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Dissertation Information for Ida M. Flynn

NAME:
- Ida M. Flynn

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Pittsburgh (USA) (1994)

ADVISORS:
- Margaret M. Kimmel

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Carla Diane Hayden
- Toni Carbo
- Sara Fine
- Lathe Haynes

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Design, development and testing of an interactive multimedia information system for classmates of young cancer patients: A case study

Abstract: The purpose of this case study was to develop, test and evaluate a multimedia interactive information retrieval system for children which would be easy to learn to use and would keep their interest while accessing information on a sensitive subject, cancer in children. To explore the multimedia aspects of this project, material collected for presentation was displayed in two ways: the visual database was stored on a videodisc and displayed on a color monitor, and the factual database was stored on the computer's hard disk and displayed on the computer's monitor. The children interacted with the information system through a one-button mouse and the interface stored on the computer's hard disk. Data were collected by pre- and post-tests given to students of a fourth grade class from an elementary school located in Wilkinsburg, one of the boroughs adjacent to the city of Pittsburgh. There were few statistically significant results in this case study. Based on one class of 22 children, the participants had only a limited amount of time to navigate through the system and to assimilate the information presented. However, the results of this case study suggest that the databases provided useful information about cancer and that the information retrieval system was easy to use.

An important aspect of this study was the exploration of children's information seeking strategies. The navigational charts used to track each child's path through the system yielded information about their search techniques. After comparing all navigational charts, three categories of users were defined: browsers, explorers, and investigators. Each group exhibited particular characteristics related to the breadth and depth of search, amount of interest in the information retrieved, and interaction with the system. For example, browsers glanced through many stacks at random, explorers were interested in the interface and how it worked, and investigators were interested in the contents of the databases and read the information presented on the computer's screen.

MPACT Scores for Ida M. Flynn

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:23:50

Advisors and Advisees Graph

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Students under Ida M. Flynn

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- Muhammad Ali Al-Tayyeb - University of Pittsburgh (1982)