Background: There is limited research on how web-based, point-of-care, evidence-based medicine (EBM) tools, such as evidence summaries, are being implemented and used in developing countries. Objectives: To investigate accessibility, use, and impact of an online EBM knowledge dissemination portal in orthopaedic surgery. To explore whether receiving daily targeted evidence summaries results in more frequent use of an EBM tool compared with receiving general weekly reports. To identify and explain the barriers and benefits of a point-of-care resource in the Indian context. Methods: Forty-four orthopaedic surgeons in Pune, India, were provided free access to OrthoEvidence (OE), a for-profit, online EBM knowledge dissemination portal. Participants were subsequently randomized to an Intervention group receiving daily targeted evidence summaries or a Control group receiving general weekly summaries. This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design that incorporated two questionnaires, OE usage data, and semi-structured interviews to gain insight into the surgeons’ usage, perceptions and impact of OE. Results: There were no observable differences in OE usage between the Intervention and Control groups. OE was deemed to be comprehensive, practical, useful, and applicable to clinical practice by the majority of surgeons. The exit survey data revealed no differences between groups’ perceptions of the OE tool. Semi-structured interviews revealed barriers to keeping up with evidence that included limited access to relevant medical literature (limited internet connection, lack of time, minimal access to medical journals) and limited incentive to keep up with it (limited decision-making powers for residents, textbook-based residency curriculum, lack of research methods knowledge, limited context-specific research). Changing trauma practices at the hospital were noted following the intervention. Recommendations: The practice of EBM and the use of point-of-care tools in India can be promoted by investing in adequate electronic infrastructure (improvements to internet access) and by integrating EBM into training programs and surgical cultures. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Internet portals are increasingly becoming a primary source of information. A portal is a gateway to information on the Internet or a hub from which users may locate relevant information (Strauss, 2000). Because university Web sites have various user classes, universities are beginning to adopt the portal concept for their Web sites. The study conducted aimed to determine the effect of tailoring information content and presentation style on a university Web portal. User ratings of information design on three metrics and user task performance measures of time and errors were compared for four prototypes. Three prototypes were built on the basis of user requirements and two Human-computer Interaction (HCI) theories and one was a replica of an existing academic information portal. The three metrics were derived from the HCI theories. The contributions of the study are a determination of user acceptance of and user performance with the tailored presentation styles and three metrics derived from HCI theories that can be used to compare alternative information presentation styles for portals. An important contribution is the remote data collection technique that was used in the study and a time-stamping technique that recorded clicks on hyperlinks. / Master of Science

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Data underpins the smooth operations and strategic decision-making of the day-to-day operation of an organization’s business processes. With the increasing automation of an organization's activities, large volumes of data are generated faster than they may be consumed and digested. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is faced with such a generation of large volumes of data. The department could have benefited from data warehousing in which data is stored within a single repository. However, there is no framework that could inform the adoption of Data Warehousing by a South African government department. This research study therefore intended to design a framework for the adoption of Data Warehousing by a South African government department.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Data underpins the smooth operations and strategic decision-making of the day-to-day operation of an organization’s business processes. With the increasing automation of an organization's activities, large volumes of data are generated faster than they may be consumed and digested. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is faced with such a generation of large volumes of data. The department could have benefited from data warehousing in which data is stored within a single repository. However, there is no framework that could inform the adoption of Data Warehousing by a South African government department. This research study therefore intended to design a framework for the adoption of Data Warehousing by a South African government department.

4 SUMMARY The diploma thesis relates to possibilities and using of electronic support in the human resource management. The thesis deals with the development, general types of the electronic support, using of specific types of electronic support in different personnel activities. There are also outlined trends and tendencies in the near future of electronic support in the human resource management. A part of the thesis is dedicated to an empirical study. The study is focused on the current situation of using electronic support in chosen personnel activities (such as analysing of job description, attraction, recruiting, personnel administration, adaptation, compensation and benefits, evaluation, trainings and internal communication). The respondents are organizations located in the Czech Republic. The empirical study uses the semi-quantitative approach and it is realized by the electronic semi-structured questionnaire. KEY WORDS: Personnel Management, Electronic Support, Human Resource Information System, Personnel Application, Intranet, HR Portals.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T14:32:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pedro Maleronka Ferron.pdf: 1288268 bytes, checksum: 9a96017ecca51a53a7bf1dc9ac8eab92 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-12-19 / The author is proposed at this dissertation, to present an assessment of attributes and characteristics of collaborative portals, used for Mathematics Education, with content targeted to high school. To achieve the proposed work, we tried to select a set of portals, which were chosen, primarily, for their purpose in the field of Mathematics Education. After found examination, was chosen by the choice of nineteen Portals offered by the Internet and used by institutions of public and private education in Brazil and abroad, and foreigners and nine Brazilians in December: four private and five public. The assessment of the portals has been developed from a single methodology for prospecting observed data. In this context, there was a uniformity of information that was deemed necessary to evaluate each portal, aiming, to such a procedure, preventing the addition or deletion of data from them. Based on the theoretical references, it was used as a criterion for assessing the interaction analysis of two categories: the technological and educational, but also of its dimensions most relevant and consistent with the proposal of work. It is important to remember that the two categories, as well as its dimensions do not correspond to areas isolated and separated. They are interlinked and they do this integration allows the portal achieve the purpose for which they are proposing. The aim of the dissertation is to provide indicators on the potential and limitations of various portals evaluated so that help teachers of mathematics, and users, to decide on the appropriateness and their integration into school practices / O autor se propõe, na presente dissertação, a apresentar uma avaliação de atributos e características de Portais Colaborativos, utilizados para a Educação Matemática, com conteúdo direcionado ao Ensino Médio. Para realizar o trabalho proposto, buscou-se selecionar um conjunto de Portais, que foram escolhidos, principalmente, por sua finalidade no campo da Educação Matemática. Após apurado exame, optou-se pela escolha de dezenove Portais disponibilizados pela Internet e utilizados por Instituições de Ensino Público e Privado, no Brasil e no mundo, sendo dez estrangeiros e nove brasileiros: quatro privados e cinco públicos. A avaliação dos Portais foi desenvolvida a partir de uma mesma metodologia de prospecção dos dados observados. Nesta direção, ocorreu uma uniformização das informações que foram consideradas necessárias para avaliar cada Portal, visando-se, com tal procedimento, impedir a supressão de dados ou acréscimo dos mesmos. Embasado em referenciais teóricos, utilizou-se como critério de avaliação dos Portais a análise de duas categorias: a tecnológica e a pedagógica, e, também, de suas dimensões mais relevantes e compatíveis com a proposta do trabalho. É importante lembrar que as duas categorias, bem como suas dimensões, não correspondem a aspectos isolados e dissociados. Encontram-se elas interligadas e essa integração é que permite ao Portal atingir a finalidade a que se propõe. O objetivo da dissertação é fornecer indicadores sobre as potencialidades e limitações dos diferentes Portais avaliados, a fim de que auxiliem professores de Matemática, e usuários, a decidir sobre a adequação e a integração em suas práticas escolares

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:36:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabiana Benine.pdf: 427311 bytes, checksum: bb808eb9e7dc99ff5d7754692150739d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-18 / It refers to a work about the organization of the information in portals of university libraries whose objective was identify the parameter, as well as, the commom and specific variables used for the organization of the information in portals of university libraries. This research is a descriptive case study and multiple cases, whose sample is deliberat, and the two portals selected for this research are part of the Digital Library of the Learning Community of the Catholic Institution Chains of the Higher Education (CVA RICESU). The collection of the data was done by a script which identified, in scientific-technical literature, the administrative structure of the university libraries, services and products offered by the portals of the university libraries. After this collection and discussion of datas, it was noticed the organization of the information in those portals does not have any form of organization and the information in them are blended whit other services and products. / Trata-se de um trabalho sobre a organiza??o da informa??o em portais de bibliotecas universit?rias que objetivou identificar par?metros, bem como as vari?veis comuns e espec?ficas utilizadas para a organiza??o da informa??o nos portais de bibliotecas universit?rias. A pesquisa ? caracterizada como estudo de caso descritivo e de casos m?ltiplos, na qual a amostra ? intencional, uma vez que os dois portais selecionados para tal fazem parte da Biblioteca Digital da Comunidade de Aprendizagem da Rede das Institui??es Cat?licas de Ensino Superior (CVA-RICESU). A coleta dos dados se deu por meio de um roteiro onde foram identificadas, na literatura t?cnico-cient?fica, as estruturas administrativas das bibliotecas universit?rias e de servi?os e produtos oferecidos pelos portais das bibliotecas universit?rias. Ap?s a coleta e discuss?o dos dados, observou-se que n?o h? nenhuma forma de organiza??o da informa??o nesses portais, al?m de as informa??es contidas nos mesmos n?o diferenciarem os servi?os e os produtos.

Partiendo de un análisis de los principales aspectos de la sociedad de la información como contexto social en el que las bibliotecas actuales redefinen su función social y sus servicios, se estudia el papel de la tecnología como agente de cambio en los servicios de información de las bibliotecas públicas. Antes de estudiar la automatización y las tecnologías en las bibliotecas, se realiza un estudio terminológico sobre la biblioteca actual en este sentido (biblioteca digital, biblioteca electrónica, biblioteca virtual y biblioteca híbrida).La biblioteca híbrida se toma como marco conceptual para el desarrollo del trabajo: el ámbito de los servicios de biblioteca en el contexto digital. Posteriormente se revisa la evolución del concepto y aplicación de la automatización de bibliotecas, centrándose en la descripción de las aplicaciones de gestión integral de bibliotecas (SIGB). Se elabora un esquema común que responde al modelo clásico de automatización de bibliotecas, y de él se estudian con más detalle los elementos pertenecientes al sistema de información público, generalmente conocidos como Opac. Posteriormente se traza un panorama actual del mercado de la información y de aplicaciones para bibliotecas, atendiendo a las divergencias y desarrollos del modelo clásico. Se recoge información sobre los proyectos de bibliotecas digitales más significativos, y se ponen en relación con la gestión estratégica de las tecnologías en las bibliotecas. Se completa este apartado con el estudio de los dos contextos tecnológicos actuales que más inciden sobre las posibilidades y configuración de las aplicaciones de gestión bibliotecaria; por un lado la gestión documental corporativa (Groupware y Workflow) y por otro los portales y comunidades virtuales en internet. Antes de describir nuestra propuesta conceptual de SIGB, se estudia la arquitectura del sistema de información digital de la biblioteca, introduciendo el concepto de Biblioteca-Red, derivado del estudio de la biblioteca desde la óptica organizacional y de los factores del entorno que la moldean. / The role of information technology as a critical agent of change in public library information services, in the environment of infornation society, is studied, considering the redefinition of libraries social functions and services. First of all, it's presents a terminological survey of modern libraries trends (digital library, electronic library, virtual library, hybrid library). Hybrid library is selected as a valid conceptual framework for this work: library services in digital context. Library automation and technologies concepts and applications are reviewed, focusing in library systems, which match into a classic model of library automation. Information retrieval and public information features (Opac) are studied in-depth, in order to compare it with recent development in the information market for libraries and significant digital ibraries projects. The strategic role of information technologies management is presented as a requirement for understanding the complex interrelation between services and technologies. It's also analysed the two technological context that have a greater potential of influence in library systems: In one hand the Groupware and Workflow, and in the aher hand internet virtual communities and portals. Also is described the different points of view about digital information systems architecture, introducing the concept of Net-Library, as an organizational view of libraries in interaction inside an infomation and social environment. A new conceptual framework of library systems is defined, with extended functionalities derived of social and technological changes about information services, denominated Extended Library System. It's structured in two leve ls: application and product. The first level describes the modules of an library management and infonnation system application. The second one is dedicated to fue public information project requirements of a library portal. Finally it presents structured indicators to evaluate extended automation, as well as elements to model hybrid libraries information technologies project

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This Extended Research Assignment discusses the information systems found in HBR Personnel. The discussion, based on the research problems, proposes steps in which the systems of HBR can be integrated so that they add the most value. Furthermore, a review of Corporate Portals is undertaken to show the potential impact it may have on organisational efficiencies and knowledge. The Assignment, according to the methodologies given, analyses the HBR information system for system incompatibilities and bottlenecks and proposes solutions for these problems. The solutions include changing core system databases and computer systems, together with a portal to fully integrate HBR Personnel’s information systems. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie Uitgebreide Navorsingsopdrag bespreek die informasiestelsels gevind in HBR Personnel. Die bespreking, gebaseer op die navorsingsprobleme, stel stappe voor waardeur die stelsels van HBR geïntegreer kan word om die meeste waarde toe te voeg. Verder word ‘n oorsig gedoen van Korporatiewe Portale om te wys watter potensiële impak dit kan hê op organisatoriese doeltreffendheid en kennis. Na aanleiding van die gegewe metodologieë analiseer die opdrag HBR se informasiestelsel vir sistemiese probleme en bottelnekke en stel oplossings voor vir hierdie probleme. Die oplossings sluit in ‘n verandering van kern-sisteem databasisse en rekenaarstelsels, tesame met ‘n portaal om HBR Personnel se informasiestelsels ten volle te integreer.

La diffusion de l’information sur internet est aujourd’hui assurée par une multiplicité d’acteurs avec en pointe des audiences les portails désignés aussi sous le concept flou d’infomédiaires. Leur émergence s’inscrit dans un mouvement de re-configuration de l’espace médiatique, impulsée par les Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication (TIC) (Internet et web2.0, particulièrement). La recherche présentée ici est partie d’un constat majeur concernant leur succès dès leur entrée en scène alors que les médias déjà établis peinent à établir des modèles éditoriaux et économiques viables sur Internet.Nous considérons que des stratégies d’acteurs sont observables au cœur de la filière en construction de l’information en ligne et qu’il existe une redéfinition des rôles autour de la production, de la diffusion et de la consommation de l’information accentuée par le phénomène de la convergence. L’étude envisage ces stratégies d’acteurs comme participant à une reconfiguration de l’espace médiatique numérique, dominé par les portails, dont la démarche consiste à s’appuyer de façon « stratégique », sur des contenus et des pratiques certifiés professionnels des éditeurs de presse, et de façon « tactique », sur les logiques marketing, afin de proposer de nouveaux modèles à la fois « éditorial et économique» assez innovants, adaptés aux mutations de la filière de la presse au prisme du numérique, aux besoins des internautes et relativement rentables.Le terrain investi est celui de l’Afrique de l’ouest francophone, il présente des spécificités parfois éloignées des références reconnues dans le domaine. Notre corpus est composé de trois portails, Seneweb.com (Sénégal), Lefasonet.net (Burkina Faso) et Abidjan.net (Côte d’Ivoire). / Information diffusion on the internet is now provided by a multiplicity of actors with, on the peak audiences, portals, also designated under the vague concept of Infomediaries. Their emergence is part of a re-configuration movement of the media space, driven by the Information Technology and Communication (ICT) (Internet and Web 2.0, specifically).The research presented here is part of a major observation regarding their success since their appearance while the already established media are struggling to establish viable editorial and economic models on the Internet.We consider that strategies of actors are observable in the heart of the industry under construction of online information and roles are redefined around the production, diffusion and consumption of information enhanced by the phenomenon of convergence.The study plans these strategies of actors as participating in a reconfiguration of the digital media space, dominated by the portals, whose approach relies in a "strategic" way on combining the content and practices certified professional by newspapers publishers, and in "tactical" way, based on marketing methods, in order to propose new models both "editorial and economic" fairly innovative, adapted to changes in the press sector vis-à-vis the digital, to the needs of users and relatively profitableThe area under study is that of Francophone West Africa, it presents some specificities sometimes away from references recognized in the field. Our corpus is composed of three portals, Seneweb.com (Senegal), Lefasonet.net (Burkina Faso) and Abidjan.net (Ivory Coast).