This study was conducted on the premise that if quality business information is provided to business enterprises, socio-economic transformation could be achieved. The study emanated from the documented problem where business enterprises in northern Uganda were found to depend on "word of mouth" rather than any meaningful formal mechanism for accessing information efficiently. The aim of the study was, therefore, to design an information system for northern Uganda business enterprises. The study makes use of document analysis, questionnaires and interviews. The Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs), information providers and business policy-makers in northern Uganda constituted the population of the study. The data which was collected was edited and analysed to produce graphs, charts and percentages. The main findings indicate that business activities in northern Uganda are diverse - covering almost the entire sector of the economy. The SMEs need information on finance/capital/loans, local markets, business management skills, appropriate technologies, business competitors and security. They are lagging behind in using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). There is a lack of familiarity with changing technology - especially the Internet. Although the SMEs are making a fundamental contribution to Uganda's economy, they face serious challenges, such as insecurity, inadequate electricity, lack of trained information professionals and appropriate technology to access electronic information. The findings further indicate that respondents want business information to be selective to address their needs. The study concludes that the SMEs need an efficient, effective mechanism to provide the required business information. Hence, it is recommended that a business information system (BIS) design be implemented to address their needs. The BIS should provide business information in terms of legal, technical and economic information as well as contact information and management skills. Information should be processed by means of radio broadcasts, the telephone, short text messages, posters, online and CD-ROM formats - as required by the SMEs managers. To facilitate access, BIS should have telephone services; Internet-based services; online small business workshops; business start up assistant; and Talk to BIS services. BIS should have a flexible interface. / INFORMATION SCIENCE / DLITT ET PHIL (INF SCIENCE)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T12:30:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CAPA.pdf: 6587 bytes, checksum: 2b1e4893b77f4a03ffa888fb1f5d6d23 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-08-14 / The scientific researcher needs necessary information, in skillful time for conclusion of its works. With the advent of the INTERNET, the process of on-line communication, man x machine, mediated for the search mechanisms, became, simultaneously, an aid and a difficulty in the process of recovery of information. The researcher had that to adapt it the way to operate of the INTERNET and included knowledge of idiomatic differences, of terminology, beyond using instruments that supply parameters to it to get greater relevancy and relevance in the data. The use of intelligent agents for improvement of results and the reduction of semantic noises have been pointed as solutions with respect to increase of the precision in the result of the searches. The exploratory study of cases carried through it analyzes on-line research from the theory of the information and considers two forms to optimize the comunicacional process with sights to the relevancy and relevance of the gotten data: the first one suggests the application of algorithms that use mediating the controlled vocabulary as of the communication process using itself of the describers for on-line recovery. , and second the importance of the intelligent agents in the process of man-machine communication stands out.(AU) / O pesquisador científico necessita de informações precisas, em tempo hábil para conclusão de seus trabalhos. Com o advento da INTERNET, o processo de comunicação em linha, homem x máquina, mediado pelos mecanismos de busca, tornou-se, simultaneamente, um auxílio e uma dificuldade no processo de recuperação de informações. O pesquisador teve que adaptar-se ao modo de operar da INTERNET e incluiu conhecimentos de diferenças idiomáticas, de terminologia, além de utilizar instrumentos que lhe forneçam parâmetros para obter maior pertinência e relevância nos dados. O uso de agentes inteligentes para melhoria de resultados e a diminuição de ruídos semânticos têm sido apontados como soluções para aumento da precisão no resultado das buscas. O estudo de casos exploratório realizado analisa a pesquisa em linha a partir da teoria da informação e propõe duas formas de otimizar o processo comunicacional com vistas à pertinência e relevância dos dados obtidos: a primeira sugere a aplicação de algoritmos que utilizem o vocabulário controlado como mediador do processo de comunicação utilizando-se dos descritores para recuperação em linha. , e a segunda ressalta a importância dos agentes inteligentes no processo de comunicação homem-máquina.(AU)

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-16T15:23:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 7007895 bytes, checksum: 8912d052cbdcb22b7298108d33253001 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-01 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Information Science, has gradually assumed greater visibility and accountability in the context of socio-cultural dynamics. In this sense, the ethnic and racial issues are incorporated into the debate in the field, towards the elimination of racial practices, discrimination and black people silencing. In this perspective thoughts on the ethical and racial information sources are pointed out, that is the origin places of the information that reflect historical and cultural elements in the assertion of an ethnical group compared to contemporary multiculturalism. In the diversity of sources, the emphasis is given in pictures, believing that they are able to express aspects of life and social interactions regarding to Afrocentric culture. Thus, this present study aims at exploring the iconographic sources of ethno-racial information as a way of preserving Afrocentric culture in the photographical essay titled Engenhos and Senzalas. Operationally, the work intends to identify, contextualize and characterize the iconographical sources of information racial-ethnic, as well as to analyze the social cultural function of the archive where they are kept in and how these photographs (typological elements characteristics of the given sources) can serve as elements of representation and preservation of Afrocentric culture. In terms of methodology, it is a qualitative descriptive and exploratory research, based on critical-analytical methods such as document analysis and discourse analysis. Data collection has identified seventeen photographs produced in 1982, which aimed to represent the relationships between land lords and slaves in the post slavery period. The results show that photographs trigger the maintenance of the Afrocentric memory marginalized unable to adduce the black as a citizen even free. Thus, it is the archive information professional responsible to assign other mechanisms and information sources to crystallize the social role of the black people. / A Ciência da Informação, gradativamente, vem assumindo maior visibilidade e responsabilidade no contexto das dinâmicas socioculturais. Nesse sentido, as questões étnico-raciais são incorporadas ao debate no campo, no intento de eliminação das práticas de racismo, discriminação e silenciamentos da população negra. Nessa perspectiva, trazemos à reflexão as fontes de informação étnico-raciais, ou seja, os lugares de procedência das informações que refletem elementos históricos e culturais na afirmação de um grupo étnico ante ao multiculturalismo contemporâneo. Na diversidade das fontes, nossa ênfase recai nas fotografias, acreditando que estas são capazes de exprimir aspectos da vida e interações sociais referentes à cultura afrocêntrica. Dessa forma, o estudo que ora se delineia tem por objetivo geral analisar as fontes iconográficas de informação étnico-racial como um modo de preservação da cultura afrocêntrica no ensaio fotográfico Engenhos e Senzalas. Operacionalmente, tem a pretensão de identificar, contextualizar e caracterizar as fontes iconográficas de informação étnico-racial, bem como analisar a função sociocultural do arquivo onde se encontram e como essas fotografias (elemento tipológico característico das fontes em questão) podem servir como elementos de representação e preservação da cultura afrocêntrica. Em termos metodológicos, trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa de tipo descritivo-exploratória, que faz uso de métodos crítico-analíticos como a análise documental e a análise discursiva na interpretação de seus objetos de estudo. A coleta de dados identificou dezessete fotografias produzidas no ano de 1982, que visam à representação das relações entre senhores de engenhos e escravos no período pós-abolicionista. Os resultados mostram que as fotografias deflagram a visibilidade marginalizada de uma memória afrocêntrica incapaz de aduzir ao negro seu caráter cidadão, mesmo alforriado. Diante disso, cabe ao profissional da informação responsável pelo arquivo, atribuir outros mecanismos e fontes de informação que cristalizem o papel social no negro.

The purpose of this study was to critically analyse the evidence-based revelations from the South African Office of the Auditor-General on the records management challenges being encountered in the local government sector. The aim of the study was the analysis of available evidence and the proposal of solutions for collaborative planning and implementation. The lack of strategic planning in ensuring the accessibility of authentic information sources required during auditing remains unchallenged by the South African public archivists and records managers. These audit reports are required to demonstrate governance, transparency and accountability. This information held in the records of local government is also required to satisfy service delivery and plan development ventures. The World Bank, International Monetary Fund and United Nations formulated an ambitious agenda to eradicate world poverty by 2025. Eight millennium development goals were identified that would provide impoverished communities with better access to basic services and conditions spurring sustainable development. Governance-based criteria were identified as barometers to gauge transparency, accountability, respect for the rule of law and citizens’ rights. Consolidated audited reports from 2000 to 2013 were scrutinised to unravel the conundrums relating to governance, transparency and the management of public sector information sources. According to the 2013 report, only 5% of the local government sector managed to attain clean audits. Related evidence revealed in the unclean audit reports and media narratives related to service delivery and community protests. The approach used for the study was the qualitative methodology, regarded as an appropriate method for the archival discipline. This research method allowed for the incorporation of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary fields of interest. The case study method design enabled the focus of the study to be on local governments and six selected community development ventures in different areas of South Africa. The latter method enabled information collection from records officials and persons involved with socio-economic development projects. Sound interventions are needed to ensure evidence-based governance. This, in turn, would create favourable conditions for development endeavours in post-apartheid South Africa. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

This thesis is focused on the issues of information behaviour of editors from publishing with an emphasis on information needs and the sources of information. The first part deals with the position in the information publishing companies, the trend for electronic publishing and its influence on the book market. The following is an overview of selected terminological terms from publishers and their analysis. The next chapter is a summary of information behaviour theories, related concepts, models and current research in the Czech republic. The results of research that was realized for the purpose of the thesis between Czech editors are summarized and analyzed in the conclusion. Based on these results, proposals for the increasing of information literacy of editors are included in the thesis.

[pt] Considerando a disponibilidade do Big Data para engenharia de software, como no caso do GitHub, a semi-automação da elicitação de requisitos não funcionais (NFRs) é uma estratégia fundamental para a definição de requisitos. Como tal, a elicitação de NFRs, dentro da automação da leitura de documentos, pode gerenciar a massa de informações valiosas existentes nos dados disponíveis. Esta tese explora esse contexto em três partes, a escolha de fontes apropriadas de informação, uma elicitação de descoberta de fatos e a identificação de NFRs. As avaliações realizadas mostraram que a automação enfrenta um balance entre eficiência e eficácia. Esse equilíbrio é detalhado com diferentes estratégias inovadoras. O conhecimento adquirido é organizado como um catálogo SIG (Softgoal Interdependence Graph). / [en] Considering the availability of Big Data for software engineering, as the case of GitHub, the semi-automation of non-functional requirements (NFRs) elicitation is a key strategy towards requirements definition. As such, NFRs elicitation, within the automation of document reading, can manage the mass of valuable information existing in available data. This thesis explores this context in three parts, the choice of proper sources of information, a fact-finding elicitation, and NFRs identification. The assessments performed showed that the automation faces a trade-off between efficiency and efficacy. This trade-off is detailed with different novel strategies. The acquired knowledge is organized as a SIG (Softgoal Interdependence Graph) catalog.

No description available.

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 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)

El estudio tiene como objeto crear una metodología de trabajo que permita tratar de forma normalizada una colección pública de fondos artísticos que no tiene entidad jurídica de museo. El método empleado incluye tanto técnicas de revisión bibliográfica como trabajo de campo para la identificación de recursos en Internet y para la adaptación e importación de datos textuales en una aplicación informática. El trabajo se estructura en ocho capítulos que comienzan con la determinación de conceptos, así como la identificación y clasificación de fuentes de información artística. A continuación estudia las entidades que custodian y difunden la información y las técnicas que se aplican para ello, desde una perspectiva internacional para concluir con el panorama local. El último segmento desarrolla los conocimientos implantando una metodología a través de una herramienta informática y su validación con los registros de la sede del Rectorado de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia. El trabajo demuestra la necesidad de utilizar en cualquier colección, técnicas y procedimientos probados en instituciones museísticas. De esta forma se garantizaría la compatibilidad de los resultados del tratamiento de la información: los sistemas de documentación de museos. El método implementado concluye la posibilidad de aplicar a cualquier información artística, con sus peculiaridades, unas técnicas de tratamiento estandarizadas. / The aim of this study is to develop a methodology that allows dealing with an artistic public collection which is not an established museum in a standardized way. It has been used a scientific method, including bibliographic review techniques as well as research work, which has been essential to identify Internet resources and to adapt and import textual data in a computer application. It is organized in eight chapters that begin with conceptual determinations, and the identification and classification of the artistic information sources. Then, the work studies the organizations that custody and spread the information and the procedures used for it, from an international perspective to a local view. The last chapter develops this knowledge implementing the method through a computer application and its validation with the Rectorate of the Polithecnic University of Valencia's records. This work demonstrates the need to use techniques and procedures experienced or previously tested at museums in any collection. In this way, compatibility of the results of the information treatment is ensured: the museums' documentation systems. The implemented method comes to the conclusion that it is possible to apply standardized techniques of information treatment to any artistic information, with its peculiarities.