Information Problem Solving Research Articles

Obtaining IT Competencies for Curricular Development using Q-technique

The purpose of this study is to explore a method to acquire the competency requirements of IT enterprises to serve as the basis for developing IT curriculum. The Q-technique and survey research were used. For this study, 24 Taiwan experts in ICT stock-listed companies were consulted to acquire competency statements that are universally required; a Q-technique was then applied. The study surveyed regional IT enterprises and collected 236 valid questionnaires to establish regional IT competencies. The study has found that IT competencies are structured along the dimensions of information ability, fault tolerance, execution ability, problem solving, learning ability, and innovation ability. The contribution of the Q-technique is it located the competency for universal need and regional need of the IT industry. Q-technique could be a method for curriculum development.

Scale matching of multiscale digital elevation model (DEM) data and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model: a case study of meteorological simulation in Hong Kong

It is becoming easier to combine geographical data and dynamic models to provide information for problem solving and geographical cognition. However, the scale dependencies of the data, model, and process can confuse the results. This study extends traditional scale research in static geographical patterns to dynamic processes and focuses on the combined scale effect of multiscale geographical data and dynamic models. The capacity for topographical expression under the combined scale effect was investigated by taking multiscale topographical data and meteorological processes in Hong Kong as a case study. A meteorological simulation of the combined scale effect was evaluated against data from Hong Kong Observatory stations. The experiments showed that (1) a digital elevation model (DEM) using 3 arc sec data with a 1 km resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model gives better topographical expression and meteorological reproduction in Hong Kong; (2) a fine-scale model is sensitive to the resolution of the DEM data, whereas a coarse-scale model is less sensitive to it; (3) better topographical expression alone does not improve weather process simulation; and (4) uncertainty arising from a scale mismatch between the DEM data and the dynamic model may account for 38 % of the variance in certain meteorological variables (e.g., temperature). This case study gives a clear explanation of the significance and implementation of scale matching for multiscale geographical data and dynamic models.

Developing Instruments to Measure Thinking Skills and Problem Solving Skills among Malaysian Primary School Pupils

In the new era of information technology, thinking and problem solving skills are crucial for students to master world class knowledge and contribute towards the building of a modern and progressive society. Thinking skills are given importance in the Malaysian national school curriculum at the primary and secondary school levels. Thinking and problem solving skills are incorporated in the learning outcomes to enable learners to solve simple problems, make decisions and express themselves creatively. Studies related to developing instruments to measure thinking skills and problem solving skills among primary school pupils are limited. This paper discusses the instrument developed by the researchers to measure pupils’ thinking skills and problem solving skills using de Bono's CoRT thinking tools (PMI, CAF, RULES, C&S, AGI, Planning, FIP, APC, Decision and OPV). The validity and reliability of the instruments as well as the scale and criteria to rate pupils’ responses are also discussed in this paper.

Soft Skills of New Teachers in the Secondary Schools of Khon Kaen Secondary Educational Service Area 25, Thailand

Excellent soft skills are necessary requisites for success (Gillard, 2009). Soft skills fulfill an important role in shaping and individual's personality (Schulz, 2008). A perfect blend of personal qualities, soft skills and hard skills will definitely contribute to enhancing graduate employability (Wye&Lim, 2009). Hard skills tend to be specific to a certain type of task or activity, soft skills are broadly applicable. It often said that hard skills will enable individuals to obtain an interview but soft skills enable individuals to secure a job. Vast research and expert opinions have been sought in the effort to determine the specific soft skills to be implemented and used in higher institutions of learning. Based on the research findings obtained, seven soft skills have been identified and chosen to be implemented in all institutions of higher learning. What soft skills and levels do new teachers in the secondary school have currently? This research objective was to study soft skills of new teachers in the secondary schools of Khon Kaen Secondary Educational Service Area 25, Thailand. The data were collected from 60 purposive samples of new teachers by interviewing and questionnaires. The results of this study were informed that new teachers have all of soft skills at high level totally. Communicative skills were highest among seven of soft skills and next Life-long learning and information management skills, Critical and problem solving skills, Team work skills, Ethics, moral and professional skills, Leadership skills and Innovation invention and development skills were lowest in all skills. Based on the research findings obtained, the sub-skills of seven soft skills will be considered and utilized in the package of teacher development program of next research.

Psychotropic drugs and driving: prevalence and types.

BackgroundSome psychotropic medications (e.g., benzodiazepines, sedative antidepressants, etc.) may impair cognitive and psychomotor functions and, therefore, endanger traffic safety (Ravera, Br J Clin Pharmacol, 72(3):505–513, 2011). They affect detection, registration, and information processing, problem solving, and decision-making processes, and they also affect emotional and social aspects. The objective of this research was to clarify three closely related issues that are significant for traffic safety: the prevalence of psychotropic drugs on driving, the most frequently used psychotropic drugs to treat depression, anxiety, insomnia, or any tranquilizers (whether it is a medical prescription or self-medication), and finally, provide a further understanding of the socio-demographic and psycho-social characteristics of drivers related to the psychotropic drugs consumption in Spain.MethodsA sample of 1,200 Spanish drivers ranging from 18 to 64 years was used, 666 men and 534 women were asked to answer a questionnaire composed by a set of questions structured in different sections. The only selection criteria were to be in possession of any type of driving license for vehicles other than motorcycles and drive frequently.ResultsThe results showed that 15% of the participants were consuming psychotropic drugs to treat depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, insomnia, or tranquilizers; 13.5% were using drugs to treat one of these disorders; while 1.5% used them for several of these disorders. A 2.5% of drivers were using medicines to treat depression, 2.6% to treat anxiety, and 3.7% to treat insomnia. The 8.3% of those drivers who were not using any drugs to treat these three disorders were occasionally using some type of tranquilizers. Benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were the most used type of medicines among drivers. Benzodiazepines were the most used medicines to treat anxiety, while SSRIs were the most used to treat depression, 56.5% and 43.5%, respectively.ConclusionsMeasures can be developed to reduce traffic accidents caused by the effects of these drugs; however, this will only be possible once the drivers and the use of these drugs are understood. Health care professionals and patients should be properly informed about the potential effects of some psychotropic medications on driving abilities considering individual and group differences.

Designing games in the classroom: Learning benefits

Designing games in the classroom: Learning benefits

Die middel-adolessent se wiskundeprestasie: Die rol van emosionele intelligensie en studie-oriëntasie

This study (quantitative-qualitative) focused especially on the extent to which (a combination of facets of) emotional intelligence (EI) and study orientation predict(s) the mathematics achievement of middle-adolescents, and also compared the performance of the different gender and grade groups (represented in this study). Altogether 435 learners in Grade 9 and Grade 11 from the three English medium high schools in the Mafikeng region took part in the study. The quantitative component of the study comprised the implementation of two standardised questionnaires: an EI questionnaire, the Bar-On EQ-i:YVTM, and the study orientation questionnaire in mathematics (SOM). The qualitative technique implemented in the study was focus group interviews. The results indicated that a combination of the facets of emotional intelligence and the dimensions of study orientation could be considered potential predictors of the middle adolescent’s mathematics achievement. The following EI components also emerged from the results as predictors of mathematics achievement: general mood, adaptability and intrapersonal behaviour. The following SOM dimensions were predictors of mathematics achievement: problem-solving behaviour, study habits, information processing and mathematics anxiety. Themes that emerged from the qualitative aspect of this study as potential contributors to learners’ inadequate mathematics achievement refer specifically to challenges in South Africa at the macro level: mainly the input of the national government (and by default the Department of Education); on meso level: mainly factors related to the school and family; and on micro level: personality factors of the learner The following themes manifested in both the qualitative and quantitative results during the process of triangulation: gender, study habits, role of emotions, the relationship between problem-solving, discipline and classroom management; and the role of stress and maths anxiety in the maths achievement of the middle adolescent.

Problem Solving Approach at Organizational Development Activities: A Research at Karabuk University

Hence rapid change and extensive competition, organizations have to ensure the persistence of their organizational development (OD) activities. The goal of this study is to inquire OD activities devoted to solving problems at organizational e-learning processes. The study consists of two sections. While the first section includes the literature about OD and Problem Solving Approach, the second includes the field research on students’ subjective perceptions about the Karabuk University's relatively new online distance education (DE) program. To overcome the difficulties based on affordability, number of instructors, infrastructure etc., Karabuk University management has strategically decided limited number of classes which have already been part of formal education so far, to be offered by distance education method. This study especially focuses on determining the students’ perceptions on efficiency, infrastructure, problems, practicality and acceptance level of this new process. Direct survey has been implemented at this study and the datas obtained have been analyzed by using frequency and one-sample t tests. The results show that there is no overall negative perception against DE, students perceive DE as a practical, economic and innovative method, students are inclined to computer use, related departments interfere in problem solving in time, it is still believed that the in-class education is the best learning method and students’ capability of computer access causes problems in the DE system. Increasing interactivity in DE programs, noticing the importance of face-to-face communication, promoting activities out of virtual classroom and raising the number of computers offered to students’ use may be beneficial for DE system efficacy and consistent improvement. It is aimed to find out present and possible problems in distance education system from the students’ point of view and use this information in problem solving and process improvement efforts.

Biomedical imaging informatics in the era of precision medicine: progress, challenges, and opportunities

Biomedical informatics is the interdisciplinary field that studies and pursues the effective uses of biomedical data, information, and knowledge for scientific inquiry, problem solving, and decision making, motivated by efforts to improve human health.1 ,2 Not only do biomedical informaticians study and develop theories, methods, and processes for the generation, manipulation, and sharing of biomedical data, but they also investigate how to model and reason on these data in order to effect beneficial change in the healthcare enterprise. In addition, an important aspect associated with developments in this field is the consideration of social and behavioral sciences in the design and evaluation of technical solutions. As a subfield of biomedical informatics, biomedical imaging informatics (BMII) encompasses all of the aforementioned aspects from the perspective of imaging. BMII has emerged as one of the fastest growing research areas in recent years given the evolution of techniques in molecular imaging, anatomical imaging, and functional imaging and advancements in imaging biomarker generation. Developments have also been accelerated by efforts to realize precision medicine,3 which necessitates a multiscale understanding of diseases that integrate insights in areas such as radiology, pathology, and genetics. This focus issue highlights the growing impact of BMII, demonstrating the increasing breadth of imaging modalities (eg, optical, molecular, in addition to traditional diagnostic modalities) and the diversity of specialties that depend on imaging information (eg, dermatology, pathology, surgery). Early efforts in BMII can be traced to the 1980s when the rise in radiological imaging techniques such as CT and MRI necessitated a digital, filmless approach to acquiring and interpreting images. The ability to acquire and distribute images electronically using picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) spawned a variety of applications aimed at improving radiological practice, research, and education. Imaging informatics efforts resulted in the development of specialized standardized … Correspondence to Dr William Hsu, Medical Imaging Informatics (MII) Group, Department of Radiological Sciences, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA; willhsu{at}mii.ucla.edu

President's column: operational informatics—expanding the scope of our discipline

The purpose of the Messages from AMIA section is to provide a forum for AMIA to inform and involve its current and potential members about the goals and the directions of the association. These messages, which reflect the directions and opinions of AMIA leaders only, are intended to inspire members and readers to connect with the association on strategic objectives and activities. See also http://www.amia.org/presidents-page. In 2012, the AMIA Board of Directors issued a white paper which defined biomedical informatics1 and noted that ‘…identifying new competency areas on an ongoing basis is especially important for a field that is rapidly changing in both its informatics and its biomedical and health aspects.’ With the advent of the new medical board certification in Clinical Informatics and our efforts to develop the Advanced Interprofessional Informatics Certification (AIIC) process for non-physicians, further refinement of our focus as a discipline seems warranted. The more global, all-inclusive definition is that biomedical informatics is ‘…the interdisciplinary field that studies and pursues the effective uses of biomedical data, information, and knowledge for scientific inquiry, problem solving, and decision making, driven by efforts to improve human health.’1 There are a number of more refined areas of focus under the umbrella of biomedical informatics: (1) health informatics, which includes clinical, medical, nursing, dental, and public health or population informatics; (2) translational bioinformatics and clinical research informatics; and (3) structural (imaging) informatics. Charles Friedman, PhD in a recent article in the journal stated that informatics represents a field that is ‘cross-trained with knowledge in the basic sciences and within a particular practice domain.’2 He noted that the knowledge held by professionals in the field is derived from—but not limited to—‘information science, computer science, cognitive …

Analysis reuse exploiting taxonomical information and belief assignment in industrial problem solving

To take into account the experience feedback on solving complex problems in business is deemed as a way to improve the quality of products and processes. Only a few academic works, however, are concerned with the representation and the instrumentation of experience feedback systems. We propose, in this paper, a model of experiences and mechanisms to use these experiences. More specifically, we wish to encourage the reuse of already performed expert analysis to propose a priori analysis in the solving of a new problem. The proposal is based on a representation in the context of the experience of using a conceptual marker and an explicit representation of the analysis incorporating expert opinions and the fusion of these opinions. The experience feedback models and inference mechanisms are integrated in a commercial support tool for problem solving methodologies. The results obtained to this point have already led to the definition of the role of “Rex Manager” with principles of sustainable management for continuous improvement of industrial processes in companies.

Tahap Kemahiran Employability Pelajar Kejuruteraan dari Perspektif Majikan

Majikan kini memerlukan pekerja yang menguasai kemahiran teknikal dan kemahiran employability. Namun kemahiran employability yang dikuasai oleh graduan institusi pendidikan tinggi masih tidak dapat memenuhi kriteria yang diingini oleh majikan terutamanya dalam bidang kejuruteraan. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meninjau tahap kemahiran employability pelajar kejuruteraan institusi teknikal dari perspektif majikan. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk kajian kuantitatif dan kaedah kajian tinjauan. Seramai 171 responden daripada majikan kejuruteraan yang menyediakan latihan industri kepada pelajar terlibat dalam kajian ini. Instrumen kajian ini diadaptasi daripada instrumen Modul Kemahiran Insaniah Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia, Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skill (SCANS) Amerika, Kerangka Kelayakan Malaysia (KKM), MyGSI, IKGPP dan beberapa model daripada kajian terdahulu. Pemboleh ubah yang dikaji ialah kemahiran komunikasi, kemahiran kerohanian, kerja berpasukan, kepimpinan, pembelajaran sepanjang hayat dan pengurusan maklumat, pemikiran kritikal dan penyelesaian masalah, keusahawanan, etika dan moral, menggunakan teknologi dan kemahiran sosial. Data soal selidik dianalisis menggunakan kaedah analisis deskriptif dan inferens. Hasil analisis mendapati tahap kemahiran employability pelajar kejuruteraan daripada perspektif majikan berada pada tahap sederhana tinggi. Hasil kajian juga menunjukkan tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan di antara kemahiran employability pelajar yang dinilai berbanding jenis industri, jawatan dan pengalaman majikan dan lokasi syarikat.

Information literacy in Oman’s higher education: A descriptive-inferential approach

This study aims to identify the current status of information literacy among the students at Sultan Qaboos University in their final year through using the Big6 model for solving information problems. The study utilizes self-assessment survey approach, with the questionnaire as a tool for data collection. It surveyed undergraduate students of Sultan Qaboos University, enrolled in their final year for the academic year 2010/2011. Collected data from 550 valid questionnaires were processed using SPSS. The results indicated high rates of information literacy skills. Among the Big6 skills synthesis, including the ability of respondents in summarizing, combining and linking, using consistent style of organization, and using a variety of ways to display information was ranked first, while the skill of location and access scored the lowest. Significant statistical differences attributed to specialization, gender, English fluency, and computer skills were also indicated at minor levels. The amount of literature relating to information literacy in the Arab World is comparatively less than that in the developed countries. No empirical studies that investigate the competencies of information literacy among university students have previously been conducted in Oman.

Health Behaviour Change Interventions for the Promotion of Physical Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease with typical onset between the ages of 40 and 50 years. Increasing levels of physical activity (PA) have been shown to decrease inflammation, reduce pain, increase functional ability and improve self-esteem in people with RA. Health behaviour change (HBC) interventions have recently shown promise in facilitating the promotion of PA within a range of long-term conditions. There is currently no evidence synthesis relating to HBC interventions to increase PA in the RA population. The aim of the present study was to determine whether HBC interventions can increase PA in people with RA and identify optimal interventions or promising constituent components of the HBC interventions. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify randomized, controlled trials investigating the effect of HBC interventions on PA level in adults with RA. Four review authors independently assessed the methodological quality of studies and extracted data based upon predefined criteria. Following the application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, three studies remained for inclusion. Two studies reported significant short-term (<9 months) beneficial effects of HBC upon PA (p < 0.05). Individualized interventions were significantly more effective (p < 0.05). Due to methodological flaws and a lack of comparison with usual care, it is not possible to conclude whether HBC interventions can increase PA in the RA population. Although it is possible to highlight promising elements of HBC interventions, such as goal setting and feedback on performance, further research on all specific components, including information provision, behaviour contracts and problem solving, is required to establish conclusive clinical guidelines.

User information literacy: Case studies from university library programmes in the SCANUL-ECS region. Editors: Elizabeth Kiondo and jangawe Msuy

Within a university environment a student who is not information-literate is at a distinct disadvantage,in not being able to determine his/her need for information and thus being unaware of how and where to get information. The availability of a library does not mean that such a student hasthe skills and ability to use the facility to solve information problems. User information literacy is currently one of the "buzz words" in the academic/information environment. This book provides a variety of definitions of Information Literacy (IL). In Chapter One, Msuya provides some definitions and comes to conclusions as to what the term encompasses.He, for example, states that the information-literate person should (I) understand the need for information; (2) know what information sources are available,how to find, evaluate, exploit and disseminate information, and how to manageit.

Nutrition Informatics Competencies across All Levels of Practice: A National Delphi Study

Nutrition Informatics Competencies across All Levels of Practice: A National Delphi Study

Differentiation between deviant trajectory planning, action planning, and reduced psychomotor speed in schizophrenia

Introduction. Abnormal psychomotor behaviour in schizophrenia might be based on separate deficits. Here we studied the relationship between trajectory planning, action planning, psychomotor speed, and indices of cognitive functioning in a large group of stabilised patients with schizophrenia. Method. Sixty-one patients and 30 controls were tested. Trajectory planning was assessed in a graphic task in which sequences of single lines, gradually changing in direction, had to be drawn. Shifts to a comfortable drawing direction reflect anticipatory trajectory planning. Action planning was evaluated in a task in which figures varying in complexity and familiarity had to be copied. Psychomotor speed was measured by use of a simple line copying task. Measures of information processing speed, attention, working memory, and problem solving were derived from neuropsychological tests. Results. Patients much more often opted for the unusual bottom-to-top direction to draw the vertical lines in the drawing task. They changed the line orientation less often than the controls did. In the patient group, these trajectory planning indices did not correlate with measures of action planning, psychomotor speed, or neuropsychological test scores. Conclusion. Deviant trajectory planning strongly characterises schizophrenia, and is independent from action planning deficits and reduced psychomotor speed.

AMIA Board white paper: definition of biomedical informatics and specification of core competencies for graduate education in the discipline

The AMIA biomedical informatics (BMI) core competencies have been designed to support and guide graduate education in BMI, the core scientific discipline underlying the breadth of the field's research, practice, and education. The core definition of BMI adopted by AMIA specifies that BMI is 'the interdisciplinary field that studies and pursues the effective uses of biomedical data, information, and knowledge for scientific inquiry, problem solving and decision making, motivated by efforts to improve human health.' Application areas range from bioinformatics to clinical and public health informatics and span the spectrum from the molecular to population levels of health and biomedicine. The shared core informatics competencies of BMI draw on the practical experience of many specific informatics sub-disciplines. The AMIA BMI analysis highlights the central shared set of competencies that should guide curriculum design and that graduate students should be expected to master.

Interconnected But Underprotected? Parents' Methods and Motivations for Information Seeking on Digital Safety Issues

Parents need information and skills to meet the demands of mediating connected technology in their homes. Parents' methods and motivations for learning to protect children from digital risks were reported through a survey. This study explores relationships between information seeking, parents' concerns, risks children have experienced, and access to connected devices, in addition to the use and satisfaction of various digital safety resources. Three types of information-seeking behavior were identified: (a) protective information seeking, to protect children from being confronted with harmful content; (b) problem-solving information seeking, to help children who have been negatively affected by connected technology; and (c) attentive learning, by attending to media resources passively encountered on this topic. Friends and family are the dominant source of digital safety information, followed by presentations and the Internet. Parents' top concerns for their children using connected technology were accidental exposure to pornography, and sexual content in Internet-based entertainment. Higher numbers of risks experienced by children were positively associated with parents' problem-solving information seeking and level of attentive learning. Parents who were more concerned exhibited more problem-solving information seeking; but despite the high level of concern for children's safety online, 65 percent of parents seek information on this subject less than twice per year. Children have access to a mean of five connected devices at home; a higher number of devices was correlated with increased risks experienced by children, but was not associated with increased concern or information seeking from parents.

Learning Curve: How College Graduates Solve Information Problems Once They Join the Workplace

Qualitative findings about the information-seeking behavior of today’s college graduates as they transition from the campus to the workplace. Included are findings from interviews with 23 US employers and focus groups with 33 recent graduates from four US colleges and universities, conducted as an exploratory study for Project Information Literacy’s (PIL’s) Passage Studies. Most graduates in our focus groups said they found it difficult to solve information problems in the workplace, where unlike college, a sense of urgency pervaded and where personal contacts often reaped more useful results than online searches. Graduates said they leveraged essential information competencies from college for extracting content and also developed adaptive information-seeking strategies for reaching out to trusted colleagues in order to compensate for what they lacked. At the same time, employers said they recruited graduates, in part, for their online searching skills but still expected and needed more traditional research competencies, such as thumbing through bound reports, picking up the telephone, and interpreting research results with team members. They found that their college hires rarely demonstrated these competencies. Overall, our findings suggest there is a distinct difference between today’s graduates who demonstrated how quickly they found answers online and seasoned employers who needed college hires to use a combination of online and traditional methods to conduct comprehensive research.