Open Access Published by De Gruyter Open Access

Volume 7 Issue 1

January 2023

Issue of Open Information Science

Contents
Journal Overview

Regular Articles

Open Access February 21, 2023

An Empirical Evaluation of Research on “Library Management” at the Doctoral Level in India: A Study of the Last 50 Years from 1971 to 2020

Nishant Kashyap Ghatowar, Deepjyoti Kalita

Article number: 20220138

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Abstract

The current study is undertaken to report a statistic and study the growth of doctoral research in India under the domains of “library management” in the last 50 years from 1971 to 2020. Two central repositories of India, i.e. INFLIBNET “Shodhganga” and INFLIBNET “INDCAT” services, were used to curate data for the PhD theses for the studied period. A hypothesis was formulated and statistically proved that research on library management has witnessed significant growth during the period. A total of 304 theses were produced by 89 universities during the period that dealt with the subject of library management, out of which Gauhati University produced the highest (4.23% of the total). Northeastern and Southern India universities have a higher thesis productivity average per institution than the national average during the studied period. A positive correlation was found between the age of the Library and Information Science (LIS) department with thesis productivity. Significantly, several non-LIS departments have produced PhDs in the areas of library management during the studied period. Decade-wise growth study revealed that after the year 2000, Financial Planning, Human resource management, Total Quality Management, and Management of Digital resources are some prominent micro-level areas of the doctoral theses of Indian universities in the last 50 years.

Open Access March 8, 2023

Social Unrest Prediction Through Sentiment Analysis on Twitter Using Support Vector Machine: Experimental Study on Nigeria’s #EndSARS

Temidayo Michael Oladele, Eniafe Festus Ayetiran

Article number: 20220141

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Abstract

Social unrest is a powerful mode of expression and organized form of behavior involving civil disorders and acts of mass civil disobedience, among other behaviors. Nowadays, signs of most social unrest start from the social media websites, such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. In recent times, Nigeria has faced different forms of social unrest, including the popular #EndSARS, which began on Twitter with a demand that government disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit under the Nigerian Police Force for alleged brutality. Mining public opinions such as this on social media can assist the government and other concerned organizations by serving as an early warning system. In this work, we collected user tweets with #EndSARS from Twitter and pre-processed and annotated them into positive and negative classes. A support vector classifier was then used for classifying the sentiment expressed in them. Experimental results show 90% accuracy, 94% precision, 85% recall, and 89% F 1 score on the test set. The codes and dataset are publicly available for research use. https://github.com/Temidayomichael/Social-unrest-prediction.

Open Access March 14, 2023

Measuring the Concept of PID Literacy: User Perceptions and Understanding of PIDs in Support of Open Scholarly Infrastructure

George Macgregor, Barbara S. Lancho-Barrantes, Diane Rasmussen Pennington

Article number: 20220142

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Abstract

The increasing centrality of persistent identifiers (PIDs) to scholarly ecosystems and the contribution they can make to the burgeoning “PID graph” has the potential to transform scholarship. Despite their importance as originators of PID data, little is known about researchers’ awareness and understanding of PIDs, or their efficacy in using them. In this article, we report on the results of an online interactive test designed to elicit exploratory data about researcher awareness and understanding of PIDs. This instrument was designed to explore recognition of PIDs (e.g. Digital Object Identifiers [DOIs], Open Researcher and Contributor IDs [ORCIDs], etc.) and the extent to which researchers correctly apply PIDs within digital scholarly ecosystems, as well as measure researchers’ perceptions of PIDs. Our results reveal irregular patterns of PID understanding and certainty across all participants, though statistically significant disciplinary and academic job role differences were observed in some instances. Uncertainty and confusion were found to exist in relation to dominant schemes such as ORCID and DOIs, even when contextualized within real-world examples. We also show researchers’ perceptions of PIDs to be generally positive but that disciplinary differences can be noted, as well as higher levels of aversion to PIDs in specific use cases and negative perceptions where PIDs are measured on an “activity” semantic dimension. This work therefore contributes to our understanding of scholars’ “PID literacy” and should inform those designing PID-centric scholarly infrastructures that a significant need for training and outreach to active researchers remains necessary.

Open Access April 4, 2023

Culturally Responsive Librarians: Shifting Perspectives Toward Racial Empathy

Elizabeth A. Burns

Article number: 20220140

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Abstract

Libraries are charged with being inclusive spaces for all patrons. Library (library and information science [LIS]) preparation programs, by extension, must prepare the next generation of librarians to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population. It is imperative that today’s librarians are equipped to infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) theory with best practice when establishing policy and procedure for the library environment, staff, and programing. With little research and no established protocol in LIS education, it is unclear how pre-service librarians are trained in DEI to meet the needs of all users. This exploratory study used a participatory action research model to examine how a library educator-researcher might begin to develop a framework centered on cultural competence and implement it with one class of emerging librarians to explore issues impacting racial DEI in library services. Findings suggest that the framework provided a structure by which the LIS students could interrogate their own bias, gain greater empathy toward understanding DEI and racial issues, and begin to shift their beliefs toward creating a culturally responsive library setting.

Open Access April 7, 2023

Farmers’ Use of the Mobile Phone for Accessing Agricultural Information in Haryana: An Analytical Study

Rajender Kumar

Article number: 20220145

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Abstract

A mobile phone is an Internet-connected device used to share and discuss user-generated content, including opinion, audio, video, and multimedia. This has changed the way farmers engage and communicate across the country, even in rural areas. The purpose of this study is to examine Haryana farmers’ use of mobile phones to get agricultural information. This study was conducted in the six districts of North Haryana, i.e., Ambala, Yamuna Nagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, and Panipat. Data were collected from a sample size of 300 respondents, including 50 farmers from two tehsils (subdistrict) of each district, through a structured questionnaire and an interview plan. According to the results of this study, most of the farmers have been using mobile phones for over 3 years, and all of them can read and write Hindi to collect and communicate information about agriculture, such as post-harvest, weeding, thinning, and storage. Farmers most commonly use the agricultural information platform, i.e., private agricultural solutions helplines, government agriculture officers/extension agents making calls/short messaging service (SMS), IFFCO Kisan Sanchar, private agricultural companies/pesticide dealers/staff making calls/SMS, and government agriculture department helplines. Kisan Suvidha Agriculture Mobile App, WhatsApp, and YouTube are commonly used by most farmers who believe these network technologies are most effective to increase their knowledge and understanding of modern agricultural technology, although the majority of farmers do and also had language difficulties and challenges in the mobile network.

Open Access April 25, 2023

How European Research Libraries Can Support Citizen-Enhanced Open Science

Thomas Kaarsted, Oliver Blake, Kristian Hvidtfelt Nielsen, Berit Alving, Lotte Thing Rasmussen, Anne Kathrine Overgaard, Sebrina Maj-Britt Hansen

Article number: 20220146

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Abstract

Citizen science is spreading and numerous centres, services, or “hubs” within the field are manifesting themselves at European universities. Research libraries can potentially play a central role in advancing citizen science and open science. Building on a scoping literature review, a survey with 125 respondents, and an in-depth follow-up survey of 29 research libraries as part of the Citizen-enhanced Open Science in Southeastern Europe Higher Education Knowledge Hubs (CeOS_SE) project, this article outlines the current state and potential of citizen-enhanced open science (CE-OS) among European research libraries and presents a series of strategic and operational reflections for the future. Overall, research libraries report a high degree of understanding of both open science and citizen science and their applicability for society and research, but only few report the presence of services or infrastructure. Also, approximately half of the libraries engage in, or experiment with, citizen science. Common barriers exist such as resources, funding, strategy, and lack of policy. From these data, we present a typology to better understand how research libraries currently engage with citizen science and the steps that have been taken in this field. However, the overarching conclusion is that CE-OS with regards to European research libraries is contextual. There is no one size fits all.

Open Access May 31, 2023

Research Image Management Practices Reported by Scientific Literature: An Analysis by Research Domain

Joana Rodrigues, Carla Teixeira Lopes

Article number: 20220147

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Abstract

Research data management is essential for safeguarding and prospecting data generated in a scientific context. Specific issues arise regarding data in image format, as this data typology poses particular challenges and opportunities; however, not much attention has been given to data as images. We reviewed 109 articles from several research domains where images were used either as data or metadata to understand how researchers specifically deal with this data format, and what are your habits and behaviors. We use the Web of Science (WoS), considering its five main areas of research. We included in the initial corpus the most relevant articles by research domain, selecting the ten most cited articles in WoS, by year, between 2010 and 2021. The selected articles should be in English and in open access. The results found that images have been used in scientific works numerous times, but, unfortunately, few are those in which they are the central element of the study. Photography is the type of image most used in most domains. In terms of the instruments used, the Technology and Life Sciences and Biomedicine domains use the microscope more, while the Arts and Humanities and Physical Sciences domains use the camera more. We found that the images are mostly produced in the context of the project, rather than reused by third parties. As for their collection scenario, these are mostly produced/used in a laboratory context. The overwhelming majority of the images present in the articles are digital, and only a small part is analog. We verify that Arts and Humanities are more likely to perform qualitative types of analyses, while Life Sciences and Biomedicine overwhelmingly use quantitative analyses. As for the issues of sharing and depositing, Life Sciences and Biomedicine is the domain that stands out the most in the tasks of depositing and sharing images. It was found that the licenses of a project are intrinsically related to the motivations for sharing results with third parties. Description, a fundamental step in the data management process, is neglected by a large number of researchers. The images are mostly not described or annotated and when this happens, researchers don’t provide much detail about this.

Open Access July 31, 2023

Adding Perspective to the Bibliometric Mapping Using Bidirected Graph

Faizhal Arif Santosa

Article number: 20220152

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Abstract

Bibliometric mapping offers easiness in analyzing the relationship between publications through the network visuals created. Several applications, such as VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and CiteSpace, make conducting network analysis more convenient. Moreover, the relationship provided is usually in the form of an undirected graph, which negates the two-way relationship created. This study attempts to demonstrate the significance of considering two-way relationships by proposing a keyword network formed using bidirected graphs and association rules to examine the two-way relationship of two or more keywords. According to the proposed bidirected graph, a two-way graph can add value and insight by analyzing the correlation between a single keyword and several others. Two of the four metrics used, Confidence and Conviction, are sufficient to support directed graphs. In contrast, Support and Full Counting are related because they both see the occurrences of a keyword, so using undirected graphs is necessary.

Open Access August 8, 2023

Students’ Perspectives on the Application of Internet of Things for Redesigning Library Services at Kurukshetra University

Rajender Kumar

Article number: 20220154

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate students’ perceptions regarding the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) at Kurukshetra University Library. A descriptive survey method was employed, utilizing a random sampling technique to survey 250 students from five different faculties: Arts & Linguistics, Social Science, Science, Engineering & Technology, and Law. A total of 237 completed questionnaires were received that were correctly filled out, resulting in a response rate of 94.8%. The analysis of data was done through the utilization of statistical software such as Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and Microsoft Excel. Statistical analysis was performed using percentages and analysis of variance to evaluate the significance of the findings at a 0.05% level. The findings indicate that a majority of students strongly support the use of IoT to replace outdated library processes and services. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed in the mean values of students’ perceptions and the usefulness of employing IoT in the library across the five faculties. These results are presented in tabular format, accompanied by an appropriate explanation. The study offers insights into the potential benefits associated with implementing IoT in university libraries and underscores the importance of staying abreast of modern technological advancements in the field of libraries.

Open Access October 4, 2023

Whom Do I Ask? First-Time Postpartum Mothers in a Developing Economy

Pearl Owusua Amanquah, Florence Odarkor Entsua-Mensah, Lenin Nii Korley Commodore

Article number: 20220157

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Abstract

Background There is seemingly no clear path to obtain the relevant information during postpartum as there is limited understanding of the information-seeking behaviour of postpartum women in recent times and difficulty in getting adequate healthcare information in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, numerous studies exist on information needs and information-seeking behaviour in the health sector, but none emphasized both the health information needs and information-seeking behaviour of postpartum women. Aim This study aimed to investigate the health information needs and the information-seeking behaviour of first-time postpartum mothers in the Sunyani Municipal Hospital in Ghana. Methods The study employed a cross-sectional survey which used a quantitative research approach and a convenience sampling technique to sample 139 first-time mothers using a questionnaire that is based on a scientific understanding of how people find and use information. Findings It was revealed that the majority of first-time mothers had experienced the need for health information and had adequate knowledge about health issues but inadequate or moderate knowledge of postpartum health issues. Their most preferred source of health information is the healthcare professional due to their trust in them, and first-time mothers also consulted other informal sources without proper evaluation. Conclusion The state of becoming a mother comes with its challenges, and as such, timely and accurate health information is needed to help curb these challenges. Through training and education, government and authorities can help protect postpartum mothers from harm.

Open Access October 6, 2023

The Effectiveness of Software Designed to Detect AI-Generated Writing: A Comparison of 16 AI Text Detectors

William H. Walters

Article number: 20220158

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Abstract

This study evaluates the accuracy of 16 publicly available AI text detectors in discriminating between AI-generated and human-generated writing. The evaluated documents include 42 undergraduate essays generated by ChatGPT-3.5, 42 generated by ChatGPT-4, and 42 written by students in a first-year composition course without the use of AI. Each detector’s performance was assessed with regard to its overall accuracy, its accuracy with each type of document, its decisiveness (the relative number of uncertain responses), the number of false positives (human-generated papers designated as AI by the detector), and the number of false negatives (AI-generated papers designated as human ). Three detectors – Copyleaks, TurnItIn, and Originality.ai – have high accuracy with all three sets of documents. Although most of the other 13 detectors can distinguish between GPT-3.5 papers and human-generated papers with reasonably high accuracy, they are generally ineffective at distinguishing between GPT-4 papers and those written by undergraduate students. Overall, the detectors that require registration and payment are only slightly more accurate than the others.

Open Access October 25, 2023

Requirements of Digital Archiving in Saudi Libraries in the Light of International Standards: King Fahad National Library as a Model

Alia Alhaif

Article number: 20220160

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Abstract

This research aimed to measure the availability of digital requirements needed for digital archiving of King Fahad National Library in the light of international standards from the perspective of information specialists, determine the differences in their responses on the compatibility of these requirements with international standards due to (academic qualification, years of experience, and training courses) variables, identify the challenges, and make suggestions for providing those requirements. The researcher adopted the descriptive approach and applied a questionnaire to a sample of information specialists at King Fahad National Library. The results revealed that the participants had an intermediate agreement on the availability of digital requirements for digital archiving of the King Fahd National Library in the light of international standards. There were no statistically significant differences in the participants’ responses according to (academic qualification, years of experience, and training courses) variables. Moreover, the participants had a high agreement on the challenges and suggestions for providing those requirements. This research recommends holding training courses and workshops for information specialists in King Fahd National Library to determine and resolve the challenges they face in the digital age while carrying out the digital archiving of documents to comply with international standards for document management and digitization.

Open Access November 7, 2023

Analyzing Hate Speech Against Women on Instagram

Sandra Lopes Miranda

Article number: 20220161

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Abstract

The popularization of digital technologies, such as social media, has driven remarkable changes in the way citizens participate in public life. On the one hand, they gave power to social actors, who began to act in a new media environment, with a considerable impact on the political and economic spheres. On the other hand, they laid the material foundations for the dissemination of hate speech against vulnerable groups and minorities. The present investigation has as its main objective to analyze the misogynistic hate narratives that are uttered in social media. For this purpose, a netnographic study was carried out, of the qualitative type, organized in three sequential moments: extraction, exploration/treatment, and content analysis of the data from the platform of the social network Instagram. The data highlighted from 74 profiles aligned with hate speech show, essentially, the presence of 40 publications, largely linked to extreme right-wing cultures with discursive and imagery manifestations of a misogynistic nature, highlighting the use of irony and the ridicule of women. The most offensive dimension of hate speech was measured in the comments of the followers of these publications, present in the form of insult and direct offense, confirming that the digital environment has aggravated hostility and online harassment against women.

Review Article

Open Access July 24, 2023

Assessing Diversity in Academic Library Book Collections: Diversity Audit Principles and Methods

William H. Walters

Article number: 20220148

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Abstract

Diversity audits reveal the extent to which library collections incorporate the topics, perspectives, authors, characters, and narratives associated with underrepresented or marginalized groups. They can help us evaluate whether the collection is aligned with the user community, pinpoint the specific areas where improvement is needed, establish goals and timelines, measure progress toward those goals, demonstrate that deficiencies in the collection are being addressed, and highlight the need for additional resources. This guide reviews the scholarly and professional literature on diversity audits of academic library book collections. It discusses how concepts such as diverse groups and diverse books can be operationalized; describes three methods of conducting the diversity audit – the catalog search method, the checklist method, and the book inspection method; considers various benchmarks or targets that may be adopted; and explains how the results of the analysis can be used to build more diverse library collections. The review concludes by presenting three fundamental questions that explore the limits of the audit methods currently in use, highlight underlying issues that librarians may want to consider, and suggest avenues for further research and discussion.

Communication

Open Access February 18, 2023

Twitter Interactions in the Era of the Virtual Academic Conference: A Comparison Between Years

Dan Albertson, Monica Rogers

Article number: 20220139

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Abstract

The goal of this study is to assess variations in interactions over social media at academic conferences when held onsite versus online. Here, Twitter activities from different years of the Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T AM) are analyzed and reported. Data elements of individual tweets were examined using both primary- and second-level analyses, showing overall participation levels and the number of actions across different variables. The activity level and relative impact on the overall results of users who appeared in both years emerged as a key finding. Twitter activities during both the 2018 (Vancouver) and 2020 (online) ASIS&T AM were collected and compared.

Open Access July 12, 2023

The Classification of Q1 SJR-Ranked Library and Information Science Journals by an AI-driven “Suspected Predatory” Journal Classifier

Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva

Article number: 20220150

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Abstract

In academic publishing, there is a need to be able to discern scholarly from unscholarly, deceptive, and/or predatory journals. Predatory journals are not expected among highly ranked journals in reputable databases. SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), which ranks journals into four quartiles (Q1–Q4), acts as a whitelist or safelist for journal selection. Q1 SJR-ranked journals are likely not “predatory.” An artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool Academic Journal Predatory Checking (AJPC) system launched in February 2023 claims to differentiate suspected predatory journals (SPJs) from normal journals. AJPC system classified, in a 2 June 2023 assessment, 27 (or 42%) of the 64 Q1 SJR-ranked library and information science journals, most (48%) published by Taylor & Francis, as SPJs. This output is unlikely to be accurate (or is likely to be inaccurate) and may suggest that this free online AI-driven tool, whose output can be independently verified by anybody, may be providing erroneous output, and thus misleading information.

Open Access July 14, 2023

Scopus-Based Study of Sustainability in the Syrian Higher Education Focusing on the Largest University

Marwan Al-Raeei

Article number: 20220149

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Abstract

Achieving an effective sustainable developmental policy is considered a primary goal in a large number of institutions around the world. The application of this policy in universities is reflected throughout the country, especially in developing and low-income countries. This research aims to analyse the sustainability policies adopted at Damascus University during the past 5 years of the Syrian crisis through several factors, with a focus on the analysis based on the SciVal and Scopus databases. We consider Damascus University as an example of an institution of a developing country. We use the method of extracting and analysing the data of the 16 sustainable development goals (SDGs) of Damascus University within Scopus. Based on Scopus and SciVal data, we find that Damascus University made a significant leap in the number of its research related to sustainable development in the year 2022, as these research studies constituted 46.0% of all published, abstracted, and indexed research studies in Scopus by Damascus University researchers. Also, by analysing the citation data which the SDG documents have received, we find that the citations resulted from these documents represent about 53% of the total citation of the university during the same time.

Letter to the Editor

Open Access May 11, 2023

Most Preprint Servers Allow the Publication of Opinion Papers

Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva, Serhii Nazarovets

Article number: 20220144

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Abstract

Preprints are not only a raw form of research presentation, but also increasingly used as a gateway of entry into peer-reviewed journals. Several preprint servers are in existence, and some serve specific thematic groups or specialties, while others have a broader thematic scope. In this letter, we examined 36 preprint servers in March of 2023, noting that the majority (27/36 or 75%) accept opinion papers, two have an unclear, unstated, or unknown set of policies, while seven, including some of the most popular (biorXiv, medRxiv, Research Square), do not explicitly accommodate opinion papers. We opine that it would be in the interests of those preprint servers that do not publish opinion papers or evidence-based opinion papers to modify their scope of manuscript types in order to expand their user base and attract more participating scientists, but also to provide a more holistic set of scientific publishing objectives that accommodates a wider and more inclusive range of views.

SI Communicating Pandemics: COVID-19 in Mass Media

Open Access March 17, 2023

COVID-19 in Mass Media: Manufacturing Mass Perceptions of the Virus among Older Adults

Petra Pelletier, Rubal Kanozia, Ritu Arya, Claire Lefort, Cécile McLaughlin, Magali Boespflug, Sophie Alain

Article number: 20220143

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Abstract

According to the latest The Global Risks Report (2022) of World Economic Forum, the large-scale coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat creates various tensions that might lead to unexpected cascading impacts in various domains. Nevertheless, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, about 120 nm in diameter, remains invisible to people whose cognition, emotions, and health-related behaviors are driven primarily by the subjective perception of the virus. Mass media communicating information, symbols, beliefs, and codes of conduct to the population contribute widely to the socially constructed representations of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus. Thus, the aim of the current research is to investigate the impacts of the common COVID-19 mass media image of the “ball with spikes” representing the SARS-CoV-2 virus on older adults particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus disease and fake news dissemination. This research is based on an innovative mixed-methods research design that combines questionnaires ( N = 144), semi-structured research interviews, and pictographic measures ( N = 26). The primary results demonstrate that individuals’ perceptions of and emotional reactions to the invisible SARS-CoV-2 virus are shaped by mass media exposure, as the “ball with spikes” became a familiar symbol of the COVID-19 virus, marked by the symbolism of dangerousness and mystery with a divisive aesthetic. The current research that aims to highlight the role of mass media as the vector of an icon image of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus provides additional elements that may contribute to improved crisis management effectiveness of future pandemic outbreaks.

Topical Issue: TI Information Behaviour and Information Ethics

Open Access July 24, 2023

A Compass for What Matters: Applying Virtue Ethics to Information Behavior

Tim Gorichanaz

Article number: 20220151

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Abstract

Out of the three major approaches to ethics, virtue ethics is uniquely well suited as a moral guide in the digital age, given the pace of sociotechnical change and the complexity of society. Virtue ethics focuses on the traits, situations and actions of moral agents, rather than on rules (as in deontology) or outcomes (consequentialism). Even as interest in ethics has grown within information behavior (IB), there has been little engagement with virtue ethics. To address this lacuna and demonstrate further research opportunities, this article provides an overview of virtue ethics for application in IB (broadly defined). It provides a primer on virtue ethics, gives examples of existing IB work that is compatible with virtue ethics, and suggests avenues for further virtue-oriented research in IB.

Open Access August 9, 2023

Studies on Information Users and Non-Users: An Alternative Proposal

Rodrigo Rabello

Article number: 20220153

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Abstract

Studies on non-users are often neglected in the area of information. Such research studies face challenges to obtain diagnostics. This article defends the realization of studies comprehending both information users and non-users, approaching different focuses and conceptions. The theoretical frameworks approached contributions and limitations of these concepts. The term “information non-user” can be employed to approach subjects ignored or out of interest in the area of information. Public policies on information, education, and culture seek to convert such non-users into users, as they promote the “socially” valued culture. However, mediating institutions may also acknowledge the culture of non-users and appreciate their informational needs and situations in context. Considering the studies on users and non-users bring benefits for the field and the society, working with a wide, inclusive conception. Yet, such studies may not include other processes, such as information reading and appropriation in certain contexts, or even disregard informational behaviors and practices in everyday life. It is important to reflect on epistemological and theoretical–methodological choices to perform such studies. These decisions reflect, politically and ethically, a worldview from professors, researchers, and professionals in the field of information, which can give voice and a leading role for such, while rendering others silent and invisible.

Open Access August 30, 2023

Ethical Issues of Human Information Behaviour and Human Information Interactions

Jela Steinerová

Article number: 20220155

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Abstract

The objectives of the study are to determine the main ethical factors related to human information interactions. The main research question was: What is the perception of ethical issues of information work and future topics of information ethics in digital environment? A brief analysis of related ethical issues of information is presented. The main applied methodology was a Delphi study on information ethics with selected experts from Slovakia and Czech Republic. The data were analysed with the use of mixed methods of discourse and content analyses and conceptual modelling. We present results of the discourse analyses (first round, 19 experts; discussion, 6 experts). Results are interpreted with regard to the ethical issues of work with digital information, main ethical dilemmas of the use of advanced technologies, and values of information. Results are visualised in three conceptual maps. A final conceptual model represents the epistemic consensus of experts, including social and cultural rules, value tensions between man and technologies, and utility, truth, and objectivity of information. We propose to include the identified ethical factors into models of human information behaviour. Recommendations for practice focus on value-sensitive design of digital services and products in the intercultural contexts of information literacy, education, science, workplaces, and everyday information use.

Open Access September 27, 2023

Ethics and Social Responsibility in Information Behavior, an Interdisciplinary Research in Uruguay

Martha Sabelli

Article number: 20220156

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Abstract

This article presents a series of projects focused, within the framework of the ethical and social responsibility of a Latin American public university, on the information behavior of disadvantaged people, developed from 2008 to the present, within the Information Institute of the University of the Republic, Uruguay. They arose from the views and ideas supported by the project leaders and teams concerning the deficiencies and limitations in the access, use, and appropriation of necessary, relevant, valuable, and reliable information for the personal and social development of social sectors in unfavorable situations in the contexts in which they live. Each of the studies has real social impacts on information policy agendas, incorporating actions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The projects comprise the theoretical and methodological perspectives presented in each one on the field of information behavior and related to each situation problem identified in a specific user community. The research subjects were young women (2008–2010), adolescents (2010–2015), older women (2017–2019), and family members of children with autism spectrum syndrome (ASD) (2021–2023). We seek to understand the social realities of information and information technologies insofar as most investigations incorporate the development and use of ICTs in the quest to disseminate inclusive information.

About this journal

Open Information Science is an international, open access, cross-disciplinary, single-blind peer-reviewed journal that presents original research on all areas of library and information sciences. It aims to publish the research papers on the most recent issues and developments in the field. Open Information Science is particularly interested in the dissemination of the intellectual efforts of the global academic community in this field. This journal is going to be helpful for researchers, specialists, teachers and practitioners of librarianship.

Aims and scope

Scope of the journal includes, but is not limited to:

library and information science - theory and practice

management of library and information systems

organization of knowledge

information technology

research methods

information behavior

information and media literacy

health information seeking behavior

information management

information governance

digital libraries and information systems

school and academic libraries

scholarly communication

library education

public libraries

archival science

cultural heritage

preservations

media studies

media education

social media

e-infrastructures

electronic communications

mass communication

networking

open access

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