Information Practices Research Articles

Call for an Editorial Intern with Evidence Based Library and Information Practice

Call for an Editorial Intern with Evidence Based Library and Information Practice

A Survey of Public Library-Led Digital Literacy Training in Canada: Perceptions of Administrators and Instructors

Objective – This paper presents the results from a survey of administrators and instructors at public libraries across Canada investigating the delivery of digital literacy training led by public libraries. The goal of the survey was to capture a snapshot of the Canadian public library-led digital literacy training landscape and to explore differences in perceptions of training activities between public library administrators and instructors. Methods – An online survey was distributed to administrators and instructors at public libraries across Canada with the help of two national public library associations. The survey instrument was developed based on a theoretical framework from the research team’s prior case study investigations of community-led digital literacy training. The survey included closed- and open-ended questions concerning the availability of adequate/sustained funding, the adequacy of dedicated classroom resources, the competency of teaching staff, the helpfulness of support staff, the amount and frequency of knowledge sharing of best practices, the amount of rigorous and regular performance measurement, the scheduling of the training provided, the skills taught, the pedagogical approaches used, and the marketing carried out. Responses were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. Results – Public library administrators and instructors in Canada are generally satisfied with the delivery of digital literacy training; however, room for improvement exists. Instructors are more positive about the delivery of this training than administrators. Findings support and extend the research team’s conceptual model, specifically in terms of providing more insight and clarity on how the learning environment and program components affect the delivery of digital literacy training led by public libraries. Results highlight how training is situated in context and how libraries need to fine-tune the delivery of this training in ways that are reflective of libraries’ learning environments and program components. Conclusion – Results are of high interest to researchers and library practitioners who wish to leverage evidence-based library and information practice to understand and address the factors affecting the successful delivery of public library-led digital literacy training. Though funding is always an obstacle for any public service organization, libraries can make improvements to the delivery of their training in other ways, such as carrying out more robust performance measurement and using results more transparently, participating in more knowledge-sharing opportunities, and better understanding learner needs and preferences.

Effective Engagement Techniques Across the Agricultural Conservation Practice Adoption Process.

Encouraging agricultural landowners to adopt conservation practices is crucial to enhancing ecosystem services in privately-owned farm landscapes. To improve engagement with landowners and increase adoption rates, much research has been dedicated to investigating how different psychological, social, economic, and political factors correlate with adoption. However, these studies largely measure adoption as a discrete, binary event. Doing so obscures sequences of landowner decisions and engagement techniques that conservation practitioners use to encourage landowners' progression through the adoption process. We report on two studies that contribute to the emerging literature on the agricultural conservation practice adoption process and the varying effectiveness of engagement techniques throughout. First, interviews with conservation practitioners in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA, yielded a preliminary model of the different stages in the adoption process and what techniques practitioners find effective at each stage. Second, an online experiment examined the effectiveness of a visualization intervention across two sequential outcomes in the adoption process, seeking further information and contacting a practitioner. Our results suggested that practitioners use a wide variety of engagement techniques, most of which are unique to a single stage in the adoption process, and that the effectiveness of the visualization technique varies substantially between different stages. Together these studies outline a suite of techniques that other practitioners may find effective at different stages of the adoption process, and suggest that research can better inform practice by accounting for variation in the effectiveness of different techniques across stages of adoption.

Assessing factors related to Walleye stocking success in the Midwestern United States

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate stocking success of Walleye Sander vitreus in lakes and reservoirs across the Midwestern United States to inform stocking practices for state agencies. Demand for Walleye stocking may increase if climate change limits the potential for natural recruitment in lakes. Consequently, the strategic distribution of Walleye stocking may maximize fishing opportunities.MethodsWe synthesized data from 2226 Walleye fry and fingerling stocking events on 653 lakes in the Midwestern United States and used random forest algorithms and mixed‐effects linear models to identify abiotic and biotic factors related to Walleye stocking success.ResultLatitude and year explained relatively little variation in stocking success compared to within‐lake variation. Relative abundance of Largemouth Bass Micropterus nigricans was an important indicator of Walleye stocking success for fry and fingerlings, with stocking success generally decreasing with increased bass abundance. There was an interaction between lake surface area and growing degree‐days, as large lakes (>2500 ha) seemed to be more conducive to Walleye stocking success regardless of growing degree‐days. The models that we developed did not accurately predict exact levels of Walleye stocking success but were 92–94% accurate in predicting whether the stocking success of both fry and fingerlings would be at or above the 50th percentile.ConclusionThese findings may help to inform the management and stocking allocation of Walleye and suggest that future increases in Largemouth Bass abundance and growing degree‐days could limit the effectiveness of stocking in some lakes.

Balancing National Security and Privacy: Examining the Use of Commercially Available Information in OSINT Practices

Open source intelligence (OSINT) researchers utilize specialized tools to access vast amounts of data from multiple sources simultaneously. These tools, equipped with (paid) modules, allow users to tap into aggregated data sets containing commercially available information, such as location data from mobile phone users. The utilization of commercially available information from OSINT tools by intelligence and security services impacts fundamental rights and freedoms; more specifically, the right to personal data protection. Drawing from prior experience working on this topic within a Dutch oversight committee on the intelligence and security services and international developments in OSINT practice, insights are provided on this new OSINT practice and the responses of oversight authorities. Rather than advocating for a categorical ban, a more refined approach to process commercially available information from OSINT tools is suggested. Building on the work of a Dutch oversight authority and the work of the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, four recommendations are provided to intelligence and security services to responsibly handle commercially available information in OSINT practices.

How Service Learning Can Promote Soft-Skills Acquisition: Lessons Learned from a Project in LIS Education

This research explores the acquisition of soft skills in a service learning project in the Complutense University of Madrid's library and information science undergraduate program. Reaching its fifth edition in 2021–22, the project aimed to integrate older persons into the social fabric of a residential enclave of Madrid known as “Parque Móvil.” The research method was a case study based on a diverse set of data, including a survey, a focus group, and journal observations. In the analysis of the data, attention was paid to the context in which the project took place, the notion of “social roles,” and the differences between two groups of participating students. The results show that working in different locations and outside the classroom changed students’ agentic position, as they were required to take on different roles and negotiate them with community partners. Additionally, these roles varied in terms of associated tasks and functions and were emergent, not static. By having to negotiate social roles with community partners, students experienced intense emotions, which equipped them with additional non-cognitive tools for reflection and comprehension. They also needed to engage in community information practices to deal with information silence and information noise, which, together with the need to get along with uncertainty, may support recent claims to introduce more information behavior theories in LIS education.

Exploring How Casualization Complicates Canadian Academics’ Information Practices

An increasing number of academics working in higher education in Canada work on short-term contracts. The casualization of university work and the insecure nature of these contracts increases the difficulty that contract academic staff (CAS) experience, including often not receiving the information they need to carry out their work. While research around CAS has identified areas of challenge, there is a lack of research examining the information practices and environments of Canadian CAS. This paper reports on the findings from in-depth, semi-structured interviews carried out with CAS, focusing on their information experiences and how precarious employment and ongoing uncertainty influences their information seeking, sharing, creating, and use.

Family Courts in England & Wales: A population-level evidence base about court users who experience domestic abuse

ObjectivesThe caseload of family courts in England and Wales includes a growing share of domestic abuse cases. To increase knowledge about such cases, the research uses new administrative datasets and linkages. Trends between 2011-2021 are examined in the context of policy and operational changes. MethodThe complete set of family court cases is held in HM Courts & Tribunals Services (HMCTS) systems. Some family court data are collected by the Children and Families Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), insofar as courts refer the case to Cafcass. Using their new linkage, we conduct a descriptive analysis of domestic abuse cases in England and Wales over the ten years from 2011. This project is one of the first to gain approval from HMCTS to use their de-identified family court data. ResultsThe data linkage allows to describe how court users approach domestic abuse matters, drawing distinctions between: emergency cases; lack of legal representation in court (litigants in person); repeat applications; presence of children in the household. Furthermore, the data show how courts respond through case management, timeliness of decisions and legal outcomes made. The policy context reveals how court users adapted to changes in eligibility for civil legal aid and to changes over how courts operated under lockdown measures. ConclusionData linkage research is providing an evidence base at population level about court users in England and Wales who experience domestic abuse. This can help inform practice to support families, and policies to ease overburdened courts and avoid returns to court.

Reception Centers and Practices for Women Migrants

This paper focuses on reception centers for women migrants from a gender mainstreaming perspective and it reflects on the current practices and their adequacy with women migrants’ needs. Based on COST Action Women on the Move (CA19112)’s experience and research, it discusses the different typologies of reception facilities, and highlights the impact of reception on women migrants’ integration, as well as the necessity to coordinate best practices across Europe and EU Member States. Then authors recommend to improve the quality of reception with better trained staff and measures adequate to women migrants’ specific needs for their safety and health. The research also suggests introducing integrative programs and coordinating information and good practices across Europe, but above all an end to detention centers for migrants.

A critical realist approach to agent-based modeling: Unlocking prediction in non-positivist paradigms

Information systems (IS) scholarship and practice aim to predict phenomena and outcomes of IS use. These phenomena of IS use are typically set in multi-leveled, dynamic, and complex contexts that lend explanation to the non-positivist tradition in IS research. However, limited methodological options exist to make predictions. In this research, we propose stratified agent-based modeling, a step-by-step approach that enables prediction in non-positivist paradigms. Drawing upon the critical realist philosophy of science, which suggests ontological stratification and assumes open systems, we adopt a retroduction-based explanation formation and agent-based modeling to simulate different potential states of a complex system. The critical step in combining critical realism with agent-based modeling involves identifying and codifying the underlying generative mechanisms (i.e., causal powers) into various components of the agent-based model. We propose four steps toward prediction under the critical realist paradigm: (1) capturing the phenomenon, (2) identifying the generative mechanism, (3) building the agent-based model, and (4) simulating states of the system. We present an exemplar of our proposed approach that investigates the effectiveness of strategies to combat malicious content propagation in social networks.

IJSIE ABSTRACTS

The International Journal of Studies in Inclusive Education (IJSIE) is a double-blinded, peer-reviewed, fully open-access journal providing an advanced platform and opportunities for inclusive education-related research outputs. The Editorial Board welcomes empirical, conceptual, academic, and theoretical articles critically analysed and interpreted in all its holistic approach to inclusive education: inclusive education, learning barriers, learners, or students with special needs, etc. The scholarly articles must be prepared, treated, and interpreted with the same academic rigor expected of academic research. The IJSIE aims to provide an interdisciplinary forum for scholars, publishing professionals, librarians, and others to communicate original research that addresses current issues informed by the best practices. Scholarly publishing has only recently begun to exploit the full potential of networked digital technologies, which affects the broader process of research communication, including public access to and engagement with research. Influential trends towards responsible research and innovation, the globalisation of research, the emergence and inclusion of new or previously excluded stakeholders, and the advent of open science are reshaping scholarly publishing's scope and nature. The social, legal, and ethical dimensions of publications continue to co-evolve with these changes. Publications aim to provide an interdisciplinary forum for scholars, publishing professionals, librarians, and others to communicate original empirical and theoretical research on these and related topics to address current issues and inform best practices.

An Epidemiologic Study of Bacterial Culture and Antibiotic Susceptibility Analyses in Captive Macaques and Marmosets at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a growing public health threat that arises at the interface between animal, human, and environmental health. Although the pathways promoting the development of AMR are well characterized in human health settings, data within the veterinary medical world are less abundant, particularly from fields focusing on nontraditional species, such as nonhuman primates (NHPs). The purpose of this study was to describe trends in sample submission for bacterial culture, characterize patterns of microbial growth and any changes in AMR and susceptibility over time, and inform best practices for veterinary antimicrobial stewardship in a captively-housed, indoor NHP colony. Electronic health records from the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center were analyzed across a 10-y period using SAS Studio. There was an increasing pattern of sample submissions for culture and susceptibility analyses, with no corresponding increases in resistance to relevant antibiotics for potential zoonotic pathogens, such as Escherichia coli or Shigella species. Trends are suggestive of appropriate antimicrobial stewardship practices that were responsive to the medical needs of Wisconsin National Primate Research Center animals, as well as the needs of the larger research community at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. These findings can inform veterinary professionals working with NHPs and contribute to the growing body of literature surrounding AMR in nontraditional species.

The Complicated Rise of Social Emotional Learning in the United States: Implications for Contemporary Policy and Practice

In this article examining the history of social emotional learning (SEL) in the United States, Kelsey A. Dalrymple and Joel M. Phillips use an intellectual history approach to demonstrate that the development of contemporary SEL was significantly influenced by different sociocultural, political, and economic factors. They highlight how metaphorical wars waged by presidential administrations from the 1960s to the 1990s shaped public policy and societal attitudes toward minoritized and marginalized groups and describe how education became a key strategy to battle many of the perceived ills and behaviors associated with those groups. Outlining ongoing debates on SEL, they argue that acknowledging the racialized and socioeconomic roots of SEL can help inform contemporary policy and practice and also educate advocates and critics alike on the ways SEL may serve to address and/or perpetuate long-standing social injustices.

Second-line drug-resistant TB and associated risk factors in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan

<sec><title>BACKGROUND</title>Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) remains a major public health threat. In 2022, Uzbekistan reported 2,117 cases of DR-TB, with 69% tested for fluoroquinolone resistance. Limited information is available on the prevalence of resistance to bedaquiline, linezolid, and fluoroquinolone, which are key components of the all-oral treatment regimen for rifampicin-resistant TB in Uzbekistan.</sec><sec><title>METHODS</title>A retrospective study was conducted using extensive programmatic data from 2019 to 2023 in Uzbekistan. We assessed second-line drug-resistant TB (SLDR-TB) rates using phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST). Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with SLDR-TB were analysed using multivariable logistic regression models based on the Allen-Cady approach.</sec><sec><title>RESULTS</title>In total, 2,405 patients with TB who had undergone pDST were included (median age 40 years, 47% female). The overall SLDR-TB resistance rate was 24% (95% CI 22–26). Prevalence of resistance to bedaquiline, linezolid, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, and amikacin were respectively 3.1%, 0.8%, 15%, 13%, and 12%. Risk factors for SLDR-TB were resistance to rifampicin and/or isoniazid, exposure to clofazimine, retreatment status, contact with drug-susceptible TB case or DR-TB case, and diabetes.</sec><sec><title>CONCLUSIONS</title>The high prevalence of SLDR-TB is of major concern, emphasising the need for baseline pDST in RR-TB treatment. Identified risk factors can aid early detection of at-risk individuals and inform clinical practice.</sec>

Systematic Reviews to Inform Practice, September/October 2024.

Systematic Reviews to Inform Practice, September/October 2024.

Epistemic racism in anti-doping research: A call for critical awareness

The anti-doping movement is presented with significant challenges, including high-profile inter-agency disputes, claims of inconsistent application of the WADA Code, institutionalized doping, and the emergence of doping-permissive movements. Amid these issues lies a less recognized yet crucial issue of epistemic racism, which can undermine global anti-doping initiatives. Epistemic racism, rooted in culturally biased systems of knowledge production, often privileges Western perspectives while relegating non-Western perspectives. Such bias can perpetuate racial stereotypes and affect anti-doping research and policy implementation. This Commentary explores the concept of epistemic racism, its manifestations, and strategies for mitigation within anti-doping research. A case example of a recent publication is presented to demonstrate how epistemic racism can go undetected and unchallenged, potentially reproducing and reinforcing outdated stereotypes. Overlooked, epistemic racism can have profound ramifications, including deterring aspiring scholars from developing countries, distorting anti-doping policies, and reinforcing racial stereotypes. To counteract this, it is essential to educate researchers on racial biases, adapt methodologies to reduce these biases and increase the inclusion and representation of scholars from developing countries in research and editorial roles. Such measures may foster a more inclusive research environment and directly inform practice, helping anti-doping research and practice become more critically aware.

Development and validation of a higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) scale for major students in the interior design discipline for blended learning

Assessing and cultivating students’ HOTS are crucial for interior design education in a blended learning environment. However, current research has focused primarily on the impact of blended learning instructional strategies, learning tasks, and activities on the development of HOTS, whereas few studies have specifically addressed the assessment of these skills through dedicated scales in the context of blended learning. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive scale for assessing HOTS in interior design major students within the context of blended learning. Employing a mixed methods design, the research involved in-depth interviews with 10 education stakeholders to gather qualitative data, which informed the development of a 66-item soft skills assessment scale. The scale was administered to a purposive sample of 359 undergraduate students enrolled in an interior design program at a university in China. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were also conducted to evaluate the underlying factor structure of the scale. The findings revealed a robust four-factor model encompassing critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, teamwork skills, and practical innovation skills. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.948–0.966) and satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. This scale provides a valuable instrument for assessing and cultivating HOTS among interior design major students in blended learning environments. Future research can utilize a scale to examine the factors influencing the development of these skills and inform instructional practices in the field.

Investigating the Effects of Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Language Learning Strategies on Cognitive Load and Learning Outcomes: A Comparative Study

This study investigates the impact of AI-assisted language learning (AIAL) strategies on cognitive load and learning outcomes in the context of language acquisition. Specifically, the study explores three distinct AIAL strategies: personalized feedback and adaptive learning, interactive exercises with speech recognition, and intelligent tutoring with data-driven insights. The research employs a pretest-posttest random assignment experimental design, utilizing three experimental groups and a control group, with a total of 484 EFL students specializing in teaching English as a foreign language participating in the study. Data collection involves pre- and post-tests, questionnaires, and interviews to assess the influence of AIAL strategies on cognitive load and learning outcomes. Cognitive load is measured using the Cognitive Load Scale, while pretest-posttest assessments evaluate the efficacy of AIAL interventions across various language skills. These results contribute to the existing body of AIAL research by offering empirical evidence for the effectiveness of specific strategies in optimizing language learning experiences. The implications of this study extend to educators, researchers, and developers in the field of AIAL, emphasizing the potential of AIAL to enhance language acquisition processes and inform instructional design practices.

Understanding metastatic involvement of the conus medullaris: a systematic review of clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, treatment options, and patient outcomes.

Metastasis to the conus medullaris (CM) is a rare but devastating condition. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, treatment options, and outcomes of patients with CM metastasis. By synthesizing the available evidence, this study seeks to improve our understanding of this condition and inform clinical practice. A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines analyzed literature on CM metastasis from 1997 to January 2024. Human studies in English were included, focusing on primary research articles. Screening criteria ensured a homogeneous study population, with data analyzed using SPSS 26 and assessed for quality using the JBI checklist. The study analyzed 88 patients with conus medullaris metastasis. Common symptoms included back pain (49.3%), sensory impairment (75%), and bladder dysfunction (60.3%). MRI was the primary diagnostic tool, revealing lesions above L1 (37%) or between L1 and L2 (29%). Treatment involved surgery with laminectomy, and combined therapy (surgery plus radiotherapy) in 81.3%. Postoperative outcomes showed improved motor function in 59.6% of patients, while combined therapy yielded better sensory and bowel/bladder function recovery. Median survival was 100 days. Metastasis to the conus medullaris is rare but significant. Surgical resection can improve motor function, while combined therapy (surgery plus radiotherapy) is effective in improving sensory manifestations and bowel/bladder functions. Despite these treatments, the median survival remains around 100 days, which is shorter compared to other types of intramedullary spinal cord metastases.

Treatment of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: guidelines and new clinical trial results.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the leading cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). The American College of Rheumatology (ACR), in conjunction with the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), recently published clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of adults with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease-associated ILD, including SSc-ILD. Herein, we summarize evidence from randomized trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of pharmacologic therapies for the treatment of SSc-ILD. In this review, we present findings from recent randomized controlled trials in SSc-ILD. The pharmacologic therapies discussed include immunosuppressive medications (mycophenolate, cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and tocilizumab) and antifibrotic medications (nintedanib and pirfenidone). Randomized trials provide an evidence base for the SSc-ILD treatment recommendations put forth in the ACR/CHEST Guidelines for the treatment of ILD in people with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. These guidelines will help inform clinical practice and highlight areas in which further research is needed.