Flying to the Top, One Tweet at a Time: Using Social Media to Rank Online Search Results
3:05 PM - 3:21 PM
Objective: The number of online bioinformatics tools and software is growing at a rapid pace. To provide website visitors with up-to-date ratings of the most highly regarded resources in this area, we are exploring the creation of a ranking system of our library’s online bioinformatics resource collection based on popularity in social media.
Methods: We maintain a searchable online resource that provides annotations about and links to several bioinformatics databases and tools. Search results are currently ordered by keyword matching rather than by popularity. To determine which are the most highly regarded and used, we will analyze common bioinformatics query results (e.g., protein structure modeling tools, genome browsers) by data mining the social media and ranking resources based on those most discussed in these outlets. Our sources include the Google categories blogs and discussions along with updates for Twitter searches. We will determine the overall applicability of our social media ranking methodology to bioinformatics as well as consumer health and general interest topics. The authors will conduct independent searches to verify inter-rater reliability. Results from this study will help users of our bioinformatics search engine locate the best tools for their needs.
Results and Conclusions: My results and conclusions are not complete yet.
Authors: Robyn B. Reed, Certificate Fellow/Student; Carrie L. Iwema, Information Specialist, Molecular Biology; Ansuman Chattopadhyay, Head, Molecular Biology Information Service; Health Sciences Library System; University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Making Sense of Breast and Ovarian Cancer in Minority Populations: Online Information Seeking by First-degree Relatives
3:21 PM - 3:37 PM
Objective: My research explores online information-seeking needs, experiences, and motivation of first-degree relatives (FDRs) of breast and ovarian cancer patients and survivors. Analysis focuses on six populations of minority women: Pacific Islander, African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, Native American, and Multi-Ethnic groups.
Methods: Sense-making methodology/inductive analysis. The research questions are:
1. How often and to what extent do FDR minority groups seek online information about cancer as compared to nonminority/white online cancer information seekers?
2. Where do FDR minority groups of breast or ovarian cancer survivors turn when looking for quality cancer information online?
3. How do FDR minority groups rate their satisfaction with the existing online cancer information environment? Are there points of concern about the information environment that stand out against others?
4. What types of cancer information do FDR minority groups search for online for themselves and other family members? How do FDR minority groups of cancer survivors compare with others in terms of motivated usage of online cancer information resources?
Via an email communication, the Susan Love Breast Cancer Research Foundation distributed 322,000 invitations to its membership to complete my online survey; 10,692 agreed to take the survey, and 9,201 volunteers completed survey responses.
Results and Conclusions: My results and conclusions are not complete yet.
Author: Peggy Gross, Institutional Assistant Director and Supervisor, Learning Resource Center, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Greenburg, PA
An Exploration and Comparison of Web Technologies Utilization in Academic Health Sciences Libraries in the South Central and Pacific Southwest Regions
3:37 PM - 3:53 PM
Objective: To provide a definition of Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0 technologies based on a literature review and to explore and compare the growth and use of these technologies in the websites of members of the association in the library regions.
Methods: A literature review from 1996 to 2010 of Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0 technologies was conducted. The website archives and current websites of the association libraries were analyzed to identify and compare the technologies that have been incorporated into the websites. A survey was sent to the libraries to further determine the use of Web 3.0 technologies in their websites.
Results and Conclusions: My results and conclusions are not complete yet.
Author: Sharon Lee, Graduate Student, Health Informatics Program, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Information-seeking Behavior of Health Care Professionals: Recent Trends
3:53 PM - 4:09 PM
Objective: To provide an overview of the trends in recent publications (2008 and after) on information-seeking behavior (ISB) of health care professionals; The overview is meant to be a part of the marketing research toward developing a core marketing strategy and marketing plan for Parks Medical Library at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center (LBMMC) and Miller Children’s Hospital (MCH), Long Beach, CA.
Methods: Literature review.
Results: The main points in recent studies of ISB of health care professionals are patterns of information seeking and ISB models, collaborative information behavior, reading habits, resource preferences and self-awareness, the impact of the presence of a medical librarian on the ISB in different health care professionals’ subgroups, health informatics, and, last but not the least, evidence-based health care.
Conclusions: Studying the ISB of health care professionals helps to identify their particular needs, recognizing desirable skills as well as highlighting strengths and weaknesses of particular resources and services. Research has concluded that information sources, services, and practices are of fundamental importance in clinical environments given their direct contribution to decision making in health issues, often making the difference in patient survival. Thus, the recent trends in ISB of health care professionals should be taken into account when developing core marketing strategies and marketing plans for medical libraries.
Author: Katia G. Karadjova, Student, Master's of Library and Information Science, San Jose State University, and Intern, Parks Medical Library, Long Beach, CA
Are We Culturally Competent? Examining the Training and Involvement of Health Information Professionals
4:09 PM - 4:25 PM
Objectives: To provide a definition of cultural competency based on a literature review and to explore health information professionals’ training and involvement in cultural competency.
Methods: A literature review from 2000 to 2010 of cultural competency in library and information sciences was conducted. An electronic survey was distributed to health information professionals via MEDLIB-L to identify levels of training and involvement in cultural competency in their organization.
Results and Conclusions: My results and conclusions are not complete yet.
Author: Letrice Davis, Graduate Student, Health Informatics Program, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
