Information Science Research Articles

WARCreate

WARCreate is an open-source Google Chrome add-on that allows users to archive web pages as .WARC files with a single click, created by Mat Kelly and Michele Weigle at Old Dominion University. This tool addresses the limitations of other web archiving services like the Wayback Machine by enabling users to independently archive specific web pages, including those behind passwords or with unique geolocations. Its applications in Library and Information Science (LIS) include preserving digital content for research and teaching, and supporting the ethical archiving of sensitive information. Despite some initial usability challenges and a need for more comprehensive support materials, WARCreate remains a valuable tool for capturing and preserving web data.

Surveillance and datafication in higher education

It has become a commonplace in educational research and policy discourses to state that digital technology has ‘transformed’ the nature of higher education, and even the university itself, leading to what is claimed to be more interactive or less hierarchical formats and engagement, in which traditional modes of teaching such as the lecture, are claimed to be obsolete. These narratives, arguably, express a widespread desire for ‘transformation’ in the university. In terms of digital education, this has been expressed variously in the apparently benign ideologies of ‘active learning’, ‘connectivism’, and ‘the flipped classroom’, all of which share common values, those which prize student interaction, and observable engagement, both online and in the face-to-face setting. Although these constructs appear to be ‘student centred’ and progressive, critics (e.g. Macfarlane 2017) have pointed out that an emphasis on student performance of a particular form of engagement and identity in higher education may in fact threaten the fundamental values of academic freedom. In parallel, regimes of audit concerning academic performance have become more prevalent in higher education, with metrics measuring publications and impact becoming more influential on academic careers. I have argued elsewhere (Author 2020) that this tendency is greater in the context of digital education, where performativity, surveillance and regulation are intensified via digital technologies, as part of a broader ‘culture of surveillance’ in society (Lyon 2018). As recent commentators have argued (e.g. Williamson 2017a), the increased use of big data to track and monitor student activity, has the effect of ‘datafying’ them as human subjects; the same could be said for the technology of the h-index for academics. In this paper I will combine insights of digital education research, science and technology studies and information science in order to interrogate the nature and effects of this increased ‘datafication’ of higher education, looking at two examples; learner analytics and the author publication metric h-index. I will argue that these two digitally-mediated ‘documenting’ practices share several features; they have a supervisory or surveilling function, they are underpinned by particular ideologies, and they carry normative force regarding the nature of ‘desirable’ subjectivities and practices. I conclude that there is a need to sustain a critical agenda of research around these technologies of surveillance and documentation, particularly in the current context in which ‘discourses of inevitability’ surrounding digitisation of higher education prevail.

Pengaruh Pemanfaatan Instagram @InfoUNP terhadap Kepuasan Pengguna Mahasiswa Departemen Ilmu Informasi Perpustakaan Universitas Negeri Padang

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Instagram @infounp utilization on user satisfaction of students of the Department of Information and Library Science, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Padang State University. This study consists of two variables, namely the Instagram utilization variable (X) with indicators of informative motives, educational motives, and entertainment motives and the user satisfaction variable (Y) with indicators of effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. This research uses descriptive quantitative methods through questionnaires distributed to 100 respondents via Google Form. The population in this study were all Instagram followers @infounp. The data analysis technique used is the normality test and the 't' hypothesis test. Based on the results of the 't' test, it is known that the Instagram utilization variable (X) has an influence on user satisfaction (Y). This is based on the calculation that tcount 9.230> ttable 1.984. Then, the results also show that the utilization of Instagram @infounp is categorized as good so that it gives satisfaction to student users who are in the very good category.

Coherent Addressing of Single Molecular Electron Spin Qubits

AbstractWith rational designability, versatile tunability, and quantum coherence, molecular electron spin qubits could offer new opportunities for quantum information science, enabling simplified implementation of quantum algorithms and chemical‐specific quantum sensing. The development of these transformative technologies relies on coherent addressing of single molecular electron spin qubits with high initialization, manipulation, and readout fidelities. This is unfeasible to conventional electron spin resonance spectroscopy, which is widely used for coherent addressing of ensemble electron spins, due to its low initialization efficiency and readout sensitivity. Taking advantage of single spin detectability of single‐molecule spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and quantum metrology, several strategies have been developed to empower electron spin resonance spectroscopy with single qubit addressability. In this Emerging Topic, we introduce principles and technical implementation of strategies for coherent addressing of single molecular electron spin qubits, discuss their potential applicability in quantum technologies, and point out their challenges in terms of scalability, molecular design, and/or decoherence suppression. We discuss future directions to overcome these challenges and to improve single qubit addressing technologies, which will facilitate the advancement of molecular quantum information science.

Editors' Letter

Almost a year ago, in the summer of 2023, the managing editors of the Emerging Library and Information Perspectives (ELIP) journal called upon LIS graduate students and recent alumni to submit their papers for the sixth edition of the journal. This marked the beginning of a significant transformation for ELIP, transitioning it from a structured process managed by a hired editor and faculty advisory board to a fully student-run, volunteer-driven journal. The relaunch involved revamping the editorial process, expanding the author pool, and enhancing outreach efforts, all aimed at creating a more inclusive and independent platform. The new issue exemplifies these changes, featuring diverse contributions across multiple categories, from research articles on TikTok's algorithms and information science ontologies to insightful discussions on podcasts and Wikipedia for information literacy. The managing editors, reflecting on the journey, now pass the baton to future editors, eager to see the continued growth and impact of ELIP within the LIS community.

COVID-19 and menstrual-related disturbances: a Spanish retrospective observational study in formerly menstruating women

IntroductionFour years after the start of the pandemic, there is limited evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the women's health regardless of their reproductive status.ObjectiveThe aim was to analyze the prevalence and associated factors of menstrual-related disturbances in formerly menstruating women following SARS-CoV-2 infection.Study designA retrospective observational study of adult women in Spain was conducted during the month of December 2021 using an online survey (N = 17,512). The present analysis includes a subpopulation of SARS-CoV-2-infected and formerly menstruating women (n = 72). The collected data included general characteristics, medical history, and specific information on COVID-19. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-tests were performed. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was then performed to investigate possible associations between the occurrence of menstrual-related disturbances after SARS-CoV-2 infection.Results38.8% of participants experienced menstrual-related disturbances following COVID-19. Among these, unexpected vaginal bleeding (20.8%) was the most common event, followed by spotting (11.1%) ( Table 1). Other reported changes were in the length (shorter = 12.5%) and flow (heavier = 30.3%) of menstrual bleeding in comparison to their previous experience. Regression analysis revealed that being a perimenopausal woman [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.721, CI 95%, 1.022–21.796, p = 0.047] and having a previous diagnosis of menorrhagia (AOR 5.824 CI 95%, 1.521–22.310, p = 0.010) were factors associated with the event.ConclusionThese findings could help health professionals provide their patients with up-to-date scientific information to empower them to actively manage their reproductive health, especially in societies where menstrual health is still taboo.

Conoce Tus Opciones: The Challenges of Communicating Rip Current Information in Spanish

Abstract Rip currents are poorly understood by the public and thus a leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States. Individuals who speak languages other than English, such as Spanish-speaking communities, have been historically underserved by communication efforts for natural hazards and thus are at additional risk from rip currents. In response, the National Weather Service (NWS) has developed rip current outreach tools translated into Spanish in recent years, though their efficacy has not been systematically tested. We therefore surveyed members of the Spanish-speaking community in the New York City area to gain insights into how the NWS two-page rip current informational brochure is working and possible improvements to be made. The English version of the brochure was also tested, and the results from the two languages compared. Quantitative survey results indicate that while bot brochures are generally effective, several changes could be made to improve clarity, especially for Spanish speakers, who found more issues with the Spanish version. For example, the translation of the term rip current itself used by the NWS, “corrientes de resaca,” was determined to be confusing by some Spanish speakers, as were other pieces of text with complex scientific terms. Moreover, certain graphics contained in the brochure were difficult to understand for users in both languages. The results of this work can be used by the NWS and other agencies to improve their Spanish risk communication tools, and also as a guide when translating scientific information into other languages.

Humanitarian health education and training state-of-the-art: a scoping review

IntroductionIn the past decade, humanitarian emergencies have been increasing, leading to an higher demand for humanitarian health professionalization. Education and training are critical for preparing these workers to provide effective care during crises. Understanding the current state-of-the-art in humanitarian health education is essential to inform research and development of future educational programs. This review surveys the peer-reviewed literature to provide insights into the current thinking in the field.MethodsA review was conducted in March 2023 and updated in May 2024 using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Education Resources Information Center databases for English-language peer-reviewed articles published since January 2013. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and presented as a narrative descriptive summary.ResultsAfter screening, 32 articles met the inclusion criteria. The themes of the selected articles focus on education and training frameworks, mapping, and programs. Despite the growing opportunities, most education and training programs are based in the Global North. The gaps identified include a lack of standardized curriculum or competency frameworks and evaluation frameworks to guide the development and evaluation of further standardized training programs. Interdisciplinary and collaborative partnerships, iterative design, and mixed teaching methods and modalities, including e-learning, facilitated successful training. However, logistical and technical constraints and the lack of standardized training frameworks were barriers to developing, implementing, and evaluating such training programs.ConclusionThis review provides an overview of the humanitarian health education trends over the last decade and identifies key areas for future educational development and research. The findings emphasize the importance of adapting interdisciplinary and collaborative partnerships and prioritizing the training of local staff through regional centers, local leadership, and accessible e-learning, including e-simulation. The review also highlights the need for continued research and evaluation of humanitarian health education and training programs with standardized metrics to evaluate training programs and identify areas for improvement. These steps will help ensure that humanitarian health professionals receive adequate training to provide effective healthcare in crisis situations.

Students' awareness and conceptions of science‐related communication mechanisms on social media

AbstractThe rise of social media platforms and subsequent lack of traditional gatekeeping mechanisms have enabled the proliferation of scientific disinformation. Users attempting to properly evaluate scientific information and disinformation are immensely obstructed by media communication mechanisms such as filter bubbles and echo chambers. Given the recent approaches to reconceptualizing the nature of science represented by facets of media communication mechanisms, we report results from seven focus groups of 26 tenth‐grade students (M = 15 years; 58% female, 38% male, 4% nonbinary) investigating such mechanisms as applied to climate change content on social media. Using qualitative content analysis, we identified the students' awareness and conceptions of mechanisms such as filter bubbles and echo chambers on a continuum between rather simple and elaborate. The findings suggest that the students have a general awareness of most mechanisms based on their own experiences and describe additional media communication mechanisms, such as bots, microtargeting, and, particularly, algorithms, which appear specifically relevant in dealing with scientific disinformation on social media. Based on the results, we derive a set of needs for science educational learning materials and science media literacy to prepare students to tackle scientific disinformation on social media.

COMBAT INTERACTION BETWEEN THE PARTIZANS OF BELARUS AND THE NEIGHBORING SOVIET REPUBLICS ON THE EVE AND DURING OPERATION BAGRATION (APRIL – JULY 1944)

The article contains generalized scientific information on the interaction of the partisans of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia and Lithuania during the relative pause in active hostilities on the Belarusian direction of the Soviet-German front and during the Red Army’s strategic offensive operation “Bagration”. The joint struggle of the partisans of the neighboring republics in different regions of Belarus against large-scale punitive operations with the broad involvement of German front-line units using aviation and artillery is covered. The participation of the people's avengers in operations against the occupation garrisons at railway stations is revealed and the attacks of partisan formations on enemy strongholds when leaving territories blocked by punitive forces are shown. Information on the coordinated actions of partisan detachments and brigades on communications within the framework of the third stage of the "rail war" and during the liberation of populated areas of the republic from German troops during the “Bagration” operation is included.

Evaluation of mitigation translocation as a management tool to reduce conflicts between humans and American kestrels

AbstractRaptor‐aircraft collisions (bird strikes) pose a serious safety risk to civil aircraft. Even smaller raptors, such as American kestrels (Falco sparverius), can be problematic within airport environments. Given widespread declines in kestrel populations, public interest, logistical and financial constraints, and other factors, managing kestrels at airports presents some unique challenges. I conducted a study to determine which biological (e.g., age and sex of the bird) and logistical factors (e.g., month and translocation distance) might influence the return of American kestrels live‐captured and translocated from 42 civil airports and military airbases within the contiguous USA during 2016–2021. American kestrels were live‐captured, banded, and translocated various distances from the airfields which were then monitored for returning kestrels. I developed a set of candidate generalized linear mixed models (binomial distribution) involving all possible subsets of 4 factors (age, sex, month, and distance translocated) as well as interactions, and used the location where a kestrel was live‐captured (i.e., airport) as a random factor in all mixed models. The return rate of American kestrels was very low (<4% of the individuals that were translocated). I found no evidence that the biological and logistical factors examined influenced return rates or the number of days it took returning birds to be resighted/recaptured. Management programs that use release sites 15 km from airfields would increase program efficacy and decrease implementation costs. There is no scientific information available regarding the efficacy of American kestrel management programs for reducing kestrel presence on airfields thus, these results provide a basis for informing such management decisions.

Learning to evaluate sources of science (mis)information on the internet: Assessing students' scientific online reasoning

Learning to evaluate sources of science (mis)information on the internet: Assessing students' scientific online reasoning

Real-time observation of coherent spin wave handedness

Magnonics, a crucial domain in information science and technology, utilizes spin waves in magnets as efficient information carriers. While antiferromagnets have been suggested for versatile magnonic platform because of the coexistence of right- and left-handed spin waves, their energetic degeneracy poses challenges for observation through spectral measurements, limiting their applicability. Recent observations of distinct spin wave handedness within the gigahertz regime have reported but, are yet to be demonstrated in terahertz (THz) frequencies of antiferromagnetic spin waves. Most of all, the coherence of spin waves is a key aspect of quantum information. Here, employing THz time-domain spectroscopy—a direct, precise, and easy probe for monitoring coherent spin wave dynamics—we discern chiral antiferromagnetic spin waves of opposite phase windings in the time domain, noting their handedness reversal across the angular momentum compensation temperature in ferrimagnets. We establish a principle for directly measuring the handedness of coherent antiferromagnetic spin waves in ferrimagnets with net magnetic moment M ≠ 0 but angular momentum L = 0. Our multidimensional access in the time and spectral domain enables the accurate determination of critical temperature and the dynamic observation of coherent chiral spin waves simultaneously in a single experiment, with potential applications in exploring other quantum chiral entities.

Journalism and public trust in science

Journalists are often the adult public’s central source of scientific information, which means that their reporting shapes the relationship the public has with science. Yet philosophers of science largely ignore journalistic communication in their inquiries about trust in science. This paper aims to help fill this gap in research by comparing journalistic norm conflicts that arose when reporting on COVID-19 and tobacco, among other policy-relevant scientific topics. I argue that the public’s image of scientists– as depositories of indisputable, value-free facts, trustworthy only when in consensus– makes it particularly difficult for journalists to ethically communicate policy-relevant science rife with disagreement. In doing so, I show how journalists, like scientists, face the problem of inductive risk in such cases. To overcome this problem, I sketch a model of trust in science that is grounded in an alternative image of scientists– what I call the responsiveness model of trust in science. By highlighting the process of science over its product, the responsiveness model requires scientists to respond to empirical evidence and the public’s values to warrant the public’s trust. I then show why this model requires journalists to be the public’s watchdogs by verifying and communicating whether scientists are being properly responsive both epistemically and non-epistemically.

Evaluating the impact of LIS continuing professional development programmes: a survey of university libraries in Northern India

PurposeThe study examined the comprehensive assessment of the efficacy of Library and Information Science (LIS) CPD programmes in the particular setting of Indian academic libraries in Northern India. The study systematically assessed the programmes' impact on four levels: behaviour, reaction, learning, and results, using Donald Kirkpatrick’s widely recognised evaluation model.Design/methodology/approachThe research employed a census sampling method and a questionnaire to gather information from 177 respondents employed in university libraries.FindingsThe findings demonstrated that professionals were satisfied with the CPD programmes, eager to learn more and apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills at their workplaces, and interested in applying learning to get results. Moreover, the significant factors that hindered the implementation of learning in the workplace were a lack of management support and poor IT infrastructure.Originality/valueThe paper’s uniqueness and significance come from carefully examining the effects of CPD programmes in LIS within the particular setting of university libraries in Northern India.

Citizens of Russia on hybrid socio-political reality in the country

The strategic intent of the current U.S. administration to win a geopolitical victory over Russia with the help of Ukraine’s nationalist elite is becoming a catastrophic reality, as the Russian Federation’s special military operation and a series of failed “offensives” by Ukraine’s armed forces evolve. Existential threat has forced the Russian state and civil society to mobilize in the shortest possible time armed forces, economy and military-industrial complex to repel the Western military proxy intervention. The scientific sociological information about the socio-political potential and reserves of the Russian society, its readiness, nature and degree of motivation for the defense of the Fatherland are of crucial importance for an effective management of the current disposition along Russia’s western borders. The Scientific-analytical and informational work is complicated by the fact that the picture of the hybrid socio-political reality of the country’s life is purposefully distorted by the enemy by means and channels of mass propaganda and communication in order to disinform the population and the armed forces. The empirical basis of the article is the data of sociological monitoring “How are you Russia?” about the current aspects of civil society life, based on the analysis of which conclusions are drawn about feasible resources and trends in the development of the socio-political situation in our country and the world. Sociological measurements in 2023, compared with data from previous years, allow us to conclude that Russian society has a high resource for socio-political stability and consolidation. Thus, an analysis of the structure of current anxiety showed that SVO did not have a critically destabilizing effect on the life of any group of Russian society. The share of those who believe that the political system needs to be radically changed decreased in 2023 to a minimum (16%) over the last 30 years of measurements. The overwhelming majority (73%) of Russians believe that the main threats to Russia come from abroad. The index of socio-political sustainability returned in 2023 to the zone of stable and sustainable development, reaching its highest value in 30 years of monitoring measurements. The noted positive trends show that Russia successfully continues the searching for a balance and symphony of interests in the modern hybrid social reality.

Традиции, связанные с почитанием старшего поколения в туркменской сельской общине

The article introduces into scientific circulation and analyses information about the traditions of respecting the older generation in the Turkmen rural community. In large Turkmen villages, the most respected person of the older generation was the main adviser and mentor to all its residents. When making important decisions, he always consulted with other elders of the settlement. For this purpose, the oldest person convened a council. The elder’s opinion was of much significance; the villagers relied on his wisdom, life experience and honesty. The elders did not receive or expect any remuneration, since service to society was considered a sacred duty. All important issues, from naming a newborn to the burial of the deceased, were brought to the attention of representatives of the older generation. People listened to what the elders had to say and acted upon their instructions. As a result of the centuries-old development in the Turkmen rural community, the rules of the people’s council, the principles of managing Turkmen society, based on the knowledge and wisdom of the older generation, were developed.

Descriptor Design for Perovskite Material with Compatible Molecules via Language Model and First-Principles.

Directly applying big language models for material and molecular design is not straightforward, particularly for real-scenario cases, where experimental validation accuracy is required. In this study, we propose a multimode descriptor design method for materials prediction and analysis, leveraging the advantages of the natural language processing literature model and density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the assistance of the genetic algorithm (GA). A case study on prediction of aqueous photocurrents of multisolvent engineered halide perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 is performed, and the following-up validation experiments are carried out to demonstrate the improved accuracy of the multimode descriptors (an unprecedented experimental validation accuracy of 87.5% via the GA is achieved) for predicting aqueous photocurrents of perovskite materials (c.f. only 50% experimental accuracy for other common machine learning models). The improved experimental accuracy of the descriptors is attributed to the successful deployment of a language model incorporating concise scientific information from >1 million articles into molecular descriptors in combination with DFT calculations. The subsequent machine learning analysis suggests the importance of cation···π and crystallization in molecule-modified halide perovskite materials representing ontological and conceptual understanding. Importantly, the genetic process affords an accurate "white-box" model to describe the perovskite stability (accuracy = 90.2% for the test data set and 92.3% for the train data set) with the mathematical equation , where F1 ∼ F5 atomic-level structural and chemical details such as cation···π interactions and highest occupied molecular orbital levels. This study offers a feasible descriptor design route to accurately predict complex material properties, leveraging both language models and density functional theories.

Foraging Educators as Vectors of Environmental Knowledge in Europe

Widely accessible education on edible wild plants is increasingly in demand as more people search for ways to explore wild culinary uses. Despite this growing trend of nature exploration, few scholars have investigated the contribution of this new mode of engagement to human–nature connection and pro-environmental attitudes. Therefore, this research aims to explore the societal role of such foraging educators. Through convenience and snowball sampling, we recruited 31 foraging educators across Europe. Through semi-structured interviews, we inquired about their sources of knowledge, modalities of transmission and their roles as educators. The interviews revealed individuals who convey ethnobotanical knowledge to improve human–nature connection through experiences within nature. The educators gained their knowledge through written sources, vertical and horizontal sharing. Finally, foraging educators consider themselves social bridges of ecological knowledge, bringing scientific ethnobotanical information to a varied audience in an experiential way. Foraging stimulates the sharing of ecological knowledge, and it could be seen as a broader agroecological practice, enhancing the benefits of nature's contribution to people. There is great potential for emerging environmental education platforms and, correspondingly, for rethinking the food system.

Stable aryl-armed dihydrophenazines-based radicals

Stable organic radicals have long been desired for applications in quantum information science and optoelectronic semiconductor. Weakening the reactivity of unpaired electrons is an efficient strategy for fabrication stable radicals. The dual aryl/alkyl-substituted dihydrophenazine (DArPZ/DAlPz) derivatives have attracted a lot of attention due to their potential radical stability characteristics. In this work, three stable DArPZ-based radical cation compounds are obtained through tuning peripheral substituted groups with different electron donating/withdrawing effect to discuss their reactive activity changes in different solvent and aggregate state. Employing systematic experiments from crystallography, spectroscopy and theoretical calculation analyses, some referenceable molecular structure design strategy and the analytical model of evaluating radical behavior are formed and summarized. In addition, radical cations have good masking ability without continuous electrical circulating, implying their application in light-shading electrochromic devices. This work is referable on the design of stable radicals, the establishment of dynamic evaluation strategies and theoretical analysis models for their reactivity.