Won the SIG-Computer and Internet Application in Education Best Paper Award at the 2019 AERA Conference

The paper titled "Block-Based Versus Text-Based Programming Environments on Novice Student Learning: A Meta-Analysis Study" won the best SIG-Computer and Internet Application in Education paper award at 2019 American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference. The paper was presented by Zhen Xu and Albert Ritzhaupt

Paper Title
Block-Based Versus Text-Based Programming Environments on Novice Student Learning: A Meta-Analysis Study

Abstract
The use of block-based programming environments is purported to be a good way to gently introduce computer programming to novice learners. This study examined the overall effect of block-based versus text-based programming environments on cognitive and affective student learning outcomes. Five academic databases were searched to identify literature meeting our inclusion criteria and resulted in 13 publications with 52 effect size comparisons on both cognitive and affective student learning outcomes. We found both effect size calculations were statistically insignificant using random effects models with a small effect size in favor of block-based programming environments on cognitive student learning outcomes, and a trivial effect size on affective student learning outcomes. Discussion of the findings and implications for further research are provided.

Authors
Zhen Xu, University of Florida
Albert D. Ritzhaupt, University of Florida
Fengchun Tian, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University
Karthikeyan Umapathy, University of North Florida

Conference & Location:
2019 American Educational Research Association (AERA), Toronto, Canada

Link to the conference program:
https://convention2.allacademic.com/one/aera/aera19/index.php?cmd=Online+Program+View+Paper&selected_paper_id=1436081&PHPSESSID=stln16gon24j8nbcuugc8ajtp1

Won the Best Student and Faculty Research Paper award in the 2019 Southern Association of Information Systems (SAIS) Conference

The paper coauthored with Hibah Khalil and titled "An Exploratory Study on the Influences of Website Quality on Actual Purchase and Moderation Effects" won the best student and faculty research paper award at the 2019 Southern Association of Information Systems (SAIS) Conference. The paper was presented by Hibah Khalil.

Abstract:
In the context of e-tailing, website quality serves as a portal that affords informational cues of the product and services offered. Many scholars proved that more than a satisfactory website quality is one of the critical aspects for the success of the e-tailer as well as achieving customer’s purchase intention. However, the moderating effects of perceived risk and price tolerance on the relationship between website quality and purchase intention have not been examined. Furthermore, relationships between actual purchase and purchase intention have been relatively uncovered. Drawing from literature, we propose a research model to investigate interrelationships among website quality, purchase intention, actual purchase, perceived risk, and price tolerance. Conducting this research would contribute to our understanding of the moderator influence on the relation between website quality and purchase intention in the e-tailing environment and how this relationship leads to actual purchase behaviors.

Authors:
Hibah Khalil, and Karthikeyan Umapathy

Conference & Location:
2019 Southern Association for Information Systems (SAIS), St. Simons Island, GA, USA

Date:
March 22, 2019

Link to presentation:
https://prezi.com/vdxrtrikmjmr/sais-2019/

Presented a paper on Security and User Experience: A Holistic Model for CAPTCHA Usability Issues at the 2018 SAIS Conference

Paper Title:
Security and User Experience: A Holistic Model for CAPTCHA Usability Issues

Abstract:
CAPTCHA is a widely adopted security measure on the Web and is designed to effectively distinguish humans and bots by exploiting human’s ability to recognize patterns that an automated bot is incapable of. To counter this, bots are being designed to recognize patterns in CAPTCHAs. As a result, CAPTCHAs are now being designed to maximize the difficulty for bots to pass human interaction proof tests, while making it quite an arduous task even for humans as well. The approachability of CAPTCHA is increasingly being questioned because of the inconvenience it causes to legitimate users. Irrespective of the popularity, CAPTCHA is indispensable if one wants to avoid potential security threats. We investigated the usability issues associated with CAPTCHA. We built a holistic model by identifying the important concepts associated with CAPTCHAs and its usability. This model can be used as a guide for the design and evaluation of CAPTCHAs.

Authors:
Jayalakshmi Raman, Karthikeyan Umapathy, and Haiyan Huang

Conference:
2018 Southern Association for Information Systems (SAIS), Atlanta, GA, USA

Date:
March 23, 2018

Link to presentation:
https://es.slideshare.net/kumapathy/security-and-user-experience-a-holistic-model-for-captcha-usability-issues

Presented a position paper on Data Analytics for Nonprofits at the 2017 SAIS Conference

Paper Title:
Data Analytics as a Conduit for Progressing Information Systems Research in Nonprofit Organizations

Abstract:

This position paper reviews the existing information systems (IS) research literature related to the nonprofit context and recommends how to significantly progress this research. The conducted literature review shows that very few studies have focused on nonprofit organizations (NPO). Our analysis indicates that IS researchers have investigated a limited number of issues in NPO contexts including potential research frameworks, strategic use of websites, the role of IS leadership, data management, IS adoption, IS use, and information security policies. Non-IS researchers have examined IS adoption, accountability, and social media usage. Studies that address IS use in the nonprofit context lack theoretical reasoning and empirical evidence; thus they cannot explain why and how effective and efficient use of IS can help NPOs achieve their mission goals. In order to motivate and advance our knowledge of the nonprofit context, we present data analytics as an area in which IS researchers could focus as a future path. We suggest ways that IS researchers can apply their expertise in non-NPO contexts to the NPO context.

Authors:
Karthikeyan Umapathy and Amy J. Connolly

Conference:
2017 Southern Association for Information Systems (SAIS), St. Simons Island, GA, USA

Date:
March 25, 2017

DOI for the paper:
http://works.bepress.com/karthikeyan_umapathy/10/

Link to presentation:
https://prezi.com/bpvjpf50wk_4/data-analytics-as-a-conduit-for-progressing-information-syst/

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

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

Presented a paper on Nonprofit Organization IT adoption and usage at AMCIS 2015

Paper Title:
A Preliminary Study of Information Technologies Usage in Nonprofit Organizations

Abstract:

In this paper, we present the results of a preliminary survey study to examine the ways in which regional nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in the U.S. adopted and utilized information technologies. The majority of the survey respondents (72.5%) consists of small to medium sized NPOs. The survey findings reveal that most responding organizations don’t have a technology plan even though they consider information technology as an important driving force to achieve organizational missions. A pragmatic approach that adopts mature, proven technologies is the most common approach followed by the respondents. Our findings also provide some empirical insights on how NPOs perform different technological tasks, manage data, and exploit web capabilities.

Authors:
Karthikeyan Umapathy and Haiyan Huang

Conference:
2015 Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS), Puerto Rico

Dates:
August 13-15, 2015

DOI for the paper:
http://aisel.aisnet.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1156&context=amcis2015

Link to the presentation:
https://prezi.com/yavdkeg5wb0l/a-preliminary-study-of-information-technologies-usage-in-non/

Paper on Conceptual Model of Website Design Elements that Influences Credibility and Trustworthiness accepted at the 2015 SAIS Conference

Paper title: Conceptual Model of Website Design Elements that Influences Credibility and Trustworthiness

Abstract:
In today’s competitive environment, it is important for web designers to understand what design elements are essential for attracting visitors, making the visitor trust the website, and perform intended actions like placing an order and revisiting the site.  Trustworthiness of a website heavily relies on a good first impression and visitor’s visual perception of the user interface. Therefore, the focus of this research is to investigate the effects of visual design elements on trustworthiness of a site. In this research-in-progress paper, we develop a conceptual model to depict the relationships among website design elements and trustworthiness. This conceptual model aids website designers understand what elements are appealing to the visual senses, and conjures credibility and trust.

Authors: Chris LaValley and Karthikeyan Umapathy

Conference:
2015 Southern Association for Information Systems (SAIS) Conference
Hilton Head, SC, USA, March 20-21, 2015

Link to the presentation:
https://prezi.com/qojhcmuut8oq/website-trustworthiness-conceptual-model/

Paper on Review of Web Service Specifications for Long-running Conversations accepted at the CONISAR 2014

Paper title: Review of Web Service Specifications for Long-running Conversations

Abstract:
Despite the growing number of standards and interest in web services, support for implementation of long-running conversations is inadequate. Most real world business transactions typically consists of series of business activities. Such transactions originate from different sources which have multiple web services running to achieve a specific result. In this paper, we provide an overview of long-running conversation properties, and a review of relevant web service specifications. Our analysis indicates that WS-Coordination and WS-BusinessActivity specifications are the best option for implementing long-running conversations using web services.

Authors: Chirag N. Rana and Karthikeyan Umapathy

Conference:
2014 Conference on Information Systems Applied Research (CONISAR)
Baltimore, Maryland, November 6-9, 2014

Link to the article:
http://proc.conisar.org/2014/pdf/3318.pdf

Link to the presentation:
https://prezi.com/lk1dthiwoh6v/review-of-web-service-specifications-for-long-running-conver/

Won CONISAR 2012 Conference Best Paper Award

 Paper titled "Comparing Performance of Web Service Interaction Styles: SOAP vs. REST" won the best conference paper award at CONISAR 2012 conference, New Orleans, LA, USA.

Abstract:
This paper presents a comparative performance evaluation of two Web service implementations: one is based on SOAP and the other on Representational State Transfer (REST). Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and REST-based development approaches handle service interactions quite differently. SOAP is a standardized framework for constructing and processing messages independent of the technological capabilities of the receiver and can work on top of a variety of application layer protocols such as RPC, HTTP, or SMTP, whereas, REST is a set of principles for designing Web applications (HTTP as the underlying protocol). We built SOAP and REST-based Web services that perform Create, Read, Update, and Delete (CRUD) operations on a database and retrieve local files. We utilized response time and throughput metrics to compare the performance of these Web services. We found that, on average, REST has better performance compared to SOAP, though not all results were statistically conclusive. As an ancillary outcome, we found that developing Web services using SOAP was easier, due to considerable tool support. However, developing Web services using REST was time consuming and difficult due to the necessity of in-depth knowledge of HTTP and rudimentary tool support.

Authors:
Pavan Kumar Potti
Sanjay Ahuja
Karthikeyan Umapathy
Zornitza Prodanoff

This paper was written based on Pavan Kumar's master thesis. I presented this paper at the CONISAR 2012 on November 2, 2012.

Here is the link for the presentation: 

http://prezi.com/1envmwefahzt/comparing-performance-of-web-service-interaction-styles-soap-vs-rest/?auth_key=c7748dd182ba1ebdb8bd3160d9b230d581ebb035

Here is the link for the article:

http://proc.conisar.org/2012/pdf/2208.pdf

Here is the list of papers that won awards at CONISAR 2012:

http://proc.conisar.org/2012/bestpapers.html

Paper on Professional Associations accepted at the ACM SIGMIS 2011 Conference

Paper Title: Role of Professional Associations in Preparing, Recruiting, and Retaining Computing Professionals

Abstract:
The purpose of this preliminary study is to investigate an under-explored topic, specifically, the role of professional associations in preparing, recruiting, and retaining computing professionals. Drawing on relevant literature, we identified a comprehensive list of services that should be provided by professional associations in order to prepare, recruit, and retain professionals. Then we assessed several computing professional associations to determine whether they offer those identified services. Our findings show that ACM has better coverage of services, followed by IEEE-CS, AITP, and AIS. This study indicates that computing professional associations have considerable influences on higher educational institutes by establishing curriculum guidelines to prepare professionals, on organizations by organizing career fairs and placement websites to recruit professionals, and on retention by providing professional development opportunities. We propose that more research is needed to gain an in-depth understanding of the role of computing professional associations and to identify unique ways they can influence preparation, recruitment, and retention of computing professionals.

Authors: Karthikeyan Umapathy and Albert D. Ritzhaupt

Conference Link: http://www.sigmis.org/CPR_2011_Home_Page.html

Paper on Web Service Choreography accepted at the DESRIST 2011

Paper Title: Analyzing Web Service Choreography Specifications Using Colored Petri Nets

Abstract:
Enacting cross-organizational business processes requires critical support for long-running and complex interactions involving multiple participants. The Web Services Choreography Description Language (WS-CDL) aims at facilitating just that, by providing means to describe correlated message exchanges among services geared towards achieving a business goal. While WS-CDL specifications are machine-readable documents, they do not necessarily allow developers to determine—by direct inspection—whether or not the patterns of message exchanges they stipulate do indeed describe the intended service behavior. In this research paper, we show how Colored Petri Nets (CPN) can be used to analyze WS-CDL documents in order to identify faults in the specification. We have developed a research prototype that assists in the creation of a CPN model from a given WS-CDL document. The CPN model generated is then analyzed using the formal verification environment and simulation capability provided by CPN-Tools. We provide a discussion on the analysis of an example WS-CDL document using this approach, as well as on the advantages and limitations of using CPN for analyzing WS-CDL specifications.

Authors: Enrique Caliz, Karthikeyan Umapathy, Arturo J. Sánchez-Ruíz, and Sherif A. Elfayoumy

Conference Link: http://www.desrist2011.uwm.edu/

Paper on Collaborative Sensemaking accepted at the CSCW 2010 CIS Workshop

Paper Title: Requirements to support Collaborative Sensemaking

Abstract:
Collaborative sensemaking occurs when a group of people with diverse backgrounds engage in the process of making sense of information rich, complex and dynamic situations. Our understanding of collaborative sensemaking and critical functionalities to support such sensemaking is limited. In this paper, based on review of relevant literature, we outline a set of broad requirements critical for supporting collaborative sensemaking. Requirements identified are: support for creating explicit representations, support co-existence of different representations, support for developing shared representation, support for creating representations using templates, providing workspace for developing shared representations, support for building consensus and reaching agreement, support for facilitating and moderating interactions, support for exchanging documents, and support for retrieving and visualizing information. We argue that a collaborative systems designed to satisfy above requirements would provide better support for collaborative sensemaking activities.

Conference Link: http://workshops.fxpal.com/cscw2010cis/

Paper on Standardization Activities accepted at the WEB 2009

Paper Title: Analyzing Processes behind Web Service Standards Development

Abstract:
Anticipatory standards such as Web service standards are artifacts ‘designed’ by consortium-based standards development organizations. Intricate processes followed to develop anticipatory standards are not well-understood. Recently, the D-S-N model was developed to explain these processes, and suggested that these processes contain cycles of design (D), sense-making (S), and negotiation (N) activities. In this paper, we provide an initial report of a case study that empirically analyzes archival documents of SOAP standard development. Our findings reveal that the D-S-N model is applicable to the Web service standardization process followed at W3C but this model provides only partial explanation of the process, and that design and sense-making are the core activities of the process. Our findings also show that participants spent most of their time discussing technical issues and identifying action items to be performed, large organizations dominated the process, and negotiation is the least frequent activity.

Authors: Karthikeyan Umapathy, Sandeep Purao, and John Bagby

Conference Link: http://www.som.buffalo.edu/isinterface/Web09/

Paper on W3C Standardization Process accepted at the AIS SIGPrag 2009

Paper Title: An Investigation of W3C Standardization Processes Using Rational Discourse

Abstract:
Standards, in particular Web standards, have become critical and complex information technologies as they influence our everyday activities. Standards making is a social practice where in experts engage in discussions to develop standards by weighing various alternative design solutions. Processes followed to develop these standards and how decisions for core features are made is not well understood. In this paper, we drawn on concepts of rational discourse described by Habermas to examine whether processes followed at W3C meets requirements of rational discourse. Our investigation shows that processes followed at W3C do exhibit an approximation of rational discourse, while some concerns exist.

Conference Link: http://www.sigprag.org/phoenix_2009.html

Paper on Computing Professional Association Membership accepted at the CONISAR 2009

Paper Title: Factors that Persuade and Deter Membership in Professional Computing Associations

Abstract:
A decision to join a professional computing association is, generally, considered a decision to affiliate with a group. The value of a professional association can be measured in terms of services it offers. Professional computing associations play a critical role in advancing professional growth of its members by offering a variety of services such as career development, networking opportunities, and dissemination on current advancements in the profession. In particular, the computing discipline consists of several sub-disciplines each having substantial differences among them, which creates considerable differences among computing professionals. Due to differences among computing professionals, it is important for computing professional associations to identify services that are valuable for its members and help in retaining their membership. Towards that, in this paper, we identify factors that persuade and deter membership in professional computing associations. We present results of a survey conducted with the Association of Information Technology Professionals’ members, with primary focus on qualitative analysis of responses to open-ended questions. Persuading factors identified are networking opportunities, dissemination of technical information and advancement in the field, professional development programs, advocacy opportunities, leadership and community service opportunities, and reputation of the association. Deterring factors are solicitation and unwarranted emails, timing and location constraints of events, lack of a local chapter, and behavior and characteristics of peer members in the association.

Authors: Karthikeyan Umapathy, Lisa Jamba, and Albert D. Ritzhaupt.

Conference link: http://conisar.org/

Paper accepted at the ISECON 2009 Conference

Paper Title: Role of Web Server in Capstone Course

Abstract:
Web applications has become commonplace in the information systems curriculum. Much of the discussion about Web development for capstone courses has centered on the scripting tools. Very little has been discussed about different ways of incorporating Web server into Web application development courses. In this paper, three different ways of incorporating Web server are discussed: shared Web server (minimal student control), managed Web server (configuration control), and controlled Web server (full student control). This paper argues that capstone courses oriented towards Web applications development should provide certain amount of Web server control to students as it is an important skill set to acquire.

Authors: Karthikeyan Umapathy, and F. Layne Wallace

Conference link: http://www.isecon.org/

Paper on Web Services Choreography accepted at the AMCIS 2009

Paper Title:From Service Conversation Models to WS-CDL

Abstract: Changing business environments are forcing organizations to develop flexible and adaptable enterprise systems. To accomplish this and to solve associated systems integration issues, many are moving towards web service technology. Two key ingredients of web services based solution are service composition and service choreography. While there has been lot of advancement in respect to service composition, service choreography rather largely remains an open problem. WS-CDL specification is considered to be a candidate standard for service choreography; however, consensus on support mechanisms to develop conversation models depicting peer-to-peer interactions are yet to be reached. In this paper, we develop an approach as well required heuristics for identifying service interaction patterns from business process models and using them to develop conversation models. We provide detailed discussion on heuristics, illustrate our approach through an example, as well as indicate how these conversation models can be used for generating WS-CDL specifications.

http://www.amcis2009.org/

Paper accepted at the SAIS 2009 Conference

Paper Title: Information Extraction From Different Data Representation Forms: Charts and Tables

Abstract:
Presenting data in the form of graphs and tables has long been considered as an important tool for decision making. Extracting information from these presentation forms are considered to be cognitively intensive tasks. Prior research works on aspects of presentation forms have produced inconsistent and conflicting results. In this study, we examine effects of tabular and graphical (bar, line, and pie) forms on information extraction. Graphs were examined with solid and textured patterns as well. We conducted a laboratory experiment where in subjects answered set of questions which would require them to extract information from the presentation display. Our study reveals that tables, even though they have higher response rate, produced more accurate results than graphs. Comparison within graphs showed that bar charts had a lower response rate than pie and line charts, while pie charts produced the least accurate results. Comparison of solid and textured patterns in graphs revealed that they are not an influencing factor in regards to information extraction. We also provide detailed comparison of current research findings against to prior research results.

Authors: Janice M. Engberg, Karthikeyan Umapathy, and F. Layne Wallace

Conference Link: http://sais.aisnet.org/2009/

Won Meritorious Award at the CONISAR 2008 Conference

On November 8, 2008 paper titled "Computing Professional Association Membership: An Exploration of Membership Needs and Motivations" won Meritorious Award at the CONISAR 2008 Conference.

The first annual Conference on Information Systems Applied Research (CONISAR) 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona. CONISAR conference is sponsored by the Education Special Interest Group of Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP). CONSIAR conference focuses on research dealing with real-world practical applications of information sciences, systems, and technology, and provides a valuable forum for both researchers and practitioners. Topics include IS applications, ethics, technological changes, emerging applications, and IS research.

For more about CONISAR: http://conisar.org/

As per conference organizers, Award winning papers selection went through 3 rounds of review involving total of 12 reviewers.

There were three Meritorious Award and one Best Paper award for CONISAR 2008 conference. Three Meritorious Award papers are in top 5% and the Best Paper Award is in the top 1% of the conference papers.

Authors of the paper are Albert D. Ritzhaupt (University of North Carolina Wilmington), Karthikeyan Umapathy (University of North Florida), and Lisa Jamba (University of North Florida).

Here is the link to access our paper: http://isedj.org/isecon/2008/3524/index.html