Noraidah Sahari Ashaari

Evaluating e-government services in Malaysia using the EGOVSAT model

Electronic Government (e-Government) is an initiative to deliver services to citizens, businesses and government agencies. It enables citizen to access information and government services by using the Internet and other computer resources. Its implementation has improved the efficiency of governance and government services in Malaysia. However, studies have shown that the adoption of E-Government is still low among Malaysians. Using the EGOVSAT Model, this paper aims to evaluate user satisfaction of e-Government services in Malaysia and identify its significant predictors. The satisfaction model consists of five main constructs which include utility, reliability, efficiency, customization and flexibility. To measure the level of user satisfaction, a survey approach is employed. By using multistage stratified random sampling, a total of 620 questionnaires were distributed to nine regions in Selangor. Reliability test, regression analysis and correlation analysis were done to obtain appropriate results. The results indicate that four constructs were found significant and positively related to citizen satisfaction.

Image segmentation for lung region in chest X-ray images using edge detection and morphology

Studies of medical image segmentation have long been done as a mean to distinguish object region from one to another for further image analysis. The segmentation of lung region in chest X-ray (CXR) based on object edge detection is one of the popular method applied. Early edge detection algorithms like Sobel, Prewitt and Laplacian have been used to segment the lung however, none of them can successfully generate a truly satisfied segmentation output. The reason for this fail is because they are high pass filter that is sensitive to image noise. Hence, the requirement for better edge detection algorithm that can cope with reasonable lower and upper threshold value for image noise like canny edge should be highlighted. Moreover, combining this algorithm with morphology method (dilation and erosion) will produce better outcome. Therefore, this paper has proposed method for segmenting lung region in CXR images using canny edge filter and morphology. Although the filter can detect the lung edge, unfortunately, the final edges lines produce are still unsatisfied. To solve the problem, Euler number method is applied to extract the lung region before executing the edge detection using the filter. The implementation produced convincing result as most of the segmented image is almost similar to the ground truth image.

User-enjoyable learning environment based on Gamification elements

The present conditions of human life are more comfortable than that in the past. A huge number of modern technologies are available today because of the rapid development of information technology, which contributes to the flourishing of human life. Such modern technologies have led to the creation of Gamification, which is a new approach in information technology. In this paper we review the literature on Gamification from different perspectives and then explore the key elements of Gamification that positively affect learning when applied to any application. In addition, we discuss how the effectiveness is influenced when the implementation of Gamification in enterprises is stopped. Finally, we present an overall figure to illustrate all of the elements of Gamification according to previous research and consequently make the learning more effective as well as build an enjoyable learning environment for students.

Model for courseware development of teaching and learning traditional craft (CDTC model): Initial validation

Alternative method to reduce dependency on instructors in teaching and learning traditional crafts will be greatly benefited from electronic learning practices. In order to make sure the courseware for teaching and learning traditional craft is applicable, effective and support teaching and learning pedagogy, a model for courseware development of teaching and learning traditional craft was developed and derived from methodologies synthesized from related research areas. Through an extensive review of literature, the model was specifically designs to meet the needs of adult learners in a web-based environment with concentrating on designing strategic learning using cognitive apprenticeship approaches. The aim of this study is to verify each component of the proposed model (namely CDTC Model) through initial validation by an Evaluator Committee that was appointed among selected craft instructors from National Craft Institute, Rawang, Malaysia (Institut Kraf Negara (IKN)). The validation is purposely to examine, evaluate, and score the efficacy of each proposed components according to its relevance to the model and was realized through quantitative investigation using questionnaire among Evaluator Committee. The committee, evaluated the model and made recommendations for improving the model. Components validated by committee were used in designing a preliminary version of the model. A significant contribution in this research is to provide relevant preliminary CDTC model for courseware development of teaching and learning traditional craft that will support and preserve our traditional heritage for future generation. With the development of the CDTC model, hopefully it will encourage courseware designers to develop more multimedia applications for teaching and learning traditional craft as well as a good reference for educators, instructional designers, and product developers for developing interactive multimedia applications.

Preliminary study disruption in small and medium enterprise supply chain

The purpose of this paper is to identify the disruption factors that influence the performance of the supply chain in SMEs. Based on a detailed literature review, four disruption dimensions were product, employee, organization and property selected as a basis in identifying disruption in supply chain. The preliminary data were gathered through a structured questionnaire and interview involving various sector of respondent. Findings shows that disruption of natural disaster is not the only disruption that affect the supply chain. The factors effect the performance supply chain was caused by transportation, machine, problem of human resources, lack of resources and also financial factors.

The spatial relation features for describing objects relationships within image

Spatial features has gained attention in CBIR researches as a mean to represent image properties. These features, presented via Spatial Relation Features (SRF) such left, right, on and in can provide fine queries to locate object location as well as its relation with other object within an image. Although spatial features play an important, yet, there is still less effort done to collect them in proper manner which yield difficulties to use them for spatial-based image processing research. In order to overcome this lack, we presented our library research work in finding the SRF that have been used in computer science research for describing objects spatial relationships within image. Our work managed to produce collection of SRF found in prior literatures which are later listed and described in proper tables. Apart from that, we also described categories that are used to group these SRF in fine arrangement based on their usage. After updated the SRF list, we manage to derive 24 set of SRF recorded under three categories namely topology, orientation and metric.

Usable bibliographic software

Handling thousands of papers can be a tiring work especially for the researchers. Hence, bibliographic software was created in order to help researchers organise manage, and annotate their references digitally. Vast amounts of research on bibliographic software have been conducted, especially in database or information retrieval but there is a lack of research on interface. A usable interface facilitates researchers in organising reference and making citations. A usable interface should follow usability goals and standards. To ensure the usability of bibliographic software interface, an initial evaluation of the interface is carried out. Bibliographic software evaluation framework is constructed in order to evaluate the bibliographic interface. Therefore, to determine the usability of the interface in this study, a heuristic evaluation was conducted. A Xerox Form was used as the heuristic tools in these evaluations. Only two out of thirteen elements in the Xerox Form are discussed in this paper i.e.- visibility of the system status and match between system and the real world. The evaluation found several problems regarding the interface of the software. This paper ends by suggesting the improvement of bibliographic software interface by using heuristic evaluation.

An investigation of user engagement factors in E-learning for working adult learners

E-learning is now viewed as an effective, efficient, and persuasive medium for working adult learners. Nevertheless, even though e-learning has been widely accepted among working adults, engaging their users has become a challenge to the e-learning provider. Adult learner had their own characteristic and principal in learning. Focusing on the development of interactive multimedia content only is not a factor to attract these working adult learners to engage with the e-learning system. This paper describes a study with the objective to identify the factors that influence the process of engagement in e-learning among working adult learners. 30 respondents were interviewed face-to-face; all of who are working adult learners with experience in using the e-learning system provided by their companies or agencies. The interview session was tape-recorded, and the analysis was done using a thematic analysis method. Five main themes were identified as factors that influence user engagement in e-learning among working adult learners - Mental and Emotion, Cognitive Abilities, Motivation and Rewards, and Physical and Learning Styles.

Development of contact lens suitability system (ClenSyst)

The application presented here concerns the evaluation of patients suitability of using contact lens. The variables used depend on the environments of the patients and the cornea condition. We propose a system which can analyze and decide appropriate type of contact lens (soft lens or hard lens) based on mentioned variables. This decision support system developed using the application of fuzzy logic and corneal topography is used as an aid equipment to provide information on corneal power. The expected output of the system is suitability of using contact lens, corneal power and type of contact lens.