| Introduction: The goal of integration of digital libraries (DL) is to utilize various autonomous DLs in concert to provide knowledge from such island-DLs. Integrated digital libraries (IDLs) appeared after the emergence of DLs in 1990s, invention of integrated information systems from 2000 and consolidation of them during the recent decade. The Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MHME) of Iran has emphasized the integration of health services throughout the country which unavoidably requires the integration of digital libraries in Iranian universities of medical sciences. The main purpose of this investigation was to identify effective factors on such integration.Method: The present research was conducted through analytical-descriptive approach. The related data were gathered from literature, assessed by the Delphi Panel members and analyzed by Fuzzy TOPSIS technique (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Situation). The research population (Delphi Panel) consisted of 15 specialists in digital library areas. The snowball method was used to determine the research statistical sampling. The data were gathered through a five-point Likert scale self-made questionnaire after its reliability and validity were evaluated.Results: Study of related published studies in literature revealed that DLs, Integrated Information systems and IDL were three systematic related phenomena, which emerged and developed in a definite and unavoidable order. The findings showed that 34 affecting factors could be considered which influence the integration process of digital libraries in Iran Universities of Medical Sciences. The affecting factors could be classified into five main groups of strategic, technical, digital, organizational and human factors, according to their proximity and importance.Conclusion: IDLs are the outcome of merging the experiences of DLs and integrated information systems, which have led to efficient and remarkable informatics systems. According to the findings of the present work five main factors consisting of strategic, technical, digital, organizational and human ones affect the integration process of DLs in Iranian medical science universities.Keywords: Integrated digital library, Information systems, Medical universities, Effective factors, Conceptual model, Iran |
- Lagoze C, Arms W, Gan S, Hillmann D, Ingram C, Krafft D, et al., editors. Core services in the architecture of the national science digital library (NSDL). Proceedings of the 2ndACM/IEEE-CS joint conference on Digital libraries; 2002. ACM.
- Barbuti N, Ferilli S, Redavid D, Caldarola T. An Integrated Management System for Multimedia Digital Library. Procedia Computer Science. 2014;38:128-32.
- Smet E. Digital library technology in J-ISIS: concept, implementation and comparison with GSDL. Program. 2014;48(1):76-89.
- Valinezhad A, Pasiyar P, Shokraneh F. [Medical librarianship and Information science in evidence-based medicine arena]. Informology. 2009(6):138-60.
- Shen R. Applying the 5S framework to integrating digital libraries: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; 2008.
- Perry GJ, Roderer NK, Assar S. A current perspective on medical informatics and health sciences librarianship. J Med Libr Assoc. 2005;93(2):199-205.
- A short report from deputy of management development and resources of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. 2010 [updated 2010; cited]; Available from: http://www.behdasht.gov.ir/.
- Alipour-Hafezi M. Content and Services Integration in Central Library Applications Softwares in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences: An Important Step in Economic Usage of Existing Knowledge. Health Information Management. 2012;9(4):601.
- Abalos E, Carroli G, Mackey ME. The tools and techniques of evidence-based medicine. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2005;19(1):15-26.
- Monteiro E. Integrating health information systems: a critical appraisal. Methods of information in medicine. 2003;42(4):428- 32.
- Klem ML, Weiss PM. Evidence-based resources and the role of librarians in developing evidence-based practice curricula. J Prof Nurs. 2005;21(6):380-7.
- Schwartz A, Millam G. A web-based library consult service for evidence-based medicine: Technical development. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2006;6:16.
- Davarpanah M. [Research and scientific information seeking in print and electronic materials. Tehran: Dabizesh Publication; 2008.
- Dahl M, Banerjee K, Spalti M. 2006.
- Alipour-Hafezi M. [Examining interoperability between Iranian digital libraries: A proposed model]. Tehran, Iran: Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University; 2010.
- Boschini M, Cortese C, editors. The road (and the roadmap) for building Trusted Digital Repositories within an Interuniversitary Consortium. Int Conference Trusted Digital Repositories & Trusted Professionals; 2012.
- Santos RLT, Roberto PA, Gonçalves MA, Laender AHF. A Web services-based framework for building componentized digital libraries. Journal of Systems and Software. 2008;81(5):809-22.
- Trochim W. Introduction to Validity: Social Research Methods. [cited]; Available from: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/introval.php.
- Alipour-Hafezi M. IDL framework to integrate disparate digital library systems: a case study. The Electronic Library. 2014;32(2):134-46.
- Chen C-T. Extensions of the TOPSIS for group decisionmaking under fuzzy environment. Fuzzy Sets and Systems. 2000;114(1):1-9.
- Chang IC, Hwang H-G, Hung M-C, Lin M-H, Yen DC. Factors affecting the adoption of electronic signature: Executivesâ perspective of hospital information department. Decision Support Systems. 2007;44(1):350-9.
- de Bakker K, Boonstra A, Wortmann H. Does risk management contribute to IT project success? A metaanalysis of empirical evidence. International Journal of Project Management. 2010;28(5):493-503.
- Zhu Y, Li Y, Wang W, Chen J. What leads to postimplementation success of ERP? An empirical study of the Chinese retail industry. International Journal of Information Management. 2010;30(3):265-76.
- Hakim A, Hakim H. A practical model on controlling the ERP implementation risks. Information Systems. 2010;35(2):204-14.
- Lin A, Chen N-C. Cloud computing as an innovation: Percepetion, attitude, and adoption. International Journal of Information Management. 2012;32(6):533-40.
- Complete scientific map of health system. 2011 [updated 2011; cited]; Available from: http://www.behdasht.gov.ir/.
- Topçu ÃS, Ãakmak T, Dogan G. Data Standardization in Digital Libraries: An ETD Case in Turkey. ProcediaSocial
- and Behavioral Sciences. 2014;147:223-8.
- Roknuzzaman, Kanai H, Umemoto K. Integration of knowledge management process into digital library system. Library Review. 2009;58(5):372-86.
- Zhou Q. The development of digital libraries in China and the shaping of digital librarians. The Electronic Library. 2005;23(4):433-41.
|
