Maryam Moghadami; Mohammad Khandan; Nader Naghshineh
Abstract
This study aims to investigate digital citizen science projects in Iran and the challenges in this field from the perspective of experts. The present study is exploratory with a content analysis approach. First, scientometric research was conducted in Scopus to assess the status of digital citizen science. ...
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This study aims to investigate digital citizen science projects in Iran and the challenges in this field from the perspective of experts. The present study is exploratory with a content analysis approach. First, scientometric research was conducted in Scopus to assess the status of digital citizen science. Second, to identify the challenges of digital citizen science in Iran, experts were interviewed. Though the number of scientific publications in this field has been growing recently, Iran's share of the scientific output is quite small. A Review of qualitative data obtained from interviews showed that the main challenges in this field in Iran are: Funding, Government policy, Engagement, Time, Recognition, Data quality for citizen science, Volunteers for citizen science, Capacity and skills, and Communication. This research can be a guideline for experts in the field of digital citizen science. These technologies can also facilitate interactions and communication between professionals and non-professionals. Despite the spread of digital citizen science projects in European and American countries, the term is unfamiliar in Iran.
Sedigheh Mohammadesmaeil
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the information retrieval and information therapy behavior of Asthma and allergy specialists in the country, based on cohonen self-organized neural network model.Methods: The methodology of the present study, which is an applied study in terms of purpose, ...
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Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the information retrieval and information therapy behavior of Asthma and allergy specialists in the country, based on cohonen self-organized neural network model.Methods: The methodology of the present study, which is an applied study in terms of purpose, has been done by descriptive-survey method using neural network technique. The tool of this research is a researcher-made questionnaire that was distributed among a sample of people in the community (149 people). After collecting the data, the neural network was selected for data clustering and using MATLAB software, Asthma and allergy specialists were clustered based on the main components of the research. Then, by removing each of the main sub-components of the research, the most effective and least effective option in their information-seeking behavior in working with information resources in this specialized field was determined.Results: The most effective component in clustering information barriers, was "lack of time due to workload" and the least was "distance of libraries and information centers". About information retrieval skills, the most effective component is " knowing what keywords to use when searching the Internet, and to be familiar with synonyms and terms related to the information I need."Conclusion: By studying the clustering of information behaviors resulting from the information needs of Asthma and allergy specialists, their needs are recognized, and this is one of the measures that provides the basis for effective research, appropriate findings and ,consequently, informational decision-making for those involved in this field.
Niloofar Abbaspoor; Rasoul Mohammad Ali Pour; Fatemeh Bagheri
Abstract
Background: Official websites of tourism destinations provide an important digital content and are considered as widely-used tools of introducing destinations and presenting tourism products to the potential tourists. Improving the usability of websites helps the tourism destinations in achieving their ...
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Background: Official websites of tourism destinations provide an important digital content and are considered as widely-used tools of introducing destinations and presenting tourism products to the potential tourists. Improving the usability of websites helps the tourism destinations in achieving their goals. Websites usability is measured based on different criteria.Purpose: This paper evaluates and compares the usability of Iran and Malaysia official tourism destination websites –which are regarded as quite comparable in their tourism products and market- using seven criteria of content, visual attractiveness, infrastructure, interaction and responsiveness, navigation, customization, and product provision.Method: In order to do this evaluation, pairwise comparison questionnaires of the criteria were developed based on DEMATEL and ANP techniques and were answered online by 10 tourism experts in Iran. Websites’ usability analysis was performed using a combination of two MCDM (Multiple Criteria Decision Making) techniques that are DEMATEL and ANP so that the causal relations of the criteria are identified along with the ranking of their significance.Findings: The findings of the research show “infrastructure” as the dispatcher criterion, “product provision” as the receiver, and “content” as the most important criterion in the usability of tourism destinations’ websites. The findings also revealed the superiority of Malaysia’s official tourism website as compared to that of Iran.
Mila Malekolkalami
Abstract
Purpose: School closures in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic have caused a movement wave to hold classes online. Although, there had been some online classes for some courses, online teaching, and learning for students and school teachers have been an unprecedented experience; consequently, most teachers ...
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Purpose: School closures in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic have caused a movement wave to hold classes online. Although, there had been some online classes for some courses, online teaching, and learning for students and school teachers have been an unprecedented experience; consequently, most teachers and students have a limited experience with it. This paper examines the Perception of Iranian Teachers on Distance Teaching during the COVID-19 pandemicMethodology: The research method was a descriptive survey. Data was collected through an online questionnaire with 5 questions, involving 214 participants from schools in Iran. Findings: The findings show it has been the first experience with online classes for most teachers and Creating content for online classes and low levels of teacher's pedagogical digital competence are of the most significant challenges for teachers.Conclusion: Along with these alternations, it has been felt the need for instructional strategies, technological readiness to implement online learning, and teacher training courses with regard to modern technologies, as well as changes in national curricula must be made to increase flexibility and technological readiness.
