676 undergraduate and postgraduate students randomly selected from three major Nigerian universities to understand how media…
Abstract
A questionnaire was used to collect data from 1676 undergraduate and postgraduate students randomly selected from three major Nigerian universities to understand how media gratification and constraints motivated their use of text messaging to meet educational needs. Sixty‐five (65 per cent) and 63 per cent of the respondents reported using the technology for contacting peers and lecturers for educational matters while less than 40 per cent have used technology to contact lecturers and others respectively. Generally, closeness to mothers and education of parents influence use of the technology for educational contact. The instrumental gratifications of SMS capability to enable students escape face to face communication, convenience and low cost also explain use of SMS to make educational contact although this activity is constrained by the difficulty to decipher the intention of the messages and by the confusion that often arises due mainly to unclear acronyms.
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