نشریه تحقیقات اطلاع رسانی و کتابخانه های عمومی
پیاپی 61 (تابستان 1389)

The present research aims to comparatively study different methods for evaluating the accessibility of websites and analyze the results of case study concerning websites of ministries of Iranian government, in order to indicate the strengths, weaknesses, and differences in evaluation findings by applying each of website accessibility methods.In this paper, initially the previously performed studies regarding websites’ accessibility have been reviewed. In next section, a survey was made on methods for accessibility evaluation, as well as comparison of advantages and drawbacks of each method. Finally, results of accessibility evaluation on websites of ministries of Iranian government (including 21 ministries) have been compared based upon manual evaluation methods, automatic evaluation methods, and evaluation of clients’ experiences. Manual evaluation was carried out using 12 indices extracted from web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) provided by worldwide web consortium: W3c/wai 1.0. Also, evaluation of clients’ experiences was accomplished by survey based on focus groups and replying the questionnaire. Automatic evaluation was achieved by Webxact automatic software.Considering different findings of these three evaluation methods, it can be stated that automatic evaluation tools can be utilized only for recognition of websites’ errors, since these software precisely provide a list of errors for each priority and are website developers’ guide for correcting the errors. Results of merely evaluating client’s experience are not useful, as some personal opinion may change the results. If human experts would be present, interpretation of errors and making practical suggestions are possible in manual evaluation method. Therefore, considering the remarkable difference observed between findings of these three evaluation methods, use of an integrated evaluation method including the three aforementioned ones was confirmed.No research has so far comparatively evaluated the methods for evaluation of websites’ accessibility. Besides theoretical comparison of the existing methods, the present research reports in an objective manner the application of mentioned methods in an objective study.

The purpose of this paper is to study the role of creativity in using conflict management strategies among librarians.In this research 115 individuals as sample group were chosen among librarians of public libraries in Iran by simple random sampling method. They subsequently filled questionnaires of personal barriers against creativity (Pfeiffer) and conflict management (Putnam and Wilson). The obtained data were analyzed using independent t-test, test of significance of Pierson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple (step-by-step) regression analysis.The research findings indicated that conflict management strategies have a significant relationship with creativity components, among which the two components “need to success” and “thinking” can determine the use of conflict management strategy. Furthermore, results of the present study show that competitive strategy is significantly used more by librarians with librarianship education compared to librarians with other backgrounds.Results of current research emphasize on the importance of paying more attention to creativity development among librarians. In addition to its direct effect on librarians’ function, creativity can indirectly reinforce other behavioral skills such as conflict management.

This research has been carried out with the aim of comparatively studying Iranmark format and Unimark handbook for serials and making some suggestions for resolving the existing deficiencies in worksheet of national document organization and national library of Iran, in Rasa software.This research has used library study. Samples to be studied included fields, markers, and the subsidiary fields of Unimark and Iranmark, whose classification and types were extracted from Unimark handbook. Also, 14 specific fields for serials were extracted from Unimark 2000 handbook as well as the updates 4 and 5 in this handbook, and translated. Afterward, the suggested format was prepared considering the specific fields identified by the researcher, mandatory fields of Unimark for all library resources, and general fields, in concordance with Rasa worksheet to assure that the desired fields have been applied to organization’s worksheet. This worksheet consisted of 102 fields.The study findings revealed that the five fields including fields 400 (series), 411(subsidiary series), 225 (series), 104 (paper identifier), and 073 (international paper code) in Unimark handbook do not exist in serials worksheet of national document organization and national library of Iran, and should be added to it. Additionally, findings showed that several fields have been changed in title, definition, application, and subsidiary fields, while there are several other fields with wrong translation which must be corrected. Finally, a worksheet is suggested whose 102 fields consist of 14 serials specific fields, 5 mandatory Unimark fields, and 83 general fields.Journals are among the most important information resources essential for researchers and visitors of libraries and information centers, and librarians make effort for their selection and preparation, and providing appropriate services by them. Information value of journals is due to the point that typically the latest news and results of scientific studies are reflected in these resources. Hence, it is necessary to properly organize such resources in a coordinated way and pay sufficient attention to their distribution and accessibility similar to printed monographs.

This research aims to investigate the proportionality of religious books publication with expectations of individuals in society.The present study is carried out by survey method. To collect data, viewpoints of 807 persons among visitors of libraries and bookstores were gathered by questionnaire.The research findings indicated that the first priority of 55.5% of responders was books with religious subjects. Also, 48.7% of the population under study expressed that more than half of their reading is assigned to religious field. The places providing highest accessibility of people to religious books were bookstores and libraries with percentages of 50.4% and 32.1%, respectively. Taking advantage of internet was low in all educational levels, whereas use of bookstores was evaluated to be high in all educational levels. The majority of responders (87.6%) emphasized that the most significant feature of book appearance is its title. 90.8% of the population under study believe that the name of author and translator is the most important factor in publication of religious books. Furthermore, books by Shahid Motahhari, as well as books on the subject of religious figures, Imams, beliefs, hadith, and prayers were introduced as the most impressing ones. From the responders’ point of view, the most important drawbacks of religious books can be considered as being repetitious, not being documentary, frequent inexpressive Arabic terms, and not being proportional with the reader’s need. Also, they believe that the best strategies for advertising the religious books include advertisement through mass media, reducing the cost, proportionate them with present needs, and increasing the number of public and free libraries. The main expectations of the population under study from religious books included getting acquainted with history of religious figures, getting familiar with the most significant subject in Islam, valuable concepts in Nahjolbalagheh, and Karbala resurrection. In addition, major expectation of the responders from religious books was providing response for their questions, getting them familiar with fine religious issues, elucidating the requirements of a perfect man in modern era, and the ability to resolve the ambiguities in religion for young people.Since religious books have assigned the highest publication level, it is necessary by precise planning to get sufficient understanding of readers of religious books and their needs. Through survey of the responders’ viewpoints, the present research can assist publishers of religious books in better planning for publication components.

The aim of present research is comparative study of the factors encouraging or inhibiting informal study among male and female graduate students in Tarbiat Moallem Azerbaijan University, as well as evaluation of the amount of their informal study.This research used survey method. The population under study included 260 students among 2600 graduate university students (1500 male and 1100 female students) in Tarbiat Moallem Azerbaijan University. A questionnaire was used for data collection. This questionnaire was analyzed and confirmed by faculty members of Tarbiat Moallem Azerbaijan University. Also, its reliability was measured in SPSS software as Kronbach alpha which was 0.872, which indicates good reliability. Descriptive and analytical statistical methods were used to answer the study questions and test the hypotheses. a) There is a significant difference between the amount of informal study in female and male university students, and mean amount of informal study among all students was 30 minutes; b) No significant difference was observed in the factors encouraging informal study and the gender variable; c) There is significant difference in some factors inhibiting informal study and the gender variable. For instance, use of internet, computer games, not being optimistic to future, and not considering science as valuable; d) In general, the most significant factors which inhibit informal study from the viewpoint of mentioned students are high cost of books, no access to favorite books, high amount of university assignments, watching TV, no sufficient free time for study, no desirable advertisement concerning study, not being used to studying from childhood, few number of public libraries, people’s not considering knowledge as valuable, not being optimistic to future, amusement programs, economic problems, use of internet, low circulation of books, and computer games; e) The main factors encouraging informal study include being used to studying from childhood, possessing a personal library, development of book-reading centers, encouragement by university professors, teachers, parents, and friends, existence of a library in vicinity of education place, training the techniques for studying, increase in family’s income, level of education, studying and social position of family members, and holding book-reading competitions.This comparative research has been carried out for the first time on the factors encouraging or inhibiting informal study from viewpoint of female and male university students. Previous studies have mostly been performed regarding the amount and subjects of informal study among the students

The purpose of this research is to determine the level of information literacy among higher education students of Kermanshah University of medical sciences.The methodology of this research is of survey-descriptive type using a questionnaire. The population under study was 181 higher education students including 158 intern and 23 postgraduate students.According to research findings, the mean scores obtained among the population under study were: 3.60 for good understanding of information need, 3.69 for information search strategies, 3.12 for location of information and access to information, 3.43 for use of information, 3.29 for combining new information with previous knowledge, and 3.09 for evaluating the result of search process regarding how much it has satisfied their information need. In total, the general results of study indicate the status of information literacy among higher education students of Kermanshah University of medical sciences with mean score of 3.37 as higher than medium.Based upon the Eisenberg and Berkowitz’s Six big skills, the present research has identified the strengths of information literacy among higher education students. It has been carried out to find and study whether higher education students of Kermanshah University of medical sciences are equipped with these skills and whether they feel the need to gain such skills

The present research has been devoted to study the status of preparing and purchasing the electronic resources in Tehran governmental specialized libraries from viewpoint of library managers, and it surveys current status of electronic resources, how they are prepared and purchased, and problems of preparing these resources in Tehran governmental specialized libraries.The methodology of this research is of survey-descriptive type, in which data collection was accomplished by a questionnaire. The population under study included 86 managers of Tehran governmental specialized libraries, among which 60 of them (70%) filled the questionnaire and hand it out, so the findings are based on data collected by these 60 questionnaires. Analysis of this study by descriptive statistics was achieved using Excel and SPSS software.The findings that no electronic resources existed in 10 libraries; 28 libraries possessed all three types of electronic resources (books, journals, and databases); one or two types of electronic resources existed in 22 libraries. In most specialized libraries the electronic resources existed, but their amount is very few for specialized libraries considering the increasing growth of such resources in libraries worldwide as well as the advantages of electronic resources. Major problems in preparing electronic resources were expressed as cost of purchasing them, cost of purchasing equipments necessary for using these resources, and making decision for choosing the type of electronic resources. In most specialized libraries in Tehran less than 10% of the library’s budget is allocated to preparing and purchasing the three types of electronic resources.Though numerous studies have been performed concerning electronic resources and related issues, the status of preparing and purchasing these resources from viewpoint of library managers have not received much attention. The obtained results of this research helps the organizations and institutions which make decision in publication of electronic resources to gain more understanding of the current status of electronic resources and the level of purchasing these resources in specialized libraries, so as to make changes in their policies for production and providing the electronic resources. Furthermore, the findings of this study can be regarded as a criterion for evaluating how much the specialized libraries are updated and efficient.

The present research has been accomplished with the purpose of investigating the scientific publications of faculty members of human sciences department in Tabriz University during 2002-2007.The methodology of this research is of survey type. The required data were collected by a questionnaire and statistical methods such as distribution of abundance and percentage of abundance in form of tables and graphs, and χ2 for analysis of the relationships between variables were utilized. The population under study included 137 faculty members of human sciences department in Tabriz University, among which 106 of them filled the questionnaires.The results indicate that the highest percentage of published papers belongs to year 2006, while the highest number of compiled books, publications presented in national and international congresses, and fulfilled research programs pertain to year 2007. Regarding the type of scientific publications in the time interval under study, these publications included 62 compiled books, 28 translated books, 368 original papers in Iranian journals, 17 translated papers in Iranian journals, and 25 original papers published in international journals. Besides, in these years 291 works were presented in national and international congresses and 182 research programs were accomplished. Test of hypotheses shows that there is a significant relationship between the variables of age, gender, scientific position, and the university from which these faculty members have graduated and their scientific publications.Originality: This study attempts to characterize for the first time the contribution of human sciences department in Tabriz University to scientific publications of Iran