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 paper on Meta-analysis on Pair vs Solo Programming at the 2017 ACM SIGCSE Symposium

Paper Title:
A Meta-Analysis of Pair-Programming in Computer Programming Courses: Implications for Educational Practice.

Abstract:
Several experiments on the effects of pair programming versus solo programming in the context of education have been reported in the research literature. We present a meta-analysis of these studies that accounted for 18 manuscripts with 49 separate effect sizes in the domains of programming assignments, exams, retention, and affective measures. In total, our sample accounts for N=3308 students either using pair programming as a treatment variable or using traditional solo programming in the context of a computing course. Our findings suggest positive results in favor of pair programming across all four of the domains. We provide a comprehensive review of our results, and discuss our findings.

Authors:
Karthikeyan Umapathy and Albert D. Ritzhaupt

Conference:
2017 ACM SIGCSE Technical Symposium, Seattle, WA, USA

Date:
March 9, 2017

Link to Presentation:
https://prezi.com/xm3fn3ctzm1k/a-meta-analysis-of-pair-programming-in-computer-programming/

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

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