Introduction of the Methods and Models of University Website Evaluation

Among different tools, university website is one of the cost-effective and convenient methods for communicating with users; it is also a platform for institutions or organizations to achieve their goals. Universities should work on their websites to keep positive images in their public minds. This study aimed to introduce overlapping various types of university website evaluation methods and models. Therefore, content analysis was adopted as the research methodology. Then, scientific databases were searched using the related keywords and extracting the published articles in the context of the university website evaluation. The results of this study showed that university website evaluation models and methods included Quality Web Model Development, Webqem, WAI, Webometrics, E-Qual, University Websites Evaluation and Credibility (UWEAC), University Website Evaluation Framework (UWEF), Development and Validation of the University Website Evaluation Scale (UWES), a Web Usability Evaluation Model for Higher Education (WUEM), University Websites Quality Web Model Development, University Portals Data Quality assessment Framework (UPDQAF), and the University Website Usability Evaluation checklist (UWUE): An exploratory study. In fact, webometrics is the only method that is distinct from other assessment methods. Moreover, UWEAC model with the highest average (0.194) has the most overlap with others. Since the University Websites Evaluation and Credibility (UWEAC) are the comprehensive model, university website designers and evaluators could consider this approach as a preferable model in the university website evaluation but they should ensure that most of the evaluation criteria are considered

Status of Personalized Service in Digital Academic Libraries in Iran

Objective: In order to optimal utilization of personalized services, it is necessary to identify status of personalized service in digital academic libraries in Iran. Reviewing the status of digital academic libraries shows which components and indicators of personalization need to be planned and developed. Methodology: This study has been done by descriptive survey method. 70 digital academic libraries were surveyed. The collection tool was researcher-made checklist. The checklist was prepared based on a systematic review of related studies. Statistical techniques including frequency distribution and frequency percentage were used to analyze the data. Findings: indicated that there are 47 percent of content personalization indicators; 47.1 percent of interactive personalization indicators; 8.1 percent of collaborative personalization indicators; 17 percent of personalization in information retrieval indicators; and 23.4 percent of user profile indicators in the surveyed libraries. In general, the status of service personalization in digital academic libraries is poor and personalized services in digital academic libraries in Iran has a customization and user-centered approach. Universities need to improve their performance on the move to digital libraries and the use of personalized services. Providing services with a system-based approach in libraries should be reviewed and given more attention. Originality: This study has for the first time reviewed the status of personalized services in digital academic libraries in Iran. In addition, by preparing a checklist based on a systematic review of studies, it has tried to obtain a comprehensive view of the status of personalized services in digital academic libraries in Iran

Definition of Information from the Semiotics Lens and Peirce’s Triad model of sign: A Review of the Most Important Researches in the Field

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to study the concept of information through the lens of semiotics, especially the Peirce’s sign model. Methodology: This study is an analytical study of researches on the concept of information based on semiotics in the field of information science as well as a review of researches that has defined information in the context of information systems. Information science is an interdisciplinary field that has used the concepts, patterns, and theories of other sciences to explain some of the concepts in its subject areas. One of the sciences that is very similar to information science is semiotics: The purpose of this research is to study the concept of information through the lens of semiotics, especially the Peirce’s sign model. Results: An analytical study of researches that have used theories of semiotics in various fields of information science showed that among the concepts, patterns and theories in semiotics, " Saussure's dyadic model of sign and Peirce’s triad model of sign were the most widely used semiotic models in this field. Among these two models, Peirce’s triad model of sign was more used in information science. Conclusions: If information is considered as a sign, a better explanation of it can be provided based on the characteristics of the sign because the information is carried by a variety of signs. On the other hand, the definition of information from the lens of semiotics, in particular, Peirce’s Triad model of sign information divides into two types "passive information" and "active information". And thereby take into account both the ontology and the epistemology of informatio

Iranian State University Websites

University websites play an important role in disseminating educational and research information to universities. They are a vital port for accessing the universities' scientific information for researchers, faculty members, and students. The goal of this study was to compare evaluation methods such as Web Assessment Index (WAI), Web Quality Evaluation Method (WebQEM), and webometrics for evaluating Iranian state university websites. In this analytical survey, the data collection tools were checklists prepared by the WebQEM ,WAI, and webometrics. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and analytic statistics (Spearman's rank-difference correlation coefficient) were used for data analysis. The results indicated that Iranian state university websites were in a good condition (mean=75.14) according to four main criteria in WebQEM, in a good condition (mean=69.52) according to five main criteria in WAI, and in a very good condition (mean=88) according to five main criteria in webometrics. Also, differences can be seen in ranking of university websites. Only Ferdowsi University of Mashhad was in first place in terms of the three assessment methods. The hypotheses assumed that there was a positive correlation between WebQEM, WAI, and webometrics. Using the results of this study could help university website designers to fix weaknesses in order to to reach an active participation in these website

Measurement of factors determining relevance judgements

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Evaluation of User Interface of DL + Federated Search Engine from the Perspective of M.A / M.S.C Students in Al-Zahra University in order to Provide Federated Search Engines User Interface Pattern

The aim of the study is investigate the Federated search engine user interface criteria from perspective of Al-Zahra post graduate students. In this research, survey analysis has been used. The study populations were all post graduate students of Al-Zahra University. Because of the extensive community, stratified random and relative sampling was used and total 330 students were accepted as Sample that only 303 people participated in this study. For data collection a researcher made questionnaire designed.The criteria from literature study. The results of the questionnaire by using SPSS software (version 20) and Excel 2007 application were analyzed. The results showed that the major component from graduate students' perspective is guidance and navigation and searched filter components. Results indicate that more than 50 percent of students the importance of 74 criteria of 96 criteria considered high and very high and, (therefore) the majority of the criteria in the study from the viewpoints are acceptable. However, findings also showed that among the four components of this study, the search filter, display and record review, consolidation and guidance is a positive relation, and between the views of different faculties is not significant difference about the importance of criterias and components

Ebook Evaluation Criteria: A Proposed Checklist

E-books embody diverse features, each of which could contribute towards increasing their user-agreeability and attracting more users. In order to select an Ebook best suited to their needs, both users and librarians consider a set of criteria. The present study aims at providing the evaluation criteria from the standpoint of both the users and librarys by employing two approaches, i.e. through considering the characteristics of the electronic environment, and also maintaining the desired features of the printed media in E-books. By reviewing the resources published in the field of E-books, 15 criteria along with 101 components have been collectively discussed for evaluation of the suitable E-book for users and libraries. Four criteria with 24 components have been solely devised for libraries and librarians

Evaluation and Ranking of Iranian LIS (Library and Information Science) Weblogs

Aim of this applied research was to extract evaluation criteria of Iranian LIS (Library and Information Science) weblogs. Current research using analytical-survey method and in some stages Webometrics methods evaluated 107 sample weblogs. These weblogs were selected from 222 weblogs that had been submitted in directory of ILIS weblogs. This research made a checklist using literature review, expert's attitude and evaluation criteria of websites. This checklist was used for evaluation sample weblogs after standardizing. Finally a checklist was prepared that included 23 factors for evaluation and ranking of ILIS weblogs.. Finally, current research has suggested that this checklist can be used for judgment in carnivals of chosing top weblogs