Search

Introduction: This study provides insights into the talk (defined here as any verbal utterances issued during a search activity) that children (ages 10 and 11) engage in when finding information on the Internet for two teacher-assigned tasks with different search goals: a specific item task where the goal is to find particular information, and a general topical task where the goal is to find information on a topic but no specific information is looked for. Method: Eight children were observed interacting with their teacher and fellow classmates while using search systems in their classroom. Analysis: The talk captured in the classroom was analysed thematically and mapped onto an existing and established search process model. Results: While talk differed for the three key search sub-processes, most noticeable was how talk varied according to search goal. Discussion occurred during the specific item task when children were finding it difficult whereas discussion in the general topical task led children to extend the task. Conclusion: Children's search processes and the support they need are contingent on search goal. Recommendations are made to educators on how best to support children for the two key goal types.

Introduction: This paper investigates techniques used by children in year 4 (age eight to nine) of a UK primary school to reformulate their queries, and how they use information retrieval systems to support query reformulation. Method: An in-depth study analysing the interactions of twelve children carrying out search tasks in a primary school lesson; including observations, search recordings, post-task interviews and teacher interview. Analysis. The search screen recordings were analysed for task performance. The queries were categorised using both Broder's taxonomy (2002) and query reformulation type schemes. The interviews and observations were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Results: Children reformulated queries by switching information retrieval system, extracting information from search results, and by using "did you mean" and auto-complete functionality. The children also reformulated queries by using previous queries, correcting errors, and making their queries more specific. The type of query reformulation support the children used varied according to the type of query entered, with children submitting both question queries and broad-based topic queries. Conclusions: The children mostly reformulated queries based on their interactions with information retrieval systems, rather than their prior knowledge. Search systems could further support children by (1) tailoring tools to the type of query (question or broad-based) entered, (2) making suggestions for the narrowing of queries as the children found this particularly difficult (3) accommodating children's linear scanning of search results as this led to unnecessary query reformulations. [This paper was published in: "Proceedings of ISIC: The Behaviour Conference" (Leeds, England, Sep 2-5, 2014), Part 2, Paper isic31.]

The literature about academic libraries takes a strong interest in the future, yet little of it reflects on academic libraries' underlying stance toward the years ahead: is there a sense of change or continuity? Is there optimism or pessimism? Consensus or divergence? This article explores these questions using data from interviews with a broad range of practitioners, commentators, and experts. Some see libraries as fundamentally unchanging, while others perceive innovation as a given. There is little consensus about upcoming trends. Some interviewees doubt libraries' ability to deal with change, but others feel considerable optimism.

Aims: The study aimed to (1) discover workers' attitudes toward the use of novel video screens to improve hand sanitization in the workplace and (2) discover what workers' preferences are for hand hygiene (HH) messaging style and tone and reasons for their preferences. Background: Practicing good HH in non-medical office settings is vital to curb the spread of a range of common and infectious diseases. Despite this, workers are rarely consulting in the construction of HH messages. The qualitative views of users can provide us with the "why" rather than the "what" and can highlight areas of cynicism, concern and overall attitudes to HH. Methods: A survey was completed by 520 UK workers concerning attitudes and views toward HH messaging and the use of a video-based hand sanitizer unit. Analysis consisted of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: Workers were skeptical toward the use of digital technologies within HH interventions, and there were misgivings about the role that video could play. Results demonstrated a strong preference for positive and supportive messages. Educational and trustworthy qualities were well rated. Messages that emphasized surveillance, previously successful in a clinical setting, or guilt, were not well received. Visual approaches that utilized serious illustration were valued. Conclusion: This study highlights how consulting workers before the design of HH initiatives is important in guiding the design process. The resultant user-centered criteria promotes the use of positive, motivational, thought-provoking, surprising, and visual approaches to HH messaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. While much research has been done into how people encounter information, little has investigated post-encountering behaviours and their motivating factors. This exploratory study aims to study people's behaviours after encountering health information on social media platforms. Method. Participants were recruited through the X platform (previously Twitter) by posting an invitation about the study. 39 participants from the UK took part in the diary study conducted from 3 June 2023 to 1 July 2023. Using their personal social media platforms, they submitted 71 diary entries of encountered health information through an online form. Analysis. Inductive content analysis (open coding) was used for the analysis. Results. The findings show that participants' post-encountering behaviours consist of saving, sharing, directly using, discussing, exploring, ignoring, returning to browsing, and making mental notes of encountered health information. Our results indicate that participants are likely to experience emotional changes due to the influence of the health information they encounter. Findings also show that the influencing factors can be grouped into personal, informational, and health-related factors. Conclusions. This study provides insights into the nature of health information post-encountering behaviours on an everyday basis and their motivating factors. It also highlights the need for more in-depth investigations into the potential factors that moderate their relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germs have been visually represented in popular texts for over 100 years, yet little is understood about the dominant practices/concepts resident in such images. This article presents a new typology of popular germ representations from the UK consisting of three main types: Scientific, Carrier and Analogous. The first category pertains to the realm of the scientist, the second to domestic space and social norms, and the third primarily to the realm of the imagination. The study identifies a further 13 sub-types and discusses each in turn. The authors argue that a more varied range of germ images exist than the previous binary positioning of germ representations in the US would suggest. They account for the continued adoption of the Analogous Germ in relation to four key cultural forces and problematize the use of the Monster Germ and its alignment of ugliness and obesity with disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children are a key target of handwashing interventions as washing hands reduces the spread of disease and reliance on antibiotics. While there is guidance for evaluating handwashing with adults in other settings, this is lacking for children in schools. An integrative review of 65 studies where handwashing was measured in schools was conducted to establish which indicative measures (what is measured to evaluate the processes and/or impacts of, handwashing) and measurement tools (data collection instruments) have been applied to evaluate handwashing in schools, and under what circumstances. Further analysis highlighted different challenges when seeking to apply such measures and tools in schools, as opposed to other settings. It was concluded that indicative measures, and measurement tools need to be appropriate to the organizational setting, the study participants, and research objectives. A summative analysis of relevant considerations is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posters encouraging handwashing would seem to offer a low-cost solution addressing barriers to handwashing in schools. However, what barriers can be successfully addressed and, how effective posters targeted at children may be is not known. In this study, using a co-design methodology, seventy-nine children (aged 6 to 11) from three English schools evaluated and generated handwashing messages in two workshops.The results were then compared with an evaluation (by the authors) of handwashing posters targeted at children. Messages that children considered most effective addressed barriers relating to reminders and encouragement, and education and information (particularly germ transmission, consequence, location and avoidance).Messages that addressed time and social norms were not considered as effective.Posters targeted at children also used reminders and encouragement, and education and information messages. However, the focus of these education and information messages was on instruction (how and when to wash hands), not on germs. Unlike the posters targeted at children, the majority of children's messages were persuasive in that they did more than simply instruct. This has implications for the design of posters and educational material in handwashing interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. This study provides insights into the talk (defined here as any verbal utterances issued during a search activity) that children (ages 10 and 11) engage in when finding information on the Internet for two teacher-assigned tasks with different search goals: a specific item task where the goal is to find particular information, and a general topical task where the goal is to find information on a topic but no specific information is looked for. Method. Eight children were observed interacting with their teacher and fellow classmates while using search systems in their classroom. Analysis. The talk captured in the classroom was analysed thematically and mapped onto an existing and established search process model. Results. While talk differed for the three key search sub-processes, most noticeable was how talk varied according to search goal. Discussion occurred during the specific item task when children were finding it difficult whereas discussion in the general topical task led children to extend the task. Conclusion. Children's search processes and the support they need are contingent on search goal. Recommendations are made to educators on how best to support children for the two key goal types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a mixed methods study of interlending and resource sharing in UK public libraries, based on the results of a survey distributed to both senior library managers and interlending staff, and in-depth follow-up interviews with 20 respondents. We present an analysis of perspectives towards rates of interlending, the rationales and strategies for providing the service, the perceived value for money offered by various interlending schemes, the impact of the current digital environment, and views on the future of interlending in the UK. Our findings suggest that while interlending services are undoubtedly threatened by the drastic cuts to public library funding, and that demand for the service is more generally in decline, resource sharing is viewed by some as a potential means of mitigating the effects of increasingly limited acquisitions budgets, and ensuring the public library system continues to provide access to a wide range of resources for its users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. This paper investigates techniques used by children in year 4 (age eight to nine) of a UK primary school to reformulate their queries, and how they use information retrieval systems to support query reformulation. Method. An in-depth study analysing the interactions of twelve children carrying out search tasks in a primary school lesson; including observations, search recordings, post-task interviews and teacher interview. Analysis. The search screen recordings were analysed for task performance. The queries were categorised using both Broder's taxonomy (2002) and query reformulation type schemes. The interviews and observations were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Results. Children reformulated queries by switching information retrieval system, extracting information from search results, and by using 'did you mean' and autocomplete functionality. The children also reformulated queries by using previous queries, correcting errors, and making their queries more specific. The type of query reformulation support the children used varied according to the type of query entered, with children submitting both question queries and broad-based topic queries. Conclusions. The children mostly reformulated queries based on their interactions with information retrieval systems, rather than their prior knowledge. Search systems could further support children by (1) tailoring tools to the type of query (question or broadbased) entered, (2) making suggestions for the narrowing of queries as the children found this particularly difficult (3) accommodating children's linear scanning of search results as this led to unnecessary query reformulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 and the prospect of future pandemics have emphasized the need to reduce disease transmission in workplaces. Despite the well-established link between good hand hygiene (HH) and employee health, HH in nonclinical workplaces has received little attention. Smart sanitizers have been deployed in clinical settings to motivate and enforce HH. This study is part of a large project that explores the potential of smart sanitizers in office settings., Objective: Our previous study found that for office workers to accept the deployment of smart sanitizers, they would need to find the data generated as useful and actionable. The objectives of this study were to identify (1) the potential uses and actions that could be taken from HH data collected by smart sanitizers (2) the concerns of office workers for the identified uses and actions and (3) the circumstances in which office workers accept HH monitoring., Methods: An interview study was conducted with 18 office workers from various professions. Interview questions were developed using a framework from personal informatics. Transcripts were analyzed thematically., Results: A wide range of uses of smart sanitizer data was identified including managing hygiene resources and workflows, finding operating sanitizers, communicating the (high) standard of organizational hygiene, promoting and enforcing organizational hygiene policies, improving workers' own hygiene practices, executing more effective interventions, and identifying the causes of outbreaks. However, hygiene is mostly considered as a private matter, and it is also possible that no action would be taken. Office workers were also concerned about bullying, coercion, and use of hygiene data for unintended purposes. They were also worried that the data could be inaccurate or incomplete, leading to misrepresentation of hygiene practices. Office workers suggested that they would be more likely to accept monitoring in situations where hygiene is considered important, when there are clear benefits to data collection, if their privacy is respected, if they have some control over how their data are collected, and if the ways in which the data will be used are clearly communicated., Conclusions: Smart sanitizers could have a valuable role in improving hygiene practices in offices and reducing disease transmission. Many actionable uses for data collected from smart systems were identified. However, office workers consider HH as a personal matter, and acceptance of smart systems is likely to be dynamic and will depend on the broad situation. Except when there are disease outbreaks, smart systems may need to be restricted to uses that do not require the sharing of personal data. Should organizations wish to implement smart sanitizers in offices, it would be advisable to consult widely with staff and develop systems that are customizable and personalizable., (©Sophie Rutter, Sally Sanger, Andrew D Madden, Sukaina Ehdeed, Catherine Stones. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org), 11.01.2024.)