L’étude des usages et pratiques informationnels des usagers en démarche de recherche d’information est un axe majeur de la recherche en sciences de l’information et de la communication, à en juger par les travaux consacrés à cette problématique et disponibles sur Internet. Si les pays du Nord ont une tradition bien ancrée en la matière, au Sud, par contre, et plus précisément dans les pays francophones d’Afrique au sud du Sahara, peu d’études ont été consacrées à cette thématique. Au Mali, les références de travaux de thèses sur ce sujet sont quasi-inexistantes.La présente étude se place dans ce contexte thématique et géographique, et vise comme public cible les doctorants de l’Université de Bamako. Il s’agira d’abord de définir une typologie de cette communauté d’utilisateurs de l’information (spécialisation, écoles doctorales et laboratoires d’attache, thématique de recherche, etc.), puis d’évaluer ses besoins et pratiques informationnels et enfin d’identifier l’existence de difficultés éventuelles d’accès à l’information et de proposer des pistes de solutions. Pour la collecte de données une enquête réalisée auprès de doctorants et l’observation de leurs comportements en situation de recherche d’information seront privilégiées. Les résultats de l’étude permettront une meilleure connaissance des besoins et pratiques informationnels de la communauté des doctorants de l’université de Bamako et pourraient être utilisés par les unités d’information en vue d’améliorer l’offre de services d’information à leur intention. / The study uses and informational practices of users in information retrieval process is a major focus of research in Information and Communication Sciences, judging by the work on this issue and on the Internet. If the North has a strong tradition in this area, to the south by cons, specifically in Francophone countries of Africa in south of the Sahara, few studies have been devoted to this theme.In Mali, the thesis work of reference on this subject is almost non-existent.This study falls within this thematic and geographical context and aims as public target doctoral students from the University of Bamako. This will be first to define a typology of this information users community (specialization, doctoral schools and laboratories attachment, thematic research, etc.) and then evaluate its information needs and practices finally, to identify the existence of possible access to information problems and propose possible solutions. For data collection a survey of doctoral students and observing their behavior information search situation will be favored. The results of the study will enable a better understanding of community needs and the informational practices of doctoral students from the University of Bamako and could be used by the units of information to improve the supply of information services them.

Thesis (M.A. Agricultural Management (Agricultural Extension)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The aim of the study was to investigate the perceptions of AEPs towards ICT tools to understand why AEPs are not using the ICT tools for their work as expected by the department of agriculture. The data was collected from AEPs by means of selfadministered, semi-structured questionnaire in the Tshebela and Mankweng service centres of Polokwane Local Agricultural Office. The findings firstly, indicate that less than half of the respondents are unaware of the advantages of the ICT tools for their work. This means more than half of the respondents are aware of the advantages of using ICT tools for their extension work. Secondly, the results show that less than half of respondents are aware of the disadvantage of the ICT tools for their extension work. This also implies that more than half of the respondents are not aware of any disadvantages of the tools for their extension work. Furthermore, with regard to the research question about the prominence of four ICT tools used together, the findings indicate that respondents believe that the combined use of four ICT tools (laptop, smart phone, smart pen technology and ESO) is helping them to achieve their extension career goals compared with the use of smart phone and laptop only. The hypothesis test of the influence of selected variables on the number of ICT tools used by AEPs show that the socio-economic characteristics of AEPs such as age, lower income, lack of training in the use of laptop (compatibility), and relative advantages issues such as awareness of disadvantages of the ICT tools have a negative influence on the number of ICT tools used as expected. The test also shows that the other variables such as sex, education, ESO training, SPT training, Smartphone training, unawareness of advantages and prominence positively correlate with the dependent variable. These positive relationships notwithstanding, the test indicates that only training received in the use of smart phone makes a significant contribution to the number of ICT tools used by AEPs. There is evidence from the study findings to suggest that most AEPs are aware of the advantages compared with the disadvantages of ICT tools for their extension work. Furthermore, the positive views expressed by AEPs about the prominence of the use of the four ICT tools together in helping them to achieve their extension career goals over the use of two tools shows that AEPs are motivated to use these four tools together. The department of agriculture should invest more in training AEPs in the use of the four ICT tools because they influence their use. AEPs however, highlighted challenges which hinder their use of the four ICT tools together and which need to be addressed by the department of agriculture to ensure that the four tools are used together. These include access to internet, non-supply of some of the tools by the employer, non-replacement of damaged ICT tools, inconvenient reimbursement structure which requires AEPs to use their own money upfront to purchase data bundle. Keywords: Information Communication Technology, Agricultural Extension Practitioners, awareness of disadvantages, unawareness of advantages, prominence.

Thesis (M. A.) --University of Limpopo, 2021 / This is an exploratory study conducted to assess the effectiveness of the digital migration in South Africa. This study focused on two areas of domicile, which embarked on the process of migrating in Limpopo Province i.e. Shayandima Village in Thohoyandou and Rapotokwane Village in Bela-Bela. The theories that were used to guide the study were the diffusion of innovations theory, political economic theory and media policy theory. These theories were employed to assist in assessing the process, the effectiveness and the importance of Digital Migration. The results for this study are revealed that 85% of respondents asserted that digital broadcasting is very effective and easy to use compared to the analog broadcasting systems, as it shows clear pictures, quality sound and access to more television channels. This help television viewers to get quality television programs. It was interesting to note that respondents mentioned that they did not regret migrating from analog to digital broadcasting because of the benefits and impact that the Set Top Boxes Set (STB)s have on their televisions. The findings reveal that the STBs are effective and affordable and enable to watch more television channels. There is also a need for the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies to ensure that every household in South Africa migrates to digital broadcasting system

Thesis (M.Ed. (Language Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The primary aim of the study was to investigate ways in which learning and teaching of English First Additional Language writing skills can be taught through Information and Communication Technology. Four teachers from School A were interviewed and Four teachers from School B were observed. Six learners typed letters from School A, and six wrote essays from School B. The results indicated that learners and teachers from School A had more knowledge in incorporating Information and Communication Technology(ICT) into teaching and learning writing skills, and that also improved their performance. School B, due to lack of ICT skills in EFAL writing skill, resulted in learners committing errors and indicating a distress to teachers in their learning and teaching of EFAL writing skills. Nonetheless, the recommendations were clearly stated that teachers should be given sufficient training, especially from School B, regarding the application of ICT through teaching English writing skills. It should be every teacher, learner, and parent’s responsibility to monitor and assist their learners through ICT learning. Lastly, relevant policies should be drafted to make ICT compulsory in learning and teaching language, together with provision of resources to support this new norm of learning and teaching.

This investigation is concerned with the problem of Texas employers' inability to hire adequately trained technical communication personnel because Texas universities and colleges do not offer a bachelor's degree program for that career field. This study contains the results of five separate surveys that investigate the backgrounds and training of present technical communication personnel and the training desired by supervisory personnel. The study also recommends a bachelor's degree program in technical communication with three technological specialties: electronics, mechanical, and chemical/petroleum. Anticipated problems in setting up such a degree program and possible solutions to the problems are discussed in the study. The suggested freshman and sophomore curriculum could be used as a guideline for a junior college associate program.

Den här studien undersöker hur en tryckt broschyr kan anpassas till en webbplats. Syftet med arbete är att se hur en informationsrik text kan skrivas i klarspråk och hur tydlighet och struktur påverkar webbanpassningen av en text. Jag har i denna studie utgått från en informationsbroschyr om värmepumpar utgiven av Energimyndigheten. På uppdrag av Energimyndigheten har jag omarbetat några sidor av broschyren och förberett dem för digitalt format. Målgruppen för informationsmaterialet är villaägare och energi- och klimatrådgivare som arbetar med rådgivning om värmepumpar. Jag har utgått från teorier gällande klarspråk, läsning på skärm, hierarkier, komposition och disposition. Jag har gjort en textanalys på den befintliga broschyren, genomfört en enkätundersökning med energi- och klimatrådgivare, intervjuat en värmepumpsexpert på Energimyndigheten och sedan genomfört utprovningar med villaägare. De slutsatser jag kommit fram till är att webbtexter behöver vara konkreta och korta. Användande av vardagliga uttryck och förklaringar av krångliga ord och facktermer, underlättar för läsaren. Ett bra exempel är att inkludera en ordlista. Det ska vara enkelt att få en snabb överblick av webbplatsens innehåll och användaren vill inte behöva skrolla ner på skärmen, det försämrar översikten och sammanhanget. Men den absolut viktigaste slutsatsen är att försöka förstå målgruppen och utgå från deras förkunskaper. / This study examines how a printed brochure can be adapted to a website. The aim of this study is to see how an information-rich text can be adapted to a digital format with focus on plain language and how structure can contribute to web adaptation of a text. In this study I have worked with an information brochure about heat pumps, the brochure is a publication from the Swedish Energy Agency. On behalf of the Swedish Energy Agency I have revised some pages of the brochure and prepared them for a digital format. The target group of this information brochure is Swedish homeowners and energy and climate advisors. The advisors help and guide homeowners who are looking for information about heat pumps. I have focused on theories of plain language, reading on screen, hierarchy, composition and disposition. A text analysis on the existing brochure has been performed and I have conducted a survey where I gathered opinions from the energy and climate advisors. I have also interviewed a heat pump expert at the Swedish Energy Agency and conducted usability test with homeowners. The conclusions of my study are that web texts need to be concise and short. The usage of ordinary words is important and to always explain difficult phrases and technical words is of great help to the reader. A good example is to include a dictionary. It should be easy to get a quick overview of the site content and the user should see the full page info, having to scroll down complicates the overview and context. But the most important conclusion is that the writer needs to understand the target group and their previous knowledge.

Objetivos. Reflexos das transformações sociais promovidas pela Sociedade do Conhecimento são percebidos no contexto da gestão em saúde no Brasil. Apresentam-se referencial teórico sobre essas mudanças, gestão do SUS, sistemas de informação em saúde, produção científica e uso da informação na gestão. Foi analisada a produção científica brasileira em saúde pública como fonte de apoio à tomada de decisão em saúde. Metodologia. Foram feitos estudo exploratório qualitativo e análise documental em três áreas: bases de dados bibliográficas disponíveis na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, agendas estaduais de saúde e sites das Secretarias Estaduais de Saúde. Resultados. Os principais resultados foram: as bases de dados LILACS e MEDLINE foram as fontes de apoio mais abrangentes para localizar produção brasileira publicada no país e no exterior, respectivamente; a produção científica brasileira destaca-se nessa área, correspondendo a 39 por cento dos registros da LILACS-SP; as principais instituições produtoras são universidades e organismos governamentais; a produção de saúde pública encontra-se distribuída em revistas de outras áreas da saúde; a internet, já utilizada pelo ministério e pelas secretarias de saúde, seria favorável para disseminação de conhecimento científico para a gestão em saúde. Conclusões e recomendações. A informação científica e técnica disponível poderia apoiar os processos de tomada de decisão, mas o caminho entre sua produção e uso não é linear e precisa ser estimulado. São apresentadas sugestões para promover integração e articulação entre pesquisa científica e decisão política. / Objectives. Social changes introduced by Knowledge Society are perceptible in the health management context in Brazil. Literature on these social changes, on National Health System - SUS legislation, on health information systems, on the health scientific production and on its use for decision making was reviewed. Brazilian public health scientific literature as support to health decision making was analyzed. Methods. Qualitative exploratory methods and document analysis were used to study bibliographic databases available at the Virtual Health Library, health agendas and sites of the State Secretaries of Health. Results. The main results were: LILACS and MEDLINE databases were the most comprehensive sources for searching Brazilian public health literature; 39 per cent of LILACS-SP records corresponds to Brazilian public health literature; universities and government institutions are the main producers of public health scientific literature; public health journal articles are published also in journals from other health fields; Internet, which is already being used by Ministry and State Secretaries of Health for communication, could be a favorable environment for dissemination of scientific information for health decision making. Conclusions and recommendations. Available health scientific and technical information could support health decision making processes but the channels between its production and use are not linear and need to be strengthened. Recommendations to improve relationship and interaction between health research and policy were presented.

Objetivos. Reflexos das transformações sociais promovidas pela Sociedade do Conhecimento são percebidos no contexto da gestão em saúde no Brasil. Apresentam-se referencial teórico sobre essas mudanças, gestão do SUS, sistemas de informação em saúde, produção científica e uso da informação na gestão. Foi analisada a produção científica brasileira em saúde pública como fonte de apoio à tomada de decisão em saúde. Metodologia. Foram feitos estudo exploratório qualitativo e análise documental em três áreas: bases de dados bibliográficas disponíveis na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, agendas estaduais de saúde e sites das Secretarias Estaduais de Saúde. Resultados. Os principais resultados foram: as bases de dados LILACS e MEDLINE foram as fontes de apoio mais abrangentes para localizar produção brasileira publicada no país e no exterior, respectivamente; a produção científica brasileira destaca-se nessa área, correspondendo a 39 por cento dos registros da LILACS-SP; as principais instituições produtoras são universidades e organismos governamentais; a produção de saúde pública encontra-se distribuída em revistas de outras áreas da saúde; a internet, já utilizada pelo ministério e pelas secretarias de saúde, seria favorável para disseminação de conhecimento científico para a gestão em saúde. Conclusões e recomendações. A informação científica e técnica disponível poderia apoiar os processos de tomada de decisão, mas o caminho entre sua produção e uso não é linear e precisa ser estimulado. São apresentadas sugestões para promover integração e articulação entre pesquisa científica e decisão política. / Objectives. Social changes introduced by Knowledge Society are perceptible in the health management context in Brazil. Literature on these social changes, on National Health System - SUS legislation, on health information systems, on the health scientific production and on its use for decision making was reviewed. Brazilian public health scientific literature as support to health decision making was analyzed. Methods. Qualitative exploratory methods and document analysis were used to study bibliographic databases available at the Virtual Health Library, health agendas and sites of the State Secretaries of Health. Results. The main results were: LILACS and MEDLINE databases were the most comprehensive sources for searching Brazilian public health literature; 39 per cent of LILACS-SP records corresponds to Brazilian public health literature; universities and government institutions are the main producers of public health scientific literature; public health journal articles are published also in journals from other health fields; Internet, which is already being used by Ministry and State Secretaries of Health for communication, could be a favorable environment for dissemination of scientific information for health decision making. Conclusions and recommendations. Available health scientific and technical information could support health decision making processes but the channels between its production and use are not linear and need to be strengthened. Recommendations to improve relationship and interaction between health research and policy were presented.

This dissertation deals with some crucial building blocks of cryptosystems in symmetric cryptography / namely the Boolean functions that produce a single-bit result for each possible value of the m-bit input vector, where m&gt / 1. Objectives in this study are two-fold / the first objective is to develop relations between cryptographic properties of Boolean functions, and the second one is to form new concepts that associate coding theory with cryptology. For the first objective, we concentrate on the cryptographic properties of Boolean functions such as balancedness, correlation immunity, nonlinearity, resiliency and propagation characteristics / many of which are depending on the Walsh spectrum that gives components of the Boolean function along the direction of linear functions. Another efficient tool to study Boolean functions is the subject of covering sequences introduced by Carlet and Tarannikov in 2000. Covering sequences are defined in terms of the derivatives of the Boolean function. Carlet and Tarannikov relate the correlation immunity and balancedness properties of the Boolean function to its covering sequences. We find further relations between the covering sequence and the Walsh spectrum, and present two theorems for the calculation of covering sequences associated with each null frequency of the Walsh spectrum. As for the second objective of this thesis, we have studied linear codes over the rings Z4 and Z8 and their binary images in the Galois field GF(2). We have investigated the best-known examples of nonlinear binary error-correcting codes such as Kerdock, Preperata and Nordstrom-Robinson, which are -linear codes. We have then reviewed Tokareva&rsquo / s studies on Z4-linear codes and extended them to Z8-linear codes. We have defined a new classes of bent functions. Next, we have shown that the newly defined classes of bent, namely Tokareva&rsquo / s k-bent and our t,k-bent functions are affine equivalent to the well-known Maiorana McFarland class of bent functions. As a cryptological application, we have described the method of cubic cryptanalysis, as a generalization of the linear cryptanalysis given by Matsui in 1993. We conjecture that the newly introduced t,k-bent functions are also strong against cubic cryptanalysis, because they are as far as possible to t,k-bent functions.

Thesis (M.T.S.C.)--Miami University, Dept. of English, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 31).