Visualizing Subjective Mapping in the Field of E-book Publishing in the Context of Users and Librarians

The present paper reports the findings of a research which aimed to visualize subjective mapping of "e-books" in the context of users and libraries. The research is a kind of scientometrics studies via qualitative content analysis method. Node XL software was used to visualize the map. The research community included all papers in the subjective field of "e-books" in the context of users and libraries which were published in the journals indexed in the EBSCO database during 2005-2011. Results show that subjects of "e-books (general)", "e-book readers" and "electronic textbook" are the most important subjects which are allocated mental disturbances related to users through the papers. Moreover, in the field of "e-textbooks" the strongest subjective connections are related to "students and usages". Moreover, "students" and "children" are as the most important stratum. Furthermore, survey on the usage rate of e-books and analysis statistics of their usage are as the most significant discussions that are considered from library-related approach. Additionally, the current situation of e-books in public and academic libraries is accentuated by researchers as another predominant subject. Visualizing subjective mapping including the mentioned contexts is not revealed by previous studies. Hence, it is included a novel contribution

Presentation of a Personal Brand Pattern for Authors of Academic Books in Publishing Industry in Iran (Study Case: Knowledge and Information Science)

Purpose: The aim of this research was to identify, determine, evaluate and prioritize the factors influencing the personal brand pattern of authors of academic books in Iranian publishing industry in the field of library and information science. Materials and Methods: The methodology of this applied research was the analytical survey. The population of the research includes 122 out of 139 master degree students in the field of library and information science, entrancing in the public universities in Tehran in 2018. The data were collected through library studies and a questionnaire. In fact, previous studies and the documentary research method were used to review the fundamental factors influencing the personal branding of authors of academic books in Iranian publishing industry in the field of library and information science in order to design the questionnaire based on the research model. Research reliability was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha value that was 0.935 for investigation of factors influencing the personal brand and 0.921 for the personal competence. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical methods by the SPSS and the Smart PLS softwares. Conclusion: The results showed that factors influencing the personal brand include the following components: cultural component (0.898), specialty (0.875) and social factor (0.620) respectively. The results of the current research indicate that the appropriate fitting of cultural, social and professional components is based on the individual competency components of authors

Feasibility Study of Creating Maker Movement in the Central Library of the University of Tehran

Purpose: This research attempts to determine the status of the University of Tehran’s central library to establish the maker movement. Method: For so doing, both a library study method is used to prepare a checklist, and a survey method is done. By a purposive sampling, an interview with the Head of Central Library and Documentation Center of the Tehran University was carried out and a questionnaire was distributed among the librarians. Findings: The findings indicate that the central library’s condition in terms of human resources, finances, and infrastructure is not proper for the current makerspace. Conclusion: The results show that a high level of education and work experience has a positive effect on librarians' familiarity, skill and interest. For librarians, funding from the parent organization is greater than funding from library funding and other sources. Male librarians are less interested in establishing a maker movement, despite being more familiar with the makerspace and skillful in performing activities related to the makerspace. The organizing and cataloging department is more interested in creating a makerspace. The level of education and high work experience has a positive effect on the level of familiarity, skill and interest of librarians with activities related to the creative construction space, which can be used in the field of guiding, training and controlling related activities. For most librarians, there is enough time and space in the central library for makerspace. Undesirable hardware and software equipment in the library and lack of knowledge about digitalization laboratory equipment affect the level of knowledge of librarians

Identifying Factors Influencing the Final Price of E-Books for Children and Adolescents from the Viewpoint of Publishers

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting the final price of e-books in general and the cost of production that has an impact on the final price from the viewpoint of publishers. Methods: In this study, qualitative methodology was used. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview. The statistical population of the study was all publishers of e-books for children and adolescents, licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Results: Factors that affect the final price of an e-book for the end-users include: the print counterparts, the stakeholders, the contents, the cost of producing the e-book, the profits and sales, and finally, the external environment. In addition, from the viewpoint of publishers, effective factors affecting the final production costs of e-books included IT costs, e-book distribution costs, specialist human resources on contents and technology, contents production costs, corporate fixed costs, and advertising and marketing costs. Originality: This study investigated the effective factors on the final price of e-books for children and adolescents, for the first time. Moreover, the production prices of an e-book affect the final price assigned based on the publishers’ viewpoint

Citations to Iranian English-Language Journals Approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Patents Registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Database

Introduction: Assessment of the citations to scientific researches and journals by invention patents is a way to analyze the relationship between science and technology. The purpose of this research was to investigate citations to English-language journals approved by Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education in patents registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database. Methods: This descriptive survey was conducted based on citation analysis and scientometrics techniques. The study population included 268 English-language journals approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The title of each journal was used to search at the USPTO database. Results: 207 patents cited to 49 English-language journals approved by Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical. Note that 65% of patents in this group were in the class ‏A (i.e., human necessities). Most patents citing Iranian medical journals belonged to the United States, and were assigned by Stanford University. Conclusion: Iranian journals, using the necessary processes and strategies according to their policies, can have a better internationally position in terms of article status and being technology-centered. Therefore, due to the increasing publication rate of articles in the country, their quality should be considered (focused on) more than quantity

Citation Analysis and Reasons for Retraction in Middle Eastern Countries

This study aims to analyze the retracted publications of Middle Eastern countries through citation analysis, lag-time between publication and retraction, and exploring the reasons for retraction. Data was gathered by the document method and analyzing data was done by bibliometric analysis. Data were collected from the core collection of the Web of Science. The research findings suggest an increasing trend in the number of retracted papers from Middle Eastern countries. Also, the results of Kendall's τ coefficient showed that the total number of publications is significantly related to the number of retracted papers. The results of the Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference between the total number of citations and the four quartiles (i.e. Q1-Q4), and according to the average ranks, the journals of the first (Q1) and second (Q2) quartiles had received the highest number of total citations. Furthermore, the results of this test between quartiles and citations before and after retraction showed that there was a significant difference between different quartiles in citations after retraction, and the journals of the first (Q1) and second (Q2) quartiles received the most citations. In addition, there was a significant difference in the number of citations before retraction between different quartiles, and the highest average rank was related to the journals of the second quartile (Q2) and the first quartile (Q1), respectively. The highest number of retracted papers has been published in Bahrain. Based on the proportion of citations to each document, the highest proportion belonged to Israel. Also, the countries of Cyprus, Kuwait, Israel, and Iraq have the highest average time between publication and retraction, and Iran ranks ninth. In addition, it should be noted that the two countries of Oman and Jordan, which are ranked 14th and 15th respectively, each had only one retracted paper. In addition, the highest number of retracted papers and research misconduct was related to the field of biological sciences and biomedicine. The countries of Cyprus, Kuwait, and Israel had the longest time interval between publication and retraction. In all Middle Eastern countries, most papers were retracted due to research misconduct such as plagiarism and Redundant publication. The results show that in the present era, it should be noted that citation is not a sufficient reason for the quality of the work while using previous studies, because many citations received by the works are not valid enough. Journal editors and database administrators should take measures to prevent authoritative citations to these works. Also, examining the status of retracted papers based on citations, the time interval between publication and retraction in different subject areas showed that the highest numbers of retracted papers were related to the field of biological sciences and biomedicine. Furthermore, the longest distance between publication and retraction, the largest number of citations, and the most citations received after retraction belonged to this field. It can be seen that there are three very effective factors in spreading the negative impact of retraction papers in the field of biological sciences and biomedicine. This result means that the required time for retraction in this area is longer than in other areas, and this can have damaging consequences. The longer the lifespan of flawed research, the higher the price the scientific community must pay. It is very important to carry out detailed judgments and demand raw data and files related to data analysis in a mandatory manner, especially on issues related to public health. Using retracted papers and citing them has many adverse effects. These effects are doubled when the citations are made after retraction and the citation is made in one of the medical fields. In this regard, arrangements should be made to properly inform others about the retraction status of paper in sensitive scientific fields such as the medical field. Correspondingly, all original versions of the paper that may have been published on the journal's website, the author's resume, or social networks will be completely removed

Ranking of methods, techniques and tools for book marketing from the perspective of child and adolescent publishers

Objective: The purpose of this research was identification and ranking of methods, techniques and tools for book marketing from the viewpoint of child and adolescent publishers. Methodology: The research has used quantitative methodology, library and survey method, and a questionnaire tool. In order to identify the techniques and tools, we first studied all the related works in the field of marketing of books and cultural goods. Then, by studying them, the methods, techniques and tools were scattered and the researchers set them up in a table format to identify the elements that influenced the marketing of books. In the next step, all factors were made in the form of a researcher-made questionnaire and its validity and reliability were measured. The statistical population of the study consisted of active Iranian publishers of children and adolescents in 2016, publishing more than 24 books. In total, according to the Cochran formula, 72 publishers participated in the research. The SPSS software was used to analyze the data. Findings: The findings showed that there is a significant difference between marketing methods based on Friedman test. Guerrilla marketing, direct and relationship marketing are the most important marketing methods used among the Iranian publishers and content marketing is at the lowest level. There is also a significance difference between marketing techniques among publishers. Results show that the most important techniques in each methods included: among direct marketing, catalog and direct post; among cooperative marketing techniques are most concerned with allocating credit to buyers based on their Internet purchases last year; among the guerrilla marketing techniques associated with a customer and an effort to create a sense of friendship; among the content marketing techniques of producing appropriate content; among the viral marketing techniques, the use of various media; among the Internet marketing techniques, search engine optimization; among the sensory marketing techniques of the variables of point of purchase (packaging and appearance of goods); among the techniques of the relationship market communication to build and maintain relationships with our customers. In addition, telephone and print advertising are the most important tools used by publishers in this field. Conclusion: Given the limited use of winding devices in public places, it is recommended that publishers use these devices. In particular, a part of their book will be inserted on their website to encourage readers to increase their advertising through various media. Also, using the poll form will increase the awareness of publishers about the wishes and needs of users. Also, the use of content marketing is suggested by presenting book materials in various formats. Moreover, publishers need more effort to achieve the desired status

Ranking of methods, techniques and tools for book marketing from the perspective of child and adolescent publishers

Objective: The purpose of this research was identification and ranking of methods, techniques and tools for book marketing from the viewpoint of child and adolescent publishers. Methodology: The research has used quantitative methodology, library and survey method, and a questionnaire tool. In order to identify the techniques and tools, we first studied all the related works in the field of marketing of books and cultural goods. Then, by studying them, the methods, techniques and tools were scattered and the researchers set them up in a table format to identify the elements that influenced the marketing of books. In the next step, all factors were made in the form of a researcher-made questionnaire and its validity and reliability were measured. The statistical population of the study consisted of active Iranian publishers of children and adolescents in 2016, publishing more than 24 books. In total, according to the Cochran formula, 72 publishers participated in the research. The SPSS software was used to analyze the data. Findings: The findings showed that there is a significant difference between marketing methods based on Friedman test. Guerrilla marketing, direct and relationship marketing are the most important marketing methods used among the Iranian publishers and content marketing is at the lowest level. There is also a significance difference between marketing techniques among publishers. Results show that the most important techniques in each methods included: among direct marketing, catalog and direct post; among cooperative marketing techniques are most concerned with allocating credit to buyers based on their Internet purchases last year; among the guerrilla marketing techniques associated with a customer and an effort to create a sense of friendship; among the content marketing techniques of producing appropriate content; among the viral marketing techniques, the use of various media; among the Internet marketing techniques, search engine optimization; among the sensory marketing techniques of the variables of point of purchase (packaging and appearance of goods); among the techniques of the relationship market communication to build and maintain relationships with our customers. In addition, telephone and print advertising are the most important tools used by publishers in this field. Conclusion: Given the limited use of winding devices in public places, it is recommended that publishers use these devices. In particular, a part of their book will be inserted on their website to encourage readers to increase their advertising through various media. Also, using the poll form will increase the awareness of publishers about the wishes and needs of users. Also, the use of content marketing is suggested by presenting book materials in various formats. Moreover, publishers need more effort to achieve the desired status

Identifying finance strategies in central libraries of public universities in Tehran

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify financing strategies in Tehran central library of public universities. Methods: This study in terms of implementation is library then survey, and data collection tools are study texts then a researcher made questionnaire. First, the current status of libraries in terms of funding from the heads or deputies or their representatives point of view is discussed. Then the questionnaires were distributed among the managers and librarians to inform us about their viewpoint about financing strategies. To measure the current situation the study population consisted of all managers and heads of 11 academic universities and the attitude assessment was in a census method. A total of 156 librarians responded to the questionnaires. The analysis of the findings of this study has been done through SPSS. Findings: The findings of the study show that the current strategies used to finance in the central libraries of academic universities of Tehran are not appropriate to the current situation. Besides, it was founded that there is a significant relationship between the main variables of the research, namely financing strategies, and its dimensions, and income-generating activities, financing methods, and training in the financing, respectively, have the greatest impact on financing strategies in university central libraries. Originality: This study for the first time examines the approach of financing in Tehran public university libraries in addition, using the perspectives of managers and librarians, offers some guidelines for financing in academic libraries