|
Applied Research
|
 |
Applied Research
2007 Capstone Abstracts
A Study of Selected UMLS Vocabularies and their use within the Electronic Health Record
Bonnie Altus, Senior Systems Analyst, Clinical IT Group, Samaritan Health Services
This study examines eight UMLS controlled vocabularies and reviews them to determine how they may be used to support communication within the EHR. This study is important because no controlled vocabulary fully meets the needs of healthcare (Abdelhak, et al., 2001). Content analysis reveals that items generally included in the EHR are observations, laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging reports, treatments, therapies, drugs, patient information, legal permissions, and allergies. A descriptive profile of each vocabulary is included.
Copyright Law and Massive Book Digitization Projects: A Current Interpretation
Darren Baker, Vice President, Dijahnelos Homes, Inc.
Six pre-selected legal concepts related to copyright law (copyright infringement, fair use, intermediate copy, library exception, property, and transformative use) are examined in relation to massive book digitization projects, such as the Google Book Search (Jeweler, 2005). Content analysis is applied to literature, published between December 2004 to present, in order to develop interpretive narratives for each concept. These concepts present a "snapshot-in-time" that covers current discussion for people tracking topics of interest.
User-Generated Metadata in Social Software: An Analysis of Findability in Content Tagging and Recommender Systems
Michael Barnes, User Experience Design Manager, VeriSign, Inc.
This study describes how user-generated metadata may be leveraged to enhance findability in web-based social software applications (Morville, 2005). Two interaction design systems, content tagging (Golder & Huberman, 2005) and recommender systems (Resnick & Varian, 1997), are examined to identify strengths and weaknesses along three findability factors: information classification, information retrieval and information discovery. Greater overall findability strength may be found in content tagging systems than in recommender systems.
Improving the Usability of Mobile Applications through Context-awareness
Donald J. Davies
The usability of mobile applications is threatened by limited input/output capabilities and varied access situations (Bertini et al., 2005). Through context-awareness, applications are programmed to respond to contextual information as an input source (Schmidt et al., 1999). Based on analysis of literature published between 1998 and 2006, techniques to both interpret and apply contextual input to improve mobile application usability are identified among four primary context types: location, identity, time, and activity.
The author of this study is a recipient of the AIM Director's Distinguished Capstone Award.
Download:
Full text of this study
Improving Asset Visibility: Fundamental Practices for Implementing RFID Technologies
David Dederick, Senior Systems Consultant, Motorola, Inc.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has the potential to enhance tracking and identification activities across business processes (Finkenzeller, 2003). This study examines the potential for improved asset visibility in three RFID technologies: (a) low frequency (LF); (b) high frequency (HF); and (c) ultra-high frequency (UHF). Outcomes, presented in summary tables, highlight factors that influence choices information managers must make to incorporate these technologies in medium to large organizations, with emphasis on pros, cons and costs.
Using Findability Features on Legislative Web Sites to Meet Constituent Expectations
Luke Jambois
Although legislative Web sites first appeared during the 1990s, constituents still have difficulty finding legislative information (Jambois, 2005; Peterson, 2002). A checklist is created for designers of legislative Web sites, based on analysis of literature published between 1995 and 2006 in the areas of constituent expectations for legislative sites and Web findability features. This checklist details Web site features that improve findability in ways that better meet the expectations of constituents who use these sites.
Conducting a Needs Assessment for the Implementation of Computer Based Training within a Corporate Environment
Brandon Maldonado, Technical Trainer, NW Natural
Computer Based Training (CBT) can fail to deliver real business value if implemented on the basis of assumptions alone (O'Connor, 2006). A training needs assessment can determine if CBT will address needs prior to implementation. Using content analysis, this study, structured in four steps, provides a guide to conducting a CBT needs assessment. Steps include: (1) conducting a gap analysis, (2) identifying priorities, (3) identifying performance problems, and (4) identifying solutions. CBT benefits and drawbacks are included.
Framing a Collaborative Enterprise Architecture Governance Program within the Context of Service-Oriented Software Systems Development
Mark McClure, Enterprise Technology Architect, The Regence Group
The chief enterprise architect must employ different methods to govern enterprise architecture (The Open Group, 2005) and service-oriented architecture (Malinverno, 2006). Results from a content analysis of selected materials published between 2002 and 2006, help to form a framework of four artifacts including a glossary, conceptual model, a set of causal loop diagrams and a guide for a collaborative enterprise architecture governance program. The framework is designed to support the analysis, design and development of service-oriented software systems.
Database Security: An Inventory of Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Security Solutions
Ryan Nichols, Project Leader Systems Data Base Administrator, HBO
Databases are being compromised today at an alarming rate (Britt 2007). This content analysis study provides database administrators and security managers with an inventory of five common threats to and six common vulnerabilities of databases of large corporations where more than 1000 devices require security management (Whitman and Mattord 2004), aligning these threats with potential security solutions. As noted by Vizard (2007), while companies are becoming adept at fighting data breaches, attacks are gaining in sophistication.
Factors in Social Computing Related to Worker Productivity
Brig Otis
Proliferation in social computing technologies has created a need to examine the technology selection process with focus on the relationship to worker productivity. A review of literature published between 1998 and 2007 is conducted. Content analysis identifies factors in the literature addressing social computing, defined by the Social Computing Group (2005) and worker productivity, defined by Nasar (1993). The outcome is a Q&A guide for information managers to use when selecting social computing technologies.
Implementing Service-Oriented Architecture Governance
Cefe Quesada, Head of Technology Solutions, Russell Investment Services
Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) adoption is growing with increasingly more technology departments in the US and Europe either deploying SOA solutions or engaging in proof of concept projects (MarketWatch, 2007). The purpose of this study is to identify the implementation phases of a SOA governance program (Windley, 2006A), including the information technology management and business goals for each phase. A roadmap is provided for technology managers preparing to implement a SOA governance program.
Steps to Data Warehouse Development in K-12 Public Education: A Guide for IT Directors
James Rose, Director of Technology Services, Multnomah Education Service District
This study explicates data collection and reporting steps when designing a data warehouse for public education. Literature published from 2002 to 2006 in education-related periodicals concerning data warehouse design and implementation is analyzed. Content analysis is utilized to identify information related to eight steps of data warehouse design for public school districts, proposed by Pare & Elovitz (2005). The outcome is a data warehouse development guide that includes practical examples from the field.
Analysis of Three Personalized Search Tools in Relation to Information Search: iGoogle™, Leap Tag™, and Yahoo!® MyWeb
Joel Tachau, Sr. Information Architect, Avenue A | Razorfish
Personalized search is becoming mainstream with the rollout of iGoogle™. While only beginning to impact consumers, these search tools require search experts to retool and rethink how they optimize websites. Three personalized search tools are analyzed to illustrate common features related to the information search stage of the consumer buying process (Kotler & Keller, 2006, p. 191). Conclusions provide a summary of potential SEO (search engine optimization) tactics and five key considerations.
The author of this study is a recipient of the AIM Director's Distinguished Capstone Award.
Download:
Full text of this study
The Essential Role of Information for High Deductible Health Insurance Plan Consumers
Matthew Van Sickle, Provider Training & Communications Consultant, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Key categories of medical information needed by high deductible health insurance plan members are identified in relation to cost and quality of care (Kelley & Attridge, 2006). This type of plan is also called a consumer driven health plan. A report card (Schauffler & Mordavsky, 2000) is developed for use by members to lobby employers, and for employers to use on behalf of their (Robinson, 2004) employees when negotiating with insurers who provide health plans.
The author of this study is a recipient of the AIM Director's Distinguished Capstone Award.
Download:
Full text of this study
Factors that Influence Sustainability in the Data Center of Small to Medium-Sized Organizations
Dennis Zeidlhack, Director of Technical and Information Systems, CompView, Inc.
Selected literature published between 1992 and 2007 is examined to provide information to technology managers of small to medium-sized organizations for making decisions that influence sustainability in the data center. The concept of sustainability applies to use of practices that benefit the environment and business. Efficiencies can save money, increase capacity, and lead to higher productivity and profitability (Hitchcock & Willard, 2006). Three tables list factors for opportunities related to purchase, use, and disposal of electronic equipment.
|
