Web-based Information Resources Research Articles

ATTITUDE OF THE PH.D RESEARCH SCHOLARS OF DIBRUGARH UNIVERSITY TOWARDS USING WEB-BASED INFORMATION RESOURCES

The web-based information resources are any kind of information resources that are received from various websites in the form of verbal, non-verbal, pictorial, auditory, written, video, podcasts, documentaries, movie, e-books etc. The necessity of web-based information resources is felt not only by students and academicians and scholars but by every human on earth, this is because of its easily accessible and “create and share” nature. The educational institutions of all levels are seen accessing and relying upon these web-based information resources. The Ph.D. research scholars are seen using the web-based information resources in abundance for their research purpose. Thus, this study prioritizes to find out the difference between male and female Ph.D. research scholars of Dibrugarh University in their attitude towards using web-based information resources and difference among Arts, Commerce, Science stream Ph.D. research scholars of Dibrugarh University in their attitude towards using web-based information resources. The researcher found that there was no difference between Male and Female Ph.D. Research Scholars of Dibrugarh University in their attitude towards using Web-Based Information resources. There is a significant difference in the attitude of the Arts and Science Stream Ph.D. Research Scholars towards using Web –Based Information Resources. There is a significant difference in the attitude of the Arts and Commerce Stream Ph.D. Research Scholars towards using Web –Based Information Resources. Whereas, there is no significant difference in the attitude of the Science and Commerce Stream Ph.D. Research Scholars towards using Web –Based Information Resources.

Parents' User Experience Accessing and Using a Web-Based Map of COVID-19 Recommendations for Health Decision-Making: Qualitative Descriptive Study.

The eCOVID19 Recommendations Map & Gateway to Contextualization (RecMap) website was developed to identify all COVID-19 guidelines, assess the credibility and trustworthiness of the guidelines, and make recommendations understandable to various stakeholder groups. To date, little has been done to understand and explore parents' experiences when accessing and using the RecMap website for COVID-19 health decision-making. To explore (1) where parents look for COVID-19 health information and why, (2) parents' user experience when accessing and using the RecMap website to make health decisions, and (3) what knowledge mobilization activities are needed to increase parents' awareness, use, and engagement with the RecMap website. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using semistructured interviews and a think-aloud activity with parents of children aged 18 years or younger living in Canada. Participants were asked to provide feedback on the RecMap website and to "think aloud" as they navigated the website to find relevant COVID-19 health recommendations. Demographic information was collected using a web-based questionnaire. A hybrid deductive and inductive thematic approach guided analysis and data synthesis. A total of 21 participants (13/21, 62% mothers) were interviewed and participated in a think-aloud activity. The data were categorized into four sections, representative of key elements that deductively and inductively emerged from the data: (1) parent information seeking behaviors and preferences for COVID-19, (2) RecMap website usability, (3) perceived usefulness of the RecMap website, and (4) knowledge mobilization strategies to increase awareness, use, and engagement of the RecMap website. Parents primarily used the internet to find COVID-19 information and focused on sources that they determined to be credible, trustworthy, simple, and engaging. As the pandemic evolved, participants' information-seeking behaviors changed, specifically their topics of interest and search frequency. Most parents were not aware of the RecMap website before this study but found satisfaction with its concept and layout and expressed intentions to use and share it with others. Parents experienced some barriers to using the RecMap website and suggested key areas for improvement to facilitate its usability and perceived usefulness. Recommendations included a more user-friendly home page for lay audiences (separate public-facing user interface), improving the search and filter options, quicker navigation, clearer titles, more family-friendly graphics, and improving mobile-friendly access. Several strategies to disseminate the RecMap website were also expressed, including a mix of traditional and nontraditional methods (handouts and social media) in credible and high-traffic locations that parents frequent often. Overall, parents liked the concept of the RecMap website but had some suggestions to improve its usability (language, navigation, and website interface). These findings can be used to improve the RecMap website for parents and offer insight for the development and dissemination of effective web-based health information tools and resources for the general public.

Managing Web-based Information Resources Under Uncertainty: A Probabilistic Approach

“Uncertainty” is related to working with inaccurate data, imprecise and incomplete information, and unreliable results that can lead to irrational decisions. Several approaches to managing uncertain data on the Web have been proposed in the literature to resolve this problem. These approaches have failed to find the solution to this problem with accuracy and performance. Our study aims to propose a new probabilistic approach to manage Web information resources in an uncertain large-scale cloud environment. Our approach is based on three main steps: (1) modelling uncertain Web resources, (2) computing HTTP request model, and (3) interpretation and evaluation of uncertain Web resources in a context of classic hypertext navigation. The experimental study shows that the analysis of the execution time necessary for the composition of the services, by our approach, is negligible, compared to that of the other studied approaches. The algorithm that deals with the impact of the variation in the number of nodes, which we have proposed, has also been evaluated and checks all the possibilities in polynomial time and can adapt to many possibilities of multiplexing of values.

Issues in use of web-based information resources by public polytechnic students in southwestern Nigeria

Many Nigerian polytechnic libraries seem not subscribe to or renew their subscriptions to Web-based Information Resources (WBIR) databases despite its increasing popularity in the academic world. Hence, the study was aimed to look into recurring issues in the use of WBIR by public polytechnic students in Southwestern Nigeria. Six public polytechnics out of the 16 offering Higher National Diploma (HND) programmemes were selected by stratified random sampling to reflect federal and stage polytechnics. Proportionate to size sampling technique was used to select 1,463 HND students. The instruments used were WBIR use for Academic Tasks (α=0.98), and Challenges of WBIR Use (α=0.84) scales. Data were analysed using proportionate and descriptive statistics. Majority of the respondents 709(51.1%) listed Google as the major search engine used. Others indicated a combination of Google and other search engines like Google, and Bing (71 or 5.1%), Chrome, Google, and Operamini (71 or 5.1%). Wikipedia (136 or 9.8%), and Myschool.com 55 (4.0%)are commondatabase/website used by the students.Challenges to WBIR use include high cost of accessibility (α=2.73) and download delay (α=2.64).Public polytechnic students in Southwestern Nigeria used web-based information resources, especially obtainable through Google search engine and Wikipedia.Information literacy programs at polytechnic libraries should not be taken lightly.

Utilization Of Web Information Resources Among Scientists in Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam

Web-based information resources, such as e-books, online journals, databases, and bibliographic databases, play a crucial role in both educational and professional settings. The study investigated the utilization of web information resources among scientists in Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam. The study aims to find out the database available in the library, to know time spent on web resources and to determine frequency of using web information. The methodology used was survey method. Findings revealed that the majority of the scientists indicated E-journals as the most used web information resource. Least number of scientists used the Web OPAC, institutional repositories and E- newspaper.

Uptake and Use of Care Companion, a Web-Based Information Resource for Supporting Informal Carers of Older People: Mixed Methods Study.

Informal carers play a major role in supporting relatives and friends who are sick, disabled, or frail. Access to information, guidance, and support that are relevant to the lives and circumstances of carers is critical to carers feeling supported in their role. When unmet, this need is known to adversely affect carer resilience and well-being. To address this problem, Care Companion was co-designed with current and former carers and stakeholders as a free-to-use, web-based resource to provide access to a broad range of tailored information, including links to local and national resources. This study aimed to investigate the real-world uptake and use of Care Companion in 1 region of England (with known carer population of approximately 100,000), with local health, community, and social care teams being asked to actively promote its use. The study had a convergent parallel, mixed methods design and drew on the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework. Data included metrics from carers' use of Care Companion, surveys completed by users recruited through general practice, and interviews with carers and health and social care providers regarding their views about Care Companion and their response to it. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Interview data were analyzed thematically and synthesized to create overarching themes. The qualitative findings were used for in-depth exploration and interpretation of quantitative results. Despite awareness-raising activities by relevant health, social care, and community organizations, there was limited uptake with only 556 carers (0.87% of the known carer population of 100,000) registering to use Care Companion in total, with median of 2 (mean 7.2; mode 2) visits per registered user. Interviews with carers (n=29) and stakeholders (n=12) identified 7 key themes that influenced registration, use, and perceived value: stakeholders' signposting of carers to Care Companion, expectations about Care Companion, activity levels and conflicting priorities, experience of using Care Companion, relevance to personal circumstances, social isolation and networks, and experience with digital technology. Although many interviewed carers felt that it was potentially useful, few considered it as being of direct relevance to their own circumstances. For some, concerns about social isolation and lack of hands-on support were more pressing issues than the need for information. The gap between the enthusiastic views expressed by carers during Care Companion's co-design and the subsequent low level of uptake and user experience observed in this evaluation suggests that the co-design process may have lacked a sufficiently diverse set of viewpoints. Numerous factors were identified as contributing to Care Companion's level of use, some of which might have been anticipated during its co-design. More emphasis on the development and implementation, including continuing co-design support after deployment, may have supported increased use.

Precision Education for Personalized Learning

Today's radiology trainee must sort through an enormous volume of web-based information and learning resources amidst expanding volumes and complexity of clinical cases. In addition, the complexity of the practicing radiologist's work has become such that there is a need for ready access to the most current and highest-value information to guide image interpretation "in the moment" to support mastery-level practice. Personalized Learning is based on an adaptable computer-based system to deliver contextual knowledge to support every learner based on their preferences, prior experience, and evolving knowledge. We review the historical evolution of personalized education including Intelligent Tutor, the first-of-its-kind machine-learning based model for radiology designed to replace the one-size-fits-all approach to education and training.

A Study on the Level of Attitude of the Ph.D Research Scholars of Dibrugarh University Towards using Web-based Information Resources

Currently, the Web 2.0 is reining the century. Because the web 2.0 is more than just reading and allows people to create, share and access at the same time . The significance of the web- based information resources could be felt at every sphere of our lives be it personal, professional or academics. These days the web –based information resources are working as a supplement for the students, teachers and scholars as it provides millions of information when needed at one go .This study prioritize on the PhD research scholars of Dibrugarh University to find out their level of attitude towards using web-based information resources. For which the scale to measure the level of attitude towards using web- based information resources was used. The study indicated that the PhD research scholars have a favorable attitude towards using web-based information resources.

ATTITUDE OF THE PH.D RESEARCH SCHOLARS OF DIBRUGARH UNIVERSITY TOWARDS USING WEB-BASED INFORMATION RESOURCES

The web-based information resources are any kind of information resources that are received from various websites in the form of verbal, non-verbal, pictorial, auditory, written, video, podcasts, documentaries, movie, e-books etc. The necessity of web-based information resources is felt not only by students and academicians and scholars but by every human on earth, this is because of its easily accessible and “create and share” nature. The educational institutions of all levels are seen accessing and relying upon these web-based information resources. The Ph.D. research scholars are seen using the web-based information resources in abundance for their research purpose. Thus, this study prioritizes to find out the difference between male and female Ph.D. research scholars of Dibrugarh University in their attitude towards using web-based information resources and difference among Arts, Commerce, Science stream Ph.D. research scholars of Dibrugarh University in their attitude towards using web-based information resources. The researcher found that there was no difference between Male and Female Ph.D. Research Scholars of Dibrugarh University in their attitude towards using Web-Based Information resources. There is a significant difference in the attitude of the Arts and Science Stream Ph.D. Research Scholars towards using Web –Based Information Resources. There is a significant difference in the attitude of the Arts and Commerce Stream Ph.D. Research Scholars towards using Web –Based Information Resources. Whereas, there is no significant difference in the attitude of the Science and Commerce Stream Ph.D. Research Scholars towards using Web –Based Information Resources.

ATTITUDE OF THE PH.D RESEARCH SCHOLARS OF DIBRUGARH UNIVERSITY TOWARDS USING WEB-BASED INFORMATION RESOURCES

The web-based information resources are any kind of information resources that are received from various websites in the form of verbal, non-verbal, pictorial, auditory, written, video, podcasts, documentaries, movie, e-books etc. The necessity of web-based information resources is felt not only by students and academicians and scholars but by every human on earth, this is because of its easily accessible and “create and share” nature. The educational institutions of all levels are seen accessing and relying upon these web-based information resources. The Ph.D. research scholars are seen using the web-based information resources in abundance for their research purpose. Thus, this study prioritizes to find out the difference between male and female Ph.D. research scholars of Dibrugarh University in their attitude towards using web-based information resources and difference among Arts, Commerce, Science stream Ph.D. research scholars of Dibrugarh University in their attitude towards using web-based information resources. The researcher found that there was no difference between Male and Female Ph.D. Research Scholars of Dibrugarh University in their attitude towards using Web-Based Information resources. There is a significant difference in the attitude of the Arts and Science Stream Ph.D. Research Scholars towards using Web –Based Information Resources. There is a significant difference in the attitude of the Arts and Commerce Stream Ph.D. Research Scholars towards using Web –Based Information Resources. Whereas, there is no significant difference in the attitude of the Science and Commerce Stream Ph.D. Research Scholars towards using Web –Based Information Resources.

Application of Universal Design in the Development of Web-oriented Information Resources

The purpose of the article is to analyze and reveal the essence of the application of the principles of universal design in the development of web-based information resources. Research methodology. To achieve the goal of the study, an analytical method was used, which allowed us to analyze the principles of universal design and determine the features of their application in the development of web-based information resources. The scientific novelty is that the article has developed the principles of universal design in terms of their use in the development of web-based information resources. Conclusions. The existing problems and prospects of the universal design principles’ application during the development of web-oriented information resources are analyzed. Taking into account the results of the analysis, a system of recommendations has been developed to be followed for improving the conditions of use and availability of web-based information resources.

Proxy Information Seeking by Users of a Parenting Information Website: Quantitative Observational Study

BackgroundOne of the largest groups of consumers who seek health information on the internet are parents of young children, as well as people in their social circle. The concept of proxy seeking (on behalf of others) has been explored in the literature, yet little is known about the outcomes.ObjectiveThe main aim of this study was to describe consumer health information outcomes reported by proxy seekers using a parenting website.MethodsWe conducted a 2-year quantitative observational study. Participants were parents of 0- to 8-year-old children and members of their entourage in Canada who had accessed Naître et Grandir through the website or through a weekly newsletter. For each Naître et Grandir webpage, participants’ perceptions regarding the outcomes of seeking and using specific webpages were gathered using a content-validated Information Assessment Method questionnaire. We compared the outcomes reported by parents with those reported by members of their entourage after consulting a parenting information website and explored if the method of accessing the information by the proxy seekers (website or weekly newsletter) changed the outcomes reported. For key primary survey items, the chi-square test was conducted, and differences in relative frequencies of responses were computed along with confidence intervals.ResultsA total of 51,325 completed questionnaires were included in the analysis, pertaining to 1079 Naître et Grandir webpages (mean 48; range 1-637). Compared to parents, individuals in the entourage are more likely to report using the information in discussion with others (mean difference 0.166, 95% CI 0.155-0.176). Parents, on the other hand, were more likely than the entourage to report using the information to better understand (mean difference 0.084, 95% CI 0.073-0.094), to decide to do something (mean difference 0.156, 95% CI 0.146-0.166), or to do something in a different manner (mean difference 0.052, 95% CI 0.042-0.061). In addition, results suggest that the differences in perceived benefits of parenting information by the entourage depend on how they access the information. Respondents who were actively seeking the information (through the website) were more likely to report that the information would help them be less worried (mean difference 0.047; 95% CI 0.024-0.069), handle a problem (mean difference 0.083; 95% CI 0.062-0.104), and decide what to do with someone else (mean difference 0.040, 95% CI 0.020-0.058). Respondents who passively acquired the information (through the newsletter) were more likely to report that the information would help improve the health or well-being of a child (mean difference 0.090; 95% CI 0.067-0.112).ConclusionsBy better understanding how consumers and their entourages use information, information providers can adapt information to meet both individual and group needs, and health care practitioners can target patients’ entourages with web-based health information resources for dissemination and use.

Web-based Information Resources in IIT Libraries in India: User Survey

Web-based Information Resources in IIT Libraries in India: User Survey

Use of Web Based Information Resources by the Faculty Members of Engineering Colleges in Mysuru Region: A Study

Use of Web Based Information Resources by the Faculty Members of Engineering Colleges in Mysuru Region: A Study

Some Examples of the Use of Molecular Markers for Needs of Basic Biology and Modern Society.

Simple SummaryThe main issues of the report are focused on four items. (1) A combination of nDNA and mtDNA markers best suits the hybrid identification and estimates of genetic introgression between different biological species. (2) The available facts on nDNA and mtDNA diversity seemingly make obvious the introgression presence among many taxa, although, it is evident that introgression may be quite restricted or asymmetric, thus holding at least the “source” taxon (taxa) intact. (3) If we accept that sexually reproducing species in marine and terrestrial realms are introgressed, as it is still evident for many cases, then we should recognize that the biological species concept, in terms of complete lack of gene flow among species, is inadequate due to the fact, that many zoological species are not biological species yet. However, vast modern molecular data proved that with time they definitely become biological species. (4) The recent investigation of fish taxa divergence using central DNA barcoding database shows that most gene trees are, basically, appeared monophyletic and interspecies reticulations are rare.Application of molecular genetic markers appeared to be very fruitful in achieving many goals, including (i) proving the theoretic basements of general biology and (ii) assessment of worldwide biodiversity. Both are provided in the present meta-analysis and a review as the main signal. One of the basic current challenges in modern biology in the face of new demands in the 21st century is the validation of its paradigms such as the synthetic theory of evolution (STE) and biological species concept (BSC). Another of most valuable goals is the biodiversity assessment for a variety of social needs including free web-based information resources about any living being, renovation of museum collections, nature conservation that recognized as a global project, iBOL, as well as resolving global trading problems such as false labeling of species specimens used as food, drug components, entertainment, etc. The main issues of the review are focused on animals and combine four items. (1) A combination of nDNA and mtDNA markers best suits the identification of hybrids and estimation of genetic introgression. (2) The available facts on nDNA and mtDNA diversity seemingly make introgression among many taxa obvious, although it is evident, that introgression may be quite restricted or asymmetric, thus, leaving at least the “source” taxon (taxa) intact. (3) If we consider sexually reproducing species in marine and terrestrial realms introgressed, as it is still evident in many cases, then we should recognize that the BSC, in view of the complete lack of gene flow among species, is inadequate because many zoological species are not biological ones yet. However, vast modern molecular data have proven that sooner or later they definitely become biological species. (4) An investigation into the fish taxa divergence using the BOLD database shows that most gene trees are basically monophyletic and interspecies reticulations are quite rare.

Network Literacy and Utilization of Electronic Resources Among University Students: The Case of Kabarak University, Kenya

Libraries acquire and facilitate access to electronic information resources that support core functions of universities they serve. Despite substantial investments by universities in infrastructures and resources to facilitate access to electronic resources, studies have revealed that these resources are at times not optimally utilized as expected. Network literacy is defined as the knowledge of web-based information resources, ability to effectively use ICT tools to access resources available online, ability to judge the relevance of information retrieved, and capability to use computer-mediated communication tools to manage or utilize the accessed information. The purpose of this study was to assess network literacy and utilization of electronic resources among Kabarak University students in Kenya and consequently provide some insight into usage of networked resources at the university. Objectives of the study entailed assessing users’ awareness of internet applications and utilization of electronic resources; assessing users’ awareness of Social Networking Sites (SNS) and utilization of electronic resources, establishing the levels of user awareness of electronic resources available at Kabarak University, evaluating users’ competencies in using electronic resources and establishing challenges encountered in utilizing electronic resources at Kabarak University. The study was anchored on the Digital Library model that depicts users’ interaction with networked environments, taking into consideration the various systems involved. The study was undertaken at Kabarak University main campus library. Stratified sampling was used to segregate students and librarians whose opinions were also sought on matters covered by the study. Simple random sampling was used to select students for the study while purposive sampling was employed to select resourceful librarians for the research. The study adopted a descriptive research design and used an approach where qualitative and quantitative data were gathered using a set of structured questionnaires that contained open and close ended questions based on objectives that guided the study. The questionnaires were first pilot – tested at Moi University Eldoret Town campus to determine their validity and also subjected to Cronbach’s Alpha reliability test to determine that acceptable internal reliability levels were attained. These questionnaires were then directly issued to the selected respondents. Analysis of the collected data was done using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 23 and thereafter, responses arranged in themes as appropriate. Frequencies and percentage distributions were used to highlight patterns in the data and facilitate interpretation. Among the findings was that students were aware of existence of electronic resources though some of them were not aware of what these electronic resources entailed specifically, and that among the greatest challenges they faced in using the electronic resources were slow internet connectivity speeds and inadequate points of accessing the internet. The study also established that the library relied majorly on orientation to sensitize students on electronic resources. Reinforcement and regularly conducting orientation programmes were recommended as a means of promoting network literacy at the University.

Physiotherapists' Use of Web-Based Information Resources to Fulfill Their Information Needs During a Theoretical Examination: Randomized Crossover Trial.

BackgroundThe widespread availability of internet-connected smart devices in the health care setting has the potential to improve the delivery of research evidence to the care pathway and fulfill health care professionals’ information needs.ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the frequency with which physiotherapists experience information needs, the capacity of digital information resources to fulfill these needs, and the specific types of resources they use to do so.MethodsA total of 38 participants (all practicing physiotherapists; 19 females, 19 males) were randomly assigned to complete three 20-question multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) examinations under 3 conditions in a randomized crossover study design: assisted by a web browser, assisted by a federated search portal system, and unassisted. MCQ scores, times, and frequencies of information needs were recorded for overall examination-level and individual question-level analyses. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess differences between conditions for the primary outcomes. A log file analysis was conducted to evaluate participants’ web search and retrieval behaviors.ResultsParticipants experienced an information need in 55.59% (845/1520) MCQs (assisted conditions only) and exhibited a mean improvement of 10% and 16% in overall examination scores for the federated search and web browser conditions, respectively, compared with the unassisted condition (P<.001). In the web browser condition, Google was the most popular resource and the only search engine used, accounting for 1273 (64%) of hits, followed by PubMed (195 hits; 10% of total). In the federated search condition, Wikipedia and PubMed were the most popular resources with 1518 (46% of total) and 1273 (39% of total) hits, respectively.ConclusionsIn agreement with the findings of previous research studies among medical physicians, the results of this study demonstrate that physiotherapists frequently experience information needs. This study provides new insights into the preferred digital information resources used by physiotherapists to fulfill these needs. Future research should clarify the implications of physiotherapists’ apparent high reliance on Google, whether these results reflect the authentic clinical environment, and whether fulfilling clinical information needs alters practice behaviors or improves patient outcomes.

Ontological methods and tools for semantic extension of the media WIKI technology

Practical aspects of ontological approach to organization of intelligent Wiki-based information resources (IR) are considered. We analyze the main features, capabilities and limitations of MediaWiki as a technological platform for development of the Web-based information resource and suggest main directions of its refinement. We propose an abstract model of MediaWiki architecture that formalizes relations between the main components of this software environment and analyze the ways of its semantic extensions based on ontological representation of domain knowledge. An original algorithm of semantic Wiki pages matching with domain ontology is developed. We propose an ontological model of IR that formalizes its knowledge base structure and explicitly performs main features of typical information objects (TIO) of this IR. Such TIOs depend on domain specifics and purposes of IR, therefore their development has to involve domain experts and knowledge engineers. Use of ontology corresponding to the set of Wiki pages (either with semantic markup or without it) provides new IR functions associated with semantic search and navigation. Other important aspect of intelligent Wiki resource development deals with adaptation of user interface to the specifics of IR: enabling various tools of navigation, visualization and content analysis by processing of TIO features enriches IR functionality, reduces access time to information and makes usage of IR more efficient. Developing additional MediaWiki functionality with new requests to the MediaWiki API using TIO templates, extends data analysis and integration capabilities, and offers different, user-focused, IR content views expands the possibilities of data integration and proposes various user-oriented representations of IR content. Wiki resource semantization allows the use knowledge acquired from such IR by external application, or example, by search engines for intelligent Web retrieval. Domain ontologies based on various subsets of the Wiki pages and generated by them thesauri can be used by various Semantic Web applications, both independently or in general technological chain for personified retrieval focused on individual users and their tasks. Approbation of this approach is demonstrated by MAIPS retrieval system. We consider the use semantic similarity of concepts represented by Wiki-pages of IR as an additional way of intelligent navigation between these pages. Such approach allows to group Wiki pages according to user interests by different aspects of their content and structure. Wiki ontologies are considered as the basis for estimation of semantic similarity between domain concepts pertinent to user task. Such elements of Wiki ontology as classes, property values of class instances and relations between them are used as parameters for the quantitative assessment of semantic similarity of Wiki pages. We propose to use local similarity and generate the sets of semantically similar concepts (SSC) that takes into account some subset of page properties and categories defined by user needs. Such sets of SSCs can be considered as user task thesauri for other applications. In addition, we propose to enrich the basic tools of MediaWiki used for access management to the IR content with specialized software code that performs content classification that take into consideration separate namespaces, categories, templates and semantic properties of TIO acquired from Wiki markup. We demonstrate the software implementation of proposed solutions by developing of portal version of the Great Ukrainian Encyclopedia (e-VUE) that contains heterogeneous multimedia content with complex structure. We analyze the specifics of e-VUE knowledge system and develop its formalized TIO representation based on Semantic Web technologies and ontological analysis. Ontological model of e-VUE and original methods of its processing used for this project extend the functionality of the portal in the area of search, navigation, integration and protection of content based on background domain knowledge. In addition, original user interface of e-VUE is developed with an allowance for Encyclopedia knowledge specifics, substantially differs from the standard Wiki, meets the requirements, goals and objectives of this IR and provides a lot of additional features.

First Responders’ and Librarians’ Intention to Use Web-Based Resources for Response Information During Biological, Chemical, and Radiological Terrorism Events

Abstract Emergency planners and first responders often access web-based information resources during disasters; however, these tools require an active Internet connection, which may be unavailable during a disaster. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) provides several free non-web-based disaster response tools. This study assessed intention to use web-based and non-web-based informational and response tools during disasters among emergency responders and librarians. Educational workshops were held in four Missouri cities in spring, 2016. The NLM tools were presented and attendees practiced using the tools during disaster scenarios. Pre- and post-intervention data about NLM tool awareness and intention to use these tools versus other web-based resources was collected. McNemar tests assessed a pre/post change in intention to use each resource. Four workshops were held, with a total of 74 attendees. Intention to use the NLM tools was low prior to the workshops (range: 20.3–39.2%), but increased significantly immediately afterwards (p &lt; .001 for all pre/post comparisons). The workshops resulted in increased NLM tool awareness and increased intention to use the tools during future disasters. This provides evidence of attendees’ perceptions of the usefulness of the non-web-based NLM tools in place of other web-based tools in situations without Internet access.

BLOCKCHAIN IN EDUCATION: HOW TO MANAGE STUDENT CREDITS OF HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH THE BLOCKCHAIN?

Currently, technologies are developing very quickly and the need for information security is constantly increasing. In this connection, Blockchain technology is becoming in demand, which allows us to keep information safety and integrity. In addition, the technology enables the creation of a decentralized environment where transactions and data are take place without any third party organization. We proposed a decentralized web resource based on the Ethereum platform for managing student credits. The decentralized application (Dapp), will process, manage and control tokens, which represent credits that students gain for completed certain courses. The credit system is a first step towards a more transparent and technologically advanced form which could be used by universities and students to manage credits. The novelty of this scientific research is the creation of a web-based information resource based on Blockchain technology. Thanks to this resource, it becomes possible to track students' grades and receive reliable information about higher education. This completely eliminates the possibility of making changes to existing records.