The world revolves around weather information - whether the need is to understand, prepare for, or navigate weather. Although traditional television viewership of weather forecasts are on the decline, mobile weather applications are becoming the new media medium for weather information. In fact, the total number of app downloads in the weather market reached 69.5 million at the end of 2021 (Statista, 2021). As a result, understanding the characteristics of weather app users and what those users are looking for is pertinent to research regarding weather communication. While weather is an ongoing phenomenon sought to be understood by people for many decades, the uses and gratifications of engaging in weather communication are under-researched in literature. Thus, this study aimed to identify the characteristics of weather app users and their motivations for checking mobile weather apps. Using substantial literature to build a concourse of opinions about weather apps (Armstrong & Towery, 2021; Eachus & Keim, 2019; Hoang, 2015; Liu, et al., 2020), subjects participated in a Q sort, a quantitative and qualitative method that reveals the subjectivity of audiences (Brown, 1993; Stephenson, 1995). Findings indicate that managing expectations, fulfilling practical needs, and satisfying personal concerns were strong motivators for using a weather app. Other weather app user qualities included being optimistic, controlling, reasonable, or private. Practical implications for weather communicators, as well as for app developers are also discussed.

Magister Bibliothecologiae - MBibl / For any academic work at a university, students and staff are entirely dependent on the adequacy of the library. That is why the reason for the existence of university libraries is to provide essential study and reference material to supplement the instruction given to students in the lecture-rooms, as well as to support academic progress and research. the problem addressed in this study is to look into lecturing staff and full-time students' attitudes towards the University of the Western Cape Library. An attempt is made to identify their attitudes toward the services and the materials they are offered. In order to assess, the success of one particular library, the University of the Western Cape Library; in appeasing the needs of its users, a survey of its full-time students and lecturing staff population of six faculties was undertaken during 1999 to solicit their views on the library and its ability to fulfill their needs. The study is approached within the context of user studies as a scientific discipline around which a growing body of theoretical concepts have been formulated. It is also an area of research in which many surveys around the user and her / his needs have been conducted over the preceding decades. In particular the user of the academic library and his needs, especially at undergraduate as well as postgraduate level have been the objects of investigation. There seems to be a need to involve library staff in continuing education programmes. This will assist library users, who can expect to be informatively supported by the library .staffwho are both knowledgeable and up to date in their fields. It all helps to add to the professional competence of the staff and the skills that they produce to satisfy user needs. There are also issues for debate with regard to books and periodicals collections. It is hoped that with a better library orientation, better search strategies will be encouraged and then, probably, even more users will be satisfied with the stock. However, bearing in mind that the majority use of the library stock, on most occasions, is limited to the items available in the reserve section. Care should be taken that selection criteria are strictly adhered to, and that all the subjects taught at the university are covered, so that there are no gaps in the collections. A very real problem to the university is one of finance. The cost to duplicate, for example, prescribed texts sufficiently, will absorb a large proportion of book funds, which will mean less money left for building a balanced research, book and periodical collection. It is therefore suggested that the Senate Library Committee should try and put a well-balanced library budget in place. This will insure that the library that is regarded as the heart of the university will remain a relevant and integral part of every student's life on campus.

Social distancing due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused designers to rethink how they engage with users. This project involves a designer and users co-creating a digital workshop for ideating solutions through the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). The context of COVID-19 was used as a means to engage with users through digital co-design activities. However, the aim of the project was not to solve their problems of information sharing, but to understand what participants need from a facilitator in order to have more meaningful dialogues and contribute to the ideation process. The importance of trust and a sense of empowerment were identified as what participants need to better ideate and innovate. Trust and empowerment are valuable in any co-design situation, physical or digital. However, when interacting with participants through strictly digital means, it requires more time and energy to nurture trust between a designer and users. The knowledge gained through this digital co-design project resulted in not only a co-created digital prototype for remote co-design, but guidelines for how to develop trust with users when co-designing remotely.

El presente proyecto es una plataforma web dedicada a facilitar el alquiler de espacios temporales para determinados eventos. Los propietarios de los inmuebles y los clientes son nuestros dos segmentos de clientes, en base a la investigación realizada son principalmente de Lima Moderna y provenientes del NSE “A” y “B”, ya que estos segmentos demandan un mayor número de espacios. Asimismo, se identificó que los usuarios tienen cada vez menos tiempo para acudir al local y desean que todo el proceso de alquiler sea virtual. Por ello, optan por realizar la búsqueda virtual a través de diversas plataformas web y redes sociales. En base a la tendencia de los negocios digitales se decidió desarrollar Metro Cuadrado con el fin de solucionar el problema identificado, mediante la creación de una plataforma web que conecte personas para el alquiler de espacios específicos. El proyecto mostrará los diversos espacios disponibles para alquiler en 3 categorías: terrazas, matrimonios/fiestas y conferencias/seminarios. Para poner en marcha este proyecto se hizo un análisis de la industria: consumidor, competidores y otros factores externos. Como resultado, luego de una inversión inicial de 15,249.49 soles; el proyecto genera flujos de efectivo positivos desde el segundo año, con una utilidad neta de S/ 32,107.23 y una rentabilidad de 18% para el tercer año. En base a los datos obtenidos vemos a Metro Cuadrado como una idea de negocio rentable y escalable con un valor de S/ 164,770 y un periodo de recuperación de la inversión de un año y ocho meses. / This assignment is about the development of an E-commerce platform dedicated to facilitating rental services for three categories: Weddings and parties, business conferences and rooftops. For this business opportunity we have two types of clients: The Property owners and the clients interested in renting the spaces mentioned above. Conducting an investigation, we discovered that our target of clients are mainly from “Lima Moderna” and belong to the socioeconomic levels “A” and “B”. We also identified that these clients don’t have much free time to visit every space they would like to rent and that’s why they prefer to find these type of services online but maintaining the security and the quality of the process. Therefore, they choose to purchase products and services through various E-Commerce platforms and social networks. Based on the digital startups trend, we decided to develop “Metro Cuadrado” in order to solve the identified problem, which is the lack of flexibility of renting a space for a certain amount of time. By creating this platform, we give clients the opportunity to connect with specific spaces instantly and at the same time create another source of income for the owners. For the launch of this project, the following analysis was made: consumer habits and lifestyles, competitors and other external factors. In addition, we developed strategies which contain the necessary steps to be made for the viability of this project. As a result, after an initial investment of 15,249.49 soles; the project generates a positive cash flow on the second year, with an Net Profit of S/ 32,107 and a net margin of 18% for the third year. Based on the data obtained, we see “Metro Cuadrado” as a profitable and scalable business idea with a value of S/ 164,770 and a payback period of one year and eight months. / Trabajo de investigación

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science in the Department of Information Studies at the University Of Zululand, South Africa, 2017 / The need to manage tacit indigenous knowledge (TIK) through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools is imperative because it is at risk of becoming extinct without proper recordable and management systems. Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is largely tacit in nature and is mainly preserved in the memories of elders which is a risk to its documentation and preservation. We argue that ICT can be used effectively for enabling documentation, access and use of IK in the modern society. The study mainly focused on the types of ICT tools used for capturing, storing and disseminating IK in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. Specifically, the study investigated the use and types of ICT tools, in the management of indigenous knowledge, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. For the purpose of the study, five research objectives were used that guided the research questions. These research objectives included: discussing the nature of indigenous knowledge; evaluating the types of indigenous knowledge practices in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province; discussing the types of ICT tools currently used in the management of indigenous knowledge; discussing problems encountered in the availability and use of ICT tools in managing IK; and discussing strategies for improving the use of ICT tools in the management of indigenous knowledge. The theoretical basis of the study was informed by the Knowledge Creation theory (KC) by Nonaka as discussed in detail in chapter two. The study adopted a post-positivist research paradigm to enable multiple perspectives from participants/target population rather than a single reality. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were simultaneously used during a single phase of data collection. Quantitative data was gathered by survey method involving self-administered questionnaires with ICT users/beneficiaries. The qualitative data was gathered by both survey and qualitative content analysis largely through open-ended questions, which were embedded in the semi-structured interviews with owners or custodians of IK. In depth literature review and document analysis formed part of qualitative content analysis. The sample for the study was drawn from ICT users/beneficiaries and owners or custodians of indigenous knowledge in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Notably, the ICT users/beneficiaries consisted of researchers, information specialists and/or librarians, academic staff, students and/or trainees on IK, cultural officers, IK recorders, IK documentation centre managers, and journalists and artisans. Furthermore, respondents who were owners or custodians of IK consisted of traditional healers, diviners and herbalists, traditional farmers, traditional musicians, rural artisans, community elders, traditional midwifery, rainmakers, chiefs, and traditional food specialists and storytellers. The study employed probability and non-probability sampling where cluster, snowball and purposive sampling techniques were used at different stages to select the respondents. A total of 96 questionnaires were administered to ICT users/beneficiaries and 57 (59%) were returned. Additionally, interviews were conducted with the owners or custodians of IK. 224 owners or custodians of IK were sampled, however, 196 (88%) were interviewed. The quantitative data from the ICT users/beneficiaries was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). The qualitative data from owners or custodians of IK was analyzed through the use of qualitative contents analysis. The study acknowledged the wealth, access and use of indigenous knowledge in the province and showed that indigenous knowledge is not only used by indigenous people, as it is also being used by professional people for their own benefit. Many categories of traditional roles of custodians of IK have brought about the sustainability of indigenous knowledge practices in KwaZulu-Natal as it is still vital in these modern times and highly relevant in the areas of medicine and agriculture. Although KwaZulu-Natal has proven to possess rich indigenous knowledge practices, the knowledge is not sufficiently recorded with relevant ICTs for future use. There is a growing use of multiple ICT tools by institutions, IK centres and individuals to record or capture, store and disseminate indigenous knowledge which is quite positive. It is observed that ICT users/beneficiaries and owners or custodians of IK require ICT literacy to improve access and use. The challenges facing IK access are not uniform between ICT users/beneficiaries and owners or custodians of IK. The most crucial challenges among ICT users/beneficiaries and owners or custodians of IK was related to access to relevant ICT infrastructure and resources and lack of digital skills. The existing IK policy should be revised to accommodate rapidly changing ICT requirements of the sector. This study contributes to current literature and discourses on IKS; interrogates the applicability of knowledge creation theory and models to IK research; adds fresh data, information, and knowledge on IK research, particularly in South Africa; and proposes practical solutions to ICT application for IK development. The full thesis is available in the University of Zululand Institutional Repository and other publications from the thesis.

Comprendre le comportement des utilisateurs est fondamentale pour créer des systèmes de communication efficaces. Dévoiler les interactions complexes entre les utilisateurs dans le monde réel ou en ligne, déchiffrer leurs activité sur Internet, ou comprendre la mobilité humaine - toutes les formes des activités - peuvent avoir un impact direct sur la performance d'un réseau de communication. Mais l'observation du comportement de l'utilisateur n'est pas suffisant. Pour transformer l'information en connaissance utile, il faut cependant aller au-delà de l'observation et l' explication du passé et de créer des modèles permettant de prédire le comportement. Dans cette thèse, nous nous concentrons sur le cas des utilisateurs qui consomment du contenu dans leurs trajets quotidiens, en particulier lorsque la connectivité est faible ou intermittente. Nous considérons que les utilisateurs peuvent communiquer entre eux en utilisant l'infrastructure mais aussi directement en utilisant les communications opportunistes. Nous proposons de nouvelles perspectives sur la façon d'utiliser des information sur le comportement des utilisateurs dans la conception de solutions plus efficaces pour les communications mobiles opportunistes. En particulier, nous mettons en avant que le comportement des utilisateurs, à la fois en termes de consommation de contenu et les contacts entre les utilisateurs mobiles, peut être utilisé pour élaborer des stratégies dynamiques de réplication de données. / Understanding user behavior is fundamental in the design of efficient communication systems. Unveiling the complex online and real-life interactions among users, deciphering online activity, or understanding user mobility patterns all forms of user activity have a direct impact on the performance of the network. But observing user behavior is not sufficient. To transform information in valuable knowledge, one needs however to make a step forward and go beyond observing and explaining the past to building models that will predict future behavior. In this thesis, we focus on the case of users consuming content on the move, especially when connectivity is poor or intermittent. We consider both traditional infrastructure-based communications and opportunistic device-to-device transfers between neighboring users. We offer new perspectives of how to use additional information about user behavior in the design of more efficient solutions for mobile opportunistic communications. In particular, we put forward the case that the collective user behavior, both in terms of content consumption and contacts between mobile users, can be used to build dynamic data replication strategies.

abstract: In recent years, the rise in social media usage both vertically in terms of the number of users by platform and horizontally in terms of the number of platforms per user has led to data explosion. User-generated social media content provides an excellent opportunity to mine data of interest and to build resourceful applications. The rise in the number of healthcare-related social media platforms and the volume of healthcare knowledge available online in the last decade has resulted in increased social media usage for personal healthcare. In the United States, nearly ninety percent of adults, in the age group 50-75, have used social media to seek and share health information. Motivated by the growth of social media usage, this thesis focuses on healthcare-related applications, study various challenges posed by social media data, and address them through novel and effective machine learning algorithms. The major challenges for effectively and efficiently mining social media data to build functional applications include: (1) Data reliability and acceptance: most social media data (especially in the context of healthcare-related social media) is not regulated and little has been studied on the benefits of healthcare-specific social media; (2) Data heterogeneity: social media data is generated by users with both demographic and geographic diversity; (3) Model transparency and trustworthiness: most existing machine learning models for addressing heterogeneity are considered as black box models, not many providing explanations for why they do what they do to trust them. In response to these challenges, three main research directions have been investigated in this thesis: (1) Analyzing social media influence on healthcare: to study the real world impact of social media as a source to offer or seek support for patients with chronic health conditions; (2) Learning from task heterogeneity: to propose various models and algorithms that are adaptable to new social media platforms and robust to dynamic social media data, specifically on modeling user behaviors, identifying similar actors across platforms, and adapting black box models to a specific learning scenario; (3) Explaining heterogeneous models: to interpret predictive models in the presence of task heterogeneity. In this thesis, novel algorithms with theoretical analysis from various aspects (e.g., time complexity, convergence properties) have been proposed. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithms is demonstrated by comparison with state-of-the-art methods and relevant case studies. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Computer Science 2019

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Primary users can create a user experience (UX) for others—secondary users— when interacting with a system in public. Common ground occurs when people have certain knowledge in common and each knows that they have this shared understanding. This research investigates how designing for a secondary UX improves common ground during a patient-provider first encounter. During formative work, patients and providers participated in telephonic interviews and answered online questionnaires so that their respective information requirements for clinical encounters could be understood. The outcome of the formative work was a smartphone application prototype to be used as the treatment in an experimental study. In a mixed methods study, with a patient role-player using the prototype during a simulated clinical encounter with 12 providers, the impact of the prototype upon secondary user satisfaction and common ground was assessed. The main finding was that the prototype was capable of positively impacting secondary user satisfaction and facilitating common ground in certain instances. Combining the notions of human-computer interaction design, common ground, and smartphone technology improved the efficiency and effectiveness of providers during the simulated face-to-face first encounter with a patient. The investigation substantiated the notion that properly designed interactive systems have the potential to provide a satisfactory secondary UX and facilitate common ground.

This work deals with handicapped users' issues caused by limitations of their handicap and their ability of reading and text understanding. It reports on a summary of basic rules of accessible web pages' creation. It also introduces a solution with help of automatic transformation of inaccessible web pages to their accessible version.

The amount of published news articles is steadily increasing, and readers are shifting toward online platforms because of the convenience and affordable technology costs (Shearer, 2021). Users have become more engaged with online news articles. This engagement creates a rich corpus, which makes it a powerful means to understand public opinion, emerging events, and their evolvement. Therefore, many organizations invest in mining this large-scale user-generated content to improve their products, services, and, more importantly, their decision-making process. Studying users’ reactions to online news is essential for social scientists, policymakers, and journalists. This type of engagement is an area of study introduced previously. In the statistical and machine learning community, many survey-based studies tried to understand the users’ behavior by characterizing and categorizing comments in online news. Some studies focus on mining user opinions from social media and online news comments. Other works look into bias in the news and its influence on user-generated content. At the same time, the social network community addresses the problem of mining large-scale online news from different angles. Some work focuses on constructing knowledge graphs from the text. Others focus on building high-level graphs, where nodes are users and posts or documents, and links represent the relationship between nodes. Another line of work looked into the word level of the text. They extracted entities and topics by combining Natural Language Processing and graph techniques. From a Machine Learning perspective, there are three main challenges in all these studies 1) jointly mining massive user-generated data, 2) from multiple sources and platforms, and 3) the unpredictable quality of user-generated content. To address these issues, we tackle the problem of jointly learning and mining valuable information from online news articles and user-generated content. We start by studying and understating the relationship between users’ comments and articles in online news. Where the focus is to understand the level of relevancy between articles and their comments, we labeled a few article-comment pairs in this work. We proposed BERTAC (Alshehri et al.,2021), a BERT-based model that jointly learns article-comment embeddings and infers the relevance class of comment. However, we found that the disagreement among annotators as a part of a human (expert) labeling process produces noisy labels, which affect the performance of supervised learning algorithms. On the other hand, working only with high agreement annotations introduces another challenge: the data imbalance problem (Alshehri et al., 2022). As in many machine learning problems, labeling a sufficient number of examples is costly and time-consuming. Therefore, we propose a framework for aligning comments and news articles under a constrained budget(Alshehri et al., 2023a). The proposed model considers the data imbalanced, where we have only a few examples from one class, in addition, it considers the degrees of annotator disagreement. Within the framework, we consider two solutions, 1) semi-automatic labeling based on human-AI collaboration and 2) synthetic data augmentation. Another critical aspect of mining news articles and user-generated content is understanding emerging events and their associated entities. However, this is challenging, especially with the massive growth of online articles and user-generated content across different platforms. Therefore, we proposed MultiLayerET (Alshehri et al., 2023b), a unified representation of online news articles and comments. This work highlights the relationship between entities and topics in news articles and user-generated content. It projects entities and topics as a multi-layer graph, which gives a high-level understanding of the story behind the large pile of the corpus. We showed that such graphs enrich the textual representation and enhance the model learning performance in many downstream applications, such as media bias classification and fake news detection. / Computer and Information Science