Knowledge Management and Drivers of Innovation in Services Industries, 2012
User support services face complex problems in the efficient and satisfactory delivery of service... more User support services face complex problems in the efficient and satisfactory delivery of services to users. Knowledge management (KM) principles can be effectively implemented within this organizational context to support efficient and effective problem solving to improve service delivery to the users. A KM system with good information retrieval capabilities is critical in empowering front line employees to utilize organizational knowledge repositories for better service delivery. The purpose of this chapter is to present different aspects of the major information retrieval techniques that can be used in a user services environment and to propose new models to enhance retrieval capabilities of KM systems. The authors discuss the basic elements that make up an information retrieval system including metadata, controlled, and uncontrolled vocabularies. The authors also propose three experimental search interfaces for enhancing information retrieval capabilities of a KM system. The first uses a thesaurus for enhanced retrieval features through better query formulation and browsing of search results; the second uses the tag cloud concept to present thesaurus terms; and the third combines the structure of a controlled vocabulary with the flexibility of a folksonomy and tag cloud, thus incorporating the beneficial aspects of both uncontrolled and controlled vocabularies to support retrieval within a heterogeneous corporate environment.
This paper reports on an investigation of user queries submitted to the Edmonton Public Library d... more This paper reports on an investigation of user queries submitted to the Edmonton Public Library discovery system to identify seasonal and temporal queries. Using Google Analytics data and text analysis tools, this study examines how user queries change over time, particularly during summer months, weekdays and weekends.
The aim of this paper is to report on the development of a visual user interface enhanced with a ... more The aim of this paper is to report on the development of a visual user interface enhanced with a thesaurus to support information retrieval in a multilingual digital library context. The interface provides a design to support seamless access to three spaces, namely thesaurus space, query space and result display space.
User interfaces to information retrieval systems play a major role in assisting users to search, ... more User interfaces to information retrieval systems play a major role in assisting users to search, browse and retrieve information relevant to their needs. Recently, commercial information retrieval system vendors have incorporated thesauri into search interfaces in order to assist users in the process of search term selection, query formulation and expansion. Some of these systems have provided thesaurus facilities only in advanced search modes while others have provided the facilities on main search pages. The aim of this paper is to report on the development of a visual interface for multilingual thesauri to support thesaurus-based browsing and searching of multilingual digital collections.
In this paper, we describe a qualitative user study of Searchling – an experimental visual interf... more In this paper, we describe a qualitative user study of Searchling – an experimental visual interface that allows users to leverage a bilingual thesaurus for query formulation and enhancement. The design of Searchling is based on theories of thesaurus-based interface design from Shiri et al. [1], combined with the principles of rich-prospect browsing [2]. The Searchling interface provides the user with three working spaces on one screen: the Thesaurus space, Query space, and Document space. We interviewed 15 graduate and faculty researchers at the University of Alberta, who carried out three structured tasks in a thinkaloud protocol, with simultaneous audio recording and screen capture. These participants identified a number of significant advantages to the researcher provided by Searchling, including the value of having an interface that could help with identifying search terms, suggesting preferred terms, and giving bilingual search support. They also suggested areas for future improvement, primarily related to our assumption that common knowledge of thesauri would be sufficient to make the various features clear if they were described using standard vocabulary from the thesaurus field.
Purpose – This paper seeks to describe a qualitative user study of Searchling – an experimental v... more Purpose – This paper seeks to describe a qualitative user study of Searchling – an experimental visual interface that allows users to leverage a bilingual thesaurus for query formulation and enhancement. Design/methodology/approach – The design of Searchling is based on theories of thesaurus-based interface design, combined with the principles of rich-prospect browsing. The Searchling interface provides the user with three
Part two follows with four papers on how libraries can employ metadata. The papers in this part h... more Part two follows with four papers on how libraries can employ metadata. The papers in this part have dealt with a range of practical issues concerning metadata creation, formats, standards and schemas. Some of the standards and formats touched on are MARC, AACR2, Dublin Core, XML, RDF and OAI. How metadata and cataloguing rules can contribute to improved resource description and discovery on the Internet and the significance of metadata in the context of the Web environment are among the issues discussed in part two. This part is followed by a ...
The objective of this paper is a) to provide a conceptual analysis of the term big data and b) to... more The objective of this paper is a) to provide a conceptual analysis of the term big data and b) to introduce linked data applications such as SKOS-based knowledge organization systems as new tools for the analysis, organization, representation, visualization and access to big data.
The main purpose of this paper is identifying the current situation of Iranian digital libraries ... more The main purpose of this paper is identifying the current situation of Iranian digital libraries in terms of interoperability abilities and proposing an interoperability solution for Iranian digital libraries. Analytical survey is used in this research. In fact, questionnaire and observation were used for collecting data about the current situation of Iranian digital library applications. The gathered data were analyzed by system analytical method in order to propose some practical suggestions to use in Iranian digital library applications. Iranian digital libraries mostly collect text files. They store data in SQL server and in relational database systems. The majority of Iranian digital libraries do not respect interoperability. They mostly use just Z39.50 clients so as to gather bibliographic data to use in cataloguing center. In fact, most of studied digital libraries do not offer extracting standard formats. Also, they do not make use of structural and administrative metadata format in their bibliographic data. The proposed model is based on harvesting model, OAI protocol and METS/MODS metadata standard. Findings indicated that Iranian digital libraries should be alert about the essence of interoperability. Using the proposed model would help them to be able to exchange their data in a more cost-efficient and cost-effective manner.
The purpose of this study is to examine the performance of dynamic query suggestion in three popu... more The purpose of this study is to examine the performance of dynamic query suggestion in three popular web search engines, namely Google, Yahoo! and Bing. Using the TREC Web Track topics, this study conducts a comparative examination of the number, type and variations in the query term suggestions provided by the Web search engines.
Knowledge Management and Drivers of Innovation in Services Industries, 2012
User support services face complex problems in the efficient and satisfactory delivery of service... more User support services face complex problems in the efficient and satisfactory delivery of services to users. Knowledge management (KM) principles can be effectively implemented within this organizational context to support efficient and effective problem solving to improve service delivery to the users. A KM system with good information retrieval capabilities is critical in empowering front line employees to utilize organizational knowledge repositories for better service delivery. The purpose of this chapter is to present different aspects of the major information retrieval techniques that can be used in a user services environment and to propose new models to enhance retrieval capabilities of KM systems. The authors discuss the basic elements that make up an information retrieval system including metadata, controlled, and uncontrolled vocabularies. The authors also propose three experimental search interfaces for enhancing information retrieval capabilities of a KM system. The first uses a thesaurus for enhanced retrieval features through better query formulation and browsing of search results; the second uses the tag cloud concept to present thesaurus terms; and the third combines the structure of a controlled vocabulary with the flexibility of a folksonomy and tag cloud, thus incorporating the beneficial aspects of both uncontrolled and controlled vocabularies to support retrieval within a heterogeneous corporate environment.
This paper reports on an investigation of user queries submitted to the Edmonton Public Library d... more This paper reports on an investigation of user queries submitted to the Edmonton Public Library discovery system to identify seasonal and temporal queries. Using Google Analytics data and text analysis tools, this study examines how user queries change over time, particularly during summer months, weekdays and weekends.
The aim of this paper is to report on the development of a visual user interface enhanced with a ... more The aim of this paper is to report on the development of a visual user interface enhanced with a thesaurus to support information retrieval in a multilingual digital library context. The interface provides a design to support seamless access to three spaces, namely thesaurus space, query space and result display space.
User interfaces to information retrieval systems play a major role in assisting users to search, ... more User interfaces to information retrieval systems play a major role in assisting users to search, browse and retrieve information relevant to their needs. Recently, commercial information retrieval system vendors have incorporated thesauri into search interfaces in order to assist users in the process of search term selection, query formulation and expansion. Some of these systems have provided thesaurus facilities only in advanced search modes while others have provided the facilities on main search pages. The aim of this paper is to report on the development of a visual interface for multilingual thesauri to support thesaurus-based browsing and searching of multilingual digital collections.
In this paper, we describe a qualitative user study of Searchling – an experimental visual interf... more In this paper, we describe a qualitative user study of Searchling – an experimental visual interface that allows users to leverage a bilingual thesaurus for query formulation and enhancement. The design of Searchling is based on theories of thesaurus-based interface design from Shiri et al. [1], combined with the principles of rich-prospect browsing [2]. The Searchling interface provides the user with three working spaces on one screen: the Thesaurus space, Query space, and Document space. We interviewed 15 graduate and faculty researchers at the University of Alberta, who carried out three structured tasks in a thinkaloud protocol, with simultaneous audio recording and screen capture. These participants identified a number of significant advantages to the researcher provided by Searchling, including the value of having an interface that could help with identifying search terms, suggesting preferred terms, and giving bilingual search support. They also suggested areas for future improvement, primarily related to our assumption that common knowledge of thesauri would be sufficient to make the various features clear if they were described using standard vocabulary from the thesaurus field.
Purpose – This paper seeks to describe a qualitative user study of Searchling – an experimental v... more Purpose – This paper seeks to describe a qualitative user study of Searchling – an experimental visual interface that allows users to leverage a bilingual thesaurus for query formulation and enhancement. Design/methodology/approach – The design of Searchling is based on theories of thesaurus-based interface design, combined with the principles of rich-prospect browsing. The Searchling interface provides the user with three
Part two follows with four papers on how libraries can employ metadata. The papers in this part h... more Part two follows with four papers on how libraries can employ metadata. The papers in this part have dealt with a range of practical issues concerning metadata creation, formats, standards and schemas. Some of the standards and formats touched on are MARC, AACR2, Dublin Core, XML, RDF and OAI. How metadata and cataloguing rules can contribute to improved resource description and discovery on the Internet and the significance of metadata in the context of the Web environment are among the issues discussed in part two. This part is followed by a ...
The objective of this paper is a) to provide a conceptual analysis of the term big data and b) to... more The objective of this paper is a) to provide a conceptual analysis of the term big data and b) to introduce linked data applications such as SKOS-based knowledge organization systems as new tools for the analysis, organization, representation, visualization and access to big data.
The main purpose of this paper is identifying the current situation of Iranian digital libraries ... more The main purpose of this paper is identifying the current situation of Iranian digital libraries in terms of interoperability abilities and proposing an interoperability solution for Iranian digital libraries. Analytical survey is used in this research. In fact, questionnaire and observation were used for collecting data about the current situation of Iranian digital library applications. The gathered data were analyzed by system analytical method in order to propose some practical suggestions to use in Iranian digital library applications. Iranian digital libraries mostly collect text files. They store data in SQL server and in relational database systems. The majority of Iranian digital libraries do not respect interoperability. They mostly use just Z39.50 clients so as to gather bibliographic data to use in cataloguing center. In fact, most of studied digital libraries do not offer extracting standard formats. Also, they do not make use of structural and administrative metadata format in their bibliographic data. The proposed model is based on harvesting model, OAI protocol and METS/MODS metadata standard. Findings indicated that Iranian digital libraries should be alert about the essence of interoperability. Using the proposed model would help them to be able to exchange their data in a more cost-efficient and cost-effective manner.
The purpose of this study is to examine the performance of dynamic query suggestion in three popu... more The purpose of this study is to examine the performance of dynamic query suggestion in three popular web search engines, namely Google, Yahoo! and Bing. Using the TREC Web Track topics, this study conducts a comparative examination of the number, type and variations in the query term suggestions provided by the Web search engines.
This book provides a comprehensive treatment of the role of thesauri in search user interfaces ac... more This book provides a comprehensive treatment of the role of thesauri in search user interfaces across a range of information search and retrieval systems—from bibliographic and full-text databases to digital libraries, portals, open archives, and content management systems. It explores various projects, practices, perspectives, and services from disparate communities, and—drawing on an array of successful applications, usability studies, current research, and firsthand experience—offers practical guidance on using thesauri to build better search engines.
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Papers by Ali Shiri