Ray J. Paul

Visualizing a knowledge domain's intellectual structure

To make knowledge visualizations clear and easy to interpret, we have developed a method that extends and transforms traditional author co-citation analysis by extracting structural patterns from the scientific literature and representing them in a 3D knowledge landscape.

Investigating evaluation frameworks for health information systems

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Evaluation of health information systems (HIS) enables the assessment of the extent to which HIS are fulfilling their objectives in supporting the services of healthcare delivery. This paper presents an overview of evaluation in health informatics and information systems. METHODS Literature review on discourses, dimensions and methods of HIS and IS evaluation. A critical appraisal of selected HIS and IS evaluation frameworks is undertaken in order to identify HIS evaluation dimensions and measures. The frameworks are compared based on their inclusion of human, organizational and technological factors. RESULTS We found that an increasing number of evaluation studies deal with two distinct trends of HIS: one considers human and organizational issues and the other is concerned with the employment of a subjectivist approach. Our review indicates that current evaluation methods complement each other in that they evaluate different aspects of HIS and they can be improved upon. CONCLUSIONS Evaluation is complex; it is easy to measure many things but not necessarily the right ones. Nevertheless, it is possible to consider, a HIS evaluation framework with more comprehensive and specific measures that would incorporate technological, human and organizational issues to facilitate HIS evaluation.

Simulation modelling in healthcare: reviewing legacies and investigating futures

This article proposes considered futures for the use of simulation as a problem solving technique within healthcare settings. Using a synthesis of trends identified by a selection of experts in the field, academics and industrialists, critical analysis was applied to find the differences between what exists and what could be created based on outlining some major themes. The survey data reveals that most respondents agree on following whole system approaches with more joined up modelling or mixed methods to tackle problems rather than single-solution-based practices. The article then presents options for how simulation could be used within the healthcare domain. Such options or futures could assist in identifying the critical barriers towards having a successful strategy and provide the basis for debate that will be necessary to attain it.

ERP problems and application integration issues: an empirical survey

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems were introduced into companies to solve various organisational problems, and to provide an integrated infrastructure. Although ERP packages offer advantages to enterprises, they have not achieved many of their anticipated benefits. Autonomous and heterogeneous applications co-exist in companies with ERP systems and integration problem having not been addressed. This paper seeks to make contribution to this area by studying and analysing ERP problems through an Internet based survey. Responses are analysed in detail and a new approach to integration problem; the enterprise application integration (EAI) is examined. EAI is a new class of integration software that leads to the development of strategic business solutions by securely incorporating functionality from disparate applications. EAI could be the solution to ERPs integration problems.

On simulation model complexity

Nowadays the size and complexity of models is growing more and more, forcing modelers to face some problems that they were not accustomed to. Before trying to study ways to deal with complex models, a more important and primary question to explore is, is there any means to avoid the generation of complex models? The primary purpose of this paper is to discuss several issues regarding the complexity of simulation models, summarizing the findings in this area so far, and calling attention to this area that, despite its importance, appears to remain at the bottom of simulation research agendas.

Migrating agile methods to standardized development practice

Situated process and quality frameworks offer a way to resolve the tensions that arise when introducing agile methods into standardized software development engineering. For these to be successful, however, organizations must grasp the opportunity to reintegrate software development management, theory, and practice.

Simulation model reuse: definitions, benefits and obstacles

Abstract The term ‘simulation model reuse’ can be taken to mean various things from the reuse of small portions of code, through component reuse, to the reuse of complete models. On a more abstract level, component design, model design and modelling knowledge are prime candidates for reuse. The reuse of simulation models is especially appealing, based on the intuitive argument that it should reduce the time and cost for model development. In a discussion with four simulation modelling experts, however, a number of issues were raised that mean these benefits may not be obtainable. These issues include the motivation to develop reusable models, the validity and credibility of models to be reused, and the cost and time for familiarisation. An alternative simulation methodology was proposed, that may lend itself better to model reuse.

Web-based simulation: revolution or evolution?

The nature of the emerging field of web-based simulation is examined in terms of its relationship to the fundamental aspects of simulation research and practice. The presentation, assuming a form of debate, is based on a panel session held at the first International Conference on Web-Based Modeling and Simulation, which was sponsored by the Society for Computer Simulation during 11-14 January 1998 in San Diego, California. While no clear “winner” is evident in this debate, the issues raised here certainly merit ongoing attention and contemplation.

Dynamic modeling to assess the business value of electronic commerce

Before adopting electronic commerce (E-Comm), organizations need to assess its real business value, and to compare its costs with those of the associated investments. The intangible nature of most E-Comm benefits may make it difficult to develop an actual business case. This paper presents a case study of E-Comm investment evaluation. Computer-based models of the business processes affected by E-Comm were developed and dynamically simulated to assist in obtaining insight on the real benefits and dangers associated with the planned business change. The potential of Dynamic Process Modeling to support assessment of E-Comm business value is discussed in light of the results of the case study.

Fitting the jigsaw of citation: information visualization in domain analysis

Domain visualization is one of the new research fronts resulted from the proliferation of information visualization, aiming to reveal the essence of a knowledge domain. Information visualization plays an integral role in modeling and representing intellectual structures associated with scientific disciplines. In this article, the domain of computer graphics is visualized based on author cocitation patterns derived from an 18-year span of the prestigious IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications (1982-1999). This domain visualization utilizes a series of visualization and animation techniques, including author cocitation maps, citation time lines, animation of a high-dimensional specialty space, and institutional profiles. This approach not only augments traditional domain analysis and the understanding of scientific disciplines, but also produces a persistent and shared knowledge space for researchers to keep track the development of knowledge more effectively. The results of the domain visualization are discussed and triangulated in a broader context of the computer graphics field.