A Conceptual data mining model (DMM) used in Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) : case study - Strathmore University Library
Date
2010
Authors
Ambayo, Jackson Alunga
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
The process of locating and acquiring relevant information from libraries is getting more complicated due to the vast amount of information resource one has to plough through. To serve users purposefully a library should be able to avail to users’ tools and services that will lessen the task of searching of documents and be more of an information provider. A data mining model that would be used in the selective dissemination of information is proposed. The purpose would be to link users’ information needs to the available and relevant information materials. This requires technologies much like search engines that will be specialised at rummaging through library databases and mining bibliographical enthes and user details to come up with what could be the closest to determining and anticipating user patterns and demand within libraries A case study approach was taken with the collection and analysis of data. Random sampling technique facilitated the choice of 100 library users and library staff from which data was collected using self-administered and researcher administered questionnaires. Data was analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics, cross tabulations and graphs, by the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12. It was ascertained that there is a demand of relevant information amongst the students with academic, financial and employment information being the highest sought. The OPAC, classmate referrals were the most highly sought information seeking mechanisms relied on. Majority of the users were of the opinion that they would prefer a systems that offers them the choice of selectively acquiring and informing them of the availability of relevant resources, as well as them (users’) having doing their own searches.
Description
Partial fulfillment for award of the degree of Master of Science in Computer Based Information Systems
Keywords
Data mining, Selective Dissemination of Information, Expert Systems
Citation
QA76.76.E95A48 2010