13 results
Search Results
2. Information Professionals as Intelligent Agents--Or When Is a Knowbot Only a Robot?
- Author
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Hey, Jessie
- Abstract
With the explosion in information resources being developed by computer scientists, subject specialists, librarians, and commercial companies, the challenge for the information professional is to keep abreast of the most significant developments and to distill the information for a wide range of users. This paper looks at some of the developments in electronic libraries on both sides of the Atlantic and the impact on the information professional. New projects involve multimedia, hypermedia, user interfaces, and other aspects of the integration of diverse libraries, and show that methods of research are also changing. Information professionals must continually keep aware of new techniques and sources if they are to contribute to their usefulness. Intelligent agents are beginning to replicate some of the tasks which are familiar to librarians, such as current awareness, but intelligent agents can also act as a tool for the librarian. The challenge for the researcher and developer, and also for the librarian, is to make an efficient transport system for the information superhighway. Knowledge robots and 3D visualization are tools to simplify the increasingly complex and diverse information world. However, pooling skills and resources between information professionals will become ever more essential. (Contains 41 references.) (Author/SWC)
- Published
- 1996
3. Arguing for Computer Science in the School Curriculum
- Author
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Fluck, Andrew, Webb, Mary, Cox, Margaret, Angeli, Charoula, Malyn-Smith, Joyce, Voogt, Joke, and Zagami, Jason
- Abstract
Computer science has been a discipline for some years, and its position in the school curriculum has been contested differently in several countries. This paper looks at its role in three countries to illustrate these differences. A reconsideration of computer science as a separate subject both in primary and secondary education is suggested. At EDUsummIT 2015 it was argued that the major rationales for including computer science as a subject in the K-12 curriculum are economic, social and cultural. The paper explores these three rationales and also a beneficence matrix to assist curriculum designers. It also argues computer science is rapidly becoming critical for generating new knowledge, and should be taught as a distinct subject or content area, especially in secondary schools. The paper concludes by looking at some of the key questions to be considered when implementing computer science in the school curriculum, and at ways its role might change in the future.
- Published
- 2016
4. Wild Interdisciplinarity: Ethnography and Computer Science
- Author
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Goulden, Murray, Greiffenhagen, Christian, Crowcroft, Jon, McAuley, Derek, Mortier, Richard, Radenkovic, Milena, and Sathiaseelan, Arjuna
- Abstract
Drawing on the experiences of a novel collaborative project between sociologists and computer scientists, this paper identifies a set of challenges for fieldwork that are generated by this "wild interdisciplinarity. Public Access Wi-Fi Service" was a project funded by an 'in-the-wild' research programme, involving the study of digital technologies within a marginalised community, with the goal of addressing digital exclusion. We argue that similar forms of research, in which social scientists are involved in the deployment of experimental technologies within real world settings, are becoming increasingly prevalent. The fieldwork for the project was highly problematic, with the result that few users of the system were successfully enrolled. We analyse why this was the case, identifying three sets of issues which emerge in the juxtaposition of interdisciplinary collaboration and wild setting. We conclude with a set of recommendations for projects involving technologists and social scientists.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Computer Programming in the UK Undergraduate Mathematics Curriculum
- Author
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Sangwin, Christopher J. and O'Toole, Claire
- Abstract
This paper reports a study which investigated the extent to which undergraduate mathematics students in the United Kingdom are currently taught to programme a computer as a core part of their mathematics degree programme. We undertook an online survey, with significant follow-up correspondence, to gather data on current curricula and received replies from 46 (63%) of the departments who teach a BSc mathematics degree. We found that 78% of BSc degree courses in mathematics included computer programming in a compulsory module but 11% of mathematics degree programmes do not teach programming to all their undergraduate mathematics students. In 2016, programming is most commonly taught to undergraduate mathematics students through imperative languages, notably MATLAB, using numerical analysis as the underlying (or parallel) mathematical subject matter. Statistics is a very popular choice in optional courses, using the package R. Computer algebra systems appear to be significantly less popular for compulsory first-year courses than a decade ago, and there was no mention of logic programming, functional programming or automatic theorem proving software. The modal form of assessment of computing modules is entirely by coursework (i.e. no examination).
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Women's ICT Career Choices: Four Cross-Cultural Case Studies
- Author
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Georgiadou, Elli, Abu-Hassan, Norihan, Siakas, Kerstin Viola, Wang, Xueming, Ross, Margaret, and Anandan, Prem Anand
- Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to consider the under-representation of women in computing, information technology (IT) and information systems in most Western countries. This under-representation can only be detrimental to society. Design/methodology/approach: The authors discuss recently published studies on the under-representation of women in this field, and the lack of career progression for women, particularly in positions of senior responsibility. The results of a survey conducted in the UK, Greece, Malaysia and China are presented, and similarities as well as differences are identified. Malaysia and China are included as the under-representation is much less in the Asian countries. Findings: The authors identify the main reasons for the under-representation and lack of career progression, and study the effect of national culture on the formation of strategy and of practice in the four countries. Research limitations/implications: The survey respondents are mainly female students studying computing/IT at degree level. In the next phase of the research, the survey will include both male and female students, lecturers and employees within the IT sector. The research will be extended into a longitudinal study, in order to monitor trends. Originality/value: The UK Government is currently undertaking a number of initiatives to improve the representation of women in information and communication technologies. For those initiatives to be successful, the cultural issues identified in the paper need to be considered. (Contains 7 tables.)
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Revisiting h measured on UK LIS and IR academics.
- Author
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Sanderson, Mark
- Subjects
INFORMATION retrieval ,LIBRIS (Information retrieval system) ,DATABASES ,COMPUTER science ,INFORMATION science ,INFORMATION technology - Abstract
A brief communication appearing in this journal ranked UK-based LIS and (some) IR academics by their h-index using data derived from the Thomson ISI Web of Science™ (WoS). In this brief communication, the same academics were re-ranked, using other popular citation databases. It was found that for academics who publish more in computer science forums, their h was significantly different due to highly cited papers missed by WoS; consequently, their rank changed substantially. The study was widened to a broader set of UK-based LIS and IR academics in which results showed similar statistically significant differences. A variant of h, h
mx , was introduced that allowed a ranking of the academics using all citation databases together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. The Impact of Information Technology Development on the Legal Concept — Particular Examination on the Legal concept of 'Signatures'.
- Author
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Wang, Minyan
- Subjects
INFORMATION technology ,LAW & economic development ,COMPUTER science ,CIVIL law ,SIGNATURES (Writing) - Abstract
This paper intends to explore the impact of Information technology (IT) development on the legal concept of `signatures'. To what extent and in which way does it impact on the legal concept of `signatures'? This paper attempts to examine this issue from an international and comparative perspective. It was found that IT development has different levels of impact on the legal concept of `signatures' in different jurisdictions. In the Common Law system such as the UK and the US, it does not change the legal concept of `signatures'. However, it does put the legal concept on such an important position. On the contrary, IT development changes the legal concept of `signatures' in the Civil Law system such as Germany and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. China Passed The U.S. In Information Technology. What's Next?
- Author
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Herper, Matthew
- Subjects
BIOLOGY ,COMPUTER science ,PUBLICATIONS ,RESEARCH ,INFORMATION technology - Abstract
The first of a four-part series of articles that examine the scientific output of several countries in biology, computer science and clean energy is presented. An analysis prepared by Elsevier division, SciVal Analytics showed that the U.S. still leads in the number of scientific research publications in reputable journals. However, Chinese researchers have outnumbered the U.S. in information technology publications in 2009. In biology and medicine, Great Britain came in second to the U.S.
- Published
- 2011
10. NHS records system delays cost CSC ?5m.
- Author
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Collins, Tony
- Subjects
FINES (Penalties) ,INFORMATION technology ,ELECTRONIC systems ,COMPUTER software ,COMPUTER systems ,ELECTRONIC data processing ,COMPUTER science - Abstract
The article addresses issues on the penalty paid by CSC company to the National Health Service (NHS) trust for the delay of deployment of patient administration software under the National Program for information technology (IT) in Great Britain. According to CSC spokeswoman, information that is related to penalties either paid by or requested by CSC are confidential. She adds that they are on final stages of agreeing the roll-out of the new platform that will be available in 2008. Moreover, it points out that the current patient administration software is an administrative system which has limited clinical functionality.
- Published
- 2008
11. Women and Computing in the UK.
- Author
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Adam, Alison
- Subjects
COMPUTERS & women ,RESEARCH ,INFORMATION technology ,COMPUTER science ,ACADEMIC achievement - Abstract
In the absence of a funding program or substantial support from industry, much research and many initiatives on women and computing in Great Britain follow a "self-help" style. Women and men who are interested in gender-related issues often find that they must maintain a research area more acceptable to the academic establishment as a primary interest. Despite this tension, women and computing is a lively research topic. The women into technology approach addresses the limited presence of women in information technology (IT), and focuses on education, training and equal opportunity initiatives to increase the number of women in the IT field. Sociological and philosophical approach focuses on the nature of IT work, the gendering of technology. There are a number of initiatives in Great Britain, but Women into Computing (WIM) has been the most active in this tradition. WIC provides a great deal of support and friendship for women starting up gender-oriented research program.
- Published
- 1995
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Mobile apps will boost productivity.
- Author
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Pritchard, Stephen
- Subjects
TECHNOLOGICAL innovations ,MOBILE communication systems ,INFORMATION technology ,CREATIVE ability in technology ,CUSTOMER services ,STRATEGIC planning ,SALES forecasting ,COMPUTER science - Abstract
The article discusses the significance of technological innovation of the mobile phone industry on information technology (IT) industry in Great Britain. The IT industry observers have remained uncertain regarding the value of Third Generation and Fourth Generation services including video calling to the consumer. The business sector sees the increasing productivity as a sign of growing the business by 65 percent since the launching of the system. The introduction of mobility to business applications reflect a number of challenges which include technical and practical difficulties.
- Published
- 2007
13. Health officials say IT scheme has enough scrutiny in response to technical audit call.
- Author
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Collins, Tony
- Subjects
INFORMATION technology ,COLLEGE teachers ,COMPUTER science ,AUDITING ,HIGH technology - Abstract
This article reports that the British Department of Health has reacted with limited enthusiasm to a call by more than 20 academics in computer-related sciences for an independent audit of the technical feasibility of the British National Health Service (NHS)'s national programme for information technology (IT) (NPfIT). In response to an open letter the department said that the national programme for IT is under constant review, scrutiny and audit by parliament and government bodies. An investigation into the project by public spending watchdog the National Audit Office has been delayed by nearly a year. Although there is still widespread support for the aims of the NPfIT, it has failed to win the hearts and minds of the clinicians and NHS staff that will eventually use the systems, according to John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office. The complexity of the project, delays, changes in leadership and policy issues that in part led to the academics' call for a technical audit have been tracked by the journal "Computer Weekly" over the past four years.
- Published
- 2006
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