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Duarte, Lucio Mauro. "Behaviour Model Extraction Using Context Information." Thesis, Imperial College London, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.498466.
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Lakshminarayanan, Bhuvaneshwari. "Towards developing an integrated model of information behaviour." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2010. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/33252/1/Bhuvaneshwari_Lakshminarayanan_Thesis.pdf.
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This paper presents the results from a study of information behaviors in the context of people's everyday lives undertaken in order to develop an integrated model of information behavior (IB). 34 participants from across 6 countries maintained a daily information journal or diary – mainly through a secure web log – for two weeks, to an aggregate of 468 participant days over five months. The text-rich diary data was analyzed using a multi-method qualitative-quantitative analysis in the following order: Grounded Theory analysis with manual coding, automated concept analysis using thesaurus-based visualization, and finally a statistical analysis of the coding data. The findings indicate that people engage in several information behaviors simultaneously throughout their everyday lives (including home and work life) and that sense-making is entangled in all aspects of them. Participants engaged in many of the information behaviors in a parallel, distributed, and concurrent fashion: many information behaviors for one information problem, one information behavior across many information problems, and many information behaviors concurrently across many information problems. Findings indicate also that information avoidance – both active and passive avoidance – is a common phenomenon and that information organizing behaviors or the lack thereof caused the most problems for participants. An integrated model of information behaviors is presented based on the findings.
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Cheng, Grace Y. T., and n/a. "Measuring electronic information systems: the use of the information behaviour model." University of Canberra. Information Management and Tourism, 2002. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20050628.150806.
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This study focused on measuring the importance and contribution of information obtained from the
library, particularly electronic information services (EIS), to success in solving clinical problems in
hospitals. Three research questions with three main hypotheses were advanced and tested on clinicians
in 44 hospitals in Hong Kong. The findings were tested against the framework from Wilson's (1996)
existing general information behaviour model, from which a new extended model for clinicians was
built. Measures of EIS were then derived from the new model.
The research was broadly divided into a series of five studies in two stages: nominal group,
quantitative survey, and interviews in the first stage, and randomized controlled study as well as the
analyses of statistical data and computer transaction logs in the second stage. The key results in Stage I
led to the studies in Stage 11. The randomized controlled study in Stage 11 attempted to reduce the
barriers identified in the information environment, with a view to test the results of an educational
intervention, and to confirm that the hypotheses were true given reduced barriers and the presence of
enabling conditions. The effects of the interventions in this experimental study were validated and
verified by statistical data and transaction logs.
Corroborative evidence from the two-stage studies showed that the three main inter-connected
hypotheses were supported: success in problem-solving is related to the information sources used; user
satisfaction is related to success in problem-solving; and EIS use is an indicator of user satisfaction.
EIS use is determined by a number of factors: the preference for EIS, the use of the library, the skills
and knowledge in searching, the profession of the user and the characteristics of the work environment.
Educational intervention was found to improve success in problem-solving, the attitudes, skills and
knowledge in searching, the satisfaction with and use of EIS, and is an important enabling condition.
The research rejected part of the first hypothesis posed that success in problem-solving is related to
clinical question posed and suggests that further research is needed in this area.
The study supported the extension of the general model to clinical information needs and
behaviours and found new relationships. The study found an additional determinant of EIS
satisfaction, the satisfaction with the information obtained. EIS satisfaction would not be changed by
educational intervention alone if the information obtained was not satisfactory. On the other hand,
education can improve EIS satisfaction regardless of whether the problem has been solved. Of critical
importance is the time factor in determining the use (or non-use) of EIS. There is new evidence that
the awareness of the user of an answer in literature is a determining factor for active searching.
Borrowing the concept of opportunity cost from economic theory, the researcher relates it with the
differing levels of self-efficacy and postulates a model for planning EIS and related library services.
From the new extended model of information behaviour, sixteen main measures or indicators
were tested on a proposed framework in developing performance measures to diagnose information
behaviours and predict EIS use, satisfaction and success in problem-solving. In measuring EIS, the
researcher suggested the holistic approach in assessing traditional (non-electronic) library and
information services as part of information behaviours of clinicians. The study pointed to the
imbalance between self-efficacy and the actual skills and knowledge of users in their searching
mentality and activities and the implication for library practice. Qualitative aspects that require further
research on measurement were suggested.
The study has important ramifications for theory and practice for the information professional.
The new extended model of information behaviour for clinicians establishes deterministic relationships
that help explain why an information search is pursued actively, continuously, or not at all. Measures
that have been derived from these relationships can help diagnose and predict information behaviours.
The study highlights the flexibility and utility of the general model of information behaviour. Also,
this is the first time that such a methodological approach has been adopted to derive EIS measures.
The application of the randomized controlled study methodology in information science was proven to
be feasible and yielded definitive results. The researcher proposes that further development of
information behaviour model should incorporate the element of knowledge generation process in an
organization.
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Davies, Richmond. "Towards a model of information behaviour of an information provider : a mixed methods study." Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10059/831.
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Not much is not known about the totality of information behaviours of information providers from among the plethora of library and information science literature. This research aims to describe, categorise and devise a representation of information workers’ experiences as they engage in information behaviours in a health information provider organisation in Scotland. The organisation is a typical example of an information services provider where decision makers constantly strive to improve the quality of their information outputs by attempting to understand the information behaviours of their employees and respond to changes in the external information environment. A model of information behaviour becomes a useful tool for understanding what goes on within the information provider organisation. With pragmatism as its philosophical tether, the qualitatively-driven sequential mixed methods study uses critical incident interviewing within Heideggerian phenomenology and then a questionnaire survey to capture value-adding information behaviours, feeling states as outcomes of information behaviour, and perceptions of internal impact of information behaviour. The research subjects are invited to participate in a respondent validation workshop where a model of provider information behaviour is co-created. The findings reveal 3 core information behaviour types (information acquisition behaviour, information production behaviour and information dissemination behaviour) and 2 associated information behaviour types (multitasking and collaborative information behaviours) in a non-linear relationship. Several positive and negative feelings are identified together with information workers’ perceptions of how their information behaviours impact on the internal information environment of their organisation. The core and associated information behaviours are further categorised and their subtypes are validated on returning to the research participants. Recommendations for practice and further research include introducing Web 2.0 technologies in the provider organisation to enhance information dissemination, reviewing the value of some information activities in the provider organisation, investigating the mechanism of the information behaviour trigger, and further research on the role of feelings and individual characteristics before and after information interactions. The findings provide insights of information interactions of an information provider that make a significant contribution to LIS knowledge.
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Brown, Douglas Graeme. "Formal network behaviour analysis using model checking." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2016. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/93693/1/Douglas_Brown_Thesis.pdf.
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In this research we modelled computer network devices to ensure their communication behaviours meet various network standards. By modelling devices as finite-state machines and examining their properties in a range of configurations, we discovered a flaw in a common network protocol and produced a technique to improve organisations' network security against data theft.
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Adams, Lindall Elaine. "Information Seeking Behaviour of Generation Y Students at the Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2009. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_2851_1275522363.
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The project examines the information seeking behaviour of a small group of so-called Generation Y students at the Stellenbosch University as they undertake an academic
assignment. There is consensus across the world that universities need to adapt to the needs of Generation Y students, brought up with high-level information technology, the internet and social networking. However, research shows that this does not mean that they are information literate. They have high-tech skills but often do not know how to analyse an information need or discriminate between information sources. Information scientist Carol Kuhlthau develop the ISP model upon which the study was based. Her model sees information seeking as a complex cognitive and affective process. Successful seekers have learned how to manage the process. University libraries need to adapt their information retrieval systems and services to meet the needs of their new kinds of students. The study, a small-scale intensive qualitative case study, hopes to provide insight into how they might do this. The researcher collected data while the participants were writing the assignment. Data gathering methods included interviews, journal writings and questionnaires.
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Alotaibi, Mutlaq. "A model for monitoring end-user security policy compliance." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/10237.
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Organisations increasingly perceive their employees as a great asset that needs to be cared for; however, at the same time, they view employees as one of the biggest potential threats to their cyber security. Organizations repeatedly suffer harm from employees who are not obeying or complying with their information security policies. Non-compliance behaviour of an employee, either unintentionally or intentionally, pose a real threat to an organization’s information security. As such, more thought is needed on how to encourage employees to be security compliant and more in line with a security policy of their organizations. Based on the above, this study has proposed a model that is intended to provide a comprehensive framework for raising the level of compliance amongst end-users, with the aim of monitoring, measuring and responding to users’ behaviour with an information security policy. The proposed approach is based on two main concepts: a taxonomy of the response strategy to non-compliance behaviour, and a compliance points system. The response taxonomy is comprised of two categories: awareness raising and enforcement of the security policy. The compliance points system is used to reward compliant behaviour, and penalise noncompliant behaviour. A prototype system has been developed to simulates the proposed model in order to provide a clear image of its functionalities and how it is meant to work. Therefore, it was developed to work as a system that responds to the behaviour of users (whether violation or compliance behaviour) in relation to the information security policies of their organisations. After designing the proposed model and simulating it using the prototype system, it was significant to evaluate the model by interviewing different experts with different backgrounds from academic and industry sectors. Thus, the interviewed experts agreed that the identified research problem is a real problem that needs to be researched and solutions need to be devised. It also can be stated that the overall feedback of the interviewed experts about the proposed model was very encouraging and positive. The expert participants thought that the proposed model addresses the research gap, and offers a novel approach for managing the information security policies.
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Blohm, Gunnar. "The use of extraretinal information to compensate for self-movement." Université catholique de Louvain, 2004. http://edoc.bib.ucl.ac.be:81/ETD-db/collection/available/BelnUcetd-10112004-163213/.
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It is essential for the brain to keep track of self-movement in order to establish a stable percept of the environment. The major source of information about self-movement is vision. However, non visual (extraretinal) information can also contribute to the sense of motion. This thesis investigated the role of extraretinal signals to account for self-generated motion in the case of eye movements. The interaction of two types of eye movements, i.e. smooth pursuit and saccades, was used to investigate the system's capacity to keep track of self-motion. This work focused in particular on the ability of the saccadic system to account for smooth pursuit eye movements in darkness. A detailed analysis of the saccade metrics allowed the identification of a novel neural mechanism for smooth eye movement integration. As a result, the saccadic system could compensate for smooth eye displacements and thus was able to ensure space constancy across different eye movements. In addition to the experimental approach of this thesis, a mathematical model was developed that described all current findings.
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Rydefelt, Calatayud Leonor. "A holistic model to create organizational information security awareness programs – iSAP." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för informations- och kommunikationsteknik (ICT), 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-48050.
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There is a large number of information security awareness programs (iSAP) found in the literature with multiple approaches. Considering that the number of security breaches performed by insiders is as high as 48%, the effectiveness of such programs is questionable. This leaves a considerable space for external, but also internal criminals, to perform and succeed in their attacks, something that can cause heavy losses (both economical and less tangible as reputation) to organizations. This thesis decided to study some of those iSAP to see their strengths and weaknesses. After studying the approaches in focus for this thesis, and following an inductive research method, a new model to develop iSAP from a holistic point of view was presented. The solution has been aligned with subject matter experts (SME) at “Company X” and with end-users external to that company. The model is now ready to be studied empirically in organizations to evaluate its effectiveness.
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Bartle, David G. "A model of information seeking behaviour and the research process of English and history scholars within the humanities." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.274975.
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Ibenne, Samuel K. "Information experiences and practices of paediatric physicians in Nigeria : a phenomenological case study." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2016. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/23428.
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Adequate access to and appropriate use of medical evidence by clinicians have been posited as influencing the quality of clinical decisions and outcomes of patient care. The broad aim of this case study of a tertiary hospital was to provide understanding of how the information experiences and practices of paediatric physicians in Nigeria influenced their information practices and the potential implications for patient care. To achieve the research aim and objectives, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted using multiple sources of data: interviews, diaries, observation and social network chats. Overall, twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted, and seven clinicians provided a week-long information activity self-reports through diaries. Supplementary data were gained via the researcher's personal observation and social media chats with some participants. Paediatricians in the cadre of: Consultants, Senior Registrars, Registrars and Residents provided the data which was analysed using the interpretative method. The results indicate that the paediatricians' information needs were on: managing challenging cases, supporting diagnostic decisions, managing evolving diseases, managing illnesses in the tropical context, drugs and dosage, refreshing the memory, keeping updated, and passing professional examinations. In general: i)there was haphazard approach to information literacy tuition for the clinicians during professional education resulting in varied information capabilities, and inadequacy of knowledge and skills for good information practice; ii) obtaining medical information from colleagues was the predominant feature of paediatricians' information practices; iii) printed textbooks were the paediatricians preferred source for obtaining medical evidence, however, there was a growing popularity in the use of electronic medical information sources, including at the point of care; iv) a perception of inadequacy of the hospital library services resulted in the paediatricians developing rejection behaviour towards the services, labelled in this study as information service rejection behaviour (ISRB); v) there was general perception by the paediatricians that access to, and use of medical information supports patient care and achievement of better treatment outcomes. This perception instilled a sense of value for information use, demonstrated through the clinicians' dedication to the self-provision of information resources; vi) a dearth of medical resources germane to the contextual management of illnesses led to inadequate clinician knowledge in a good number of cases. A new model of information behaviour entitled 'the knowledge production model of the paediatricians' information behaviour has been developed from the findings of this study, thereby extending existing scholarly perspectives on people's information behaviour. The Kpro model enunciates the concept of 'knowledge-based information behaviour' (KIB) which was exhibited by the paediatricians. The study recommends that i) the information literacy skills training (ILST) model developed from the findings, be used as a practical tool for inculcating information literacy to the paediatricians at the level of residency training; ii) the hospital management/librarians prioritise the improvement of information resources, services and infrastructure e.g. reliable internet service, e-library at wards and consulting rooms, and clinical librarian services, to enhance good information practices among the clinicians; iii) retraining of the hospital librarians for increased service delivery effectiveness; iv) increased local research through the establishment of Journal Clubs by the paediatricians to enhance local publishing of medical literature.
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Holland, Richard John. "Real-time provision of local bus service information via the Internet : a comparative analysis using a fuzzy logic model of mode choice." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.366577.
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Mat, Saat Suzanie. "Information needs of children of a parent with cancer." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2016. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/21546.
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This PhD thesis explored the experiences of dependent children and children care-givers facing challenges with their parent s cancer. The aim was to understand children s information experience including their perception of cancer and information culture; information needs, information seeking behaviour, barriers and enablers. The research used a six-stage process. This was informed by an extensive literature review and discussions with cancer specialists, psychologists and researchers from United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Malaysia. This study used a three-cycle, eight-step process of Participative Action Research (PAR) with participation from ten Malay breast cancer patients and their dependent children. Three bilingual (English and Bahasa Malaysia) instruments were developed; 1) An Inquiry to Participate Form to select participants who had dependent children, 2) Three opened-ended questions to obtain children s cancer experience and information needs where drawing was used to encourage children s responses and, 3) A 15-question questionnaire to understand children s experience and information preference. Cancer affected parenting abilities and challenging experiences identified the lack of culturally relevant information and the shift in caregiving responsibilities to dependent children. Children s understanding of cancer was influenced by their experiences and observations, many of which resulted in misconceptions about cancer, its causes, treatment and preventative measures. Children participant s reaction to a health situation triggered their information behaviour. The burden of caregiving and the consequences of a lack of information were greater than anticipated; children had many dimensions of concern and experienced many challenges. This advocated for a more assessable, attractive and sensitive information system. Data synthesis contributed to the development of a Children s Reactive Information Seeking Behaviour An Integrated Model that seeks to explain the relationship between children participants reaction to a health situation and the subsequent processes they undergo to resolve their state of information need.
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Martzoukou, Konstantina. "The development of a model of information seeking behaviour of students in higher education when using internet search engines." Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10059/637.
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This thesis develops a model of Web information seeking behaviour of postgraduate students with a specific focus on Web search engines' use. It extends Marchionini's eight stage model of information seeking, geared towards electronic environments, to holistically encompass the physical, cognitive, affective and social dimensions of Web users' behaviour. The study recognises the uniqueness of the Web environment as a vehicle for information dissemination and retrieval, drawing on the distinction between information searching and information seeking and emphasises the importance of following user-centred holistic approaches to study information seeking behaviour. It reviews the research in the field and demonstrates that there is no comprehensive model that explains the behaviour of Web users when employing search engines for information retrieval. The methods followed to develop the study are explained with a detailed analysis of the four dimensions of information seeking (physical, cognitive affective, social). Emphasis is placed on the significance of combined methods (qualitative and quantitative) and the ways in which they can enrich the examination of human behaviour. This is concluded with a discussion of methodological issues. The study is supported by an empirical investigation, which examines the relationship between interactive information retrieval using Web search engines and human information seeking processes. This investigates the influence of cognitive elements (such as learning and problem style, and creative ability) and affective characteristics (e. g. confidence, loyalty, familiarity, ease of use), as well as the role that system experience, domain knowledge and demographics play in information seeking behaviour and in user overall satisfaction with the retrieval result. The influence of these factors is analysed by identifying users' patterns of behaviour and tactics, adopted to solve specific problems. The findings of the empirical study are incorporated into an enriched information-seeking model, encompassing use of search engines, which reveals a complex interplay between physical, cognitive, affective and social elements and that none of these characteristics can be seen in isolation when attempting to explain the complex phenomenon of information seeking behaviour. Although the model is presented in a linear fashion the dynamic, reiterative and circular character of the information seeking process is explained through an emphasis on transition patterns between the different stages. The research concludes with a discussion of problems encountered by Web information seekers which provides detailed analysis of the reasons why users express satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the results of Web searching, areas in which Web search engines can be improved and issues related to the need for students to be given additional training and support are identified. These include planning and organising information, recognising different dimensions of information intents and needs, emphasising the importance of variety in Web information seeking, promoting effective formulation of queries and ranking, reducing overload of information and assisting effective selection of Web sites and critical examination of results.
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Alexopoulou, Peggy (Pagona). "A new integrated model for multitasking during web searching." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2016. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/20320.
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Investigating multitasking information behaviour, particularly while using the web, has become an increasingly important research area. People s reliance on the web to seek and find information has encouraged a number of researchers to investigate the characteristics of information seeking behaviour and the web seeking strategies used. The current research set out to explore multitasking information behaviour while using the web in relation to people s personal characteristics, working memory, and flow (a state where people feel in control and immersed in the task). Also investigated were the effects of pre-determined knowledge about search tasks and the artefact characteristics. In addition, the study also investigated cognitive states (interactions between the user and the system) and cognitive coordination shifts (the way people change their actions to search effectively) while multitasking on the web. The research was exploratory using a mixed method approach. Thirty University students participated; 10 psychologists, 10 accountants and 10 mechanical engineers. The data collection tools used were: pre and post questionnaires, pre-interviews, a working memory test, a flow state scale test, audio-visual data, web search logs, think aloud data, observation, and the critical decision method. Based on the working memory test, the participants were divided into two groups, those with high scores and those with lower scores. Similarly, participants were divided into two groups based on their flow state scale tests. All participants searched information on the web for four topics: two for which they had prior knowledge and two more without prior knowledge. The results revealed that working memory capacity affects multitasking information behaviour during web searching. For example, the participants in the high working memory group and high flow group had a significantly greater number of cognitive coordination and state shifts than the low working memory group and low flow group. Further, the perception of task complexity was related to working memory capacity; those with low memory capacity thought task complexity increased towards the end of tasks for which they had no prior knowledge compared to tasks for which they had prior knowledge. The results also showed that all participants, regardless of their working memory capacity and flow level, had the same the first frequent cognitive coordination and cognitive state sequences: from strategy to topic. In respect of disciplinary differences, accountants rated task complexity at the end of the web seeking procedure to be statistically less significant for information tasks with prior knowledge compared to the participants from the other disciplines. Moreover, multitasking information behaviour characteristics such as the number of queries, web search sessions and opened tabs/windows during searches has been affected by the disciplines. The findings of the research enabled an exploratory integrated model to be created, which illustrates the nature of multitasking information behaviour when using the web. One other contribution of this research was to develop new more specific and closely grounded definitions of task complexity and artefact characteristics). This new research may influence the creation of more effective web search systems by placing more emphasis on our understanding of the complex cognitive mechanisms of multitasking information behaviour when using the web.
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Curry, Michael. "IT effectiveness efforts as predictors of organizational outcomes : a normative model for assessing IT quality." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2014. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/it-effectiveness-efforts-as-predictors-of-organizational-outcomes-a-normative-model-for-assessing-it-quality(1870560e-74dd-451b-9419-428dc208a21d).html.
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Information technology (IT) is a key enabler of modern business practices, yet reliably effective IT systems remain a significant challenge for many organizations. The consequences when systems fail to behave as expected becomes ever-more problematic as IT dependence grows. Therefore, methods for assessing IT effectiveness and generating actionable recommendations for improvement are key drivers of success. For this reason, large organizations often adopt IT best practice frameworks such as COBIT, ITIL or ISO/IEC standards which can offer greater assurances of IT effectiveness. However smaller organizations are rarely able to adopt these frameworks due, in part, to resource constraints, and a preference to eschew authoritative practices in favour of informal guides to action. Consequently, a significant research gap is the lack of IT effectiveness approaches for organizations unable or unwilling to adopt formal IT best practice frameworks. This thesis presents an alternative norms-based approach to IT effectiveness which some organizations might find more suitable. Norms are informal beliefs (e.g. ‘using a complex password helps safeguard data’) which motivate behaviours and can often be expressed using non-technical language. We review the literature to formulate a predictive model connecting norms to IT quality. Employing a scientific methodology defensible on philosophical grounds and accepted research practices, we distil a set of IT effectiveness norms from the COBIT 4.1 IT governance framework and adapt theories of motivation to justify our assertion that IT effectiveness norms can motivate actions. Our work is signficant in its formulation of an alternative approach for assessing IT operations and improving organizational IT outcomes. Our survey instrument –validated in four studies, which include a non-profit and government organization, multiple small businesses, a large pharmaceutical company and a university –is a light-weight and reliable assessment tool. Our predictive model is able to explain 26% of observed variance, and can offer actionable and non-technical insights which can improve organizational outcomes. A norms-based approach may bring many of the same IT effectiveness benefits offered by formal IT best practices into organizations, such as small businesses, which lack the resources for their implementation. This approach may also help bridge important communication gaps between IT professionals and others in the organization by providing a different, less technical perspective for framing, assessing, diagnosing, and communicating about IT processes.
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Kilian, Juliette. "Service model for libraries in an agricultural environment with specific reference to the library of the ARC-Small Grain Institute." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/37127.
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This dissertation reports on a study that investigated the functions and services that are rendered at the library of ARC-Small Grain Institute in Bethlehem. The study was directed by the research questions that included the investigation in library services and sources globally; the information seeking behaviour of the patrons of the library as well as the skills and competencies needed by librarians to render an effective service in a constant changing environment. These components served as a foundation for the development of a proposed service model, which reflects the incorporation of the changing roles of librarians in a research library. The current services and sources of the ARC-SGI library were discussed and compared to other libraries. A systematic review of the literature included the information seeking behaviour and information needs of researchers as well as the skills and competencies of librarians.
A mixed-method approach, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, has been applied in the study. Data was collected through questionnaires and fifteen semi-structured interviews were held with selected patrons of ARC-SGI. The findings showed that information needs depends mostly on the different stages of research and flows directly from the type of work that they do. Attention was given to preferred source choices and problems experienced during information seeking. Training needs were addressed as well as the needs for additional information needed from the library.
Based on the results, the study proposed a service model for an agricultural library. The model displays the library within the setting of an organisation as it supports the mission and vision of the parent organisation. It illustrates all the interdependent components that are essential for a successful agricultural library. The model also outlines the strategies of on-going evaluation and monitoring of the library services; the information needs and information seeking behaviour of the patrons as well as the challenges facing the library.
The study concluded by making certain recommendations that can benefit the library of ARC-SGI, which will be an improvement added to the current services. A few suggestions are made for future research, which have definite advantages for an agricultural library within an organisation.Dissertation (MIS)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
Information Science
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Åfeldt, Tom. "Adaptive Steering Behaviour for Heavy Duty Vehicles." Thesis, KTH, Reglerteknik, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-215134.
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Today the majority of the driver assistance systems are rule-basedcontrol systems that help the driver control the truck. But driversare looking for something more personal and exible that can controlthe truck in a human way with their own preferences. Machine learningand articial intelligence can help achieve this aim. In this studyArticial Neural Networks are used to model the driver steering behaviourin the Scania Lane Keeping Assist. Based on this, trajectoryplanning and steering wheel torque response are modelled to t thedriver preference. A model predictive controller can be used to maintainstate limitations and to weigh the two modelled driver preferencestogether. Due to the diculties in obtaining an internal plant modelfor the model predictive controller a variant of a PI-controller is addedfor integral action instead. The articial neural network also containsan online learning feature to further customize the t to the driverpreference over time.Idag används till största del regelbaserade reglersystem förförarassistanssystem i lastbilar. Men lastbilschaufförer vill ha någotmer personligt och flexibelt, som kan styra lastbilen på ett mänskligtsätt med förarens egna preferenser. Maskininlärning och artificiell intelligenskan hjälpa till för att uppnå detta mål. I denna studie användsartificiella neurala nätverk för att modellera förarens styrbeteende genomScania Lane Keeping Assist. Med användning av detta modellerasförarens preferenser med avseende på placering på vägbanan och momentpåslag på ratten. En modell prediktiv kontroller kan användas föratt begränsa tillstånd och för att väga de två modellerade preferensernamot varann. Eftersom det var mycket svårt att ta fram den internaprocessmodellen som krävdes för regulatorn används istället en variantav en PI-kontroller för att styra lastbilen. De artificiella neuralanätverken kan också tillåtas att lära sig under körning för att anpassasig till förarens preferenser över tid.
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Almén, Marcus. "Driver Model for Mission-Based Driving Cycles." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Fordonssystem, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-140158.
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When further demands are placed on emissions and performance of cars, trucks and busses, the vehicle manufacturers are looking to have cheap ways to evaluate their products for specific customers' needs. Using simulation tools to quickly compare use cases instead of manually recording data is a possible way forward. However, existing traffic simulation tools do not provide enough detail in each vehicle for the driving to represent real life driving patterns with regards to road features. For the purpose of this thesis data has been recorded by having different people drive a specific route featuring highway driving, traffic lights and many curves. Using this data, models have then been estimated that describe how human drivers adjust their speed through curves, how long braking distances typically are with respect to the driving speed, and the varying deceleration during braking sequences. An additional model has also been created that produces a speed variation when driving on highways. In the end all models are implemented in Matlab using a traffic control interface to interact with the traffic simulation tool SUMO. The results of this work are promising with the improved simulation being able to replicate the most significant characteristics seen from human drivers when approaching curves, traffic lights and intersections.
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Fick, Sonia. "Perceptions of illicit drug use and risky sexual behaviour among first year psychology students at the University of the Western Cape." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2011. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_5591_1361370291.
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HIV poses considerable social and health challenges in South Africa, particularly among young people aged 15-24. Research indicates a strong link between risky sexual behaviour and alcohol and illicit drugs. In the Western Cape drug-related behaviours is a growing concern among young people because of relatively high prevalence rates of drug abuse, particularly methamphetamine. Previous South African studies have tended to focused on the link between substance use and risky sexual behaviour among commercial sex workers. The theoretical approach of this study is the information motivation behavioural skills model. Participants were selected using non-probability sampling of 279 first year students registered for Psychology I at the University of the Western Cape. This study employed a quantitative research approach using a survey design. Results: Forty-six percent of students do not believe that the use of illicit drugs has an impact on a person&rsquo
s sexual behavior. However, the findings also showed that only 45% of students believed that there was a difference between illicit drug users correctly using condoms when compared to non-users. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Conclusion: Prevention is our best and most effective means of decreasing risk-taking behaviours associated with HIV infection. Information is the first line of intervention that is necessary to reduce risk-taking behaviours
however prevention strategies and interventions of risk-taking behaviours should aim to increase motivation and help young people integrate information in a way that it is personally relatable. This is vital to address the inconsistencies between perceptions of risk and the realities of risk-taking behaviour.
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Popovac, Masa. "Smoking behaviour, risk perception and attitude to anti-smoking legislation among students at the University of the Western Cape." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2010. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_7950_1318316554.
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The study investigated three aspects related to smoking, namely, smoking behaviour, risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation. The theoretical framework of the study was the Information-Motivation-Behavioural (IMB) skills model. The study was a quantitative one, making use of a cross-sectional survey design to obtain data about the three variables of interest. Responses to statements about risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in the questionnaire were arranged on a three-point Likert scale. The inferential statistics used were one-sample ttests and Chi-square analyses. The results showed an overall smoking prevalence of 16%, with twice as many females than males being smokers in the sample. âColouredâ students in both genders had the highest smoking rate compared to all other race groups. The knowledge of the health risks of smoking were very high, however smokers had a lower perception of risk compared to non-smokers. Moreover, while there was a fair amount of support for anti-smoking legislation among smokers, smokers tended to show less support for legislation than non-smokers, especially to those parts of the legislation that affect them more directly. The results of the study indicate a clear connection between smoking behaviour and the effect it has on both risk perception as well as attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in individuals.
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Rawstorne, Patrick. "A systematic analysis of the theory of reasoned action, the theory of planned behaviour and the technology acceptance model when applied to the prediction and explanation of information systems use in mandatory usage contexts." Access electronically, 2005. http://www.library.uow.edu.au/adt-NWU/public/adt-NWU20060815.154410/index.html.
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Alghamdi, Ahmed Dirwish G. "An integrated model of the influence of personal psychological traits and cognitive beliefs on customer satisfaction and continuance intentions in relation to Internet banking usage within the Saudi Arabian context." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/3096.
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This thesis examines the effects of Culture, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT) and Technology Readiness (TR) on the satisfaction and usage continuance intention of Internet banking customers within the Saudi Arabian context. The aim is to develop and test a new framework for use in determining the factors that affect Internet banking customers’ actual usage behaviours, with a special focus on the role of cognitive processes, and cultural and personal psychological traits. This research uses cross-sectional survey questionnaire methods within a quantitative approach. 261 valid responses were received. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesised relationships within the research model in Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS 20) software. ECT is well established in conventional marketing literature and explains how cognitive beliefs and affects lead to customers’ repurchasing behaviour. It was first adopted for the Information Systems (IS) context and then customised to explain IS continuance intention behaviour. However, previous ECT customisations in the IS context present a significant knowledge gap because technology-based services are sensitive to individuals’ psychological traits, which ECT does not account for. This research integrates psychological traits and culture into the ECT framework to explain customer satisfaction and continuance intentions in the context of Internet banking usage. It combines ECT with the UTAUT in order to expand ECT to include more cognitive beliefs. Then it integrates TR and Culture to account for psychological and sociological traits. The results present a new contribution to the body of knowledge by validating a theoretically backed integration of the above models into one structural model. This model broadens the understanding of the factors that influence IS satisfaction and usage continuance intention. Compared to previous studies, the explanatory power of this model is a major improvement, with an R2 of (0.61) for usage continuance intention.
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Suleiman, Rashid Mohamed. "Quality of information and the behaviour of risk around information events." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.366533.
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Gursoy, Dogan. "Development of a Travelers' Information Search Behavior Model." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/29970.
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In the dynamic global environment of today, understanding how travelers acquire information is important for marketing management decisions (Srinivasan 1990; Wilkie and Dickson 1985). For destination marketing managers, understanding information search behavior of travelers is crucial for designing effective marketing communication campaigns because information search represents the primary stage at which marketing can provide information and influence travelers' vacation decisions. Therefore, conceptual and empirical examinations of tourist information search behavior have a long tradition in tourism marketing literature (Etzel and Wahlers, 1985; Fodness and Murray, 1997, 1998, 1999; Perdue, 1985; Schul and Crompton, 1983; Snepenger and Snepenger 1993; Woodside and Ronkainen, 1980).
Even though several studies examined travelers information search behavior and the factors that are likely to affect it, they all examined travelers' prior product knowledge as a uni-dimensional construct, most often referred to as destination familiarity or previous trip experiences (Woodside and Ronkainen, 1980). However, consumer behavior literature suggests that the prior product knowledge is not a uni-dimensional construct (Alba and Hutchinson). Alba and Hutchinson (1987) propose that prior product knowledge has two major components, familiarity and expertise, and cannot be measured by a single indicator. In addition, in tourism, little research has been done on the factors that are likely to influence travelers' prior product knowledge and, therefore, their information search behavior. The purpose of this study is to examine travelers' information search behavior by studying the effects of travelers' familiarity and expertise on their information search behavior and identifying the factors that are likely to influence travelers' familiarity and expertise and their information search behavior.
A travelers' information search behavior model and a measurement instrument to assess the constructs of the model were designed for the use of this study. The model proposed that the type of information search (internal and/or external) that is likely to be utilized will be influenced by travelers' familiarity and expertise. In addition, travelers' involvement, learning, prior visits and cost of information search are proposed to influence travelers' familiarity and their information search behavior.
Even though a very complex travelers' information search behavior model was proposed, only the effects of travelers' prior product knowledge (familiarity and expertise) on travelers' information search behavior were empirically tested due to the complex nature of the model. First the proposed measurement scales were pretested on 224 consumers. After making sure that proposed measures of each construct were valid and reliable, a survey of 470 consumers of travel/tourism services who reside in Virginia was conducted. Structural Equation Modeling (i.e., LISREL) analysis was performed to test the fit of the model.
Results of the study confirmed that travelers' prior product knowledge has two components, familiarity and expertise, and expertise is a function of familiarity. Both familiarity and expertise affect travelers' information search behavior. While the effect of familiarity on internal search is positive and on external search is negative, the effect of expertise on internal search is negative and on external search is positive. The study identified a U-shaped relationship between travelers' prior product knowledge and external information search. At early stages of learning (low familiarity), travelers are likely to rely on external information sources to make their vacation decisions. As their prior product knowledge (familiarity) increases they tend to make their vacation decisions based on what is in their memory, therefore, reliance on external information sources decreases. However, as they learn more (become experts), they realize that they need more detailed information to make their vacation decisions. As a result, they start searching for additional external information to make their vacation decisions.Ph. D.
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Chudamani, K. S., and H. C. Nagarathna. "A model of information use behavior by scientists." School of Communication & Information, Nanyang Technological University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/105351.
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Poster paperThe services that are provided in a library are at various levels and varieties. Library automation services such as computerized OPAC, e-mail based reference service etc., are be-ing provided. Also, Web based services like Web Opac, E-Journals, CD-ROM Collection search, Bibliographical database services such as Engineering village 2, Compendex, Chemi-cal Abstract, Web of science, are being provided.
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Högström, Emil, and Oskar Falkenberg. "Efterfrågeflexibilitet hos kunder : De nya funktionskraven på elmätare och deras inverkan på efterfrågeflexibilitet." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Industriell teknik, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-385278.
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The electricity system will go through massive changes in the coming years. Smartgrids are becoming more popular. The phasing out of fossil fuels in electricity production in favour of renewable power sources will entail challenges. To handle these challenges, the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate (Ei) has identified demand side flexibility as a partial solution. Ei has presented new functionality demands on electricity meters, which aim at working for an increase of demand side flexibility. The aim of this report is to investigate how smart meters and the new functionality demands contribute in making customers become more active, along with how customers can be motivated to change their behaviour. The findings from this report show that the new demands do not directly lead to more demand side flexibility. Instead they enable other actors to develop services that could lead to customers contributing with demand side flexibility. In the energy sector, it is assumed that customers need to see an economic benefit in order to contribute with flexibility. This report finds that this is not entirely the case. Customers can be motivated by other things, such as protecting the environment. Important factors for customers are that they experience the same comfort as before, along with simplicity. Therefore, automatic steering is the preferable option which might entail the need for economic subsidies since investing in automatic systems will be economically notable. Once a considerable amount of customers are contributing with flexibility, social pressure might motivate remaining customers to do the same.
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Briks, Jeffrey Edward. "The Influence of Emotions on Interviewers’ Information Search Behaviors: A Test of an Information Processing Model." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1258051753.
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Chumo, Caroline J. "A model web interface for youth in Tanzania /." Diss., Portal website, 2006. http://www.jeruto.org.
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Silburn, Nicholas L. J. "A model of factors affecting professional workers' information behaviours within the context of valuing organisational information." Thesis, University of Reading, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.657998.
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The purpose of this research was to develop a model of factors influencing professional workers' information behaviours within the context of seeing information as a valuable organisational asset. To achieve the purpose, the research set out to answer four questions. What was meant by the value of information, what information related behaviours might be associated with acknowledging information as valuable, how might the behaviours be influenced in the workplace, and how were influencing factors related to the information behaviours. The research came about because of apparent gaps in the literature, particularly around a lack of appropriate models of information behaviour associated with professionals in the workplace and information being seen as valuable (useful, important, of worth and of benefit) by the organisation. The increasing legal and regulatory environment, the expansion of information management standards and the increasing pervasiveness of computer technology add to the mix of how information behaviours might be supported, encouraged or hindered. The literature review looked at articles from the behaviour, information systems, library and information science, and value of information literature. It identified a number of key models from these literature pools that provided some of the information behaviours (such as information seeking, retrieval, use and sharing) and potential influencing factors (for example computer technology, the information behaviours of others, personal values and beliefs, and job design), but found there was no apparent literature that combined these information behaviours and the influences upon them, into a single workplace-related model. The output from the literature review was a conceptual model supported by a set of propositions. The primary research was carried out in two parts, within a pragmatist philosophical position. An initial phase, · using semi-structured in-depth interviews, looked at professionals' interpretations of the value of information and some of the information · behaviours that might be associated with valuing information. From this, a slightly revised version of the conceptual model was produced. A second phase of research was carried out based on the revised conceptual model and using a combination of semi-structured in-depth interviews with repertory grid work. Textual, graphical and numerical data was analysed using repertory grid cluster analysis, and thematic coding. The research found a consistent approach to defining the value of information - valuable information was seen as being useful, important, of some worth, and of benefit. Seven physical behaviours were identified as being relevant to showing that information is valuable. Some twenty influencing factors were identified, with evidence from the interviews supporting those identified from the literature, and other factors being new. A life-cycle relationship was identified for some of the behaviours, whilst the others were identified as information governance behaviours that supported the life-cycle behaviours. Some of the factors were found to have relationships with other factors, as well as with the behaviours. This led to a model being created where some factors could be described as independent variables, whilst others acted as moderating or mediating variables on the relationships of other factors with the information behaviours. Conclusions from .the research included that the information behaviours of professional workers could be influenced by a variety of people, organisational, technology and environmental factors. The model developed can serve as a basis for organisations to improve various facets of the organisation to encourage the treatment of information as a more valuable organisational asset. The contribution of this research to the literature is the development of a model of information behaviours of professional workers, and the factors that influence such behaviours. There is also a contribution to use of the repertory grid literature through the specific way the method was employed. The research took a wholly inductive approach to model building and the subsequent model created can be used as a basis for others to explore this topic in more detail, either inductively or deductively.
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Kim, Yeonjeong. "Forecasting Unethical Behavior Using The Hidden Information Distribution and Evaluation (HIDE) Model." Research Showcase @ CMU, 2018. http://repository.cmu.edu/dissertations/1198.
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The ability to correctly judge moral character—an individual’s disposition to think, feel, and behave ethically—is critical considering the negative consequences of misjudgment (e.g., being betrayed or swindled). However, it is currently unknown whether people can reliably detect strangers’ moral character, nor is it known how to best elicit relevant information from strangers to determine their moral character. This research is designed to remedy this dearth in our understanding of moral character judgments, particularly in settings where we need to make prompt evaluations of strangers based on limited information that we obtained from them. The biggest challenge in assessing another person’s moral character is that it is extremely socially desirable, and therefore highly susceptible to distorted self-perceptions and impression management. To address this problem, I propose and test a new person-perception theory: the hidden information distribution and evaluation (HIDE) model. In chapter 1, I develop the HIDE model, which posits that there are aspects of information that individuals do not correctly know about themselves (which I call the hiddenself), as well as aspects of information individuals misrepresent to others (which I call the hiding-self). This model articulates when and why judges (i.e., evaluators) not personally acquainted with targets of evaluation (e.g., job applicants) can reliably detect these targets’ moral character and predict their future unethical behavior. In particular, I propose that the impromptu thinking and language usage that arises when a person answers specially designed interview questions reveal information about his/her hidden-self and hiding-self, enabling a group of judges to make valid judgments about his/her moral character. Additionally, the HIDE model predicts that judges’ evaluations using this written interview method will be more valid than evaluations provided by targets’ acquaintances. This is because social relationships can lead people to form biased impressions of targets they are acquainted with, so that they are unable to see the targets’ hidden selves as clearly as judges who do not know the targets. In chapter 2, I test the HIDE model’s prediction that groups of judges can reliably predict targets’ unethical behavior by evaluating their moral character using the written interview method. In studies 1 and 2, large groups of judges were crowd-sourced online. I show that their average moral character evaluations successfully predicts targets’ frequency of unethical behaviors in the laboratory (study 1) and the workplace (study 2). Study 3 extends these findings by determining the minimum number of judges (six) required to make moral character evaluations that predict unethical behavior. In chapter 3, I test the HIDE model’s prediction that judges’ evaluations based on the written interview method can capture unique information about targets’ hidden-self. Three empirical studies (studies 4, 5, and 6) show that these evaluations indeed capture unique variance in targets’ moral character that is missed by both self-reports and ratings provided by targets’ acquaintances. Consequently, these evaluations are more predictive of targets’ unethical behavior than the ratings provided by either the targets themselves or their acquaintances. In chapter 4, I investigate the HIDE model’s prediction that judges’ evaluations using the written interview method can capture unique information about targets’ hiding-self. This occurs because responses to the interview questions reveal implicit aspects of moral character that targets cannot control or fake, even when they want to. In study 7, I manipulated whether targets had an incentive to answer the interview questions in a positively biased manner. I show that judges’ evaluations of targets (based on the interview questions) are actually more predictive of their unethical behavior when targets were motivated to respond in a positively biased manner. Finally, in chapter 5, I carried out text analyses to explore how human judges utilize linguistic cues in written responses to form impressions of moral character, and how these cues predict targets’ unethical behavior. The goal of this chapter is to identify linguistic cues that human judges fail to correctly detect or utilize, and thus to identify shared biases in human perceptions of ethicality. Building on these exploratory text analyses, I discuss the future directions of this research program, especially the potential value of combining human judgments and machine algorithms to boost the accuracy of unethical behavior forecasts.
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Ellis, David. "The derivation of a behavioural model for information retrieval system design." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 1987. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/2975/.
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This study outlines the derivation of a behavioural model intended to underpin thinking on questions concerning the design of information retrieval systems for academic social scientists. The historical background of information retrieval research is reviewed and the behavioural assumptions made in that research, characterised as the information retrieval model, are examined. Developments in the research tradition following from the early empirical tests on information retrieval systems are discussed, and problems experienced in the attempt to develop a coherent and practically useful research programme around the notion of relevance as a quantitative concept are analysed. A major alternative to work employing the information retrieval model has been the cognitive approach to information retrieval system design. In research so far undertaken in this approach the system has had to construct a cognitive model of the searcher's requirements in order for retrieval to take place. It is argued that the characteristics of social science information present particular difficulties for building such a model, and that the step of the system building a cognitive model of the searcher's requirements as a pre—requisite for retrieval is unnecessary. Instead, a behavioural approach to system design is recommended. The information seeking patterns of a variety of academic social scientists, derived from transcripts of interviews, were analysed and broken down into six characteristics, starting, chaining, browsing, differentiating, monitoring, and extracting. These characteristics seemed sufficient to exhaust the different generic features of the various patterns, and to provide a flexible behavioural model to underpin thinking about information retrieval system design. The features of an exploratory retrieval system for social scientists based on the characteristics of their information seeking patterns are outlined, the extent to which such features are available in existing systems, and the requirements for implementing the model on an operational system are considered. The argument of the study is that the behavioural approach, and the analysis of information seeking patterns into their characteristics, represents a coherent and practically useful basis for the design of exploratory information retrieval systems for academic social scientists.
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De, Brún C. "Design and development of COCO : a model to facilitate access to high quality consumer health information." Thesis, Coventry University, 2015. http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/items/edbda46d-b40e-444f-a502-e866188943a8/1.
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The NHS is providing patients with access to summaries of their individual health records, so that they can understand and manage their conditions more effectively. At the same time, the government is encouraging patients to be more involved in the decisions made about their direction of care, as evidence shows that outcomes improve if decision-making is shared. As the Internet grows, people are using it as a major source of health information. However, anybody can post information to the Internet, and there is no guarantee that it is reliable, accurate, based on research, or relevant. Therefore, people searching online for health information, using generic search engines, are at risk of finding information that may have a detrimental effect on their health and wellbeing. The aim of this research is to produce a model of a multi-approach evidence-based, post-diagnosis support system for patients and carers in England. The literature review carried out by the author identified 300 papers which looked at both the importance of patient participation in decision-making, and the issues with finding and using health information for patients and carers, but not together in the same research. While much has been written about evidence based practice for health professionals, there is a gap in the research about evidence-based patient choice and information service provision and skills for the general public. This is an issue for health professionals because patients are being actively encouraged to participate in the choices made about their treatment, but while there is evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of patient participation, there is no evidence to say that they have adequate access to information and the skills to use it. Health services need to know if there is appropriate information support for the general public, otherwise there is a risk that patients will not have the right information to help them make the best choice. To assess the information-seeking behaviour of the general public, a mixed-study analysis was performed using quantitative and qualitative surveys, and 139 responses were collected and analysed. The population included people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and their carers. The evidence and the survey results confirmed that people do want to make decisions with their doctor, and that they do search for information, but do not always find what they are looking for. They said that they would value librarian support and information skills training, but would also find an all-encompassing consumer health information web-site useful. A consumer health information literacy framework was developed based on the existing SCONUL Seven Pillars of Information Literacy framework and the five steps to evidence based practice concept. This framework provided the foundation for the design and development of COCO, an innovative model to facilitate access to high quality consumer health information using existing NHS online information products combined with the information skills of public and medical librarians. The innovations of COCO are that it focuses on the whole population, supports those who are and are not computer literate, creates an opportunity for collaboration within the library sector, and builds on existing NHS online resources rather than creating new ones. COCO provides people with a central access point to reliable and relevant online consumer health information to help them make informed decisions about their care pathway. The collaborative element of the model ensures that is accessible to everyone, without incurring significant costs to public services. The main output from this research synthesis, is an original needs-based model (COCO), designed to simplify the consumer health information-seeking process for the general public, enabling them to access the right information to fulfil their information needs and help them make evidence-based treatment decisions with their doctors. The design of COCO was reviewed, validated and improved using structured opinions of experts in consumer health information, evidence based practice, information literacy, and information technology. Real-life consumer scenarios were used to manually test COCO against free text searches in Google. The search results from COCO and Google were analysed and compared using six validation metrics. This demonstrated the efficiency of COCO in providing significantly better quality information relevant to patients and carers, compared to Google. A mock-up of the final design and search results of COCO were then prepared, along with recommendations for future research.
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Salehi, Esfahani Saba. "Investigating Information Adoption Tendencies of Restaurants' User-Generated Content Utilizing a Hypothesized Information Adoption Model." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1433248021.
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Hii, Ivy Siaw Hung. "Determinants of Risky Assets Investment: An Extended Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills Model." Thesis, Curtin University, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/81667.
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Stock market participation plays a crucial role in individuals’ financial well-being and also a country’s financial market development. This study aims to examine the determinants of individuals’ risky assets investment in Malaysia. By integrating the information-motivation-behavioural skills (IMB) model and theory of basic values, this study investigates the influence of information (financial literacy, advice-seeking) and motivation (attitude towards investing, personal values, social norm) on risky assets investment directly and indirectly through behavioural skills (financial self-efficacy).
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Palczynski, Jacob [Verfasser]. "Time-continuous behaviour comparison based on abstract models / Jacob Palczynski." Aachen : Hochschulbibliothek der Rheinisch-Westfälischen Technischen Hochschule Aachen, 2014. http://d-nb.info/1051895839/34.
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Haidar, Hassan. "A generic information-model for distributing VRE using DDS." Thesis, Brest, 2015. http://www.theses.fr/2015BRES0032.
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NoVirtual Reality Environments, which present a safer learning and training environment, are increasingly being adopted to simulate complex systems. In parallel, distribution services have become essential following advances in telecommunications and the subsequent demand on the mobility of users. Hence, middleware enables technologies to provide such services to existing and newly-developed applications. However, distributing VRE with existing APIs still requires lots of specific development and customization.Data Distribution Service (DDS) is one of the standardized middleware for real-time applications based on a peer-to-peer architecture. It requires awareness about the types of data distributed and which is achieved by defining an information-model using an Interface Definition Language (IDL) file. Consequently, distributing VRE using DDS introduces an additional step for modelling a specific IDL file to meet each application requirements. Considering the fact that domains addressed by VRE are populated by complex data types (procedural, behavioral, etc.) then engineering a specific IDL file for each application is a complex task that requires an intervention from the computer-scientist and the domain-expert each time an application has to be distributed. The first contribution of my thesis is to provide a generic information-model which is reusable upon distributing different VRE.The novelty of our approach is based on the coupling between conceptual models (in our case we use MASCARET meta-model) and the awareness need of DDS about data to distribute, so we create generic structures within the IDL file. By this, we eliminate one step of the workflow and consequently we simplify the process of using DDS. From another side, DDS remains a low level middleware for distribution that is based on peer-to-peer architecture with no control layer in the middle. Like other classical algorithms, lots of messages should be sent over the network to synchronize the distributed environment. Moreover, we should specify by code how to detect changes in the virtual environment to send updates. Thus, the second contribution we propose is to use a generic control layer that can dynamically detect when changes occur. This layer is based onthe explicit knowledge about executed behaviors
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Axelsson, Tobias. "Using supervised learning algorithms to model the behavior of Road Weather Information System sensors." Thesis, Luleå tekniska universitet, Datavetenskap, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-69972.
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Trafikverket, the agency in charge of state road maintenance in Sweden, have a number of so-called Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS). The main purpose of the stations is to provide winter road maintenance workers with information to decide when roads need to be plowed and/or salted. Each RWIS have a number of sensors which make road weather-related measurements every 30 minutes. One of the sensors is dug into the road which can cause traffic disturbances and be costly for Trafikverket. Other RWIS sensors fail occasionally. This project aims at modelling a set of RWIS sensors using supervised machine learning algorithms. The sensors that are of interest to model are: Optic Eye, Track Ice Road Sensor (TIRS) and DST111. Optic Eye measures precipitation type and precipitation amount. Both TIRS and DST111 measure road surface temperature. The difference between TIRS and DST111 is that the former is dug into the road, and DST111 measures road surface temperature from a distance via infrared laser. Any supervised learning algorithm trained to model a given measurement made by a sensor, may only train on measurements made by the other sensors as input features. Measurements made by TIRS may not be used as input in modelling other sensors, since it is desired to see if TIRS can be removed. The following input features may also be used for training: road friction, road surface condition and timestamp. Scikit-learn was used as machine learning software in this project. An experimental approach was chosen to achieve the project results: A pre-determined set of supervised algorithms were compared using different amount of top relevant input features and different hyperparameter settings. Prior to achieving the results, a data preparation process was conducted. Observations with suspected or definitive errors were removed in this process. During the data preparation process, the timestamp feature was transformed into two new features: month and hour. The results in this project show that precipitation type was best modelled using Classification And Regression Tree (CART) on Scikit-learn default settings, achieving a performance score of Macro-F1test = 0.46 and accuracy = 0.84 using road surface condition, road friction, DST111 road surface temperature, hour and month as input features. Precipitation amount was best modelled using k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN); with k = 64 and road friction used as the only input feature, a performance score of MSEtest = 0.31 was attained. TIRS road surface temperature was best modelled with Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) using 64 hidden nodes and DST111 road surface temperature, road surface condition, road friction, month, hour and precipitation type as input features, with which a performance score of MSEtest = 0.88 was achieved. DST111 road surface temperature was best modelled using Random forest on Scikit-learn default settings with road surface condition, road friction, month, precipitation type and hour as input features, achieving a performance score of MSEtest = 10.16.
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Llewellyn, Morgan Hunt Alvarez R. Michael Alvarez R. Michael. "Rational models of political behavior : the effects of opinion, information, and procedures /." Diss., Pasadena, Calif. : California Institute of Technology, 2009. http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05292009-103427.
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Burns, Mary B. "Examining Multiple Stages of Protective Behavior of Information System End-Users." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/243094.
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The adage, "old habits die hard", is especially relevant when humans learn new protective behaviors (i.e., dental flossing, IS security behaviors). The foundation that underlies many social-cognitive theories used in IS research is that intention to change predicts actual behavior change. Despite intentions to change, humans do not always change their habits due to actual or perceived obstacles, for example. In this study, user behavior, particularly with respect to vigilance over phishing attempts, was investigated via the theoretical lens of a hybrid continuum-stage behavior change model adapted from health-related fields. This type of model helps us to understand whether there are qualitatively different stages for adopting a more vigilant action plan toward phishing attempts, the number and ordering of distinct stages that a user must move through between forming an intention and subsequent behavior, what characterizes those stages, and how appropriate interventions at these stages can move a user to a higher stage of vigilant behavior. The goal of this research was to gain a better understanding of: a) whether there are distinct stages that distinguish end-users' vigilance toward phishing attempts; b) how many qualitatively different stages there are; and, c) what characterizes these stages. This study profiled IS end-users based on the model's constructs (e.g., coping self-efficacy, intention, action/coping planning, and risk perception) that examined end-users' protective behavior toward phishing attempts. In an exploratory analysis of survey data, stages of IS end-users were determined via cluster analysis techniques (hierarchical followed by K-means). A survey was administered to respondents (n= 394). Next, an agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis using within-groups method of average linkage and Euclidean distance measures was performed on the model's constructs. Three clusters emerged as the optimal number to be used in the subsequent K-means cluster analysis. After conducting analyses for stability and validity for the 3-cluster solution, I compared the means of the model's constructs to develop profiles for the distinct three stages. I conclude that exploratory cluster analysis is an effective technique to discover natural groupings for protective behavior of IS end-users and propose future research to investigate stage-appropriate interventions to move users to higher stages.
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Chen, Hsinchun, and Vasant Dhar. "Reducing Indeterminism In Consultation: A Cognitive Model of User/Librarian Interactions." AAAI, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/106096.
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Artificial Intelligence Lab, Department of MIS, University of ArizonaIn information facilities such as libraries, finding documents that are relevant to a user query is difficult because of the indeterminism involved in the process by which documents are indexed, and the latitude users have in choosing terms to express a query on a particular topic. Reference librarians play an important support role in coping with this indeterminism, focusing user queries through an interactive dialog. Based on thirty detailed observations of user/librarian interactions obtained through a field experiment, we have developed a computational model designed to simulate the reference librarian. The consultation includes two phases. The first is handle search, where the userâ s rough problem statement and a user stereotyping imposed by the librarian are used in determining the appropriate tools (handles). The second phase is document search, involving the search for documents within a chosen handle. We are collaborating with the university library for putting our model to use as an intelligent assistant for an online retrieval system.
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Choi, Kin Ying. "Ethical belief and behavior in using information systems : in search of predictive models." HKBU Institutional Repository, 1997. http://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_ra/397.
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Reynolds, M. L. "Behavioural models of decision making in economics : an exploratory study in the application of information processing technology." Thesis, University of York, 1989. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/10890/.
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Bolin, Tobias. "Nonlinear Approximative Explicit Model Predictive Control Through Neural Networks : Characterizing Architectures and Training Behavior." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för elektroteknik och datavetenskap (EECS), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-264994.
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Model predictive control (MPC) is a paradigm within automatic control notable for its ability to handle constraints. This ability come at the cost of high computational demand, which until recently has limited use of MPC to slow systems. Recent advances have however enabled MPC to be used in embedded applications, where its ability to handle constraints can be leveraged to reduce wear, increase efficiency and improve overall performance in everything from cars to wind turbines. MPC controllers can be made even faster by precomputing the resulting policy and storing it in a lookup table. A method known as explicit MPC. An alternative way of leveraging precomputation is to train a neural network to approximate the policy. This is an attractive proposal both due to neural networks ability to imitate policies for nonlinear systems, and results that indicate that neural networks can efficiently represent explicit MPC policies. Limited work has been done in this area. How the networks are setup and trained therefore tends to reflect recent trends in other application areas rather than being based on what is known to work well for approximating MPC policies. This thesis attempts to alleviate this situation by evaluating how some common neural network architectures and training methods performs when used for this purpose. The evaluations are carried out through a literature study and by training several networks with different architectures to replicate the policy of a nonlinear MPC controller tasked with stabilizing an inverted pendulum. The results suggest that ReLU activation functions give better performance than hyperbolic tangent and SELU functions; and that dropout and batch normalization degrades the ability to approximate policies; and that depth significantly increases the performance. However, the neural network controllers do occasionally exhibit problematic behaviors, such as steady state errors and oscillating control signals close to constraints.Modell-prediktiv reglering (MPC, efter engelskans Model Predictive Control) är ett paradigm inom reglertekniken som på ett effektivt sätt kan hantera begränsningar i systemet som ska regleras. Den här egenskapen kommer på bekostnad av att MPC kräver mycket datorkraft. Tidigare har användning av den här typen av kontroller därför varit begränsad till långsamma system. På senare tid har framsteg inom hård- och mjukvara dock möjliggjort användning av MPC på inbyggda system. Där kan dess förmåga att hantera begränsningar användas för att minska slitage, öka effektivitet och förbättra prestanda inom allt från bilar till vindkraftverk. Ett sätt att minska beräkningsbördan ytterligare är att beräkna MPC-policyn i förväg och spara den i en tabell. Det här tillvägagångssättet kallas explicit MPC. Ett alternativt tillvägagångssätt är att träna ett neuralt nätverk till att approximera policyn. Potentiellt har det här fördelarna att ett neuralt nätverk inte är begränsat till att efterlikna policys för system med linjär dynamik, och att det finns resultat som pekar på att neurala nätverk är väl lämpade för att lagra policys för explicit MPC. En begränsad mängd arbete har gjorts inom det här området. Hur nätverken designas och tränas tenderar därför att reflektera trender inom andra applikationsområden för neurala nätverk istället för att baseras på vad som fungerar för att implementera MPC. Det här examensarbetet försöker avhjälpa det här problemet. Dels genom en litteraturstudie och dels genom att undersöka hur olika arkitekturer för neurala nätverk beter sig när de tränas för att efterlikna en ickelinjär MPC-kontroller som ska stabilisera en inverterad pendel. Resultaten tyder på att nätverk med ReLU-aktivering ger bättre prestanda än motsvarande nätverk som använder SELU eller tangens hyperbolicus som aktiveringsfunktion. Resultaten visar också att batch noralization och dropout försämmrar nätverkens förmåga att lära sig policyn och att prestandan blir bättre om antalet lager i nätverket ökar. De neurala nätverken uppvisar dock i vissa fall kvalitativa problem, så som statiska fel och oscillerande kontrollsignaler nära begränsningar.
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MacFarlane, Robert Hywel. "Integrating behavioural models with GIS for land-use policy impact modelling." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 1994. http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk/R?func=search-advanced-go&find_code1=WSN&request1=AAIU067330.
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In this project, a range of characteristics describing farmers as decision-makers and details of their land holdings are integrated within a Geographic Information System (GIS) and used to predict overall farm response to defined policy scenarios, for a study area in the upland fringe of Grampian Region. Agriculture has undergone considerable adjustments over the past 40 years, characterised by the processes of intensification and specialisation of farming systems. These changes have been essentially policy-driven, although the precise interaction of policy, technological and macro-economic forces are not entirely understood. Further to this, rural areas are subject to an increasing range of consumption demands which has stimulated a new range of land-use policy schemes, and constraints, on farmers and landowners. From a position of assured government support which was enjoyed by the majority of farmers until the mid-1980s, the policy situation has developed into one of uncertainty and some confusion over the requirements and responsibilities placed on individual farmers. This research links spatial, behavioural and economic elements which combine to condition farm-level response to policy change. The complexity of individuals' decision environments, coupled with the diversity of individuals' values, objectives and resources is immense. The focus is on individual farms, and the implications of change at the individual level in developing a model of farm-level response to policy and market shifts.
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Figl, Kathrin. "Comprehension of Procedural Visual Business Process Models." Springer, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12599-016-0460-2.
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Visual process models are meant to facilitate comprehension of business processes. However, in practice, process models can be difficult to understand. The main goal of this article is to clarify the sources of cognitive effort in comprehending process models. The article undertakes a comprehensive descriptive review of empirical and theoretical work in order to categorize and summarize systematically existing findings on the factors that influence comprehension of visual process models.
Methodologically, the article builds on a review of forty
empirical studies that measure objective comprehension of
process models, seven studies that measure subjective
comprehension and user preferences, and thirty-two articles
that discuss the factors that influence the comprehension
of process models. The article provides information
systems researchers with an overview of the empirical state
of the art of process model comprehension and provides
recommendations for new research questions to be
addressed and methods to be used in future experiments.
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Oh, Young Sam. "Predictors of Online Health Information Seeking Behavior and Health Information Seeking Experience of Elderly Cancer Survivors Using the Internet." Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1450291694.
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Fisher, Alice Ridgway. "Promoting low-carbon lifestyles : addressing informational needs through small-group participation." Thesis, De Montfort University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2086/9439.
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Achieving the carbon emission reductions necessary to address climate change is proving challenging. Voluntary behaviour change by individuals has the potential to make a substantial contribution to decreasing carbon emissions, but generally that potential is not being realised. Group-based interventions, however, may offer an effective method for promoting significant and durable changes in pro-environmental behaviour leading to carbon reductions. This thesis evaluates Footpaths, a group-based programme designed and implemented by Transition Leicester and consisting of seven sessions. The study investigates the effectiveness of the programme, using a longitudinal mixed-methods approach to facilitate understanding of both measurable results and the processes leading to those results. The Reasonable Person Model (RPM) is used as a theoretical framework to aid understanding of the way in which group-based interventions may promote pro-environmental behaviour. Data were collected from participants just before and immediately after involvement with the Footpaths programme, as well as a year after the sessions commenced. Questionnaires were administered at all three times and semi-structured interviews were conducted after the last session. Participants also completed a carbon footprint calculator at all three times and provided data on measured energy use. Findings show that Footpaths participants reduced their carbon footprints by 15 percent over the course of the sessions, and continued to reduce their carbon footprints resulting in a 20 percent reduction over the course of a year. Pro-environmental behaviour increased, including increases in harder to change behaviours, and measured energy use decreased. Increases in pro-environmental behaviour and reductions in carbon footprint were associated with increased understanding, greater feelings of competence, and reduced confusion; all considered to be elements of a supportive informational environment. Participants highlighted the importance of having an opportunity to examine their own behaviour coupled with active engagement with information over a period of time. Neither feedback nor a desire for social contact were related to increases in pro-environmental behaviour. Pro-environmental behaviour was more closely associated with both worldview and attitude after participation in Footpaths possibly indicating a closer alignment between attitude and behaviour after participation. This research suggests that group-based interventions are effective in promoting significant and durable changes in pro-environmental behaviour and it provides interesting insight into the design of successful interventions to encourage such behaviour. Findings highlight the potential value of the RPM as an integrative framework for understanding the characteristics of interventions that successfully promote durable sustainable behaviours.
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Reuter, Kara. ""Children selecting books in a library" : extending models of information behavior to recreational setting /." Saarbrücken : VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2008. http://bvbr.bib-bvb.de:8991/F?func=service&doc_library=BVB01&doc_number=020218480&line_number=0001&func_code=DB_RECORDS&service_type=MEDIA.
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Reuter, Kara. ""Children selecting books in a library" extending models of information behavior to recreational setting." Saarbrücken VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2007. http://d-nb.info/987998498/04.
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