National Library and Archives of Islamic Republic of Iran
Librarianship and Information Organization Studies
2783-4646
23
1
2012
05
21
Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs): Expectations and Suggestions
6
24
FA
A.
Biranvand
Instructor in Library and Information Science, Payame Noor University of Jahrom, Jahrom, I.R. Iran
biranvand@pnu.ac.ir
H.
Sharif Moghaddam
Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Payame Noor University of Mashhad, Mashhad, I.R. Iran
Purpose: This research aimed to identify the features expected in library OPACs so that users have access to required resources without having to refer to supplementary websites.<br />Design/Methodology / Approach: This research used text analysis.<br />Findings: Despite the chronological precedence of the creation of library catalogues compared with the creation of search engines and digital bookstores, today we can see that library catalogues have dropped behind their main competitors, namely search engines. Recent studies show that online public access catalogs (OPACs) are used less than internet search engines. So some changes should be made in information services to compensate for the shortcomings of library OPACs in comparison with general search engines like Google or digital bookstores such as Amazon.<br />Conclusions: The main expectation of a user is maximum benefit and minimum confusion while using a library OPAC, but this expectation has not yet been properly realized. Librarians should focus on making OPACs more attractive and efficient and if using them is not easier than their competitors, at least they should be as easy as them and the role of libraries should be highlighted as custodians of information through history.
Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC),Internet,library user,Librarian
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_123.html
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_123_be1bdd4b3cf69d3f47c19912c75670c0.pdf
National Library and Archives of Islamic Republic of Iran
Librarianship and Information Organization Studies
2783-4646
23
1
2012
05
21
Evaluation of “Saraye Ahle Qalam” Educational Workshops in the Twenty-Second Tehran International Book Fair
26
36
FA
M.
Dokht Esmati
M.A. student in Library and Information Science, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch, I.R. Iran
F.
Hamdollah Zadeh
B.A. in Library and Information Science, Payaeme Noor University of Tehran, Tehran, I.R. Iran
Purpose: This research evaluates the quality of the “Saraye Ahle Qalam” educational workshops held at the twenty-second Tehran International Book Fair.<br />Design/Methodology/Approach: The applied research method was a descriptive-survey and the information gathering tool was a questionnaire which was randomly presented to 284 people participating in different educational workshops.<br />Findings: This research showed that the majority of participants in workshops were satisfied with notification periods, workshop staging, selected topics and teaching quality. Although the workshop participants asked for better physical set-up (chair arrangement, lighting and slides), more time allocated to workshops and wider publicity in the coming years, the overall evaluation of the workshops indicates that the participants were relatively satisfied with all of them.
Evaluation,educational workshops,Tehran International Book Fair,Saraye Ahle Qalam,Karnameh Nashr,Iran Book House,Iranian Library and Information Science Association
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_126.html
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_126_7bd913bde700c93dc28260d9a95bad85.pdf
National Library and Archives of Islamic Republic of Iran
Librarianship and Information Organization Studies
2783-4646
23
1
2012
05
21
Using Two Integrated Approaches for the Evaluation of Organizational Performance Excellence Case Study: the National Library and Archives of Iran
38
56
FA
E.
Hasanzadeh
0000-0002-4561-5231
M.A. in Medical Library and Information Science, National Library and Archives of Iran
elahehhassanzadehdizaji@gmail.com
N.
Neshat
0000-0002-8959-8007
Associate Professor, National Library and Archives of I.R. Iran
narges_neshat@yahoo.com
Purpose: The EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) excellence model, as a basic framework for evaluation and improvement of organizations, indicates some of the enduring advantages that a leading organization should achieve. Considering the position of the National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI) and the type of services it offers, the NLAI needs a comprehensive scientific survey taking into consideration the EFQM model. So, the current research aims to evaluate the level of excellence of NLAI performance using two integrated approaches of the EFQM excellence model.<br />Design/Methodology/Approach: The current research uses descriptive and analytical survey methods. The study population consists of top and middle managers of the NLAI. Data was gathered through two approaches proposed by the EFQM: a standard 90-item questionnaire appropriate for NLAI conditions plus a (consensus) workshop.<br />Findings: The findings obtained by descriptive statistics show that the mean of the self-assessment of the NLAI performance based on nine criteria of the EFQM excellence model is as follows: leadership, 56 out of 100; policy and strategy, 34 out of 80; staff, 52 out of 90; partnership and resources, 62 out of 90; processes, 41 out of 140; user/client results, 80 out of 200; staff results, 40 out of 90; society, results 31 out of 60; performance key results, 96 out of 150. Finally, the total number of points obtained by the NLAI based on the nine criteria of the EFQM excellence model is 492 out of 1000.<br />Conclusion: The findings derived from the two approaches, i.e. questionnaire and workshop (consensus), showed that the criteria of policy and strategy, partnership and resources, staff and leadership are the strong points of the NLAI. Also, the criteria of processes, user/client results, staff results, society results, and performance key results are the areas which need improvement. These descriptive statistical findings, obtained though the questionnaire and workshop, show the strengths and areas for improvement in the NLAI. This research proves that using two approaches – the questionnaire and workshop - simultaneously suits Iranian organizations in general and libraries in particular.
National Library & Archives of I.R. of Iran,EFQM Excellence Model,self-assessment,organizational excellence
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_127.html
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_127_34a2fdc8edb3d061c705987b219b30e0.pdf
National Library and Archives of Islamic Republic of Iran
Librarianship and Information Organization Studies
2783-4646
23
1
2012
05
21
Researchers’ and Faculty Members’ Research Anxiety and its Causes: Literature Review
58
72
FA
M.
Erfanmanesh
Researcher in the Information Science Department, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya, Malaysia
amin.erfanmanesh@gmail.com
F.
Didegah
PhD student at the Statistical Cybermetrics Research Group, University of Wolverhampton, UK
fdidgah@gmail.com
Purpose: This study described the issue of research anxiety as one of the most common anxiety factors and a barrier to research and science production in educational settings. It also focuses on the factors that provoke and increase this anxiety and explains experts’ advices on the methods of controlling and reducing it.<br />Design/Methodology /Approach: Literature review and analysis.<br />Findings: According to the findings of this study, factors like personal characteristics of researchers and faculty members, their research skills and the atmosphere of their scientific and academic environments can be influential in the amount of research anxiety experienced. On the other hand, factors such as proficiency in research methods, mathematics and statistics; computer, Internet and library literacy; financial and organizational support; and skills in stress management and time management can reduce the amount of anxiety and increase the quantity and quality of scientific research.<br />Conclusions: Reviewing and identifying the barriers to research activities including research anxiety may help researchers to improve their researches quantitatively and qualitatively
research anxiety,Science production,Library anxiety,library research anxiety,Faculty members,Researchers
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_129.html
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_129_c6a5b3406086125fa3ed0ad08cb03b8b.pdf
National Library and Archives of Islamic Republic of Iran
Librarianship and Information Organization Studies
2783-4646
23
1
2012
05
21
An Investigation of Knowledge Management Infrastructures in the National Library and Archives of Iran
74
88
FA
L.
Hashempour
M.A. in Library and Information Science, Alzahra University, Tehran, I.R. Iran
leila_hashempour@yahoo.com
A.
Ghaebi
0000-0003-0495-3434
Assistant Professor of Library and Information Science, Alzahra University, Tehran, I.R. Iran
ghaebi@alzahra.ac.ir
S.
Rezaei Sharifabadi
Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Alzahra University, Tehran, I.R. Iran
srezaei@alzahra.ac.ir
Purpose: This research aimed to investigate the current status of the National Library and Archives of Iran in terms of necessary knowledge management infrastructures including experts, processes and technology.<br />Design/Methodology /Approach: The research data was gathered using a researcher-designed questionnaire. The questionnaire contained four parts including demographic characteristics, people, processes and technology as knowledge management infrastructures. The research universe included 108 out of 150 experts in the National Library and Archives of Iran working in the four sections of acquisition, organization, information and education & research. They were selected without sampling.<br />Findings: This research showed that experts as a knowledge management infrastructure are qualified enough, while the situation of processes was inappropriate and the situation of technology was unknown. Inspecting the presence or absence of a significant correlation among the three infrastructures proved that there is a significant correlation among all three of them.<br />Conclusion: The investigations into knowledge management infrastructures in the National Library of Iran show some factors effective in improving its efficiency, meeting its commitments, increasing transparency of library functions and purposes and increasing the knowledge of its staff about their duties. Based on these factors, this study suggests some strategies for the National Library and Archives of Iran and for further research in this field, including: deciding upon the knowledge manager and the innovation director, forming knowledge teams, designing the library knowledge plan, personal management, determining the system of reward and pay according to the knowledge of staff, and receiving comments and feedbacks from users.
knowledge management,knowledge management infrastructures,National library of Iran,National Library and Archives of I.R. Iran
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_130.html
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_130_7db0d95347d27b012d3ea8576c2a8320.pdf
National Library and Archives of Islamic Republic of Iran
Librarianship and Information Organization Studies
2783-4646
23
1
2012
05
21
Expressing Information Need
90
111
FA
S.
Mahboob
0000-0001-5885-3493
Expert of the Research and Innovation Office of the Public Libraries’ Foundation, Tehran, I.R. Iran
daniz60101@gmail.com
M.
Hasanzadeh
0000000261750855
Assistant Professor of Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R. Iran
hasanzadeh@modares.ac.ir
Purpose: The expression of information need is the first link between the information needs of users and the content of information systems. Users express their information needs to the information system through a variety of symbolic processing systems and methods of expression. Eventually the information system can present a final answer to the user’s needs through matching what is presented as a question with the available documents and resources. The purpose of this research is to describe various aspects of information needs.<br />Design/Methodology/Approach: The present research initially summarized and described the subject of information needs, different types of it and factors affecting it, through reviewing different texts. Then concepts like expression and thought, the interaction between them and the methods of symbolic processing were studied. Moreover this study then explored the subject of expression of information needs, types of questions and issues raised about information systems related to the expression of information needs and the methods of expressing this need. Accordingly, the patterns of information seeking in which the expression of information need is referred to as a component of the model, are reviewed.<br />Conclusions: This research presents linguistic and psychological as well as some approaches towards storage and retrieval systems for research in the field of information needs, with an emphasis on Persian. These approaches can trigger new research in Library and Information Science in Iran.
expression of information need,expression,information needs,symbolic processing,information seeking patterns,thought and expression
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_131.html
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_131_4ec1cf9291572f74d3588cefbbbf67ad.pdf
National Library and Archives of Islamic Republic of Iran
Librarianship and Information Organization Studies
2783-4646
23
1
2012
05
21
Content Analysis of Abstracts of Theses Presented by the Library and Information Science Postgraduate Students at Islamic Azad university, Tehran North Branch and Science & Research Branch, 2001- 2007
112
128
FA
M.
Vazirpour Keshmiri
Assistant Professor of Library and Information Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran, I.R. Iran
M.
Sedehi
M.A. in Library and Information Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran, I.R. Iran
minoose3000@gmail.com
M.
Saberi
PhD Student in Library and Information Science, Islamic Azad University, Science & Research Branch, Tehran, I.R. Iran
mohamadsaberi@gmail.com
Purpose: This research aimed to conduct content analysis of the theses abstracts of library and information science (LIS) postgraduate students’ work completed at the Tehran North Branch and Science and Research Branch of the Islamic Azad University.<br />Design/Methodology/Approach: The research method was content analysis and the information gathering tool was a checklist. The study population contained all the Farsi abstracts of postgraduate students’ theses in LIS at Tehran North Branch and Science and Research Branch of the Islamic Azad University during a seven-year period (from the beginning of 2001 to the end of 2007), among which 156 theses were finally selected through random sampling.<br />Findings: The findings of this research show that most of the theses were done in 2007 at the Science and Research Branch. Most of the theses used surveys and benefited from questionnaires as their information gathering tool.<br />Conclusion: The results of this research show that the subjects of the theses studied are mostly in Information Technology and Information Communication and the least attractive subject of these theses is Management.
Content Analysis,abstract,theses,Islamic Azad University Tehran North Branch,Islamic Azad University Science & Research Branch,library and information science (LIS)
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_133.html
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_133_86b5e0054d9c79970f5d52432ab715ea.pdf
National Library and Archives of Islamic Republic of Iran
Librarianship and Information Organization Studies
2783-4646
23
1
2012
05
21
Virtual Reference Services of the National Library and Archives of Iran:
Qualitative Evaluation
130
147
FA
F.
Mohammadi
M.A. in Library and Information Science, National Library and Archives of Iran, Tehran, I.R. Iran
f-mohammadi@nlai.ir
A.
Bozorgi
Assistant Professor, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, I.R. Iran
bozorgi535@yahoo.com
Purpose: This research aimed at qualitatively evaluating the virtual reference services of the National Library and Archives of I.R of Iran (NLAI). To do so the following were assessed: sociological characteristics, information seeking behavior and the extent to which users of virtual reference services are satisfied with them.<br />Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was done in two stages. In the first stage content analysis was done on virtual reference webforms. The methodology applied in the second stage was to survey the extent to which users of virtual reference services were satisfied with the services as measured through electronic questionnaires. The study population contains 1,825 webforms received over a year among which 317 web forms were selected via systematic random sampling according to Morgan's table.<br />Findings: This research illustrates that 52.05 percent of the users of these services are women and 47.95 percent are men. Most of the users have higher education and research questions are the kinds of the questions mostly asked (42.14%). Users were very much satisfied with the virtual reference services, as approximately 70% of the users have benefited from these services more than once. The most important factor affecting users’ satisfaction was the comprehensiveness of the responses with the average score of 3.58. Users prefer to use virtual reference services via E-mail (50.20%) and online chat (38.34%). More than 90% of users mentioned that virtual reference services must be provided in Iran's National Library.<br />Conclusions: According to the findings of this research the factors which affect users’ satisfaction comprise the amount of provided information and the speed of response. Therefore, in order to increase the quality of virtual reference services, this research suggests creating participatory virtual reference services at a national level, applying email and online chat.
virtual reference services,National Library and Archives of I.R of Iran (NLAI),qualitative evaluation,digital reference services
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_134.html
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_134_cf81cb04ef41d3a76d05936a4bbce473.pdf
National Library and Archives of Islamic Republic of Iran
Librarianship and Information Organization Studies
2783-4646
23
1
2012
05
21
A Survey about the Application of Webometrics in Scholarly Communications
148
163
FA
F.
Soheili
0000-0003-2581-7052
Instructor, Department of Library and Information Science, Payame Noor University of Kermanshah,
Kermanshah, I.R. Iran
fsohieli@gmail.com
F.
Danesh
0000-0001-5481-3988
PhD student of Library and Information Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, I.R. Iran
farshiddanesh@gmail.com
R.
Fattahi
Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, I.R. Iran
Purpose: Nowadays the Web has turned to a significant means for communication and both formal and informal collaboration among researchers, it is also accessible to others. The number of sources available on the Web in various fields is multiplying annually. This matter naturally leads researchers to pay greater attention to Web research in which the extent of the real use of Web pages is a principal factor. Following widespread Web research conducted since the mid-1990s, many new and varied terms related to the present aspects of the Web have been created and introduced by a variety of people. This research aims to study the role of Webometrics in studying various aspects of the Web and to discuss the different practical applications of Webometrics.<br />Design/Methodology/Approach: While reviewing different resources, the present research has studied 11 applications of Webometrics and presented the results of each application separately.<br />Findings: Investigations indicate that Webometrics experts are able to investigate and study the complex environment of the Web. Webometrics can aid the assessment of scholarly communications and the activities of researchers and others, by applying Webometrics methods and formulae and also by the help of special instructions. Webometrics shares similarities with Bibliometrics and Scientometrics but Webometrics studies are not a mere measurement of these studies and differ markedly from them. Factors like the dynamic nature of the Web and the complexities of search engines - which are the principal data collection tools for Webometrics studies - and also the Invisible Web, the instability of web sources, etc. illustrate the wide differences between Webometrics and Bibliometric and Scientometric studies. Webometrics studies face more difficulties in comparison with Bibliometric and Scientometric studies.
webometrics,scholarly communications,links analysis,Web Impact Factor (WIF),visibility
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_135.html
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_135_b65bc463e289898c7394291aada5291b.pdf
National Library and Archives of Islamic Republic of Iran
Librarianship and Information Organization Studies
2783-4646
23
1
2012
05
21
The Digital Repository of World Scientific Associations with Open Access
164
178
FA
M.
Seyedein
M.A. in Library and Information Science, Islamic Azad University of Gorgan, Gorgan, I.R. Iran
A.
Jalali Dizaji
Assistant Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, Allameh Tabatabai University,
Tehran, I.R. Iran
dizaji@yahoo.com
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the reliability of the digital repository of world scientific associations, which are freely available to users.<br />Design/Methodology /Approach: The reliability of eighteen digital repositories was evaluated through the “Trustworthy Repositories Audit and Certification: Criteria and Checklist” (TRAC) tool which belongs to the Research Libraries Group (RLG) of the U.S. and the level of reliability was defined based on the RLG scoring plan. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics.<br />Findings: According to the findings of this research, at the level of organizational infrastructure, only the digital repository of the Australian Library and Information Association (5.55%) had a very high reliability and the other three digital repositories studied (16.66%) had a very low reliability. At the level of digital object management, the three repositories (16.66%) of the Texas Digital Library, the Center for Historical Research of Kansas State Historical Society and the International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers, enjoyed very high reliability, while the other five repositories studied (27.77%) had a very low level of reliability. At the level of technical infrastructure, the digital repository of the Australian Library and Information Association (5.55%) enjoyed a very high reliability and the other nine repositories (50%) had very low reliability.<br />Conclusion: This research shows no significant difference between the scores gained by world digital repositories with open access in the three levels of organizational infrastructure, digital objects management and technical infrastructure.
digital repository with open access,Trustworthy Repositories Audit & Certification: Criteria and Checklist (TRAC),Center of Research Libraries of U.S. (CRL),scientific association,Reliability
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_136.html
https://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_136_bf221874f1ec7bf81e2fb1eeac0c3be3.pdf