Orientador: Heloísa Vieira da Rocha / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T14:48:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vargas_Ariel_D.pdf: 20092407 bytes, checksum: a759e10b287a819834ba069524f29fee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Observar as ações de usuários interagindo com a interface de uma aplicação computacional é a base de métodos tradicionais de avaliação de usabilidade, como os testes com usuários e a observação em campo. Apesar de populares e eficientes na descoberta de problemas, esses métodos tradicionais são considerados bastante caros, devido aos custos de envolver usuários, de preparar a infra-estrutura e especialmente da própria execução dos métodos e análise de seus resultados. A qualidade dos resultados da execução desses métodos depende da escolha dos usuários participantes da avaliação, que precisam ser representativos de todos os perfis de usuários da aplicação avaliada. Na Web, devido à diversidade e característica distribuída dos usuários, a obtenção de usuários representativos dos diversos perfis torna-se bastante difícil. Nos métodos tradicionais de avaliação, especialistas em usabilidade analisam a interação de cada usuário interagindo com a aplicação, para encontrar problemas de usabilidade. Esta análise depende do conhecimento e esforço desses especialistas para encontrar problemas na aplicação avaliada. Desse modo, os métodos tradicionais, se utilizados em grande escala de usuários, tornam-se demasiadamente caros devido a seus custos e tempo de execução. Outra característica importante das aplicações Web é sua constante evolução, o que necessita de avaliações de usabilidade periódicas e constantes, para verificar se alterações não prejudicam sua usabilidade. Da mesma forma, os métodos tradicionais de avaliação de usabilidade tornam-se demasiadamente caros, se utilizados em avaliações constantes da usabilidade de aplicações Web. Nesse contexto, esta tese buscou, na automatização do processo de avaliação de usabilidade, uma alternativa para diminuir as dificuldades mencionadas anteriormente em se avaliar a usabilidade de aplicações Web, especialmente em sua fase de manutenção. Assim, esta tese defende a hipótese de que, utilizando-se um método de avaliação de usabilidade fundamentado na captura e análise da interação de usuários de maneira remota e automatizada, é possível diminuir as dificuldades existentes nos métodos tradicionais na fase de manutenção de uma aplicação Web, possibilitando ainda: a análise da interação de usuários em campo e em grande escala de usuários; a identificação de padrões de interação dos usuários com a aplicação; uma avaliação com baixo custo de execução, favorecendo a realização de avaliações periódicas de usabilidade de uma aplicação Web. Neste sentido, esta tese apresenta o desenvolvimento do WebHint, um método remoto e automatizado de avaliação de usabilidade para aplicações Web. O método proposto nesta tese foi aplicado em três estudos de usabilidade que validaram o WebHint como uma alternativa viável para a realização de avaliações remotas e automatizadas de usabilidade de aplicações Web / Abstract: Observing users interacting with user interfaces is the basis of traditional usability evaluation methods as user tests and field observation. In spite of their popularity and efficiency in finding usability problems, these traditional methods are considered expensive, due to the costs of involving users in the evaluation, preparing the infrastructure and specially, due to the costs of executing the methods and analyzing the results. The quality of the results obtained with these methods depends on the users participating of the evaluation, who need to represent all the user's profiles of the evaluated application. In the Web, due to the diversity and distributed location of the users, it is difficult to obtain representative users. In traditional methods, usability experts analyze the behavior of each user interacting with the application in order to detect usability problems. This subjective analysis depends on the knowledge and work of the expert to find the problems. This way, the traditional methods became too expensive when it is necessary to involve high number of users in the evaluation. Another important aspect of Web applications is their frequent evolvement, which requires usability evaluations performed frequently to avoid usability problems caused by changes on the applications. The same way, the traditional methods are too expensive to be performed in a regular basis. In that context, this thesis proposes an automatic method for usability evaluation, as an alternative approach to deal with the difficulties mentioned above. This way, this thesis supports the hypothesis that is possible to decrease the difficulties regarding to the traditional methods through a usability evaluation method based on the automatic capture and analysis of user's interaction. Thus, this thesis, presents the development of the WebHint, a remote and automatic usability evaluation method for Web applications. The proposed method was applied in three usability studies, and their results validated the WebHint as a feasible alternative to perform remote and automatic usability evaluations of Web applications / Doutorado / Ciência da Computação / Doutor em Ciência da Computação

The use of cellphones has increased all over the world. That invites many academics to conduct research on the usage of these devices, especially by young people, since young people join Social Network Sites (Facebook, Mxit, 2go, Whatsapp) and use a shorthand language. Most studies are related to the use of English and other languages that are recognised by computer software. There are few studies, if any, that have been done in relation to the use of African Languages on these sites. This research therefore aims to seek to explore the use of African Languages, especially isiXhosa, in assessing how technology might help in language development through the usage of SNSs that learners already use to equip them with educational material in their mother tongue. This study was conducted in two high schools, Nogemane Senior Secondary School in a disadvantaged and remote rural community with limited access to additional educational material such as magazines, newspapers, and television. The school also lacks basic study materials such as textbooks from the Education Department and they have no access to a library and laboratory. They also only have very few subjects to choose from. Nombulelo Senior Secondary School is in Grahamstown. This school has good infrastructure and learners have access to different technological devices and they can access libraries. What is common between learners in both schools is that they are all doing isiXhosa as a first language and are using SNSs to interact with each other. This study has found that learners enjoy using SNSs rather than reading the printed books. Furthermore, they enjoy and prefer interacting in isiXhosa in their conversations. Learners also use the web to post and show their creative writing, regardless of the shorthand form writing they use on the SNSs. This study has found that learners are not well equipped with basic isiXhosa skills when reaching the FET phase. They lack the understanding of standard isiXhosa idioms and proverbs. That clearly means that they are equipped in the more modern forms of literature rather than the traditional oral forms. IsiXhosa teachers also see SNSs as the better platform to engage with learners and they suggest that there must be a section in the subjects at school that teaches about cyber bullying and being safe online. This thesis also presents examples of new and contemporary forms of SNS-speak that are used by learners in both the rural and urban schools. This study is more concerned with SNSs for literacy development and to assess whether the shorthand writing has negative or positive effects in writing isiXhosa. This is done against the backdrop of a literature review which explores new literacies, computer mediated communication, social identity models as well as language policy and planning.

The scarcity of financial resources often poses challenges for organisations in both the private and the public sector, which require productive (tangible) resources, in order to thrive. Organisations are developing innovative and cost-effective methods to secure productive resources that are needed to drive performance. Special libraries in the public sector face the same pressures that resulted in some of them being overwhelmed by poor resources. The purpose of the study is to determine the levels of resources available to the libraries in the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) and the extent to which tangible resources can predict information service provision in GPG libraries. The theory of the firm and the resource-based view (RBV) theory were used as theoretical framework to support the study. The study addresses the identified gap of resource adequacy in special libraries by measuring adequacy from the perspective of those responsible for exploiting the resources, instead of the library services (the output) and library users. This approach differs from those in similar studies, which measured adequacy from the perspective of consumers. The study adopted a positivist philosophical assumption, using a quantitative research approach, with questionnaires and interviews as the data collection tools. The population of the study involves all the library officials of the libraries in Gauteng Provincial Government departments, including management. Due to the nature and size of the target population, there was no need for sampling. A total of 30 respondents for both quantitative and qualitative data, participated in the study. In order to achieve acceptable levels of validity of collected and analysed data, the face validity method was used, whereas the representative reliability method was used to ensure reliability and consistency of the measuring instruments. Mean and standard deviation, multiple regression and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient analyses on quantitative data was conducted by using the data analysis tool Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS). Atlas Ti was used to analyse the qualitative data collected. No major limitations were identified. The study found the level of physical, financial, ICT-based resources and staff development and training in the GPG libraries to be low, similarly the level of information services provided was found to be low. The resources were found to have predictive value on one another, but not on information services. Furthermore, the study did find a positive and strong relationship between resources and services at GPG libraries. The study recommended a resourcing model that is based on the collaborative consumption/sharing economy concept and principles. / Information Science / D. Phil (Information Science)

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie word die rol van interpersoonlike komrnunikasie in die funksionering van die algemene inligtingsdiens van die Unisa Biblioteek aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika ondersoek. 'n Kwantitatiewe meetinstrument word ontwikkel om gebruikertevredenheid met die hoofkomponente van die algemene inligtingsdiens, naamlik die inligtingsassistent, die inligting wat deur die klient ontvang word en die fisiese omgewing waarin die diens gelewer word, te evalueer. Daar word bevind dat 'n beduidende assosiasie bestaan tussen gebruikertevredenheid met die inligtingsassistent en gebruikertevredenheid met die inligting wat ontvang word. 'n Verkorte vrae lys word ontwerp en aanbevee 1 as 'n meetinstrument waarmee die bestuur gebruikertevredenheid met die algemene inligtingsdiens op 'n gereelde grondslag kan meet. / This study investigates the role of interpersonal communication in the functioning of the general information service provided by the Unisa Library at the University of South Africa. A quantitative measuring instrument is developed to evaluate user satisfaction with the main components of the general information service, that is the information assistant, the information received by the client and the physical surroundings in which the service is provided. It is found that a significant association exists between user satisfaction with the information assistant and user satisfaction with the information received. A shortened questionnaire is designed and recommended as a measuring instrument with which management can on a regular basis measure user satisfaction with the general information service. / Communication Science / M.A. (Communication)

This dissertation analysed the information needs and information-seeking behaviour of visual artists. An empirical survey was conducted on a sample of the more informationliterate visual artists in South Africa. A model of the information environment of South African visual artists was developed. This model provides a basis for another model which represents the optimal service that should be rendered to meet the needs of this user group. It was found that the general information needs of South African artists are fairly adequately met, but that there are several shortfalls, especially in serving their more complex information needs. The most important problems are the lack of training in the use of information sources and services, inadequate marketing of services and inadequate coverage of South African art. It was also found that greater coordination between service providers is urgently required, especially in the provision of information about South African art. / M. (Information Science)

The researcher investigated internet usage among students at the University of Nairobi using a quantitative case study method. A questionnaire-based survey was done among 381 students and face-to-face interviews were conducted with the university‟s library staff. The research findings indicate that the students' level of awareness about the internet services offered at the university was high. The students had good basic computer and internet skills; however, they lacked more advanced skills and this negatively affected their use of internet resources. The students used the internet for various purposes, including to study, teach and do research; to communicate; and for social interaction. The major recommendations of the study include providing formal internet training and adequate facilities; implementing a better, inclusive policy on internet use; and better co-ordinated university efforts. Free internet access should be made available to all the university students, if not all members of the university community. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)

Community members benefit from the opportunities and services that are provided by park and recreation departments. As technology has continued to improve, it has begun to influence some of the services and programs offered by park and recreation departments. This study presents information regarding World Wide Web use in parks and recreation departments in 1998. The study surveyed those park and recreation departments who were members of the National Recreation and Parks Association's Great Lakes Region in 1998. A total of 419 departments were included in the study. These 419 departments were grouped into three population categories (Under 15,000; 15,000-49,999; 50,000 and above). A survey return rate of 58% was achieved. Survey respondents were asked to list current and future uses of the World Wide Web in their departments by program and by activity. Respondents were also asked to identify why they were or were not using the web. The study also examined if there were differences between agency size and World Wide Web use, agency size and the number of computers used, and agency size and the number of computer specialists employed. Recreation professionals can use this study to identify whether their department would benefit from World Wide Web use. The information can assist in identifying strengths and weaknesses of the web in the recreation profession and in departments similar to their own. / School of Physical Education

The entire world needs and seeks information to survive and thrive in the 21st century as a result of information acquisition, with doctors, lawyers, teachers, students and even the elderly all desiring information for their everyday activities. Researchers of different disciplines working at the various federal institutes in Nigeria are no exceptions to the craving for requisite information that will enable them successfully carry out their numerous research projects undertaken towards achieving sustainable national development. The aim of the study was to investigate the information needs and information-seeking behaviour of researchers at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Nigeria. This study applied both quantitative and qualitative research approaches for the purpose of triangulation. The quantitative approach had a strong dominance over the qualitative approach in this study. This study adopted the positivist paradigm. The questionnaire, interview and observation data collection tools were the chosen tools used to collect data from researchers from the six departments of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi and five professional librarians of the institute’s library. Out of 165 questionnaires that were administered to researchers, a total of 121 were returned (resulting in a response rate of 73%). Inaccuracies were identified in seven copies of the questionnaires which were discarded and not analysed. Therefore, usable returns totalled 114 (67%). Wilson’s 1999 model of information behaviour was used as the theoretical framework. This study revealed that both formal and informal sources were consulted by the researchers. It was important to note that the internet was the information source most commonly used by the researchers to obtain information. The institute’s library was poorly used because it contained outdated library materials and was not equipped with an internet facility. The researchers opted for the use of mobile phone/iPad, personally owned or sourced internet access and business centres (supplying internet services outside the institute) to access information sources for information. The study ascertained that there was undoubtedly an instituted library officially established within the institute to provide information to researchers. But due to socio-economic and political problems faced by the country Nigeria, predominantly with respect to the outlook of poor funding of sustainable library development concerns and the government’s lack of interest in research, outdated library collections and poor information provision services have become the given at the institute’s library. This ultimately brought about pessimistic reactions from the researchers. Among its recommendations, the study suggested that funding the institute’s library in order to update and replace outdated library collections is a priority. An information audit should be carried out to ascertain the current state of ICTs within the institute and the institute’s library should be equipped with an internet facility promptly. Adopting these recommendations would enable researchers to have limitless access to items of information they need for research as they seek for information. / Information Science / D. Phil. (Information Science)

During the 21st century, electronic resources have become an important component in every sector of society and the academic sector is no exception. Academic libraries worldwide have adopted the technologies involved in electronic resources, with some replacing their traditional collections with e-resources, which are more accessible by users. This study was conducted at the University of South Africa (Unisa) and was aimed at investigating the levels of awareness and usage of e-resources by third-year students in the School of Arts. The study used the descriptive survey study design, which is quantitative in approach. The target population comprised of 5 377 third-year students enrolled in the seven departments in the School of Arts and a proportional sample of 360 students was drawn from the population by using stratified random sampling. Library staff was also included in the study, in order to determine students’ usage patterns of e-resources and to establish initiatives available at the Unisa Library to increase awareness and use of e-resources. Online questionnaires distributed via Survey Monkey were used as the data collection instrument. The study established that the Unisa Library subscribes to a wide range of e-resources and has a number of initiatives in place to encourage the awareness and usage of these resources. However, 50, 3% of the student respondents were unaware of the availability of Unisa e-resources. The study also established that the majority of students use e-resources for study and research and that, although they have basic information and communication technologies (ICTs) skills, the majority of students lack advanced information search and retrieval skills, which are required to utilise e-resources properly. The four main barriers that prevent students from accessing and using e-resources were the cost of access to the internet, unavailability of relevant literature for studies, lack of time to do online searches and preference for information freely available on the internet. To encourage increased awareness and use of e-resources, the study recommend the development of an e-resources marketing strategy, the introduction of an information literacy module for all first-year students, the provision of infrastructure and technologies for access, development of specialised library assistance services, balancing of the electronic library collections across different subjects, tutors including more e-resources references in study guides and tutorial letters and hiring of more library staff. The study concludes that the Unisa Library has a wide variety of electronic library resources and services needed in academic institutions, but awareness and usage of the resources is quite low, due to several factors highlighted in the study. Therefore, the Library should step forward and ensure that the resources are fully utilised by following the recommendations suggested in the study. / Information Science / M. Inf.

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie word die rol van interpersoonlike komrnunikasie in die funksionering van die algemene inligtingsdiens van die Unisa Biblioteek aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika ondersoek. 'n Kwantitatiewe meetinstrument word ontwikkel om gebruikertevredenheid met die hoofkomponente van die algemene inligtingsdiens, naamlik die inligtingsassistent, die inligting wat deur die klient ontvang word en die fisiese omgewing waarin die diens gelewer word, te evalueer. Daar word bevind dat 'n beduidende assosiasie bestaan tussen gebruikertevredenheid met die inligtingsassistent en gebruikertevredenheid met die inligting wat ontvang word. 'n Verkorte vrae lys word ontwerp en aanbevee 1 as 'n meetinstrument waarmee die bestuur gebruikertevredenheid met die algemene inligtingsdiens op 'n gereelde grondslag kan meet. / This study investigates the role of interpersonal communication in the functioning of the general information service provided by the Unisa Library at the University of South Africa. A quantitative measuring instrument is developed to evaluate user satisfaction with the main components of the general information service, that is the information assistant, the information received by the client and the physical surroundings in which the service is provided. It is found that a significant association exists between user satisfaction with the information assistant and user satisfaction with the information received. A shortened questionnaire is designed and recommended as a measuring instrument with which management can on a regular basis measure user satisfaction with the general information service. / Communication Science / M.A. (Communication)