IRS, information services and LIS research - a reminder about affect and the affective paradigm… and a question

PURPOSE – A previous contribution (Fourie, 2013) argues in favour of a balance in emphasis between information communication technology (ICT); information retrieval systems (IRS) such as databases, library catalogues, repositories, Google Scholar, digital libraries, portals, search engines; and, the users of these systems. This contribution pursues the need to consider affect and an affective paradigm more prominently in the design, evaluation, promotion and use of IRS and library and information services (LIS). DESIGN / METHODOLOGY / APPROACH – The contribution is written against the background of research in information behaviour, user studies, systems design, and information literacy. FINDINGS – Although the literature from LIS and other disciplines notes an affective paradigm or even paradigms, it is not strongly positioned compared with the systems and cognitive paradigms. A growing body of research and work practices such as information representation and tagging, and information skills training, is taking a slant towards affect and emotion. The question, however, is whether current work is sufficient to argue for an affective paradigm complimentary to the systems, cognitive and socio-cognitive paradigms, and how an affective paradigm should be introduced in training/education for LIS. ORIGINALITY / VALUE – Although there are a number of publications on affect and emotion, and references to an affective paradigm, this contribution is aimed at stimulating thought on whether we should prominently introduce the affective paradigm into LIS curricula as preparation for adding more value to IRS, library services, and in dealing with emotion-laden jobs, and if so, how.http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=0737-8831hb201

El factor emocional en la búsqueda de información

The study of affective aspects is being encouraging on Information Science in recent years. The objective of this research is to analyze the emotive expresssions performed on information seeking process during information system interaction proccess. From the theoric models developed by Kuhlthau (1991, 2004) and Nahl (2005) a cualitative case study is developed to research about the emotivity as complementary strategy to evaluate information systems. Preliminary results show that experimented emotions during interaction can modify the cognitive patterns and seeking strategies adopted by users. Variations over the patterns can be explained by emotions, which converts them into indicators about system interaction efficiency.El estudio de los aspectos afectivos en las Ciencias de la Información está tomando impulso en los últimos años. El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar las expresiones emotivas de los usuarios durante el proceso de búsqueda de información en un sistema de información. A partir de los modelos teóricos desarrollados por Kuhlthau (1991, 2004) y Nalh (2005) se escoge un estudio de caso cualitativo para indagar en el análisis de la emotividad como estrategia complementaria de evaluación de los sistemas de información. Los resultados del estudio indican que las emociones experimentadas durante la interacción pueden modificar los patrones cognitivos y las estrategias de búsqueda de los usuarios. La alteración de patrones puede explicarse según emociones lo que las convierte en indicadores sobre la eficiencia en la interacción con el sistema

A functional analysis of two transdiagnostic, emotion-focused interventions on nonsuicidal self-injury

OBJECTIVE: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent and associated with clinically significant consequences. Developing time-efficient and cost-effective interventions for NSSI has proven difficult given that the critical components for NSSI treatment remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the specific effects of mindful emotion awareness training and cognitive reappraisal, 2 transdiagnostic treatment strategies that purportedly address the functional processes thought to maintain self-injurious behavior, on NSSI urges and acts. METHOD: Using a counterbalanced, combined series (multiple baseline and data-driven phase change) aggregated single-case experimental design, the unique and combined impact of these 2 4-week interventions was evaluated among 10 diagnostically heterogeneous self-injuring adults. Ecological momentary assessment was used to provide daily ratings of NSSI urges and acts during all study phases. RESULTS: Eight of 10 participants demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in NSSI; 6 participants responded to 1 intervention alone, whereas 2 participants responded after the addition of the alternative intervention. Group analyses indicated statistically significant overall effects of study phase on NSSI, with fewer NSSI urges and acts occurring after the interventions were introduced. The interventions were also associated with moderate to large reductions in self-reported levels of anxiety and depression, and large improvements in mindful emotion awareness and cognitive reappraisal skills. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that brief mindful emotion awareness and cognitive reappraisal interventions can lead to reductions in NSSI urges and acts. Transdiagnostic, emotion-focused therapeutic strategies delivered in time-limited formats may serve as practical yet powerful treatment approaches, especially for lower-risk self-injuring individuals.Dr. Barlow receives royalties from Oxford University Press, Guilford Publications Inc., Cengage Learning, and Pearson Publishing. Grant monies for various projects come from the National Institute of Mental Health (F31MH100761), the National Institute of Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse, and Colciencias (Government of Columbia Initiative for Science, Technology, and Health Innovation). Consulting and honoraria during the past several years have come from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making, the Department of Defense, the Renfrew Center, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria (Arequipa, Peru), New Zealand Psychological Association, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mayo Clinic, and various American Universities. (F31MH100761 - National Institute of Mental Health; National Institute of Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse; Colciencias (Government of Columbia Initiative for Science, Technology, and Health Innovation))Accepted manuscrip

Exploring effective information use in an insurance workplace

As employability has become a more visible graduate attribute, it is becoming recognised that a better understanding of information practices in work may enable a smoother transition from university to employment. This paper discusses the current state of workplace information literacy and presents the findings of research into staff experiences of information use in a City insurance firm. A framework previously developed out of phenomenographic research into nursing is employed to draw parallels and highlight differences between insurance workplace and university student terminology. Context-specific hierarchical statements using the language of the participants are developed from coded interview texts. These statements, which are drawn together in illustrative personae, provide a rich and detailed view of the participants’ experience of effective information use. It is suggested that a better understanding of language use in communities of practice would facilitate transition both between and within the communities

Exploring effective information use in an insurance workplace

As employability has become a more visible graduate attribute, it is becoming recognised that a better understanding of information practices in work may enable a smoother transition from university to employment. This paper discusses the current state of workplace information literacy and presents the findings of research into staff experiences of information use in a City insurance firm. A framework previously developed out of phenomenographic research into nursing is employed to draw parallels and highlight differences between insurance workplace and university student terminology. Context-specific hierarchical statements using the language of the participants are developed from coded interview texts. These statements, which are drawn together in illustrative personae, provide a rich and detailed view of the participants’ experience of effective information use. It is suggested that a better understanding of language use in communities of practice would facilitate transition both between and within the communities

The Balancing Act: Work Environment Issues for Women with Children in Student Affairs

Increasingly in the past two decades, student affairs work at American\u27s universities has been undertaken by women. This work with the co-curricular life of the students in higher education requires administrators at all levels to have a flexible schedule with the ability to commit evenings and weekends to their work. Challenges for academe and for women in the profession have emerged as more women enter the field. One of the most problematic areas is the retention of highly educated and experienced female administrators once they have children. Workplace environment, including work schedule, job demands and employer support, have been suggested as reasons why many working mothers leave the student affairs profession or are unable to advance to the highest levels of administration. To explore these problems in more detail, this study collected data from 35 working mothers in student affairs careers at universities in California. A Delphi process enabled the study participants, through four rounds of questionnaires, to arrive at consensus on the most important work environment issues affecting working mothers in both positive and negative ways. Strategies for both addressing work-family balance issues in the workplace and for seeking work environments which support work-family balance were identified. The finds of the study revealed that working mothers in student affairs value a flexible work schedule with little or no weekend or evening obligations, a job description which includes manageable responsibilities with flexibility for where and when to accomplish the work, and a supportive supervisor. Recommendations were offered for working mothers in the profession and for managers and supervisors who would like to retain these committed, experienced and talented professionals

It's just a word : CALL, French verbs and mixed-ability pupils

This thesis follows the trail of a perennial problem in the written work of pupils studying GCSE French, and suggests a CALL solution. The motivation for the research lies in the decline of grammatical accuracy, particularly in verb use, in the French produced by mixed-ability pupils and university students alike.Theories of language acquisition are assessed and a limited amount of guidance emerges. French GCSE Examiners' Reports then provide a firm foundation for research with their suggestion that the rise in oral work has affected written standards. A review of the literature reveals a wide range of barriers to verb learning. These can be classified as linguistic, psycholinguistic and pedagogic.One of the most impenetrable barriers is the redundancy of many verb endings. Empirical evidence from written and interview data is presented to show the startling kinds of misconceptions held by many pupils about verbs,and the complex of systems learners devise to solve problems.The thesis then proposes an explicit grammar-teaching approach based on principles of pedagogical grammar. Current Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) approaches to verb teaching offer admirable formal practice for able pupils but do not cater for the difficulties experienced by less able learners, who may therefore be disenfranchised. Detailed proposals are given for the creation of 'mixed-ability CALL' for verb learning, followed by a description of the design and production processes of three new programs aimed at less able pupils. Further empirical work is undertaken with GCSE pupils in order to assess the effects of tutorial, game and 'cognitive' CALL approaches. The quantitative data show that written performance can improve after using these programs. However, the most striking result of CALL intervention is the transformation of weak pupils' spoken metalanguage from restricted grammatical expression to accurate verb articulation within a short space of time

An environmental-psychological study of sustainable housing: a transactional approach.

The main aim of this thesis is to utilise the transactional approach from environmental psychology for the study of sustainable housing. The interdisciplinary field of environmental psychology has recognised for some time the importance of considering human behaviour not only in terms of personal psychological processes, but also in terms of the broader social and physical context in which behaviour occurs. This need to consider phenomena at different levels of analysis sits comfortably with the transactional-contextual approach described within environmental psychology. However, although the transactional approach is often affirmed by environmental psychologists, many studies do not in fact fully conceptualise human behaviour in the physical and social context. The phenomenon investigated by this thesis is 'sustainable housing'. As such, the phenomenon of 'sustainable housing' is first conceptualized within this thesis using person-in-environment as the unit of analysis, with the main focus being the relationship between individual environmental preferences and sustainable housing design. The first aim of the thesis was to outline a theoretical framework for conceptualising the person-in-environment relationship with respect to sustainable housing. This was done by building up a conceptual model from the literature in such a way that the 'transactional whole' is elaborated in much more detail than would normally be the case for a closely defined study of environmental attitudes or aesthetic preference. The individual component of the model is built around the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), which is expanded to include environmental perception and preference. The conceptual framework is then explored and developed using case studies that illustrate the importance of considering the individual, the socio-cultural context, and the environmental aspects of sustainable housing together. The first case study (N=74) looked at the psychological aspects of sustainable water and wastewater management within the domestic context. The findings suggest that greywater and rainwater systems are by and large fairly acceptable as a concept to the general public, although there are several concerns regarding the safety of such systems. There were more concerns raised about the idea of compost toilets, concentrating particularly on issues of odour and hygiene, with many people not believing that such toilets would be hygienic or odour-free. The second case study (N=844) examined the effect of building materials on environmental perception and behavioural intention. The results clearly demonstrate that the material used as cladding for house façades significantly influence people's attitudes and preferences towards particular houses. The findings of this study begin to show a link between environmental preference and behavioural intention. Subjective commentary clearly demonstrates that associative meanings are inferred from cladding materials. Following on from the second study, the third case study (N=108) examined the change in inferred meaning associated with a change in cladding material. Participants in this study were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions. Two factors were varied between the experimental conditions: the exterior façade material (timber or render), and the description ('standard' or 'sustainable'). Attitudes were found to be a significant predictor of behavioural intention for the survey where the house was described as sustainable. Interestingly, there were differences within the 'sustainable description' surveys which were related to the cladding material, with subjective norms being more strongly associated with behavioural intention when render was the cladding material. Therefore, environmental meaning is considered to be a moderating variable in the theory of planned behaviour. When the house was described as 'standard', environmental preference turned out to be a much better predictor of behavioural intention than any of the three TPB components. The final chapter discusses the major findings from the three case studies in relation to the conceptual model built up from the literature. The empirical data was found to provide considerable validating support for the conceptual model, and two refinements were made to the model following the three case studies. Suggestions are also made concerning ways in which the approach outlined can be taken forward, both within the academic domain of environmental psychology, and also into other areas, such as sustainable housing