Systematic literature reviews are common in social research for integrating and synthesising existing research. This paper argues that the outcomes of such reviews are affected by the choice of bibliographic databases. It presents evidence of substantial variation across three large electronic databases (Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO) in a…

This article investigates subject-related research metrics from the most popular scientometrics platforms with the capability of citation count. Quantitative analyses have been carried out to determine the most- to the least-cited subject areas to indicate the most active and dynamic fields in research. Subject areas are classified based on…

Objectives: Information and communications technology (ICT) has impacted almost all human service disciplines and currently is evolving in social work. This study provides a systematic review of ICT-enhanced social work interventions, with particular reference to their intervention fidelity (IF), validity, and the role of ICT in the helping…

Animal assisted intervention (AAI), which has been defined as the use of an animal to provide therapeutic benefit based on a positive relationship between the client and the animal, is a therapy option for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); therefore, it is beneficial to review studies that evaluated its effectiveness. A systematic…

While much research focuses on factors contributing to doctoral completion, few studies explore the role of the doctorate in forming active researchers with the skills, know-how and appetite to pursue research post-completion. This article investigates 15 existing studies for evidence of what factors in the doctoral experience may contribute to…

Describes dilemmatic view of research process in which research is regarded as dilemmas to be lived with rather than problems to be solved. From this perspective, the proper starting place to discuss methodology is to lay out a series of choices, describe choices in terms of mutually incompatible goals involved, and discuss research strategies.…

As part of the study of human information search strategy the concept of the search tactic, or move made to further a search, is introduced. Twenty-nine tactics are named, defined, and discussed, and implications of search tactics for research in search strategy are considered. (Author/MBR)

This review of research that focuses on solutions to user interface problems in online search systems summarizes and compares the implications of studies in five categories: theoretical models, operating systems, individual cases, controlled experiments, and surveys. Forty-six references are cited. (SW)

Discusses the concept of search failure in document retrieval systems and three effectiveness measures, precision, recall, and "fallout." Four research methods--retrieval effectiveness measures, user satisfaction measures, transaction log analysis, and critical incident technique--are examined, and findings of major studies using each of the…