In an age where social media is pervasive and misinformation is rampant, maintaining a healthy online environment is crucial for curbing the spread of unverified rumors. Social media platforms often employ anti-rumor campaigns to foster a positive public atmosphere. However, a fundamental question remains: can these initiatives truly resonate with the public and prompt positive behavioral change? Do such campaigns have the power to influence people’s thoughts and actions in their daily lives?
Studies show an increase in pandemic and post-pandemic burnout caused by transition to new teaching or research modes, increased emotional labor required to support students, colleagues and families, uncertain work conditions, unbalanced research, teaching and service expectations, and other factors (Dali et al., 2023; Douglas et al., 2022; Harris, et al., 2024; McClure & Fryar, 2022). During the recent iConference’24, we organized a panel to share faculty’s post-pandemic experiences and identify strategies for improving faculty mental health and well-being.
Failure in research remains a taboo topic for many academics and students. The pressure to be the perfect researcher can make discussing failure with peers and mentors extremely difficult, if not impossible. Academic publishing – not unreasonably – tends to favor the publication of “successful” research. The resulting culture of silence around failure often extends beyond complete failures, leading to the avoidance of discussing what did not go well or what could have gone better in any meaningful way. What opportunities are being missed by not having conversations about failure?
Accurate measurements of physical processes are essential for scientific research and technological advancement. From subatomic particles to celestial bodies, precise measurements underpin our understanding of the universe and drive innovation. However, selecting the right mathematical model to interpret experimental data can be challenging due to the complexities of real-world phenomena. Traditional model selection methods often rely on researcher intuition and experience, leading to subjectivity and potential biases. In this article, we explore the Finite Information Quantity (FIQ) approach—a novel solution that addresses these limitations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has tragically claimed the lives of over 7 million people globally. This toll has been exacerbated by widespread suspicions information regarding the origins and transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, leading to the proliferation of false beliefs and conspiracy theories. The dissemination of misinformation and disinformation (MIDI) has further fueled this phenomenon throughout the pandemic.
The study aims to comprehensively explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on information retrieval systems, analysing the evolution, challenges, and future directions. It explores the role of AI in enhancing search relevance, user experience, and ethical considerations in information retrieval contexts. The findings highlight AI’s transformative capabilities in enhancing relevance, personalisation, and semantic understanding within information retrieval systems. Ethical considerations, such as bias mitigation and data privacy, are also addressed.
COVID-19 has become the catalyst of health MIDI (misinformation and disinformation) on the World Wide Web. It is difficult for people to know what to believe. If people act on wrong information, their health may get worse. We need to be ready when the next health emergency comes. We need to know how to find good health information.
How transparent are universities about mental health resources and student privacy relative to Title IX? What are best practices for information dissemination relative to these resources? What should students know about privacy, transparency, and mental health relative to Title IX?
Yet another troubling development in social media is research that looks at ways to help online discussions stay on-topic and to prevent discussions from descending into exchanges of hostilities.
Social media has not helped us build a strong and resilient tribe with diverse skills and resources. It is now simply geared to help us find others that “like” the same things as we do, which is not the connection points for tribes.
In early June, Australia woke to the news that the nation’s public broadcaster (the Australian Broadcasting Corporation) was making its librarians and archivists redundant.
Modern collaborative Wiki platforms can be used to support and facilitate the research process, and to provide a starting point for the efficient implementation of a knowledge management system in academic research settings.
In 2023, a significant milestone was celebrated as the University of Toronto Libraries and Columbia University Libraries marked a decade of partnership in Tibetan Studies collection development and services. This collaboration stemmed from a shared recognition of Tibetan Studies’ historical marginalization in North America, attributed to factors such as geopolitical complexities and the dominance of mainstream disciplines. Together, the two institutions embarked on a mission to address this disparity, striving to increase access to Tibetan resources and foster interdisciplinary dialogue among scholars on both sides of the border.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities require long-term education in specialized schools or institutions due to their unique learning needs and behavioral habits. Teachers with specialized training are essential in their education process. Based on volunteer experience at non-governmental organizations (NGOs) serving individuals with intellectual disabilities, we summarize common teaching strategies employed by teachers and challenges encountered in teaching to present the landscape of special education in China and to enlighten future LIS research.
In the evolving landscape of literature, ‘triggers’ serve as alerts for potentially distressing content, sparking debates on the delicate balance between reader well-being and freedom of expression. While aiming to create a safer reading experience, ‘triggers’ face criticism for potentially stifling intellectual growth and creative exploration. The ongoing debate questions whether these cautionary measures infringe on artistic expression and personal choice, akin to warning labels on tobacco products.
The intricate world of reading techniques and the art of reading goes beyond mere consumption. It is an active engagement with information, an intellectual journey, and a means of personal and professional empowerment.
With the evolving landscape of technology and education, the role of librarians has undergone significant transformations. Two prominent models have emerged in recent years—the traditional librarian and the blended librarian. This article aims to provide a detailed comparison between these two approaches, highlighting their characteristics, responsibilities, and the impact they have on the library profession.
This article delves into the profound reasons why school librarians’ matter, particularly within the context of primary education.
En las últimas dos décadas, la IA ha avanzado a pasos agigantados hasta el punto de que estamos hablando seriamente de que es tan inteligente como los humanos o incluso que los supera. Pero antes de dejarnos llevar demasiado por esa emoción o ese miedo, es importante que miremos hacia dentro y nos preguntemos: ¿qué nos hace inteligentes, conscientes y humanos?
Robots asesinos. Inteligencia artificial distópica. Rebeliones de máquinas. ¿Por qué nos fascina tanto la idea de que nuestros aparatos se vuelvan contra nosotros? En este artículo, desentraño nuestra obsesión con el ascenso de las máquinas y demuestro que gran parte de su atractivo es en realidad la proyección de nuestros propios miedos y dilemas.
Killer robots. Dystopian AI. Machine uprisings. Why are we utterly fascinated with the idea of our gadgets turning against us? Here I unravel our obsession with the rise of the machines and show that a big part of the appeal is really the projection of our own fears and dilemmas.
人工智能驱动的语言模型（如GPT-4）中可能存在的偏见对科学的完整性构成了重大威胁—基于大量来自互联网的数据训练的模型可能会导致数据的偏差。此外，如果用于训练模型的数据单一，最终模型可能会偏向于某些群体或观点。使用有偏见的语言模型导致的现有偏见和误解的永久化会对学术研究产生深远的影响。考虑到人工智能生成的内容带来的独特挑战，很有必要制定新的法律框架和准则以解决如上提及到的问题。
