Peer Recommendations Research Articles

VACCINE ACCEPTANCE AMONG LATE RECIPIENTS OF COVID-19 VACCINATION IN KEDAH, MALAYSIA: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

COVID-19 vaccine availability has helped many countries around the world in alleviating the health and economic crisis caused by the pandemic. However, the smoothness of its implementation was slightly affected due to several issues such as hesitancy and even total refusal, due to several specific factors. To establish herd immunity, an adequate amount of immunization is necessary, and this issue needs to be addressed appropriately to avoid failure in efforts to curb the spread of the disease. In identifying appropriate and effective strategies to deal with this, it is important to know the factors that can influence such individuals to change their minds and eventually agree to be vaccinated. This study explores the reasons behind COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among nineteen (n=19) late vaccine recipients who initially delay or refuse to be vaccinated, using an in-depth interview method and thematic analysis. Four themes and eight subthemes were identified, emphasizing the significant role of real evidence, health risk-related perceptions, peer recommendations, and higher authority enforcement in influencing the participants to finally make a U-turn. The findings of this study can be used to formulate strategies to increase vaccine acceptance rates, especially among individuals who are still reluctant.

Effects of collaborative filtering‐based peer recommendation mechanism on in‐service teachers’ learning performance, knowledge construction, and social network during online training

AbstractBackgroundCollaborative learning has become a crucial approach to promoting online in‐service teacher training. Appropriate peer recommendation for group composition is the basis to ensure productive learning outcomes of collaborative learning. However, there is a lack of understanding of the impact of peer recommendation on in‐service teachers' online training.ObjectivesTherefore, based on the collaborative filtering approach, a peer recommendation mechanism for in‐service teachers was constructed in this study. We investigated the effects of the constructed mechanism on in‐service teachers' online learning performance, interactive knowledge construction behavioural patterns and social networks.MethodsIn this study, 82 in‐service teachers were recruited to participate in the study. Participants under the experimental condition (n = 41) were invited to apply collaborative filtering‐based peer recommendation mechanism for grouping, while participants under the control condition (n = 41) were invited to use random grouping method. Participants' interaction data were collected from online collaborative discussion activities in a 5‐week asynchronous online course. The pre‐post knowledge test, content analysis, lag sequential analysis and social network analysis were used to analyse the differences between groups.Results and ConclusionsThe following findings were revealed: (1) the experimental group performed better than the control group in terms of online learning performance; (2) interactive knowledge construction behavioural patterns generated in collaborative activities showed that the experimental group achieved deeper level of knowledge construction in collaboration than the control group; (3) social networks generated in collaborative activities showed that the experimental group had tighter interaction relationships than the control group. Therefore, the peer recommendation mechanism could be useful to improve peer recommendation for group composition and had positive effects on in‐service teachers' online training.ImplicationsThis study can shed light on the construction of peer recommendation mechanism in recommending appropriate peers for in‐service teachers and different learners in online collaborative learning.

The Influence of ChatGPT on Social Science Students: Insights Drawn from Undergraduate Students in the United States

Recently, the artificial intelligence known as ChatGPT has turned into a global sensation, especially among students. This research paper investigates the influence of this AI-powered chatbot, on undergraduate social science students based on insights drawn from semi-structured interviews. The study aims to understand the level of awareness, adoption, perceived usefulness, and impact of ChatGPT on academic performance. 200 undergraduate students were selected and verbatim transcription was used and later thematic analysis was implemented. We implied our custom code to analyze the data based on sample collection from the students. The findings indicate that most of the participants were aware of ChatGPT and had used it for academic work. Perceived usefulness and ease of use were found to be significant factors that influenced the adoption of this technology. Social influence was also found to be a significant factor, with peer recommendations playing a role in shaping students' attitudes toward new technology. ChatGPT had a positive impact on the academic performance of the participants, particularly in assisting them in understanding difficult concepts and providing them with relevant study materials. The study suggests that chatbots can be valuable tools for learning and academic assistance, particularly in disciplines such as social science that require extensive research and analysis. The findings provide useful insights for educators and researchers seeking to integrate chatbots into existing teaching and learning methods to optimize their benefits. More research is needed to assess the future impacts on students and the education sector alike.

Augmented Virtual Examination for Cosmetic and Functional Rhinoplasty.

Background: Few studies have critically evaluated the quality of data obtained during telemedical evaluations of patients with nasal complaints. Objective: To compare the quality of data provided by remote endoscopic and external nasal examination with those by in-person evaluations for rhinoplasty and functional nasal surgery, measured by detectability of anatomic features, and to assess associated patient experience measured by reported ease, discomfort, and likelihood of peer recommendation. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy subjects performed a nasal self-examination using an endoscope and webcam under remote videoconferencing service (VCS) guidance. They subsequently underwent in-person examination and were surveyed about their experience. Inter-rater reliability was calculated using kappa coefficients. Detectability of anatomic features by in-person versus virtual examination was compared using Wilcoxon and chi-square tests. Results: Median subject age was 27.5 years (range 23-77). Kappa coefficients were 0.78 for in-person and 0.66 for virtual evaluations. Only the internal nasal valve and inferior turbinate were better visualized in person. There were no differences between detectability of external features on in-person versus virtual examinations. Subjects' average likelihood of recommending this technology (1-10) was 8.65 (SD 1.4). Conclusions: Intranasal examination by physician-guided remote endoscopy and webcam-based facial analysis demonstrate nasal anatomy comparable with in-person evaluation and anterior rhinoscopy.

Why do consumers prefer one brand over another? The economics and sociology of brand competitiveness

In this paper, we introduce mathematically a formal definition of brand competitiveness. We propose a unified formal framework, where agents, in choosing a brand, have both economical and sociological motives (consistent with the behavior of both Homo economicus and Homo sociologicus). In particular, we take into account four key characteristics of a brand: (i) price, (ii) quality, (iii) peer recommendations, and (iv) the effectiveness of the firm's marketing campaign. Brand competitiveness is shown to depend on these dimensions and on consumers' sensitivities to them. The formal definitions and analysis we provide can be used in future empirical work to test the emerging construct of brand competitiveness, as well as its antecedents and effects. Our paper demonstrates the value-adding synergies associated with the combination of economics, sociology, and strategic brand management.

Learning Peer Recommendation Based on Weighted Heterogeneous Information Networks on Online Learning Platforms

With the development of online education, there is an urgent need to solve the problem of the low completion rate of online learning courses. Although learning peer recommendation can effectively address this problem, prior studies of learning peer-recommendation methods extract only a portion of the interaction information and fail to take into account the heterogeneity of the various types of objects (e.g., students, teachers, videos, exercises, and knowledge points). To better motivate students to complete online learning courses, we propose a novel method to recommend learning peers based on a weighted heterogeneous information network. First, we integrate the above different objects, various relationships between objects, and the attribute values to links in a weighted heterogeneous information network. Second, we propose a method for automatically generating all meaningful weighted meta-paths to extract and identify meaningful meta-paths. Finally, we use the Bayesian Personalized Ranking (BPR) optimization framework to discover the personalized weights of target students on different meaningful weighted meta-paths. We conducted experiments using three real datasets, and the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and interpretability of the proposed method.

Peer recommendation by using pattern mining to generate candidate keywords in attributed graphs

Peer recommendation by using pattern mining to generate candidate keywords in attributed graphs

Journey to the south: A case study of a Chinese PhD student in a Malaysian university

<span lang="EN-US">Recent trends indicate that more mainland China students are selecting Malaysian universities to further their studies based on the push-pull model. This study aims to examine their motivation for further studies as well as the obstacles and problems faced by them in Malaysian universities. A case study has been adopted in this study. A purposive sampling technique was employed to identify the right respondent and data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews. The findings of the research revealed that peer recommendation, comparative advantage, cultural similarity, and self-desire for improvement have a significant influence on the mainland Chinese motivation to further their PhD studies at Malaysian Universities. Existing literature has not paid adequate attention to motivational factors that influence China students to select Malaysian universities to pursue their PhD. Furthermore, this research addressed the shortcoming of classic acculturation models that lacks importance given to how the dominant Malaysian majority can be affected by the acculturation orientations of mainland Chinese students. As such, this paper is an attempt to fill up these gaps. This study provides some practical implications for Malaysian universities with better strategic insight to review their research programs and improve the service quality of their research infrastructure.</span>

Tourists’ cognitions of and responses to cute food

This study investigated tourists' cognitions of and affective and behavioral responses to cute food products, in addition to their motivations for purchasing these items. We adopted a qualitative method for this investigation. Three major attributes on the shape, size, and color of cute food were revealed in this study. The three external drivers of cute food consumption were peer recommendation, photo-taking, and social interaction; and the internal driver was personality or inner child. Adults’ desire to release their “inner child” was found to underlie the consumption of cute food. Cute food was found to induce affective responses such as pleasure, wellbeing, and a therapeutic feeling, in addition to behavioral responses including indulgence, exploration, and tolerance.

Psychological Status of Men Who Have Sex with Men during COVID-19: An Online Cross-Sectional Study in Western China.

Background: The psychological status of men who have sex with men (MSM) as a vulnerable population during COVID-19 is worthy of attention. However, studies of Chinese MSM are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological status and influencing factors of MSM population and to provide a scientific basis for this group to actively respond to public health emergencies. Methods: From June to September 2020, we conducted an online survey. MSMs were recruited through collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and peer recommendations. The variables we collected included four aspects: demographic and HIV-related characteristics; COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; COVID-19-related risk perception; epidemic exposure. The psychological status was assessed by the Psychological Questionnaire for Emergent Events of Public Health (PQEEPH), which defined the psychological status as five primary disorders: depression, neurasthenia, fear, anxiety, and hypochondria. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the influences of COVID-19-related factors on the psychological status. Results: We surveyed 412 MSM online during COVID-19. The five psychological status of high-risk states accounted for 16.99% (depression), 14.08% (neurasthenia), 16.75% (fear), 16.50% (anxiety), and 18.20% (hypochondria), respectively. Not being well-informed about the causes of COVID-19 (p = 0.020) and having experienced epidemic exposure (p = 0.006) were able to promote the occurrence of depression. Lack of knowledge of the curative effect of COVID-19 has a higher risk of occurrence neurasthenia (p < 0.001). Being afraid of the novel coronavirus (p < 0.001) promoted fear. The perceived prevalence of the epidemic (p = 0.003), being more susceptible to COVID-19 (p < 0.001), and not being well-informed about the causes of COVID-19 (p = 0.005) had a positive effect on anxiety. Considering that the epidemic was not effectively controlled (p = 0.017), being more susceptible to COVID-19 (p < 0.001) was a contributing factor to the hypochondria. Conclusions: The incidence of psychological disorders in Chinese MSM was higher than that in other groups during COVID-19. Factors associated with COVID-19 may cause a range of mental health problems in this population. Greater attention should be paid to the mental health status of special populations during the epidemic, and effective preventive education and intervention measures should be taken.

“Analysis Of Consumer Buying Behaviour Towards Durable Products In Gorakhpur Division”

This study examines consumer buying behaviour towards durable products in Gorakhpur Division, India. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a survey of 300 consumers with in-depth interviews of 20 respondents. The findings reveal that consumers prioritize factors such as quality, price, and brand reputation when purchasing durable products. Additionally, social and cultural influences, including family and peer recommendations, play a significant role in shaping buying decisions. The study identifies key demographic and psychographic factors influencing consumer behaviour, including age, income, education, and lifestyle. The results provide insights for marketers and manufacturers to develop effective strategies for promoting durable products in the Gorakhpur market. This research contributes to the understanding of consumer buying behaviour in rural India, highlighting the need for tailored marketing approaches to meet the unique needs and preferences of this segment.

IoT trust aggregation using hybrid outlier detection and consensus

Trust modelling and management strategy used identify and mitigate threats by malicious devices rely on peer recommendations to compute trustworthiness. Aggregating opinions from independent devices is crucial in such recommendation-based systems to arrive at a consensus for decision making. Existing aggregation techniques like arithmetic mean, geometric mean (weighted/non-weighted), and maximum/minimum functions ignore the risk of biased and uncertain recommendations. To encounter such vulnerabilities, we propose a novel trust assessment model, outlier and uncertain recommendation-based trust management (OUR-Trust). It uses an outlier elimination and similarity-based scheme to evaluate the recommender's credibility before aggregation for consensus and decision making. The model employs revised Dempster-Shaffer combination rule for aggregation, which considers the uncertainty factor. Effectiveness of proposed approach is analysed for a dynamic and heterogeneous IoT network of dynamic and heterogeneous devices. OUR-Trust is validated for storage, power-efficiency, and scalability in terms of convergence time for more extensive IoT networks that employ recommender systems.

A Systematic Literature Review on Recommender Systems for MOOCs

In recent years, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) have become popular and the online learning resources are increasing, they are an offered courses by schools and universities, which are accessible to everyone and free of charge on the internet, they offer the possibility to teach a very group of students, in the same course, at the same time, even if they are not in the same location. There are many MOOCs platforms with different characteristics, they contain a huge amount of data, so the learner does not know which course to take and can choose irrelevant MOOCs. Therefore, he will waste the time and also the motivation. Recommender systems give a solution to this problem, they suggest learning resources to learners according to their interests and needs, so learner will be satisfied because he finds an appropriate course. In this paper, we give a systematic literature review of MOOCs recommender systems, based on published papers in the past ten years, between 2012 and 2022. We have selected 123 papers from five databases, IEEE Xplore, Springer Link, Science Direct, Google Scholar and ACM Library. We have divided the data analysis in two parts, the quantitative analysis, and the qualitative analysis. In the quantitative analysis, we have studied first the evolution of papers by year and the distribution of papers on databases by type. Then, in the qualitative analysis, we have based principally on the distribution of papers by the existed areas in MOOCs. We have found that there are six main fields, course recommendation, peer recommender, MOOC provider, video recommendation, learning activities and OER, paid activities recommender system and other papers in various types. A high number of articles have been published in the field of courses, which confirms that this domain is very important and crucial for learners.

How important is the tuition fee during the COVID-19 pandemic in a developing country? Evaluation of filipinos’ preferences on public university attributes using conjoint analysis

In a developing country like the Philippines, it is critical to understand the important factors which lead college students to their current colleges and universities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study utilized the conjoint analysis approach with an orthogonal design for evaluating understudy's inclination in choosing a college with the various attributes such as the tuition fee, distance or location, employability, academic reputation, recommended by friends and peers, recommended by family or relatives, and the availability to transfer was assessed. A total of 518 Filipino students studying at public and state universities participated in answering the 16 combined attributions about university preference using purposive sampling approach. Based on the utilities estimate, the most important attribute was the tuition fee of the preferred university with an importance value of about 32.839%, followed by the employability rate of the university with about 6% gap difference. The mid-concerned attributes were the distance/location with an estimated of 11.139%, recommendation of friends or peers with approximately 11.689% tying together, and the academic reputation with an estimated of 10.638%. The two least important attributes were identified to be the availability to transfer, having with only about 2.713%, and the recommendation of parents with only 2% difference at approximately 4.453%. The outcomes of this study can aid college chairmen and enrolment specialists tweak their advertising procedures by giving significant data to the chief gatherings engaged with settling college decision choices.

Medical Resident Awareness of Predatory Journal Practices in an International Medical Education System

ABSTRACT Introduction Learning research methodology is increasingly becoming an essential part of graduate medical education worldwide, with many regulatory and accreditation bodies requiring residents to participate in scholarship. Research methodology workshops have become a standard part of medical curricula; however, there is limited data on how much training on journal selection and the publication process trainees receive. The alarming growth of predatory journals has made it increasingly difficult for researchers, especially trainees and early career physicians, to distinguish these publications from reputable journals. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge of reputable and predatory publishing practices amongst medical trainees in an international medical education setting in the United Arab Emirates. Methods A survey on credible journal practices based on the ‘Think. Check. Submit’ initiative was sent to all graduate medical education trainees at two large academic medical centers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Descriptive statistics were used to tabulate variable frequencies. Results Over half of the 160 respondents reported receiving prior research methodology training and 42.5% had at least one publication. The majority of the trainees selected impact factor and the quality of the peer-review process as characteristics of reputable journals. Ambiguous editorial board and rapid publication process were recognized as characteristics of predatory journals by >65% of trainees, however, 95% of all trainees were unaware of Beall’s list or other resources to help select a journal for publication. 15.2% of trainees who received unsolicited emails from publishers submitted their manuscripts to the unfamiliar journals, citing peer recommendation and pressure to publish from their training programs as reasons. Conclusion Trainees in the United Arab Emirates were mostly unaware of reputable publication practices and are vulnerable to publishing in predatory journals. Policy and educational reform are necessary to maintain the credibility and integrity of the scientific process.

Influence of social media in travel decision making

This paper explores the significant impact of social media on travel decision-making processes. With the rapid proliferation of social media platforms, individuals now have access to an extensive array of user-generated content and peer recommendations that greatly influence their travel choices. This study seeks to analyze the ways in which social media platforms shape perceptions, preferences, and decisions related to travel. The research delves into the mechanisms through which social media exerts its influence on travel decisions. It investigates how travelers use platforms like Instagram, Face book, Twitter, and travel-focused review sites to gather information, exchange experiences, and connect with other travelers. Furthermore, the study examines the role of influencers and content creators in shaping travel aspirations and choices. The interactive nature of social media platforms, including the ability to seek real-time advice and engage with travel-related content, adds a layer of immediacy and personalization to the decision-making process. The research on the influence of social media in travel decision making holds significant importance for several key stakeholders, including travelers, the travel industry, and researchers. Understanding the impact of social media on travel decisions empowers travelers to make more informed choices. By recognizing the role of social media, individuals can better navigate the vast array of travel information available and make decisions that align with their preferences and interests. Travelers can use the insights gained from this research to enhance their travel planning processes. They can identify reliable sources of information, seek real-time recommendations, and learn how to effectively engage with content and communities on social media to optimize their travel experiences. Applying the "Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS)" method, those making decisions are able to evaluate possibilities based on a wide range of parameters. It involves providing criteria weights, determining scores for every potential and summing the results to determine the most suitable option. From the result Destination A is in first rank where as Destination E is lower rank.

Brain dynamics of recommendation-based social influence on preference change: A magnetoencephalography study

ABSTRACT People change their preferences when exposed to others’ opinions. We examine the neural basis of how peer feedback influences an individual’s recommendation behavior. In addition, we investigate if the personality trait of ‘agreeableness’ modulates behavioral change and neural responses. In our experiment, participants with low and high agreeableness indicated their degree of recommendation of commercial brands, while subjected to peer group feedback. The associated neural responses were recorded with concurrent magnetoencephalography. After a delay, the participants were asked to reevaluate the brands. Recommendations changed consistently with conflicting feedback only when peer recommendation was lower than the initial recommendation. On the neural level, feedback evoked neural responses in the medial frontal and lateral parietal cortices, which were stronger for conflicting peer opinions. Conflict also increased neural oscillations in 4–10 Hz and decreased oscillations in 13–30 Hz in medial frontal and parietal cortices§. The change in recommendation behavior was not different between the low and high agreeableness groups. However, the groups differed in neural oscillations in the alpha and beta bands, when recommendation matched with feedback. In addition to corroborating earlier findings on the role of conflict monitoring in feedback processing, our results suggest that agreeableness modulates neural processing of peer feedback.

'Me' vs. 'Them': How Mental Illness Stigma Influences Adolescent Help-Seeking Behaviors for Oneself and Recommendations for Peers.

Mental illness stigma is a significant barrier to utilizing mental health services for young populations. Few studies have evaluated how specific stigma dimensions relate to help-seeking and recommendations among adolescents. We examined how the stigma dimensions of labeling, stereotypes, and separation/discrimination influenced self-reported help-seeking behaviors of adolescents and recommendations for hypothetical peers with a mental health problem. Longitudinal data (four assessments) from a study evaluating the effectiveness of three anti-stigma interventions (curriculum, contact, materials, versus control) among adolescents were analyzed (n=396). Help-seeking outcomes comprised services in formal (e.g., doctor), informal (e.g., friend), or school-based (e.g., school counselor) settings. Generalized estimating equations tested associations of labeling, stereotypes, and separation/discrimination on help-seeking for a personal problem and recommendations for vignette characters described as having bipolar depression or social anxiety disorder. Adolescents were more likely to make help-seeking recommendations for peers with mental health problems than they were to seek help for a problem of their own. Labeling was a strong predictor of self-reported help-seeking and recommendations. Mental health literacy, an indicator for low negative stereotypes, was related to increased recommendations but not self-reported help-seeking. Positive stigma action and awareness-high cognizance of stigma and how to engage in proactive behaviors towards treating and destigmatizing mental illness-increased help-seeking in formal and informal settings for oneself. Finally, separation/discrimination did not prevent self-reported help-seeking, but it did increase peer recommendations in certain settings. Stigma did not always influence or interfere with help-seeking in the same way when the help-seeker was oneself versus a peer.

Intra-Regional Medical Tourism Demand in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study of Indonesian Medical Tourists' Rationale and Preferences.

BackgroundThis study aims to explore the Indonesian tourists’ demand for medical tourism services in Malaysia. The study also investigates the Indonesian medical tourists’ profiles and their preference for Malaysia for medical treatment services.MethodsThis study conducted interviews with 49 potential patients from Indonesia who received cardiac treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.ResultsThe findings indicate that the key motives of Indonesian tourists travelling to Malaysia for medical treatment are their disappointment with medical practices and inadequate expertise in Indonesia. Besides, they are motivated by peer recommendations, medical expertise, transparency, administration and hospitality in Malaysia. The study findings show that Indonesian medical tourists can be acknowledged as an elite group with stable and above-average income.ConclusionResults from the study enable medical tourism marketers to better target and segments their potential medical tourists and develop a strategic medical tourism marketing roadmap. This study shows that the high demand for medical tourism is related to Malaysia’s availability of niche medical services. Besides, this paper expands the understanding of medical tourists’ decision-making and argues its implications for Malaysian health policy and healthcare delivery for the medical tourism industry sustainability.

Design of a Smart MOOC Trust Model: Towards a Dynamic Peer Recommendation to Foster Collaboration and Learner’s Engagement

Recent evolutions in the Internet of Things (IoT) and Social IoT (SIoT) are facilitating collaboration as well as social interactions between entities in various environments, especially Smart Learning Ecosystems (SLEs). However, in these contexts, trust issues become more intense, learners feel suspicious and avoid collaborating with their peers, leading to their demotivation and disengagement. Hence, a trust management system (TMS) has become a crucial challenge to promote qualified collaboration and stimulate learners' engagement. In the literature, several trust models were proposed in various domains, but rarely those that address trust issues in SLEs, especially in MOOCs. While these models exclusively rank the best nodes and fail to detect the untrustworthy ones. Therefore, in this paper, we propose Machine Learning-based trust evaluation model that considers social and dynamic trust parameters to quantify entities' behaviors. It can distinguish trustworthy and untrustworthy behaviors in MOOCs to recommend benign peers while blocking malicious ones to build a dynamic trust-based peer recommendation in the future phase. Our model prevents learners from wasting their time in unprofitable interactions, protects them from malicious actions, and boosts their engagement. A simulation experiment using real-world SIoT datasets and encouraging results show the performance of our trust model.