Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Just How Right Are The Customers? An Analysis Of The Relative Performance Of Patron-Initiated Interlibrary Loan Monograph Purchases, David C. Tyler, Yang Xu, Joyce C. Melvin, Marylou Epp, Anita M. Kreps

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: Faculty Publications

There has been a flurry of interest in programs for collection development through patron-initiated requests. However, some librarians have been concerned that such methods run the risk of producing idiosyncratic collections with poor usage and poor use value. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries have operated such a program through the Interlibrary Loan Department over a fiveyear period. The following study assesses the relative performance of the program’s interlibrary loan–acquired monographs in terms of prices paid per rates of annual circulation, relative use at the topical level, and annual rates of circulation.

Citation Abuse And Legal Writing: A Note On The Treaty Of Fort Laramie With Sioux, Etc., 1851 And 11 Stat. 749, Charles D. Bernholz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: Faculty Publications

The Treaty of Fort Laramie with Sioux, etc., 1851 was an important transaction between a number of American Indian tribes and the federal government. However, because of administrative mishandling by the latter, there has been sustained but unwarranted confusion over whether the treaty was a valid one. Uncertainty led to the use of a brief note in the Statutes at Large, at 11 Stat. 749, instead of the treaty’s full text as the law of the land. The Statutes cue, however, has been misused frequently in the opinions of various jurisdictions, even to the point of deploying it to …

“All The Men Here Have The Peter Pan Syndrome— They Don’T Want To Grow Up”: Navajo Adolescent Mothers’ Intimate Partner Relationships—A 15-Year Perspective, Rochelle L. Dalla, Alexandria M. Marchetti, Elizabeth (Beth) A. Sechrest, Jennifer L. White

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

In 1992 and 1995, data were collected from 29 Navajo Native American adolescent mothers. In 2007 and 2008, data were collected from 21 of the original 29 (72%). Guided by feminist family theory, this investigation sought to (a) examine Navajo adolescent mothers’ intimate partner relationships during the transition to parenthood, (b) identify themes in the young mothers’ intimate partnerships across time, and (c) assess participants’ psychosocial well-being in adulthood. Four themes emerged in the women’s long-term intimate relationships: limited support, substance abuse, infidelity, and intimate partner violence. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Synthesis Of Satellite (Modis), Aircraft (Icartt), And Surface (Improve, Epa‐Aqs, Aeronet) Aerosol Observations Over Eastern North America To Improve Modis Aerosol Retrievals And Constrain Surface Aerosol Concentrations And Sources, Easan Drury, Daniel J. Jacob, Robert J. D. Spurr, Jun Wang, Yohei Shinozuka, Bruce E. Anderson, Antony D. Clarke, Jack Dibb, Cameron Mcnaughton, Rodney Weber

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Faculty Publications

We use an ensemble of satellite (MODIS), aircraft, and ground‐based aerosol observations during the ICARTT field campaign over eastern North America in summer 2004 to (1) examine the consistency between different aerosol measurements, (2) evaluate a new retrieval of aerosol optical depths (AODs) and inferred surface aerosol concentrations (PM_2.5) from the MODIS satellite instrument, and (3) apply this collective information to improve our understanding of aerosol sources. The GEOS‐Chem global chemical transport model (CTM) provides a transfer platform between the different data sets, allowing us to evaluate the consistency between different aerosol parameters observed at different times and …

Refugees As People: The Portrayal Of Refugees In American Human Interest Stories, Sarah Steimel

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

This study combines discourse analysis and narrative analysis (Yin 2007) to examine top US newspapers’ coverage of refugees in American human interest stories. I find that the refugees are presented (a) as prior victims; (b) as in search of the American Dream; and (c) as unable to achieve the American Dream. As human-interest features, the stories provide a largely positive portrayal of individual refugees and their families. However, the human interest stories also depict refugees as current victims of the American economic crisis; deeply frustrated by their inability to achieve the American Dream. Together these discourses represent a narrative of …

Exploring Links Between Well-Being And Interactional Sense-Making In Married Couples’ Jointly Told Stories Of Stress, Jody Koenig Kellas, April R. Trees, Paul Schrodt, Cassandra Leclair-Underberg, Erin K. Willer

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

Narrative theorizing suggests that narrating stress, difficulty, or trauma can be beneficial for improved mental health, yet extant research tends to consider narrating stress as an individual or psychological construct. However, in close relationships, people often experience shared stressors and jointly tell their shared stories of difficulty to others. Thus, joint storytelling processes likely also relate to individual health. We tested this expectation using a series of actor-partner interdependence models and path analyses in a study that included 68 couples’ video-recorded joint storytelling interactions. Findings primarily indicate relationships between husbands’, wives’, and couples’ storytelling behaviors and husbands’ mental health. Generally …

Face Needs, Intragroup Status, And Women’S Reactions To Socially Aggressive Face Threats, Erin K. Willer, Jordan Soliz

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

Given the potential negative consequences of being a recipient of such behavior, the role of positive face needs, intragroup status, and the face-threatening nature of social aggression in predicting cor-relates of negative affect experienced as a result of being a target of SAFTs, including the face threat of the response, forgiveness, and well-being was investigated. On the basis of the survey responses from 199 college-aged women, findings indicated that targets’ positive face needs and intragroup status are directly and indirectly associated with forgiveness and overall well-being. Implications for these findings in relation to theorizing about face and intragroup identity as …

Is Economics Coursework, Or Majoring In Economics, Associated With Different Civic Behaviors?, Sam Allgood, William Bosshardt, Wilbert Van Der Klaauw, Michael Watts

Department of Economics: Faculty Publications

Studies regularly link levels of educational attainment to civic behavior and attitudes, but only a few investigate the role played by specific coursework. Using data collected from students who attended one of four public universities in our study, we investigate the relationship between economics coursework and civic behavior after graduation. Drawing from large samples of students in economics, business, or general majors, we compare responses across the three groups and by the number of undergraduate economics courses completed. We find that undergraduate coursework in economics is strongly associated with political party affiliation and with donations to candidates or parties, but …

A Conceptual Guide To Museum Visitors’ Understanding Of Evolution, E. Margaret Evans, Amy Spiegel, Wendy Gram, Brandy N. Frazier, Sarah Cover, Medha Tare, Judy Diamond

Department of Educational Psychology: Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to profile natural history museum visitors’ reasoning about the evolution of seven organisms featured in Explore Evolution, an NSF funded exhibition. Seven current research studies on evolution were exhibited; each targeted different organisms: HIV, diatoms, ant/fungus, Hawaiian flies, Galapagos finches, humans/chimps, and fossilized whales. The exhibits illustrated a common set of evolutionary principles, variation, inheritance, selection, time, and adaptation, in diverse organisms.

Method: As part of the front-end evaluation, 32 museum visitors were interviewed and asked to explain evolutionary change in the seven organisms, though the term evolution was not mentioned. …

Incorporating Information Technology In Library And Information Science Curriculum In Nigeria: A Strategy For Survival In The 21st Century, Bappah Magaji Abubakar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

An IT revolution is occurring in almost all spheres of human endeavor. The field of Library and Information science (LIS) has also been predominated by advances in IT which has brought about dramatic changes in all ramifications. Change is now occurring in the area of education and training/curriculum, information seeking behaviour of users, as well as in the area of service delivery to clients. This paper therefore explores how IT can be incorporated into LIS curriculum in Nigeria in order to produce competent graduates that can withstand the test of time, and also function fully in the 21st century. The …

The Culture Of Collection Evaluation In Pakistan, Kanwal Ameen

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This article aims to bring into light the prevailing evaluation culture in university libraries of Pakistan with specific reference to physical collections. Using survey method, an attempt has been made to explore the status and practices of collection evaluation in university libraries of Pakistan. The study finds out that despite all the insistence for making systematic evaluation at international level, this practice is not common in Pakistan. In majority of the cases, only some informal, unplanned and old-fashioned methods are being used to get feedback. Finally, the study suggests that libraries need to introduce the culture of evaluation in a …

Awareness And Accessibility Of Environmental Information In Nigeria: Evidence From Delta State, Yemisi T. Babalola, Akinola D. Babalola, Faith O. Okhale

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Environmental awareness is a pre-condition for environment-friendly behaviour and sustainable environment; proper awareness of environment related issues is therefore pertinent. This study examined awareness and accessibility of environmental information in Nigeria with specific reference to Warri Central Local Government Area of Delta state. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire from 140 respondents using the simple random sampling technique and analyzed with descriptive statistics. The results showed that many of the respondents are aware that soil erosion, oil spillage and pipeline vandalization are sources of environmental problems but they are not aware of the ecological impact of domestic activities like …

Libraries Build Autonomy: A Philosophical Perspective On The Social Role Of Libraries And Librarians, Audrey Barbakoff

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

An important, overlooked moral contribution of libraries and librarians to the community is the provision of support for autonomy. Philosophers have long considered autonomy a primary moral value, essential to living a flourishing life. Although library scholarship has not often engaged deeply with the philosophical discourse surrounding autonomy, libraries and librarians are uniquely positioned to enact many of the methods for encouraging it. By considering the moral significance of library services as autonomy-building activities, libraries and librarians can provide a valuable social support for their communities, individual users, and ultimately themselves.

Status Of Technological Competencies: A Case Study Of University Librarians, Syeda Hina Batool, Kanwal Ameen

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Technological expertise is the combination of knowledge and skill needed to apply technology for efficient and effective performance. This study investigates the technological expertise of eight university librarians using interview as data collection tool. Interview questions were based on technological template (T-template) or technology evaluation list for staff. It has been used by Education, Libraries & Heritage (ELH) Department’s ICT service in UK, California and Alberta public libraries to assess the IT competencies of their staff . The Template has been adopted and customized to meet the local requirements. It was used to measure the degree of professional technological expertise …

Libraries And Education For Peace In Pakistan, Rubina Bhatti

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper explores the role of all kinds of libraries (school, college, university, public and national) in promoting education for peace. This paper investigates how libraries can play their part in peace building in Pakistani society. The methodology is a review of the related literature and informal discussion with educationists, psychologists, sociologists, library professionals and other society members. Extensive discussion with international participants from various countries was also conducted during the International Conference in India in February, 2010. It concluded that libraries, by organising, seminar, conferences, book displays, fairs and exhibitions can create an environment where conflict and relationships may …

An Essay On Cataloging, Daniel Canncasciato

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The imminent arrival of Resource Description and Access (RDA), the proposed successor to Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AACR), makes now an opportune time to clarify a profound misunderstanding regarding the objective of cataloging. The objective has been widely misunderstood to be about the production of bibliographic records, or about the production of bibliographic records and their supporting authority records, or about the production of perfect bibliographic and authority records. This essay offers a more accurate picture of the objective of cataloging, working from Cutter’s early statement of principles as a reference point in re-considering some misperceptions and actions being taken in …

Ability, Assistance, And Collaboration In Academic Library Assessment, Gordon J. Hewitt, Rebecca Troendle Hewitt

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Assessment continues to grow in importance in academic libraries, yet no one has delineated what skills and resources are needed among librarians to carry out assessment activities. This study was a first attempt to describe how library leaders view the skills and resources they need to do assessment. Based on a survey of academic library directors, our findings show that directors rate themselves highly on conceptual skills, but are less confident on methodological skills. Directors also rely heavily on their staff members and campus institutional research and assessment offices to help them with assessment projects.

Internet Use Behaviour Of The Lis Community In Pakistan, Haroon Idrees, Ata Ur Rehman

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Information and communication technology (ICT) has brought radical and revolutionary changes in all walks of human life during the last three decades. It has played a vital role in the development of a global village. Libraries are also among those organisms which have been affected by ICT and a great deal of impact has been imposed in this field. Advanced countries are naturally ahead in this area like all others; nevertheless, the developing countries are also not far too behind in the use and implementation of these technologies. Internet has not only increased and fastened the communication, but it has …

The Web 2.0 Contradiction: Commercial And Library Use, Tibor Koltay

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper addresses the main motives of Web 2.0 that have contributed to its commercial success. Among the critical topics the question of amateurism is of pivotal interest. The second part of the paper deals with library use of Web 2.0, stressing that the concept of the Library 2.0 has to be properly understood. Last but not least, literacies expedient in the era of the Web 2.0 are identified.

Reading Habits Of Senior Secondary Students At Allahabad City, U.P., India, Devendra Kumar, M. M.A. Ansari

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This is a report on a readership survey carried out among the senior secondary students at Allahabad City, U.P. (India). The present study explores the reading habits of senior secondary students in Allahabad City. The present study demonstrates the various aspects of reading habits like the motives of study, reading materials borrowed from library, time spent for the serious reading, use reference materials, languages of newspaper that read daily, sections of newspapers read, place of reading, and to develop some suggestions for solution of the problem. Suggestions have been given to make the service more beneficial in the school libraries.

Attitudes Towards The Internet: A Survey Of Lis Professionals In Pakistan,, Khalid Mahmood

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The paper presents the results of a survey of library and information science professionals working in various institutions in Pakistan. Their access to and use of the Internet were measured. Their attitude towards Internet and relationship of the attitude with some personal and Internet use related variables were also explored. The findings reveal that the participants’ attitude was very positive towards Internet based facilities and services. They found these tools very useful in their professional and personal work. The most useful services were Web search engines and e-mail. It was found that the institution type, gender and age of the …

Digital Divide: Bridging The Gap Through Ict In Nigerian Libraries, W. O. Nkanu, Henry Itohowo Okon

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

For Nigerian libraries to fully use available opportunities arising from the use of emerging digital technologies, and contend with the challenges offered by globalization in a rapidly changing information society like ours, the use of ICT must be given top priority. The widening imbalances of access to ICT has resulted in inequitable access to ICTs and other internet-related technologies associated with the provision and use of information services in Nigerian libraries. These imbalances have implication for quality information service delivery in Nigerian libraries. It is in this context that, this paper, discusses the need to bridge the gap through adequate …

A Comparison Of Term Clusters For Tokenized Words Collected From Controlled Vocabularies, User Keyword Searches, And Online Documents, Elaine Maytag Nowick, Daryl Travnicek, Kent M. Eskridge, Stephen Stein

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Tokenized word terms were collected from three sources: controlled vocabulary headings, user keyword searches, and html documents all dealing with issues in water quality. Distances were calculated between word pairs using the Jacquard formula. Distances from the three sources were compared using Spearman rank correlations and clusters were calculated on distances transformed for non-normality using the SAS pseudo-centroid method. Word pair distances from controlled vocabularies were more closely correlated to keyword searches than document distances were to users’ keywords. The mean distance of controlled vocabularies was also closer to that of users. Clusters produced from the three sources were most …

The Use Of Ict In Nigerian Universities: A Case Study Of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Chinwe M.T. Nweze

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Information and communication technology facilities in libraries are those facilities that assist various libraries that provide efficient and current information services. The paper highlights the importance of internet services in university and academic environments with particular reference to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The study showed that most academic staff and the students are aware of the resources of the Internet. E-mail is the most popular resource used by the staff and students. The staff and students used in this survey still find it difficult to make efficient use of the resources provided by information and communication technologies due to …

Electronic Information Seeking Among Lis Postgraduate Students At Makerere University, Uganda, C. Okello-Obura, J. R. Ikoja-Odongo

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Without clearly understanding the users’ level of usage of resources, attitudes and the e-resources literacy levels, it is difficult to promote reading in electronic environment. Developing countries within their limited library resources need to ensure that the e-resources acquired or subscribed to are optimally used. It is on that basis that the study was designed and conducted among the postgraduate Library and Information Science (LIS) students of Makerere University, Uganda to establish the level of computer skills of its LIS postgraduate students; determine the use of electronic information resources; their attitudes towards e-resources; access; their e-resources literacy levels and propose …

Acquisition And Use Of Library Resources In A University Of Technology: A Statistical Record Assessment, Towolawi K. Oluwakemi, J. A. Adeyemi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study examined the acquisition and use of library resources in Bells University of Technology using statistical record assessment. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. Data was obtained from the library statistics which had been compiled and collated by the staff in the readers' services department over a five year period covering 2005/2006 – 2009/10. The data were analyzed using frequencies, bar charts, and percentages. Results showed that the total book collection is relatively adequate for the total population of 1053 students and 262 staff members of the University and that books and journals consulted, reader's attendance …

Information Flow Patterns In Organizations: The Library In Focus, Joyce Chinyere Oyadonghan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The paper discusses information flow in organizations with special reference to the library of tertiary institutions. The vaccine or function of any academic institution is given a special consideration. The study employs an essential qualitative analysis approach to unravel the critical role played by information in the relationship between librarian and the clientele. In the study, the Shannon and Weaver model of communication (or information dissemination and sharing) was deployed for this purpose). In this study, we were able to establish that the free flow of information among library staff as well as between them and the clientele is necessary …

Quality Of Life Among Rural Nigerian Women: The Role Of Information, Yetunde Abosede Zaid, S. O. Popoola

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The quality of life of people in developing countries including Nigeria is not near the expected standard. This is especially so with women living in the rural areas whose lives are characterized by poor income, poverty, hunger, diseases as well as lack of potable water, good shelter and access to medical attention. This is due to the fact that these women do not have access to valuable information and may not make use of available information which could help them meet the challenges of daily living. This study, therefore, investigated the extent to which information accessibility and use could improve …

Migration Of Northern Yellowstone Elk: Implications Of Spatial Structuring, P. J. White, Kelly M. Proffitt, L. David Mech, Shaney B. Evans, Julie A. Cunningham, Kenneth L. Hamlin

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Migration can enhance survival and recruitment of mammals by increasing access to higher-quality forage or reducing predation risk, or both. We used telemetry locations collected from 140 adult female elk during 2000– 2003 and 2007–2008 to identify factors influencing the migration of northern Yellowstone elk. Elk wintered in 2 semidistinct herd segments and migrated 10–140 km to at least 12 summer areas in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and nearby areas of Montana. Spring migrations were delayed after winters with increased snow pack, with earlier migration in years with earlier vegetation green-up. Elk wintering at lower elevations outside YNP migrated an …

Proportion Of Calves And Adult Muskoxen, Ovibos Moschatus Killed By Gray Wolves, Canis Lupus, In July On Ellesmere Island, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Generally Gray Wolves (Canis lupus L., 1758) tend to focus predation on young-of-the-year ungulates during summer, and I hypothesized that wolves preying on Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus Zimmerman, 1780) in summer would follow that trend. Over 23 July periods observing wolves on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada, I found that packs of 2-12 adult wolves killed seven calves, one yearling, and five adult muskoxen at distances of 2.9 to 32 km from their current dens and pups. Given a possible bias against finding calves because of their fewer remains, these results do not necessarily refute the hypothesis, but they do …