Understanding and predicting teachers’ intention to use cloud computing in smart education

Purpose Applying cloud computing (CC) in education is a great opportunity to globalize knowledge with the minimum costs and maximum accessibility. This study aims to understand and predict teacher intention to use cloud commuting as infrastructure in Smart education. Design/methodology/approach This was a cross-sectional study in which faculty members’ perception concerning CC services adoption in education were assessed based on the extended model of theory of planned behavior, by researcher-developed questionnaire (a = 0.9). Collected data were analyzed by regression analysis and the final model was tested by structural equation modeling. Findings Attitude towards the behavior, perceived behavior control and privacy; had direct and significant associations with faculty members’ intention to use CC. However, subjective norms (p = 0.311) and security (p = 0.505 ) were not significant predictors of intention to use CC. Originality/value The results of this study elucidate the critical factors associated with teacher’s behavioral intentions toward CC services and also serve as a valuable reference for education sector to plan for the better use of these services. The presented model can be considered as best practice framework for adapting cloud commuting as infrastructure in education. Applying CC services in education is great opportunity and should be subsequently the major concern of educational organizations. This study clearly identified significant and non-significant factors that should be considered when successful implementation on could computing services is in progress

Determinant factors in adopting mobile health application in healthcare by nurses

Background: Mobile applications are among effective learning tools and have a significant role in transferring information and knowledge to nurses. The current study was carried out to identify the factors affecting nurses’ use of practical health-related mobile applications in education and patient interaction based on the combined Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Diffusion of Innovation (DOI). Method: The study is a descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional method. The research population includes nurses working at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences hospitals, 150 of which were selected as the research sample using simple and available sampling. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire, the validity, and reliability of which were confirmed (α=0.9). Data analysis was carried out using a correlation test and regression analysis by applying SPSS v16 software. Results: The findings show that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use have a direct and significant effect on the rate of using mobile applications by nurses (P value≤0.01), [(β=0.52), (β=0.40)]. Other findings indicate that relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, and observability, have a direct and significant effect on nurses’ use of mobile applications, while complicatedness does not have a significant effect. Conclusion: The current study identifies the effective factors in nurses’ use of health-related mobile applications based on an integrated model of TAM and DOI. Designers of mobile applications should consider these factors in designing and developing programs so that mobile applications can successfully fulfill their purpose in healthcare

Determinant Factors in Applying Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) in Healthcare

Abstract Objectives: Meaningful use of picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) can change the workflow for accessing digital images, lead to faster turnaround time, reduce tests and examinations, and increase patient throughput. This study was carried out to identify determinant factors that affect the adoption of PACS by physicians. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 190 physicians working in a teaching hospital affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences were randomly selected. Physicians’ perceptions concerning the adoption of PACS were assessed by the conceptual path model of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Collected data were analyzed with regression analysis. Structural equation modeling was applied to test the final model that was developed. Results: The results show that the UTAUT model can explain about 61 percent of the variance on in the adoption of PACS (R2 = 0.61). The findings also showed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influences, and behavior intention have a direct and significant effect on the adoption of PACS. However, facility condition showed to have no significant effect on physicians’ behavior intentions. Conclusions: Implementation of new technology such as PACS in the healthcare sector is unavoidable. Our study clearly identified significant and nonsignificant factors that may affect the adoption of PACS. Also, this study acknowledged that physicians’ perception is a key factor to manage the implementation of PACS optimally, and this fact should be considered by healthcare managers and policy makers. Keywords: picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), physician, structural equation modelin

Understanding and predicting teachers’ intention to use cloud computing in smart education

Purpose Applying cloud computing (CC) in education is a great opportunity to globalize knowledge with the minimum costs and maximum accessibility. This study aims to understand and predict teacher intention to use cloud commuting as infrastructure in Smart education. Design/methodology/approach This was a cross-sectional study in which faculty members’ perception concerning CC services adoption in education were assessed based on the extended model of theory of planned behavior, by researcher-developed questionnaire (a = 0.9). Collected data were analyzed by regression analysis and the final model was tested by structural equation modeling. Findings Attitude towards the behavior, perceived behavior control and privacy; had direct and significant associations with faculty members’ intention to use CC. However, subjective norms (p = 0.311) and security (p = 0.505 ) were not significant predictors of intention to use CC. Originality/value The results of this study elucidate the critical factors associated with teacher’s behavioral intentions toward CC services and also serve as a valuable reference for education sector to plan for the better use of these services. The presented model can be considered as best practice framework for adapting cloud commuting as infrastructure in education. Applying CC services in education is great opportunity and should be subsequently the major concern of educational organizations. This study clearly identified significant and non-significant factors that should be considered when successful implementation on could computing services is in progress

H-index and promotion decisions

Two disciplines, medicine and health management & information sciences which offer graduate programs were studied. From well known citation databases, it was found that significantly higher number and impact factors of journals of high consensus disciplines indicate a higher chance of publication for the faculty members of these disciplines compared with low consensus disciplines. Due to the shortcomings of current scientometric indexes and movement towards new generation universities, it seems imperative for evaluation and promotion committees to reconsider the criteria which are largely publication-based. It is suggested that potential differences across disciplines as well as individual competencies and differences within disciplines betaken into consideration in decision making about promotion of faculty members

Medical Student’s Skills in Notifying Bad News Based on SPIKES Protocol

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to investigate the medical students’ skill in notifying bad news based on SPIKES. METHODOLOGY: The descriptive-analytic studywas conducted in which medical students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were participated. To collect data, a two-part questionnaire was used, included 18 questions about how bad news were communicated, and 40 questions based on scenarios of students' skills with bad news communication according to the SPIKES step protocol. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and independent T-test. RESULTS: The findings showed that students had the most proficiency in the fifth step of the SPIKES (recognizing and expressing sympathy with patient), and the least skill in the 3rd phase of the SPIKES (examining the patient's readiness to receive all or part of the news). A statistical significant difference between skill and performance based on work experiences was observed (F=3.98, P=0.02). However, the data show no significant difference between skill and performance based on characteristic factors i.e. age and gender. CONCLUSION: According to the SPIKES, students' skills in informing “Bad News” are not at an optimal level. They did not receive the necessary training to notify bad news. Sophisticated students, with more work experience have more skill in informing “Bad News”. The training of the “Bad News” informing skills should be on focus to education professionals

Determinant Factors in Adopting Mobile Technology-based Services by Academic Librarians

Nowadays, mobile technology seems to become integral part of our life. People with different careers have begun to use it in their jobs. This research aims to identify influential factors in mobile technology adoption at library context. To this end, a conceptual model was presented based on an integrated model of technology acceptance model (TAM) and technology organization and environment (TOE) model. A researcher-made questionnaire was distributed among 120 academic librarians. Seven factors out of the integrated model of TAM and TOE were chosen to investigate their influence on mobile technology adoption. The results of the study suggest that the proposed model (integrated model of TAM and TOE) is a favorable one to identify the influential factors in mobile technology adoption at library context. In addition, regression analysis indicated that out of these seven factors, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, compatibility, relative advantage and organizational competency are determinant factors in adopting mobile technology-based library services among academic librarians

Effective methods in preventing plagiarism in medical research: A qualitative study at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences-Iran

Background: The most effective way to manage problems in research, especially plagiarism, is to prevent them from initially occurring. Therefore, comprehensive planning to prevent and reduce plagiarism, or actions to internalize honesty in speech, behavior, and actions, will not only make researches worthwhile but also reduce plagiarism. Methods: In this qualitative research, eighteen faculty members of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences participated from 2015-2016. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview and analyzed by qualitative content analysis (Mayring method). Results: Effective factors in the prevention of plagiarism were extracted and presented in 23 subclasses and four themes including policy-making, legislation, an institutionalization of ethics in research, and the application of technology capabilities. Conclusion: Providing strategic and operational plans to internalize ethics in research and gradual changes in policy making and updating laws and regulations are factors affecting preventive measures. Also, with an increase in information literacy and applying information technology capabilities, it is possible to prevent informed and uninformed plagiarism

Determinant Factors in Adopting Mobile Technology-based Services by Academic Librarians

Nowadays, mobile technology seems to become integral part of our life. People with different careers have begun to use it in their jobs. This research aims to identify influential factors in mobile technology adoption at library context. To this end, a conceptual model was presented based on an integrated model of technology acceptance model (TAM) and technology organization and environment (TOE) model. A researcher-made questionnaire was distributed among 120 academic librarians. Seven factors out of the integrated model of TAM and TOE were chosen to investigate their influence on mobile technology adoption. The results of the study suggest that the proposed model (integrated model of TAM and TOE) is a favorable one to identify the influential factors in mobile technology adoption at library context. In addition, regression analysis indicated that out of these seven factors, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, compatibility, relative advantage and organizational competency are determinant factors in adopting mobile technology-based library services among academic librarians

Determinant factors affecting the web – based training acceptance by health students, applying UTAUT model

Abstract—Nowadays Web-based training (WBT) is the most advanced training methods. With the increasing use of modern methods of training in universities necessity of identification of the factors influencing the acceptance of web-based training becomes more obvious. This study examines the factors influencing the acceptance of web-based training by students. This study was cross-sectional survey and conducted from August to December 2016. As sample, 229 students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (TUOMS) were asked to participate in this study and fill the corresponding questionnaires. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was applied to investigate and explain the acceptance of E-learning. The data were analyzed by SPSS v.16. Findings revealed that the web- based training acceptance was directly influenced by performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitated condition, and attitude toward technology, self-efficacy, and anxiety. In contrast the impact of the social influences hadn’t been observed on behavior indentation. The findings indicated that UTAUT model explains about 58% of the variance for adoption of WBT. The study not only provides an indicator of students’ acceptance of E-learning, but also recognizes the important factors that would contribute to its successful use. The simulating or disappointing factors effecting use of the E-learning systems in university have been understood in a well-organized way according to the received results. Decision makers should apply these conclusions to improve strategies to align users’ expectations with use of technology use learning