Information behaviour of architecture students in creative design projects

PURPOSE : The purpose of this paper is to report on an exploratory study of third-year architecture students’ information behaviour. It focusses on information activities, personal experience, resource usage, preferences in working individually or collaboratively, preferences for information resources inspiring creativity and physical spaces to be creative. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : It was a mixed methods study with a strongly qualitative component and limited descriptive quantitative data. Data were collected in October 2016 at a South African university using individual self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured individual interviews; 19 out of 60 (response rate 32 per cent) third-year architecture students doing a design project participated. FINDINGS : Creativity is important in architecture projects, as is information resources in stimulating creativity. Students preferred to work individually during their design projects; at times collaboration was needed for idea generation. Information activities included: information gathering, encountering, use and sharing. A range of theoretical, technical, artistic and practical skills and knowledge must be integrated to produce creative outcomes, in addition, to information searching and information usage. Factual information is also required. Students can benefit from a supportive information rich creative space (physical or virtual). RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS : The study was conducted at only one institution with a small number of participants. Although generalisation of findings is not possible, issues for further research can be noted. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : Designers of physical and virtual creative spaces must take into account different facets of information behaviour and the information resources and services required during creative information-seeking activities. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : Although there is literature on information behaviour and creativity, the authors could not find any that explores architecture students’ information behaviour in academic spaces of creativity.http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/ajimhj2018Information Scienc

Collaborative information seeking environments benefiting from holistic ergonomics

PURPOSE - To explore the value of utilising a holistic ergonomic approach, covering engineering, cognitive, and social perspectives, to cultivate beneficial and productive CIS systems and environments, specifically with regard to three main CIS pillars (control, communication and awareness). DESIGN / METHODOLOGY / APPROACH - A qualitative research approach, based on a selective corpus of CIS literature, was utilised to perform a content analysis to note if terms and concepts normally associated with engineering, cognitive and social ergonomics can be used to eliminate terms reflecting issues related to three CIS pillars (control, communication and awareness) that can benefit from a holistic ergonomic approach. FINDINGS - The content analysis revealed that a fairly extensive amount of holistic ergonomic terminology is prominent within the CIS literature, therefore establishing a connection between the two disciplines: Collaborative Information Seeking and Ergonomics. This suggests that CIS system issues could benefit from the insights of a holistic ergonomic approach. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS / IMPLICATIONS - Since this is an exploratory study the scope of CIS literature utilised in the content analysis was limited to a selection considered most important by the authors; this should be supplemented by further research. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS - Intended to instigate interest in further exploration of the beneficial and productive implications and practical application of holistic ergonomics in designing CIS systems and environments. ORIGINALITY / VALUE - This is the first research article in the LIS literature that explores the potential of utilising holistic ergonomics to cultivate CIS systems and environments.http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/lhtnhb201

Applying Maniotes’ third space in guided inquiry model as a theoretical framework to understand architectural students’ information behaviour : a quantitative approach

Idea generation and inspiration are important in creative tasks. This article reports on descriptive quantitative results from an exploratory study conducted in 2016 on the creative tasks and the personal information preferences of 23 third-year architecture students at a South African university. Maniotes’ third space in guided inquiry model served as the theoretical framework. A profile questionnaire and individual interviews were used to collect data. Findings cover information use and preferences for information sources (e.g. books, search engines, conference papers and strangers) that can inspire idea generation during creative tasks, such as architectural design. Librarians were of less value than peers, lecturers and family members in inspiring creative ideas. Recommendations focus on the role of academic libraries.http://www.ajol.info/index.php/innovationam2018Information Scienc

Thematic analysis of the value of Kuhlthau’s work for the investigation of information behaviour in creative workspaces in academic libraries

INTRODUCTION. Studies of information behaviour can inform the design of information systems, services and creative workspaces. Creative workspaces are associated with access to tools, expertise, guidance, innovation and constructivist learning. The work of Kuhlthau on information seeking, the information search process (ISP) model, zones of intervention, and later with third space(s) might hold value for the exploitation of creative workspaces in academic libraries. METHOD. A thematic analysis of a selection of key publications of Kuhlthau is presented focusing on the value for creative workspaces. ANALYSIS. Publications were analysed according to key characteristics of creative workspaces using makerspaces as an example: applicability to diverse contexts; provision of access to tools, expertise, and skills; the provision of safe spaces; providing an open environment for expression; space to support a hands-on learning environment for guided and constructivist learning; and providing a space to cultivate character traits important to collective creativity. These were compared with information behaviour themes noted in the work of Kuhlthau. RESULTS. Various issues in the work of Kuhlthau hold potential for creative workspaces; acknowledgement of uncertainty, complexity of tasks, the need for sense-making, and affective and cognitive experiences throughout information searching, seeking and other information activities encompassed by information behaviour. CONCLUSION. Kuhlthau’s work can inform information behaviour studies that guide the development of creative workspaces in academic libraries. Specifically, with reference to the phases of creation, information seeking, information searches, thoughts, feelings, the development of zones of intervention, and third spaces.http://informationr.net/iram2017Information Scienc

Management of incontinence‐associated dermatitis : a systematic review of monetary data

The objective was to systematically review monetary data related to management of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) in an adult population. Six electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library and EconLit. The search string combined index terms and text words related to IAD and monetary data. The quality of the articles was assessed using the consensus on Health Economic Criteria. Results were synthesised narratively because of methodological heterogeneity. Nine studies were included. Only direct medical costs were reported. The product cost per application for prevention ranged between $0.05 and$0.52, and for treatment between $0.20 and$0.35. The product cost per patient/day for prevention ranged between $0.23 and$20.17. The product cost of IAD prevention and treatment per patient/day ranged between $0.57 and$1.08. The cost to treat IAD did not consider the treatment of secondary infection. The calculation of labour cost and total cost differed considerably between studies. Summarising monetary data is a challenge because of heterogeneity in currencies, settings, samples, time horizons, health- and cost outcome valuation, IAD definition and measurements, and included costs. Procedures for health economic evaluations are to be clarified to guarantee valid interpretation and comparison with other studies

The measurement properties of assessment tools for chronic wounds: a systematic review.

Background: Chronic wounds are an increasing problem in the aging population, patients experience a lower health-related quality of life and the care for these patients is associated with high costs. Thorough wound assessments facilitate objective monitoring of wound status and progress. A wound assessment tool can guide clinicians in these wound assessments and in recording wound progress or deterioration. Objective: Systematically identify assessment tools for chronic wounds, investigate their measurement properties, and summarize the data per assessment tool. Design: Systematic review. Methods: The databases Medline (PubMed interface), Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL were systematically searched until May 2020 (updated in February 2021). Studies reporting the development and/or the evaluation of measurement properties of assessment tools for chronic wounds were included. The “Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments” risk of Bias checklist was applied to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. Each reported measurement property was rated against criteria for good measurement properties. The evidence was summarized and the quality of the evidence was graded using a modified Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Study selection, data extraction and quality appraisal were conducted independently by two reviewers and double-checked by a third reviewer. Results: Twenty-seven studies describing the measurement properties of fourteen assessment tools for chronic wounds were included. None of the studies reported a content validity evaluation by a relevance study or a comprehensiveness study in professionals. Six articles reported the development or revision of an existing assessment tool. The reported measurement properties included: structural validity (5 studies), reliability (18 studies), hypotheses testing for construct validity (18 studies) and responsiveness (7 studies). Internal consistency, cross-cultural validity / measurement invariance and measurement error were not reported. If criterion validity was assessed, the results were allocated to hypotheses testing for construct validity as no ‘gold standard’ is available. Conclusions: Fourteen assessment tools for chronic wounds were identified. Construct validity (by hypotheses testing) and responsiveness of the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing version 3.0 were supported by sufficient ratings based on moderate to high level quality of evidence. Reliability of the (Revised) Photographic Wound Assessment Tool had a sufficient rating based on moderate quality of evidence. The ratings of the measurement properties of the other wound assessment tools were either insufficient or indeterminate, or a sufficient result was supported by low to very low quality of evidence

Silicone adhesive multilayer foam dressings as adjuvant prophylactic therapy to prevent hospital-acquired pressure ulcers : a pragmatic noncommercial multicentre randomized open-label parallel-group medical device trial

Background: Silicone adhesive multilayer foam dressings are used as adjuvant therapy to prevent hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers (PUs). Objectives: Determine if silicone foam dressings in addition to standard prevention reduce PU incidence category 2 or worse compared to standard prevention alone. Methods: Multicentre, randomised controlled, medical device trial conducted in eight Belgian hospitals. At risk adult patients were centrally randomised (n=1633) to study groups based on a 1:1:1 allocation: experimental group 1 (n=542) and 2 (n=545) ‐ pooled as the treatment group ‐ and the control group (n=546). Experimental groups received PU prevention according to hospital protocol, and a silicone foam dressing on these body sites. The control group received standard of care. The primary endpoint was the incidence of a new PU category 2 or worse at these body sites. Results: In the intention‐to‐treat population (n=1605); 4.0% of patients developed PUs category 2 or worse in the treatment group and 6.3% in the control group (RR=0.64, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.99, P=0.04). Sacral PUs were observed in 2.8% and 4.8% of the patients in the treatment group and the control group, respectively (RR=0.59, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.98, P=0.04). Heel PUs occurred in 1.4% and 1.9% of patients in the treatment and control group respectively (RR=0.76, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.68, P=0.49). Conclusions: Silicone foam dressings reduce the incidence of PUs category 2 or worse in hospitalised at‐risk patients when used in addition to standard of care. Results show a decrease for sacrum, but no statistical difference for heel/trochanter areas

Collaborative information seeking environments benefiting from holistic ergonomics

PURPOSE - To explore the value of utilising a holistic ergonomic approach, covering engineering, cognitive, and social perspectives, to cultivate beneficial and productive CIS systems and environments, specifically with regard to three main CIS pillars (control, communication and awareness). DESIGN / METHODOLOGY / APPROACH - A qualitative research approach, based on a selective corpus of CIS literature, was utilised to perform a content analysis to note if terms and concepts normally associated with engineering, cognitive and social ergonomics can be used to eliminate terms reflecting issues related to three CIS pillars (control, communication and awareness) that can benefit from a holistic ergonomic approach. FINDINGS - The content analysis revealed that a fairly extensive amount of holistic ergonomic terminology is prominent within the CIS literature, therefore establishing a connection between the two disciplines: Collaborative Information Seeking and Ergonomics. This suggests that CIS system issues could benefit from the insights of a holistic ergonomic approach. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS / IMPLICATIONS - Since this is an exploratory study the scope of CIS literature utilised in the content analysis was limited to a selection considered most important by the authors; this should be supplemented by further research. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS - Intended to instigate interest in further exploration of the beneficial and productive implications and practical application of holistic ergonomics in designing CIS systems and environments. ORIGINALITY / VALUE - This is the first research article in the LIS literature that explores the potential of utilising holistic ergonomics to cultivate CIS systems and environments.http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/lhtnhb201

What to make of makerspaces : tools and DIY only or is there an interconnected information resources space?

PURPOSE : Much has been published on makerspaces: the history, development and progress and how they are used – stories of successes and opinions on their potential. The purpose of this paper is to comment on such publications within the library and information science (LIS) literature and to warn libraries to not only focus on providing physical spaces and tools but to explore the bigger potential of extended, interconnected spaces for information and information resources and “mutations” of makerspaces such as makerlearning. DESIGN /METHODOLODY /APPROACH : The contribution is based on a pragmatic and reflective analysis of the LIS literature on makerspaces. The questions are: what to make of the literature, and what needs to be done to enrich the subject literature to support an interconnected approach to makerspaces and information resources and information support? FINDINGS : There is a very strong focus in the literature on libraries as physical spaces for makerspaces, the planning, provision, maintenance and how-we-do-it approaches. Although very important this does not sufficiently explore an interconnection between makerspaces and an expanded information-related involvement of libraries, e.g. in information literacy training, guided inquiry, bridging the digital divide, research (embedded librarianship) and community support. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS / IMPLICATIONS There are many publications on makerspaces in the LIS literature. They however, mostly do not reflect on the opportunities to take a more holistic look at the potential of makerspaces in libraries interconnected to the use of information resources, and information-related support and intervention from libraries. ORIGINALITY /VALUE : Although there are many papers on makerspaces the purpose of this contribution is to focus on extended input from libraries.http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/lhthb2016Information Scienc

Role of libraries in developing an informed and educated nation

PURPOSE : Libraries of all types have often been called on to take on challenges ranging from information literacy and developing a reading culture to promoting social justice. In recent literature they have been challenged to contribute to the development of informed and educated nations – a big issue in developing countries. Sometimes even to empower people. The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness for this call as important for developing as well as developed nations and the numerous issues, role players and lenses they need to bear in mind. As an opinion piece it can merely scratch the surface of raising awareness. DESIGN / METHODOLOGY / APPROACH : This contribution builds on the literature of library and information science, education and politics to present an exploratory viewpoint and a nascent model to support further work. It intentionally touches on a diversity of issues that may seem at odds with each other, but that in the opinion reflect the enormous scope to address and diversity of individual,institutional and global input and lenses that can make a difference. FINDINGS : Many obvious approaches to achieve the object of an informed and educated nation with empowered individuals can be noted such as focusing on information literacy, digital literacy and information fluency. However more awareness is required of the need to take a holistic view of issues to focus on such as tolerance and ethics, and the information behaviour and information practices of people in various contexts, and how changes in the awareness of needs to address and the need to seek information and support from diverse sources, can contribute. A first step would be to note the diversity that might contribute towards a holistic view of a global problem to which libraries can contribute. ORIGINALITY / VALUE : There are limited publications on the topic in the library and information science literature although “developing an informed and educated nation” features in the mission and vision plans of some countries, and empowerment is sometimes specifically noted in publications on user education and information literacy. This paper offers an exploratory viewpoint to raise awareness to consider various approaches and threads to the topic and to not think only in terms of education and information literacy, but to recognise the full role libraries and librarians can play – also in reaching out to other role players such as users, governments and grant providers.http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0741-9058.htmhb2016Information Scienc