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The US government lacks robust and accurate records of its military personnel. In this context, we argue that attending to veterans' recordkeeping practices matters to honouring their service to the nation. However, recordkeeping skills are not currently part of the official curriculum of active service members or veterans. Considering this situation, we ask, How do veterans in the US document their service? What are the uses of veterans' records and recordkeeping practices? Drawing from personal management of information (PMI) and rhetorical genre studies (RGS), we conducted focus groups with veterans and active service members. We found that these individuals attempted to preserve their personal records by creating love-me binders (LMBs) - a genre of records, shaped by the history of recordkeeping practices in the US Armed Forces, that supports military personnel in keeping track of their service. As a genre, love-me binders serve a rhetorical purpose: demonstrating that veterans and sometimes their relatives are eligible for benefits such as health care. Future work should consider opportunities to support veterans in creating and managing LMBs, investigate the creation and management of military records in context, and explore additional domains where records created in the workplace impact workers' personal lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology has a significant impact in archival institutions. The creation and need to preserve digital records require archivists to have the necessary training, and ongoing professional development. In addition, technology is embedded in many archival processes, making knowledge of technology use vital for archivists. While technology may be a challenge for archivists in terms of archival management, it also presents a useful means to support training and professional development. This paper is based on the experimental research conducted by the researchers, as instructors, in developing curriculum based on theories of andragogy for the purposes of developing intentional curriculum for professional development of archivists in digital learning environments. In this article, we will focus on the application of technology for the purposes of training archives professionals. We have explored archives training through the application of andragogy theory in online training through Louisiana State University and Mohawk College. In addition, we will review the literature relating to the use of technology to support both outreach and marketing to educate clients of archival institutions. Social media tools offer a broad means to engage clients, as these platforms already function as "community hubs for activity, featuring many users, regular updates, and active forum discussions" (Terras). The literature suggests that there is have been significant inroads in developing intentional curriculum for digital learning environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the potential for integrating and/or supplementing archival description with user-generated tags. The study was a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design using a sample collection of fifteen documents and fifteen photographs. Sixty participants, divided based on assessed prior domain knowledge, tagged the sample collection with minimal metadata. The generated tags were compared with real-world item-level metadata and query terms. The successful matching of participants' tags with both the unselected metadata and the query terms suggests social tags are an effective additional or supplemental access point to the digital archives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential for controlling/mediating the supplemental metadata from user-generated tags through inclusion of domain-expert user-generated tags. The study was a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design using a sample collection of fifteen documents and fifteen photographs. Sixty participants divided based on assessed prior domain knowledge tagged the sample collection. An open-coding analysis found six major categories and six subcategories. T-tests and chi-square tests found statistically insignificant or very weak associations between tags and domain knowledge. The study recommends inclusion of both expert and novice tags with each group demonstrating different qualities and serving different purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to compare the evaluation of search result lists and documents, in particular evaluation criteria, elements, association between criteria and elements, pre/post and evaluation activities, and the time spent on evaluation. Design/methodology/approach – The study analyzed the data collected from 31 general users through prequestionnaires, think aloud protocols and logs, and post questionnaires. Types of evaluation criteria, elements, associations between criteria and elements, evaluation activities and their associated pre/post activities, and time were analyzed based on open coding. Findings – The study identifies the similarities and differences of list and document evaluation by analyzing 21 evaluation criteria applied, 13 evaluation elements examined, pre/post and evaluation activities performed and time spent. In addition, the authors also explored the time spent in evaluating lists and documents for different types of tasks. Research limitations/implications – This study helps researchers understand the nature of list and document evaluation. Additionally, this study connects elements that participants examined to criteria they applied, and further reveals problems associated with the lack of integration between list and document evaluation. The findings of this study suggest more elements, especially at list level, be available to support users applying their evaluation criteria. Integration of list and document evaluation and integration of pre, evaluation and post evaluation activities for the interface design is the absolute solution for effective evaluation. Originality/value – This study fills a gap in current research in relation to the comparison of list and document evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Evaluation plays an important role in users' information searching and retrieving processes. While previous research mainly focuses on applied criteria, less research is on other dimensions of evaluation. This study explores the dimensions of evaluation activities including criteria applied, elements examined, activity engaged in and time spent in evaluating individual documents. Method. Conducting their own tasks, thirty-one participants with different demographic backgrounds, participated in the study. Multiple data collection methods were used: pre-questionnaires, interaction diaries, think-aloud protocols, transaction logs and post-questionnaires. Analysis. Types of evaluation criteria, elements, evaluation activities and their associated pre- and post-activities were analysed by open-coding. Descriptive analysis was applied to analyse the most and least time spent on individual documents with associated factors. Results. The findings of this study reveal that evaluation activities are complicated and dynamic. Eighteen types of evaluation criteria, seven types of evaluation elements, six types of evaluation activities and their associated pre- and post-activities were identified. In addition, factors affecting time spent in evaluating individual documents were analysed. Conclusions. The authors offer suggestions for information retrieval system design to support effective evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]