Stephen O. Olabiyisi

A framework for user-centric model for evaluating the performance of distributed software system architecture

Highlights? Most software evaluation models are machine centric. ? There is need to match software factors with organizational variables. ? Paper presents a neuro-fuzzy based user centric model. In this work we carried out a review of models for evaluating the performance of distributed software system architecture (DSSA) and Information System (IS) success evaluation models with a view to establishing the utilization of organizational variables in the evaluation of DSSA performance. The findings from the review show that the existing DSSA performance evaluation models are machine-centric and existing IS success measurement models do not map organizational variables with DSSA components. In view of these, we developed a user-centric model for DSSA performance evaluation using organizational variables. Our model utilizes neuro-fuzzy logic in matching organizational/user variables with DSSA evaluation factors.

An empirical study of potentials of adoption of grid computing as a vehicle for tertiary institutions collaboration

Grid computing is emerging as the foundation upon which virtual collaborations can be built among large organisations with the aim of integrating and sharing computer resources, and thus offering performance and resource availability, which is unattainable by any single institutional technology resources. With the level of increase in the number of tertiary institutions in Africa, and the attendant shortage of basic information technology resources, the use of grid computing for collaboration purposes would contribute to the enhancement of research, course delivery, course management, and other aspects of institutional development. This paper carries out an empirical study of the possibility of adoption of grid computing as a vehicle for collaboration among tertiary institutions in Nigeria from the perspective of the potential adopters (users) of the systems. This study also proposes a design and implementation framework for adoption of this technology by the tertiary institutions. The key challenges that significantly affect the adoption of grid computing in tertiary institutions are mainly attitudinal (perceived need and perceived benefits). Infrastructural issues (facilitating conditions) also impose limitations on the ability of universities to implement grid computing.

Development of a web based aboriginal virtual patient system for training medical students

Virtual patient (VP) systems are interactive computer simulations of real-life clinical scenarios for the purpose of medical training, education and assessment. There are limitations with the existing foreign VP systems which make them unsuitable for training indigenous Nigerian medical students. In this study, an Aboriginal Virtual Patient (AVP) system was developed to train medical students. In order to ascertain the feasibility of this research, we validated the effectiveness of aboriginal virtual patient cases over life patient cases, the following metrics were used: accessibility, privacy, accuracy, security, availability and skill-acquired. Questionnaire, developed based on these metrics, was used to interview 80 medical students and 30 doctors from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. A common generic web-based architecture was then developed for the creation, management and evaluation of web-based aboriginal virtual patient cases. In order to evaluate the performance of the developed Web AVP system over existing foreign Web-based VP system, the following performance measures were used: privacy, security, accessibility, user-friendliness, ease of use and efficiency. Forty five (45) medical students and 25 doctors from LAUTECH, Ogbomoso tested the developed Web AVP system and an existing Web-based VP (called Web SP). Results of the initial feasibility study show that medical learners and trainers considered VP more effective in acquiring clinical skills in all the measures used except for accuracy where real patients have higher rating than VP. Furthermore, the developed Web AVP system has higher performance when compared to Web SP in training Nigerian medical students. The developed system was found to be more suitable for training and assessing medical students; which can eliminate challenges that could arise from using foreign VP systems.