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Moderní vyučovací metody ve výuce ekonomických předmětů / Modern teaching methods in economic subjects.Maxa, Radek January 2014 (has links)
The main objective of this thesis is a comprehensive assessment of the practical usability and effectiveness of modern activating teaching methods in economic subjects in fulfilling the RVP economics and business and RVP Business Academy in comparison with traditional (standard) methods. To achieve this goal, a systematic clarification and evaluation of key elements of the choice of adequate methods of teaching, presentation and comparison of traditional, modern activating and comprehensive teaching methods was employed. Selected modern activating methods are described in detail, including the procedure and examples of their application in the teaching of management on the circuit of the secondary vocational schools. Current status in the use of teaching methods by teachers of economic subjects on selected secondary vocational schools was mapped and assessed through quantitative (structured interviewing of students and teachers) and qualitative (interview with trachet of economic subjects at selected schools, testing of students -- pretest and posttest) methods of empirical educational research and realization of experimental teaching. The results of the analysis of the usefulness and effectiveness of modern activating methods in achieving the educational goals of economic education in secondary vocational schools are summarized in the form of a SWOT analysis. The work, inter alia, examines and assesses the barriers in the application of modern methods of teaching, to what extent these methods contribute to the building of the desired competences of students and in particular the so-called, soft skills of students, verifies the effectiveness of the textbooks Management based on modern activating methods in meeting educational goals. The thesis provides outputs for management of secondary schools including, in particular, the RVP Business Academy and RVP economics and business, which may become a guideline, the stimulus for change methods and forms of teaching, the need to offset the interest of schools from traditional methods to modern activating methods. It can become a tool and an inspiration for each of economic subjects in the adoption and subsequent implementation of modern teaching methods, since it contains a procedure for their application. The intention of the processing of the research problem and solved in the framework of this thesis was to contribute to pedagogical theory and practice the findings supporting the need for qualitative changes in the process. It offers practical recommendations and observations, how should a teacher of economic subjects at secondary vocational schools to proceed with the introduction of modern activating methods. The chosen research methods and processes to provide a relatively large amount of data, the processing to get a deeper insight on the role, effectiveness and applicability of modern teaching methods in the environment of the contemporary secondary economic education.
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An empirical framework for banking digitally unbanked seniorsDiako, Bongani Harry 10 1900 (has links)
Abstract in English and Afrikaans / The main thrust of the thesis is an empirical analysis of the problems experienced by
unbanked seniors to conduct digital banking. Population ageing is a worldwide
phenomenon and seniors’ numbers are projected to grow to beyond 1 billion people
globally by this year (2020). Currently, seniors and other banking customers are
surrounded by various forms of e-banking technologies. E-banking is further envisaged
to be the catalyst of the financial inclusion of the unbanked people of all ages. However,
the problem is that customers’ adoption of e-banking is a challenge for the banks. Seniors
are particularly not willing to use e-banking. Thus, seniors stay digitally unbanked and
this makes their inclusion into the financial marketplace a priority. How the banks could
use e-banking to bank digitally unbanked seniors and, as a consequence improve financial
inclusion, is the problem the study set out to resolve. Therefore, an empirical analysis of
the problems experienced by unbanked seniors to conduct digital banking was conducted
and, as a result, an empirical framework of how the banks can extend these services to
this population segment was developed.
An original theoretical framework primarily founded on the TAM and Baroudi’s
customers’ technology design involvement theory was proposed. Structural Equation
Modelling (SEM) with latent constructs was utilised. The measurement model was first
estimated and then covariance matrix between variables served as input to estimate the
structural coefficients between constructs. The study’s data was collected by means of a
structured questionnaire survey, utilising a probability sampling method with a sample of
420 digitally unbanked seniors. A focus group with banking industry experts was also
held to consider the findings.
The study’s findings empirically verified the study’s model’s strength in determining
digitally unbanked seniors’ willingness to use e-banking. Latent constructs under
consideration included customer co-creation, awareness and empowerment, design,
perceived ease of use, usefulness, cost, attitude, privacy and security, and trust. The
findings demonstrate that design, attitude, privacy and security are statistically significant
determinants of digitally unbanked seniors’ willingness to use e-banking. Managerial
implications and recommendations are provided in the recommendations chapter. / Die hoofbetoog van die tesis is ’n empiriese ontleding van die probleme wat ervaar word
deur ongebankte pensionarisse om hulle banksake digitaal te doen.
Bevolkingsveroudering is ’n wêreldwye verskynsel en daar is voorspel dat die getal
pensionarisse teen vanjaar (2020) 1 miljard mense wêreldwyd sou verbysteek. Tans is
daar ’n groot verskeidenheid elektroniese bankdienste beskikbaar wat pensionarisse en
ander bankkliënte kan gebruik om hulle banksake te doen. Daar word ook verwag dat
elektroniese bankwese die katalisator sal wees van die finansiële insluiting van
ongebankte mense van alle ouderdomme. Die probleem is egter dat die aanname van
elektroniese bankwese deur kliënte ’n uitdaging vir banke is. Pensionarisse is veral nie
gewillig om elektroniese bankdienste te gebruik nie, en hulle bly dus ongebank. Dit
veroorsaak dat hulle insluiting in die finansiële mark ’n prioriteit is. Die probleem wat
hierdie studie wil oplos is hoe die banke elektroniese bankwese kan gebruik om digitaal
ongebankte pensionarisse te kry om bankdienste te gebruik. Dus is ’n empiriese ontleding
uitgevoer van die probleme wat ongebankte pensionarisse ervaar om hulle banksake
digitaal te doen. Gevolglik is ’n empiriese raamwerk ontwikkel van hoe die banke hulle
dienste na hierdie bevolkingsegment kan uitbrei.
’n Oorspronklike, teoretiese raamwerk, wat hoofsaaklik gegrond is op die
kliëntetegnologieontwerp-betrokkenheidsteorie van TAM en Baroudi, is voorgestel.
Strukturele gelykstellingsmodellering (SEM) met lantente konstruksie is aangewend. Die
metingsmodel is eers bereken en die kovariansiematriks tussen veranderlikes het gedien
as inset om die strukturele koëffisiënte tussen konstrukte te bereken. Die studie se data is
ingesamel deur middel van ’n gestruktureerde vraelysopname, met ’n
waarskynlikheidsteekproefneming van 420 digitaal ongebankte pensionarisse. Daar is
ook ’n fokusgroep met kundiges in die bankwese gehou om die bevindings te oorweeg.
Die studie se bevindings het die studiemodel se vermoë om die gewilligheid te bepaal van
digitaal ongebankte pensionarisse om elektroniese bankdienste te gebruik empiries
bevestig. Latente konstrukte onder oorweging het medeskepping van kliënte, bewustheid
en bemagtiging, ontwerp, waargenome gebruiksgemak, bruikbaarheid, koste, houding,
privaatheid en sekuriteit, en vertroue ingesluit. Die bevindings demonstreer dat ontwerp,
houding, privaatheid en sekuriteit statisties beduidende determinante is van digitaal
ongebankte pensionarisse se gewilligheid om elektroniese bankdienste te gebruik.
Bestuursimplikasies en aanbevelings word voorsien in die aanbevelingshoofstuk. / Business Management / D. B. L. (Marketing)
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Rethinking revenue recognitionDobler, Michael 05 December 2019 (has links)
Revenue recognition is one of the most crucial issues in financial reporting and the prevalent source for recent accounting scandals. International financial reporting standard setters are conducting a major project rethinking revenue recognition. Tentative proposals of the project Revenue Recognition feature an asset-liability approach relying on measurement at fair values or at allocated customer consideration amounts. This paper chooses construction contracts to illustrate and to evaluate the far-reaching changes implied by the proposals in a multi-period context. Main results suggest that the proposals are ambivalent in terms of relevance but critical in terms of reliability compared to the recent treatment under IAS 11. Particularly, a pure fair value approach yields irritating patterns of revenue recognition found inappropriate for stewardship purposes. While its adoption for revenue recognition under IFRSs is unlikely due to regulatory incompatibilities, measuring performance obligations at allocated consideration amount partly mitigates the concerns.
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Mobile learning readiness : psychological factors influencing student's behavioural intention to adopt mobile learning in South AfricaBellingan, Adele 01 1900 (has links)
With recent advances in technology, distance education has seen a move towards online
and e-learning programmes and courses. However, many students in South Africa have
limited access to computer technology and/or the Internet resources necessary for online
learning. Worldwide trends have recently seen a growing emphasis on the use of mobile
technology for learning purposes. High mobile penetration rates in South Africa means that
mobile learning can potentially overcome many of the challenges associated with distanceand online learning. This research therefore aimed to explore adult distance education
students’ mobile learning readiness in the South African context. Specifically, this study
examined the influence of mobile learning self-efficacy, locus of control, subjective norm,
perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived behavioural control and attitude
towards mobile learning on students’ behavioural intention to adopt mobile learning. In order
to test a model predicting students’ behavioural intention, the conceptual framework guiding
the investigation combined the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of the investigation combined the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of
Planned Behaviour (TPB) and extended the model to include locus of control and mobile
learning self-efficacy. A sample of 1070 students from a private higher education institution
in South Africa participated in this study. Data were collected using an online survey
questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis indicated that perceived ease of use contributed
most significantly to behavioural intention to adopt mobile learning, followed by attitude
towards mobile learning, subjective norm, perceived usefulness, perceived behavioural
control and locus of control. Mobile learning self-efficacy did not significantly influence
behavioural intention to adopt mobile learning. Overall, the model accounted for 44.8% of
the variance in behavioural intention to adopt mobile learning. Significant differences in age,
gender, race and household income existed with regard to several of the psychological
constructs hypothesised to influence behavioural intention to adopt mobile learning.
4
Structural equation modelling was used to examine the fit between the data and the
proposed model. The chi square goodness for fit test and the RMSEA indicated poor fit
between data and model. Considering the sensitivity of the chi square statistic for sample size and the negative influence of too many variables and relationships on the RMSEA, a
variety of alternative fit indices that are less dependent on the sample size and distribution
were used to examine model fit. The GFI, AGFI, NFI and CFI all exceeded their
respective acceptable levels, indicating a good fit with the data. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)
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Användbarhet och användarvänlighet av smarta enheter i den egna bostaden hos unga konsumenter / Usefulness and ease of use of smart devices in the private home amongst young consumersNurmi, Sarah, Görander, Clara January 2023 (has links)
This thesis is written within the topic of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart homes among young adults in Sweden. Smart homes are taking up more and more space on the housing market and aim to make consumers' everyday lives easier. Factors behind buying a smart home present a gap of knowledge about who the potential buyers are among young adults. The essay is written with the aim of reviewing generation Y and Z’s ownership and regular use of smart home devices in their households in terms of usefulness and ease of use. The aim is also to gain an insight into the willingness of generation Y and Z to buy and pay for a smart home. By using previous research combined with a quantitative study in the form of a web survey, an analysis was formed from the consumers' responses. The result shows that young consumers have a broad knowledge of what IoT means with a majority having at least one smart device in their household. The willingness to buy and pay for smart homes is proving to be varied, with young consumers not yet convinced on the issue. The outcome of the thesis contributes to an interesting discussion about IoT and smart homes from different perspectives and gives you as a reader knowledge about smart home devices and their potential in the housing market.
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L’utilisation de la technique d’amplification de Treponema pallidum dans le diagnostic des ulcères oro-génitaux liés à la syphilis / Clinical Usefulness of Polymerase Chain Reaction Targeting Treponema pallidum in the Diagnosis of Primary Syphilis UlcersGayet-Ageron, Angèle 11 February 2015 (has links)
CONTEXTE La syphilis est une maladie ré-émergente depuis 2000. Son traitement est simple, mais son diagnostic est complexe. La technique d’amplification génique de Treponema pallidum (Tp-PCR) existe depuis 1990 mais le CDC l’a incluse dans sa définition de cas en janvier 2014. OBJECTIFS 1) Evaluer la performance diagnostique de la Tp-PCR à différents stades cliniques et milieux biologiques. 2) Mesurer la sensibilité, spécificité et les valeurs prédictives de la Tp-PCR en fonction de 3 groupes de référence dans des ulcères récents. 3) Comparer les performances des 2 principales cibles de Tp-PCR.MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES Premièrement, une revue systématique et méta-analyse des études publiées depuis 1990 ont été menées. Ensuite une étude multicentrique prospective a été conduite dans 5 villes européennes pendant 2 ans chez des patients avec un ulcère oro-génital. Tous ont reçu le test de référence local et 2 Tp-PCRs dans l’ulcère (gène tpp47 vs. polA). Les valeurs de sensibilité, spécificité et valeurs prédictives de la Tp-PCR ont été calculées comparativement au fond noir (FN), à la sérologie et à un gold standard amélioré. La concordance des 2 cibles a été évaluée par un coefficient kappa.RÉSULTATS PRINCIPAUX La méta-analyse conclut que la Tp-PCR a une meilleure performance dans les ulcères récents. L’étude clinique montre que la Tp-PCR décrit une meilleure performance comparativement au gold standard amélioré et a même une meilleure sensibilité que le FN. Les 2 cibles ont la même valeur diagnostique et une concordance quasi parfaite. CONCLUSIONS La Tp-PCR ciblant tpp47 ou polA est cliniquement utile pour diagnostiquer une syphilis primaire et pourrait même remplacer le FN sous certaines conditions. / BACKGROUND Syphilis has re-emerged in at-risk populations since 2000. Although the treatment of syphilis is simple, its diagnosis remains challenging. Treponema pallidum Polymerase Chain Reaction (Tp-PCR) has been used in the diagnosis of syphilis since 1990 but it is included in the case definition of the CDC since January 2014. OBJECTIVES 1) To assess the accuracy of Tp-PCR in various biological specimens and syphilis stages. 2) To measure its diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity and predictive values) in ulcers from early syphilis compared to three groups of reference. 3) To compare the accuracy of the two most currently used targets: tpp47 and polA genes.METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all studies published from 1990. We implemented a multicentre, prospective, observational study in 5 European cities between 09/2011 and 09/2013 among patients with an oral or genital ulcer suggestive of syphilis. All patients were tested with traditional reference tests plus 2 Tp-PCRs (tpp47 and polA). We estimated the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of Tp-PCR compared to darkfield microscopy (DFM), serology and an enhanced gold standard. We used the kappa coefficient to assess the agreement between the 2 targets.MAIN RESULTST p-PCR had the best accuracy in ulcers from early syphilis. Tp-PCR performed better when compared to the enhanced gold standard and had a higher sensitivity than DFM. The 2 Tp-PCRs had a similar accuracy and an almost perfect agreement.CONCLUSIONS Tp-PCR targeting either tpp47 or polA is clinically useful to confirm an early syphilis in smears and could even replace DFM under specific conditions.
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Strategies for the reduction of alcohol and substance abuse among adolescents at two selected universities in EthiopiaAlemayehu Nigatu Gebremichael 11 1900 (has links)
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the magnitude, behavioural issues and other contributing factors for alcohol and substance abuse, in order to develop a strategy for alcohol and substance abuse among Ethiopian university students.
Method: An explorative, mixed method approach research was used. Data were collected from adolescents at Arbaminch and Wolaita Sodo universities that were purposively selected for this study. Review of literature resulted in the researcher developing questionnaire items for quantitative data (N=738) (Annexure F).
Framework: The theory of planned behavior change was applied to guide the study. The theory was applied to enable understanding of behavioural intentions, individual attitudes and subjective norms surrounding performance of a specific behavior. This theory was applied to understand the problem among the student and as a framework for developing the strategy.
Research Findings: The study highlighted alcohol and substance abuse among the university students was widespread. Behavioural findings showed that respondents have favorable attitudes but no intention to discontinue the use of alcohol and substances. Various factors including behavioural, environmental and policy issues have contributed to the problem. However, intervention packages and strategies to respond to the growing problem were non-existent or very minimal.
Conclusion: Alcohol and substance abuse among university students has become global public health problem. However, university management did not have plans in place to attend to the problem. The researcher envisages that the implementation of these strategies would provide a workable intervention in reducing alcohol and substance abuse among students at the Ethiopian Higher Learning Centres.
Recommendations: University management should step in and initiate urgent intervention measures. Adequate coordination among various stakeholders to respond to such a multi-dimensional problem is a necessity. The parliament has to revisit the current alcohol, drug and substance advertisement, circulation and trading related legislations including the use of ‘Khat which is Ethiopia’s unique problem. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)
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Kalibrace měřícího zařízení aerodynamického tunelu VUT / Wind tunnel measuring equipment calibrationde Boer, Hendrik January 2021 (has links)
V této diplomové práci bylo zkoumáno téma kalibrace zařízení a sekcí ve vztahu k aerodynamickému tunelu na brněnském institutu leteckého inženýrství. Přístroje používané v aerodynamickém tunelu jsou kalibrovány a jsou popsány a provedeny kalibrace sekcí na testovací sekci. Kalibrační listy a šablony sestav jsou vytvořeny za účelem zjednodušení budoucích procesů. Nově kalibrovaná sestava se používá k provádění měření síly a probuzení na modelovém voze, která jsou porovnána s předkalibrací měření, aby dále ilustrovala užitečnost kalibrací.
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Developing a conceptual framework for accountability in Namibian NGOs / Ontwikkeling van 'n konseptuele raamwerk vir aanspreeklikheid in Namibiese NRO's / U bveledza furemiweke ya zwishumiswa zwa u saukanya vhuḓifhinduleli ha dzi NGO kha ḽa NamibiaSimasiku, Andrew 11 1900 (has links)
Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa / Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play an important and growing role within the
global economy and towards public good. Given the escalating economic and social
significance of NGOs, the practical importance of being able to demonstrate their
accountability in a robust and comprehensive manner is increasingly being recognised.
Perhaps surprisingly, the ability to demonstrate their non-financial accountability is also
becoming increasingly important. However, various institutional logics have shaped
the face of NGOs’ work, as well as their reporting and their accountability mechanisms.
This study therefore examined annual reports of sampled NGOs within Namibia and
analysed various institutional accountability logics that shape accountability and
reporting in the sector. Extending the literature on accountability logics of NGOs to
include local regulations logics, financial and non-financial logic and integrated
reporting logic, the study adopted a qualitative illustrative case study of the HIV and
AIDS sector in Namibia. To this end, it used 13 purposively selected NGOs, subjecting
their documents to analysis and through the conducting of interviews to build both
theory and practice. The data were then analysed using content analysis to theme the
findings towards the novel contribution it was intended to make.
The findings of the study are analysed and interpreted through the lens of the
institutional logics theory. The findings indicated that, currently, NGOs do not disclose
decision-useful information suitable for all major groups of stakeholders. It is clear from
the study that funder and local context regulation logics are the dominant logics in
shaping the accountability mechanisms of NGOs in Namibia. The results have an
implication for understanding the reporting systems of NGOs, particularly in developing
countries such as Namibia. It is argued that extended accountability logics, such as
local accountability, financial and non-financial and integrated reporting, are emerging
in the NGO sector. / Nie-regeringsorganisasies (NROs) speel 'n belangrike en groeiende rol in die globale
ekonomie en in openbare belang. Gegewe die toenemende ekonomiese en sosiale rol
van NROs, word hul praktiese belang en aanspreeklikheid meer prominent. Hul
vermoë om nie-finansiële aanspreeklikheid te demonstreer, word ook toenemend
belangrik. Institusionele logika het die werking, verslagdoening en aanspreeklikheidsmeganismes
van NROs gevorm. Hierdie studie het die jaarverslae van NRO's
in Namibië ondersoek en die institusionele logika wat aanspreeklikheid en
verslagdoening in die sektor vorm, ontleed. 'n Kwalitatiewe illustrerende gevallestudie
van die HIV en Vigs-sektor in Namibië bestaande uit 13 geselekteerde NROs is
ingesluit om plaaslike regulasie-, finansiële- en nie-finansiële logika met verslagdoeningslogika
in NROs te integreer.
‘n Ontleding en interpretasie, deur gebruikmaking van institusionele logika-teorie, het
bevind dat NROs tans nie beslissingsinligting bekendmaak wat vir alle hoofgroep
belanghebbers geskik is nie. Dit is duidelik uit die studie dat befondsings- en plaaslike
konteksregulasie-logika die dominante invloede is wat die aanspreeklikheidsmeganismes
van NROs in Namibië gevorm het. Die resultate het 'n invloed op die
verstaan van verslagdoeningstelsels van NROs, veral in ontwikkelende lande soos
Namibië. Die studie bevind dat uitgebreide aanspreekliksheidslogika, wat plaaslike
aanspreeklikheid, finansiële en nie-finansiële asook geïntegreerde verslagdoening
insluit, in die NRO-sektor na vore kom. / Zwiimiswa zwine zwa sa vhe zwa muvhuso (dzi NGO) dzi shuma mushumo wa ndeme
na wa nyaluwo kha ikonomi ya ḽifhasi kha vhuḓi ha tshitshavha. Ho ṋetshedzwa u
gonya ha ikonomi na ndeme ya matshilisano ya dzi NGO, ndeme ya nyito ya u kona u
sumbedza vhuḓifhinduleli hadzo nga nḓila yo khwaṱhaho yo fhelelaho i khou engedzea
na u dzhielwa nṱha. Ṱhaṅwe tshine tsha mangadza, vhukoni ha u sumbedza
vhuḓifhinduleli hadzo hu si ha masheleni na hone ho engedza ndeme. Naho zwo ralo,
zwiitisi zwo fhambanaho zwa zwiimiswa zwo fhaṱa mbonalo ya mushumo wa dzi NGO,
na nḓila dzadzo dzou vhiga na vhuḓifhinduleli hadzo. Ṱhoḓisiso heyi nga zwenezwo
yo ṱola mivhigo ya ṅwaha nga ṅwaha ya tsumbo dza dzi NGO kha ḽa Namibia na u
saukanya zwiitisi zwo fhambanaho zwa vhuḓifhinduleli ha zwiimiswa zwine zwa fhaṱa
vhuḓifhinduleli na kuvhigele kha sekithara. U engedza maṅwalwa nga ha zwiitisi zwa
vhuḓifhinduleli ha dzi NGO u katela zwiitisi zwa ndaulo dzapo, zwiitisi zwa masheleni
na zwi si zwa masheleni na tshiitisi tsha u vhiga ho ṱanganelaho, ṱhoḓisiso yo shumisa
ngudo ya tsumbo ya khwaḽithethivi ya sekhithara ya HIV na AIDS kha ḽa Namibia. U
swika zwino, yo shumisa dzi NGO dza 13 dzo nangwaho ho sedzwa vhukoni, u ṱana
maṅwalo avho kha u saukanya na kha u ita inthaviwu u fhaṱa vhuvhili hazwo thyeori
na nyito. Data yo ḓo saukanya nga murahu hu tshi khou shumiswa u saukanya zwi re
ngomu kha u wana thero zwi tshi ḓa kha u bveledza phambano ine ya fanela u
bveledzwa.
Mawanwa a ngudo a saukanya na u ṱalutshedzwa nga kha kuvhonele kwa vhushaka
ha tshiimiswa, maitele a matshilisano na zwine ha tendwa khazwo. Mawanwa o
sumbedzisa zwauri, zwazwino, dzi NGO a dzi bviseli khagala mafhungo a tsheo a
ndeme o teaho zwigwada zwoṱhe zwihulwane zwa vhadzhiamukovhe. Zwi tou vha
khagala u bva kha ngudo uri vhalambedzi na zwiitisi zwa ndaulo ya nyimele yapo ndi
zwiitisi zwihulwane kha u fhaṱa kuitele kwa vhuḓifhinduleli kha dzi NGO kha ḽa Namibia.
Mvelelo dzo baḓekanywa na u pfesesa sisiṱeme dza kuvhigele kwa dzi NGO kha ḽa Namibia, nga maanḓa kha mashango ane a kha ḓi bvelela a nga ho sa Namibia. Ho
rerwa nga ha u pfi zwiitisi nyengedzedzwa zwa vhuḓifhinduleli, zwi ngaho sa
vhuḓifhinduleli hapo, u vhiga ho ṱanganelaho hu si ha masheleni na ha masheleni, hu
bveledzwa kha sekhithara ya NGO. / Financial Accounting / D. Phil. (Accounting Science: Financial Accounting)
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A user-centered usability and usefulness evaluation framework of digital libraries in the context of EthiopiaNewayneh, Ketsela Gilats 03 1900 (has links)
Bibliography: leaves 207-224 / Abstracts and keywords following the Appendices / This thesis evaluates Ethiopian higher learning institutes’ digital libraries (DLs) for their usability
and usefulness. The outcome contributes knowledge by helping to propel development efforts;
satisfy DL stakeholders; provide information and fill information gaps; serve as cross-reference
for academicians and researchers in the discipline; make decisions and solve managerial issues in
DLs of the developing world; and provide scientific interests and merits for the advancement of
information systems.
When undertaking usability and usefulness evaluation research in DLs, there is no agreed-upon
established conceptual framework that guides researchers in the developing world. Therefore, the
overall objective of this research is to propose a framework for DL evaluation that fits into the
context of developing countries. As the study is concerned with users’ internal attributes, the
interpretive research paradigm is applied. A qualitative research approach is employed and a case study research design is followed. Multiple data-collection techniques, namely semi-structured
interviews (17 respondents), open-ended questionnaires (17 respondents) and observations (4
observations) are employed. The study encompasses four public university DLs in Ethiopia.
The participants have a positive perception of all attributes of usability. Most of the attributes of
usefulness are also perceived positively, except coverage. The major challenges encountered by
participants are network accessibility, interruption and speed, and access restrictions imposed on
some DL content. DL benefits include easy access to the DL content, enhanced teaching and
research, lower cost and easy sharing of contents. The expectations of users are ensuring resource
availability and sustainability, overcoming the absence of user feedback and federated search
problems, and improving network infrastructure and speed.
The interaction triptych framework (ITF), which is used in the current study, is a well-known
framework that is commonly implemented by researchers. However, since it does not incorporate
the contextual situation of developing countries, ITF has some limitations. Therefore, based on the
output of this empirical research and considering the usability and usefulness themes of ITF and
its relationships with other socio-technical and contextual themes, a contextual DL evaluation
framework is proposed. The proposed framework emphasises the social, institutional and
contextual aspects of DLs. The proposed framework has six DL components, namely: DL user;
content and collection; system and technology; services and support; user interface; and context.
The proposed framework is called a digital library components interaction evaluation framework. / Lo mqondo uhlaziya imitapo yolwazi yedijithali (i-DLs) yezikhungo zokufunda ephezulu zase-Ethiopia
ngokusebenziseka kwazo nokuba wusizo. Umphumela unikela ngolwazi ngokusiza ukuhambisa imizamo
yentuthuko; ukwanelisa ababambiqhaza be-DL; ukuhlinzeka ngolwazi nokugcwalisa izikhala zolwazi;
ukusebenza okubhekiswe kukho kwezifundiswa nabaphenyi emkhakheni; yenza izinqumo futhi ixazulule
izingqinamba zokuphatha kuma-DL wezwe elisathuthuka; futhi unikeze izintshisekelo zesayensi kanye
nokufaneleka ekuthuthukisweni kwezinhlelo zolwazi.
Lapho wenza ucwaningo lokusebenziseka neliwusizo okuhlaziya kuma-DL, akukho luhlaka lomqondo
okuvunyelwene ngalo oluhola abacwaningi ezweni elisathuthuka. Ngakho-ke, inhloso ephelele yalolu
cwaningo ukuphakamisa uhlaka lokuhlaziya kwe-DL oluhambisana nomongo wamazwe asathuthuka.
Njengoba ucwaningo luphathelene nezimpawu zangaphakathi zabasebenzisi, inqubo yocwaningo
ehumushekayo iyasetshenziswa. Indlela yokucwaninga esezingeni elifanele iyasetshenziswa bese
kulandelwa ukwakheka kocwaningo lwesifundo. Kusetshenziswa amasu amaningi wokuqoqa
imininingwane, njengezingxoxo ezihlelwe kahle (abaphenduli abayi-17), imibuzo evulekile (abaphenduli
abayi-17) kanye nokubhekwayo (okubhekwayo oku-4). Lolu cwaningo luhlanganisa ama-DL amane
wemfundo ephakeme yomphakathi wase-Ethiopia.
Abahlanganyeli banombono omuhle wazo zonke izici zokusebenziseka. Iningi lezimpawu eziwusizo
zibonwa kahle futhi, ngaphandle kokumbozwa. Izinselela ezinkulu ababambiqhaza abahlangabezana ngazo
ukufinyeleleka kwenethiwekhi, ukuphazamiseka nejubane, nemikhawulo yokufinyelela ebekiwe kokunye
okuqukethwe kwe-DL. Izinzuzo ze-DL zifaka ukufinyelela okulula kokuqukethwe kwe-DL, ukufundiswa
okuthuthukisiwe nocwaningo, izindleko eziphansi nokwabelana okulula kokuqukethwe. Okulindelwe
abasebenzisi ukuqinisekisa ukutholakala kwezinsiza nokusimama, ukunqoba ukungabi bikho
kwempendulo yomsebenzisi nezinkinga zokusesha ezihlanganisiwe, nokwenza ngcono ingqalasizinda
yenethiwekhi nejubane.
Uhlaka lokusebenzisana lwe-triptych (ITF), olusetshenziswa ocwaningweni lwamanje, uhlaka olwaziwa
kakhulu olusetshenziswa ngokuvamile ngabaphenyi. Kodwa-ke, njengoba lungafaki isimo somongo
samazwe asathuthuka, i-ITF inemikhawulo ethile. Ngakho-ke, ngokuya ngokukhishwa kwalolu cwaningo
olunamandla kanye nokubheka ukusebenziseka nosizo lwezindikimba ze-ITF kanye nobudlelwano bayo
nezinye izingqikithi zomphakathi nezobuchwepheshe nezingqikithi zomongo, kuhlongozwa uhlaka lokuhlaziya lomongo lwe-DL. Uhlaka oluhlongozwayo lugcizelela izici zenhlalo, zesikhungo nezingqikithi
zomongo zama-DL. Uhlaka oluhlongozwayo lunezingxenye eziyisithupha ze-DL, okuyilezi: Umsebenzisi
we-DL; okuqukethwe neqoqo; uhlelo nobuchwepheshe; izinsizakalo nokwesekwa; isikhombimsebenzisi
somsebenzisi nomongo. Uhlaka oluhlongozwayo lubizwa ngohlaka lokuhlaziya kokusebenzisana
kokuqukethwe komtapo wolwazi wedijithali. / Hierdie proefskrif evalueer Ethiopië se hoër leerinstellings se digitale biblioteke (DBe) ten opsigte
van hulle bruikbaarheid en nuttigheid. Die uitkoms dra by tot kennis wat kan help om die
ontwikkelingspogings aan te dryf; om belanghebbers van digitale biblioteke tevrede te hou; om
inligting te verskaf en inligtingsgapings te vul; deur te dien as kruisverwysing vir akademici en
navorsers in die vakgebied; om besluite te neem en bestuursaangeleenthede in digitale biblioteke
van die ontwikkelende wêreld op te los; en om wetenskaplike belange en meriete vir die
bevordering van inligtingstelsels te voorsien.
Wanneer bruikbaarheids- en nuttigheidsevalueringsnavorsing in digitale biblioteke onderneem
word, is daar geen ooreengekome, gevestigde raamwerk wat leiding aan navorsers in die
ontwikkelende wêreld kan gee nie. Die algehele doelwit van hierdie navorsing was derhalwe om
’n raamwerk vir die evaluaering van digitale biblioteke voor te stel wat in die konteks van
ontwikkelende lande pas. Omdat die studie gemoeid is met gebruikers se interne eienskappe, is die
vertolkende paradigma gebruik. ’n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering is gebruik en ’n
gevallestudie-navorsingsontwerp is gevolg. Veelvuldige data-insamelingstegnieke, naamlik
semigestruktureerde onderhoude (17 respondente), oop vraelyste (17 respondente) en
waarnemings (vier waarnemigs), is ingespan. Die studie sluit vier openbare universiteite se digitale
biblioteke in Ethiopië in.
Die deelnemers het ’n positiewe persepsie van al die eienskappe van bruikbaarheid. Die meeste
van die eienskappe van nuttigheid word ook as positief waargeneem, met die uitsluiting van
voorsiening. Die grootste uitdagings wat die deelnemers ervaar het, was
netwerktoeganklikheid, -onderbrekings en -spoed en die toegangbeperkings wat sommige digitale
biblioteke oplê. Voordele van digitale biblioteke sluit die volgende in: toegang tot
digitalebiblioteekinhoud; beter onderrig en navorsing; laer koste; en die maklike deel van inhoud
met ander. Die verwagtings van gebruikers verseker hulpbronbeskikbaarheid en -volhoubaarheid,
en om die afwesigheid van gebruikersterugvoer en gefedereerde soekprobleme en die verbetering
van netwerkinfrastruktuur en -spoed te oorkom.
Die interaksietriptiekraamwerk (ITF) wat in hierdie studie gebruik is, is ’n bekende raamwerk wat
algemeen deur navorsers geïmplementeer word. Omdat dit egter nie die kontekstuele situasie van
ontwikkelende lande inkorporeer nie, het ITF sekere beperkings. Gebaseer op die uitset van hierdie
empiriese navorsing en met die inagneming van die bruikbaarheids- en nuttigheidstemas van ITF
en sy verhouding met ander sosio-tegniese en kontekstuele temas, word ’n kontekstuele
digitalebiblioteekraamwerk derhalwe voorgestel. Die voorgestelde raamwerk beklemtoon die
sosiale, institusionele en kontekstuele aspekte van digitale biblioteke. Die voorgestelde raamwerk
het ses digitalebiblioteekkomponente, naamlik: digitalebiblioteekgebruiker; inhoud en insameling;
stelsel en tegnologie; dienste en ondersteuning; gebruikerkoppelvlak; en konteks. Die voorgestelde
raamwerk word ’n interaksie-evalueringsraamwerk vir digitalebiblioteekkomponente genoem. / School of Computing / D. Phil. (Information Systems)
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