Presented a paper on Collaborative Information Seeking at the 2016 International Conference on Collaboration Technologies and Systems (CTS)

Paper Title:
A Research Plan to Study Impact of a Collaborative Web Search Tool on Novice's Query Behavior

Abstract:
In the past decade, research efforts dedicated to studying the process of collaborative web search have been on the rise. Yet, limited number of studies have examined the impact of collaborative information search process on novice’s query behaviors. Studying and analyzing factors that influence web search behaviors, specifically users’ patterns of queries when using collaborative search systems can help with making query suggestions for group users. Improvements in user query behaviors and system query suggestions help in reducing search time and increasing query success rates for novices. In this paper, we present an empirical study plan designed to investigate the influence of collaboration between experts and novices as well as use of a collaborative web search tool on novice’s query behavior. In this research-in-progress study, we intend to use SearchTeam as our collaborative search tool. The results of this study are expected to provide information that could help collaborative web search tool designers to find ways to improve the query suggestions feature for group users. Additionally, this study will test the hypothesis that – having domain experts working with non-experts using collaborative search systems would immensely increase the query success rates for non-expert users, and help them learn querying strategies over the course of time. If the above hypothesis is proven, then use of collaborative web search tools during training of interns would be highly recommended.

Authors:
Mareh Al-Sammarraie, and Karthikeyan Umapathy.

Conference:
2016 International Conference on Collaboration Technologies and Systems (CTS)

Date:
November 3rd, 2016

DOI for the paper:
https://doi.org/10.1109/CTS.2016.0100

Link to the presentation:
http://www.slideshare.net/kumapathy/a-research-plan-to-study-impact-of-a-collaborative-web-search-tool-on-novices-query-behavior

Co-Moderated Data Ecosystem for Nonprofits Panel

Dan Richard and I co-moderated a panel on Nonprofits Data Ecosystem in the Northeast Florida region. Panel discussions was held as a part of the Data and Technology Experience (D.A.T.E) summit, October 25, 2016, Jacksonville, FL. D.A.T.E summit was organized by the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida.

Data Ecosystem Panel aims to inspire collaboration among nonprofits to achieve greater societal impact through data science. The Data Ecosystem Panel brings together program and technology professionals in the Northeast Florida region.

Panel Members:

Michael Blessing
Housing Systems Coordinator,
LSF Health Systems,
http://samh.lsfnet.org/

Lauren D’Amico
Data & HMIS, HMIS Systems Administrator,
Changing Homelessness,
http://www.changinghomelessness.org 

Mark Walker
Knowledge Management and Technology Officer,
Jessie Ball duPont Fund,
http://www.dupontfund.org   

Jason Rose, Ph. D.
Vice President of Data & Research,
Jacksonville Public Education Fund,
http://www.jaxpef.org/  

Moderators:

Dr. Dan Richard
Director Faculty Enhancement
Associate Professor of Psychology, UNF

Dr. Karthikeyan Umapathy
Associate Professor
School of Computing, UNF

Link to the Prezi used for panel discussions:
https://prezi.com/kcb6k-wx8otb/data-ecosystem-panel/

Link to the Data and Technology Experience for Nonprofits event:
http://www.nonprofitctr.org/events-calendar/data-and-technology-experience/

Presented a Paper on IT Standards and Participated in Panel Discussions on Big Data Analytics and Service Computing at the 2015 Workshop on e-Business (WeB)

Paper Title:
Investigating IT Standardization Process through the lens of Theory of Communicative Action

Abstract:
Developing standards is a social practice wherein experts engage in discussions to evaluate design solutions. In this paper, we analyze processes followed to develop SOAP standard from the theory of communicative action
perspective, which argues that individuals engaged in social discourse would exhibit five possible actions: instrumental, strategic, normatively regulated, dramaturgical, and communicative. Our findings reveal that participants in standardization processes engage in communicative action most frequently with aim of reaching mutual understanding and consensus, engage in strategic action when influencing others towards their intended goals, engage in instrumental action when taking responsibility for solving technical issues, engage in dramaturgical action when expressing their opinions, and engage in normatively regulated action when performing roles they assumed. Our analysis indicates that 60% of activities performed are consensus oriented whereas the rest are success oriented. This paper provides empirical evidence for Habermasian view of social actions occurring in the standardization process setting.

Authors:
Karthikeyan Umapathy, Sandeep Purao, and John W. Bagby

Conference:
2015 Workshop on e-Business, Fort Worth, TX, USA

Dates:
December 12, 2015

DOI for the paper:
http://web2015.isy.vcu.edu/pdf/RIP/WeB2015_CameraReady_6.pdf

Link to the presentation:
https://prezi.com/p4vlpejt_twt/investigating-it-standardization-process-through-the-lens-of/


I was also invited to participate in a panel discussions.

Panel Discussion:
Leveraging Service Computing and Big Data Analytics for E-Commerce

Panelists:
Kathikeyan Umapathy, University of North Florida
Hsing K. (Kenny) Cheng , University of Florida
Mohan Tanniru, Oakland University
Wynne Chin, University of Houston

Workshop Program Schedule:
http://web2015.isy.vcu.edu/pdf/WeB2015%20Program%2012-9-15.pdf

Link to the presentation:
http://www.slideshare.net/kumapathy/leveraging-service-computing-and-big-data-analytics-for-ecommerce