IGNOU SOLVED ASSIGNMENT MLIS MLII 104 2025
Question - 1.2
What is artificial intelligence (AI)? Discuss various areas where artificial intelligence can be used.
Ans: What is Artificial Intelligence (AI):
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to such computer programs which are designed to mimic human intelligence cognitive skills. These programs enable computers to perform tasks or functions that typically require human cognitive abilities, such as visual perception, natural language understanding, problem-solving, decision-making, and learnings based on past experiences.
AI can mimic human intelligence in various fields, such as theorem-proving, visual perception, natural language processing, gaming, medical diagnosis, and engineering designs etc.
Areas where Artificial Intelligence Can Be Used
Many AI methods have been successfully applied in various fields, some of which are discussed below but AI is not limited to these fields only:
1. Knowledge-Based Systems:
Examples: Various AI based Expert systems and knowledge bases.
Applications: Assisting in decision-making, providing expert-level recommendations, and solving domain-specific problems (e.g., legal advice or troubleshooting technical systems).
2. Robotics: Applications: Autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and service robots for tasks like cleaning, delivery, waiter, and personal assistance etc.
3. Computer Vision:
Applications: Facial recognition, object detection, surveillance systems, and medical image analysis are some fields where AI based Computer vision is helpful.
4. Machine Translation:
Applications: Translating text or speech from one language to another language, enabling cross-language communication without any geological barriers (e.g., Google Translate).
5. Neural Networks:
Applications: Image recognition, speech recognition, predictive analytics, and deep learning tasks like natural language understanding and generative AI.
6. Medical Diagnosis:
Applications: AI-powered solutions help physicians by evaluating patient information, forecasting illnesses, and suggesting courses of action.
7. Game-Playing:
Applications: AI systems like AlphaGo or Deep Blue have demonstrated advanced capabilities in games like chess and Go, beating world champions.
8. Engineering Design:
Applications: Optimizing product designs, automating simulations, and supporting innovative solutions through AI-driven analysis.
These areas demonstrate the versatility and transformative potential of AI in modern technology and society and as the time will pass more and more AI based innovations will be a part of our day-to-day life.
Question - 2.2
Explain the various steps in the ‘Reference Service Processes.
Reference service process is a process of satisfying specific and recurrent information needs of the users. It involves interaction between reference librarian and the users. The following are the steps involved in the reference service process:
1. Query Analysis: When the reference librarian receives a request or query for information, he/she must understand the query in as much depth as is necessary or possible. Then analyze the queries to understand the specific information requirement of the user.
2. Reference interview: Conducting reference interview to make sure and identify exactly the specific information requirement of the information seeker/user.
3. Refining user statement: Once the reference interview process is over, the next step is to refine the statement of user and transforming the query statement into searchable terms/statements.
4. Formulation of search strategy: Formulation of search strategy is a plan for hitting on right information that answers the user’s query.
5. Searching: The reference librarian can use one or more than one mechanism to formulate search strategy.
6. Notification to the user: After the search process, the reference librarian should inform the user and disseminate information in appropriate form as quickly as possible because speed of supply is critically important.
7. Feedback Analysis and Evaluation: A main component of evaluation is obtaining feedback from the user on the relevance of the information supplied and try to improve the service for further requests so that he/she can satisfy the users better.
8. Unanswered Questions: No system is flawless, and the reference system is not any exception to this statement. As long as reference service is being done by humans, errors or deficiencies are bound to occur. Focus should be on the elimination of errors and to improve the efficiency and quality of reference service.
Question 3.1
What do you mean by digitization? Discuss what are the major benefits of Digitization?
Answer:
What is Digitization?
Digitization is the process of converting physical media, such as books, journal articles, photographs, sound recordings, and videos, into a digital format. This involves translating information into binary digits (bits). For example, digitizing a printed/physical document makes it accessible in a digital form, enabling activities like full text searches and hyperlinking.
Major Benefits of Digitization:
1. Enhanced Accessibility: Digitized materials can be accessed from anywhere without any geographical restrictions, eliminating the need for physical presence in libraries or information centers. This is especially beneficial for researchers, students, and the general public.
2. Searchability: With technologies like Optical Character Recognition (OCR), digitized documents allow users to conduct full text searches, making it easier to locate specific information quickly.
3. Linking and Cross-referencing: Providing hyperlinks within digitized content can guide readers to the related articles or external resources, which will be helpful in enriching their research content.
4. Preservation and Longevity: Digitization helps in preserving fragile or aging physical document/materials by creating a digital backup that can be stored and accessed without causing wear and tear.
5. Space Saving: Physical documents require lot of physical space for preservation and storage while digital formats reduce the need for large physical storage spaces, making it easier to store vast collections efficiently within lesser space.
6. Improved Sharing and Collaboration: Digitized content can be shared widely and easily across world without any location barriers, facilitating the collaboration among various users and institutions from anywhere in the world.
7. Integration with Modern Tools: Digital formats can integrate with advanced tools like analytics, language translation software, or other assistive technologies, enhancing usability and inclusivity of the content.
In summary, digitization transforms traditional collections into accessible, searchable, and preservable formats, without compromising traditional library services rather it enhances existing library services.
Question - 4.1
What do you mean by computer virus? Discuss all three main classes of virus.
Answer: A computer virus is a computer program that infects the computer applications or system files. When the virus becomes active, it can destroy the data on any computer. The virus does this by getting into computers memory and from there it can copy itself to its hard disk or floppy disks.
The computer virus is a piece of programming code usually distributed as something else which causes and unexpected and visually undesirable actions. Viruses can be transmitted as attachment to email note, as downloads, or they can be present on the diskette or CD.
There are three main classes of virus:
1. File infectors: Some file infector viruses attach themselves to program files usually selected as .com or .exe files. Some can infect any program for which execution is requested, including .SYS, .OVL, .PRG and .MNU files. When the program is loaded, the virus is sent as an attachment to the email note.
2. System or Boot record infectors: System or boot record infectors are viruses that specifically target the executable code in the system areas of a disk, such as the DOS boot sector on floppy disks or the master boot record on hard drives. These viruses can spread within the computer when the computer is started up or when its operating system is reloaded from an infected floppy disk left in the drive. This process bypasses the hard disk, leading to the temporary disabling of its normal functions.
3. Macro viruses: These are among the most common viruses, and they tend to do the least damage to our computer and its data. For example, Macro viruses infect Microsoft word application and typically insert unwanted words or phrases, which is not a big threat or issue to us or our computer.
The best protection against a virus is to know the origin of each program or file that is to be loaded into the computer or opened from the email program. Anti-virus software can be bought and regularly scans can be done to remove the viruses from the computer.
Question - 5.1
Write short notes on any two of the following:
1. News filtering services: News filtering services are tools or platforms that are designed to help users to customize, manage and personalize the vast amount of information available online. These services may use algorithms, based on user preferences, and keywords to filter and deliver relevant news from various sources. These services enable users to stay updated on specific topics of their interest and thus avoiding irrelevant and overwhelming content that is of no use for the particular user. Common examples include Google News, Flipboard, and Feedly, which allow customization based on categories, interests, or regions. Advanced services may also use artificial intelligence to refine results, ensuring a more refined and efficient news consumption experience for the target audience.
2. Virtual Reference Desk (VRD)
The Virtual Reference Desk (VRD) is a project sponsored by the US Department of Education aimed at advancing digital reference services and supporting Internet-based, human-mediated information assistance. The VRD primarily supports the advancement and operation of those services by organising conferences for information professionals. While VRD itself does not answer questions, it facilitates access to resources and connects users to experts and services that can provide answers. When a participating library can’t answer a question, it forwards it to the VRD network for assistance.
Key features of VRD include:
1. Collaborative Ask A Service: Collaboration of the network of volunteer informational professionals and Ask A Services ensuring user questions are addressed by the most suitable experts in least possible time.
2. The Learning Centre: A resource hub or website for the K-12 community with curriculum-related content, frequently asked questions, and archives of previously answered questions.
3. Ask A+ Locator: A searchable database of reliable and high-quality K-12 Ask A Services is provided.
This innovative approach ensures users receive accurate and expert information through an efficient and collaborative network. The VRD project also organizes conferences to address digital reference issues, making it a significant resource for information professionals and educators.
Declaimer: We have tried to be confined to the MLIS Syllabus IGNOU and tried to cover all possible aspects which are required for the IGNOU MLIS ASSIGNMENT SOLUTIONS. Still, we request you to refer your syllabus and relevant notebooks to verify the answers and rectify as required.
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