IGI Global Scientific Publishing – förlag

As society continues to rely heavily on technological tools for facilitating business, e-commerce, banking, and communication, among other applications, there has been a significant rise in criminals seeking to exploit these tools for their nefarious gain. Countries all over the world are seeing substantial increases in identity theft and cyberattacks, as well as illicit transactions, including drug trafficking and human trafficking, being made through the dark web internet. Sex offenders and murderers explore unconventional methods of finding and contacting their victims through Facebook, Instagram, popular dating sites, etc., while pedophiles rely on these channels to obtain information and photographs of children, which are shared on hidden community sites. As criminals continue to harness technological advancements that are outpacing legal and ethical standards, law enforcement and government officials are faced with the challenge of devising new and alternative strategies to identify and apprehend criminals to preserve the safety of society. The Encyclopedia of Criminal Activities and the Deep Web is a three-volume set that includes comprehensive articles covering multidisciplinary research and expert insights provided by hundreds of leading researchers from 30 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Finland, South Korea, Malaysia, and more. This comprehensive encyclopedia provides the most diverse findings and new methodologies for monitoring and regulating the use of online tools as well as hidden areas of the internet, including the deep and dark web. Highlighting a wide range of topics such as cyberbullying, online hate speech, and hacktivism, this book will offer strategies for the prediction and prevention of online criminal activity and examine methods for safeguarding internet users and their data from being tracked or stalked. Due to the techniques and extensive knowledge discussed in this publication it is an invaluable addition for academic and corporate libraries as well as a critical resource for policy makers, law enforcement officials, forensic scientists, criminologists, sociologists, victim advocates, cybersecurity analysts, lawmakers, government officials, industry professionals, academicians, researchers, and students within this field of study.

The last ten years have seen rapid advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology, allowing unprecedented manipulation of nanoscale structures controlling solar capture, conversion, and storage. Filled with cutting-edge solar energy research and reference materials, the Handbook of Research on Solar Energy Systems and Technologies serves as a one-stop resource for the latest information regarding different topical areas within solar energy. This handbook will emphasize the application of nanotechnology innovations to solar energy technologies, explore current and future developments in third generation solar cells, and provide a detailed economic analysis of solar energy applications.

Religion is considered by many to be something of the past, but it has a lasting hold in society and influences people across many cultures. This integration of spirituality causes numerous impacts across various aspects of modern life. Multiculturalism and the Convergence of Faith and Practical Wisdom in Modern Society is a pivotal reference source for the latest scholarly research on the cultural, sociological, economic, and philosophical effects of religion on modern society and human behavior. Featuring extensive coverage across a range of relevant perspectives and topics, such as social reforms, national identity, and existential spirituality, this publication is ideally designed for theoreticians, practitioners, researchers, policy makers, advanced-level students and sociologists.

As the world rapidly moves online, sectors from management, industry, government, and education have broadly begun to virtualize the way people interact and learn. Virtual Learning Environments: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools and Applications is a three-volume compendium of the latest research, case studies, theories, and methodologies within the field of virtual learning environments. As networks get faster, cheaper, safer, and more reliable, their applications grow at a rate that makes it difficult for the typical practitioner to keep abreast. With a wide range of subjects, spanning from authors across the globe and with applications at different levels of education and higher learning, this reference guide serves academics and practitioners alike, indexed and categorized easily for study and application.

Though technology is expanding at a rate that is alarming to many skilled laborers concerned for the welfare of their industry and jobs, teachers should feel safe in their position; however, teachers who refuse to adapt to technology will be left behind. Developing Technology-Rich Teacher Education Programs: Key Issues offers professional teacher educators a rare opportunity to harvest the thinking of pioneering colleagues spanning dozens of universities, and to benefit from the creativity, scholarship, hard work, and reflection that led them to the models they describe. Contributors from 32 universities from around the world came together as authors of case studies, methodologies, research, and modeling to produce the work that went into this reference work. The target audience for this book includes faculty, leaders, teacher educators, and administrators within higher institution and every level of education.

Wireless technology has expanded rapidly as a field over recent years, especially in mobile and distance technologies, and collaboration over networks demands increases in speed, security, and reliability. Wireless Multi-Access Environments and Quality of Service Provisioning: Solutions and Application serves as a vital resource for practitioners to learn about the latest research and methodology within the field of wireless technology. This book covers important aspects of emerging technologies in the heterogeneous next generation network environment with focus on wireless communications and their quality. It presents network selection mechanisms, handover solutions and adaptive techniques, and identifies the research issues and challenges and presents a survey of the proposed solutions in the literature. It includes important chapters written by researchers from prestigious laboratories from Australia, China, Mexico, Portugal, Greece, Germany, the United Kingdom, and India, presenting the current advancements in wireless communications.

In an era characterized by data globalization, there is, paradoxically, a shortage of literature on the social impact of globalization, technology diffusion, and gender disparity. The new information and knowledge society may, in fact, aggravate the development and poverty gap instead of closing it. The cultural construction of knowledge exacerbates class, ethnic, and gender divides, and ICT has contributed to this problem. Globalization, Technology Diffusion and Gender Disparity: Social Impacts of ICTs discusses theoretical aspects of gender issues in ICT and presents a number of case studies from various countries. Covering topics such as social networking, ICT use among women, the digital divide, and theoretical approaches to gender gaps and ICT, this book aims to provide a strong foundation on ICT and digital equity that will be useful to a broad audience comprised of students, researchers, and policymakers.

The development of successful, usable Web-based systems and applications requires careful consideration of problems, needs, and unique circumstances within and among organizations. Uniting research from a number of different disciplines, Web engineering seeks to develop solutions and uncover new trends in the rapidly growing body of literature on Web system design, modeling, and methodology. Models for Capitalizing on Web Engineering Advancements: Trends and Discoveries contains research on new developments and existing applications made possible by the principles of Web engineering. With selections focused on a broad range of applications – from telemedicine to geographic information retrieval – this book provides a foundation for further study of the unique challenges faced by Web application designers.

Security and privacy are key considerations for individuals and organizations conducting increasing amounts of business and sharing considerable amounts of information online. Optimizing Information Security and Advancing Privacy Assurance: New Technologies reviews issues and trends in security and privacy at an individual user level, as well as within global enterprises. Enforcement of existing security technologies, factors driving their use, and goals for ensuring the continued security of information systems are discussed in this multidisciplinary collection of research, with the primary aim being the continuation and promotion of methods and theories in this far-reaching discipline.

Gaming has long been a means for humans to share knowledge, learn new concepts, and escape the constraints of reality. Interdisciplinary Advancements in Gaming, Simulations and Virtual Environments: Emerging Trends investigates the role of games and computer-mediated simulations in a variety of environments, including education, government, and business. Exploring psychological, social, and cultural implications of games and simulations, as well as policies related to their design and development, this reference aims to support the work of researchers in this growing field, as well as bridge the gap between theory and practice in the application of electronic games to everyday situations.

Although Web-based technologies have fundamentally changed human interaction and behavior in many ways, they have not yet had a considerable impact on theory and practice in education. Encouraging open communication about the opportunities, challenges, and potential issues introduced by new methods in Web-based teaching and training is key to helping teachers, students, practitioners, and policymakers understand how new technologies will impact modern education. Evaluating the Impact of Technology on Learning, Teaching, and Designing Curriculum: Emerging Trends provides a forum for researchers and practitioners to discuss the current and potential impact of online learning and training and to formulate methodologies for the creation of effective learning systems. This book investigates user experiences, design, evaluation, and management of Web-based training in the classroom and workplace, offering suggestions for researchers and decision-makers involved in the study of the important relationship between technology and learning.

Central to the study of knowledge management is the notion that retaining existing practices and experiences and applying them to new scenarios improves organizational and individual performance. While a strong foundation has been constructed by over two decades of research in this discipline, there are still significant opportunities for us to advance our understanding of knowledge creation, use, and transfer. Conceptual Models and Outcomes of Advancing Knowledge Management: New Technologies discusses theory and practice in the design of knowledge management systems, facilitation of knowledge sharing, and creation of practices that encourage organizational learning. With a focus on all aspects of knowledge management research, this book is a valuable resource for organizations aiming to improve performance as well as researchers seeking to develop conceptual models and frameworks for further inquiry.

While ambient intelligence has long been relegated to the realm of science fiction, creating smart technology that is increasingly responsive to individuals and environments is, in many ways, becoming reality, as the body of research and opportunity for practical application in this field continues to grow. Innovative Applications of Ambient Intelligence: Advances in Smart Systems provides perspectives on the convergence of ubiquitous computing, intelligent systems research, and context awareness with the aim of encouraging the further development of ambient intelligence frameworks and research. Focusing on interaction and communication in smart environments, as well as the successful development and design of ambient interfaces and platforms, this book aims to further the continuously growing dialogue on the promise of ambient computing.

The adoption of technology has provided opportunities for increased participation in global affairs both at an individual and organizational level. As a discipline, e-adoption focuses on the requirements, policies, and implications of widespread technology use in developed and developing countries. E-Adoption and Technologies for Empowering Developing Countries: Global Advances reviews the impact technology has had on individuals and organizations whose access to media and resources is otherwise limited. With overviews of topics including electronic voting, electronic delivery systems, social Web applications, and online educational environments, this reference work provides a foundation for understanding the interplay between technology and societal growth and development.

Measuring progress in the service sector is closely linked to the ability to develop and implement information systems. As the service sector continues to grow, it is important to investigate what drives the production of intangible goods and overall economic health. Advancing the Service Sector with Evolving Technologies: Techniques and Principles provides a forum for practitioners and researchers to discuss the application of information systems to service creation, modeling, and evolution. Covering foundational concepts and innovations in service management, service-oriented computing, strategic information systems, and Web services, this collection of research aims to shape future research and promote further growth of the service sector.

While technology has had a considerable impact on humanity's progress, it can also fuel inequality and tension. Considerable opportunities exist for investigating the link between ICT design and individual and social development. ICTs for Advancing Rural Communities and Human Development: Addressing the Digital Divide reviews the important impact ICTs have on economic, social, and political development and provides analyses of ICTs for education, commerce, and governance. This reference develops strategies and promotes awareness of human development initiatives as they relate to technology development and design.

The study of telecommunications and networking allows us to understand existing modes of communication and information transfer while also developing new methods for managing, modeling, and regulating the exchange of information. Research, Practice, and Educational Advancements in Telecommunications and Networking offers multidisciplinary perspectives on architectures and systems for effective, efficient communication across different types of infrastructures, which include online and wireless networks. Collecting research on mobile ad hoc networks, VoIP, and mobile recommendation systems, this book provides theoretical discussions, as well as practical research on new and emerging developments in telecommunications and networking.

This volume draws together all the articles published by the International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning in its second year of publication (2010). As the use of mobile technology for personal and business applications continues to grow, it naturally follows that educators and researchers will investigate the use of mobile devices for knowledge sharing and learning. Refining Current Practices in Mobile and Blended Learning: New Applications provides perspectives on new approaches to learning theory and practice in increasingly mobile, immersive environments. Situated at the intersection of theory and practice, this book provides foundational research on the development and implementation of mobile games, the delivery of mobile and blended learning, and philosophical underpinnings of this emerging discipline.

Grid and cloud computing both facilitate an increase in computing resources by the development of new connections to existing systems. Evolving Developments in Grid and Cloud Computing: Advancing Research contains investigations of grid and cloud evolution, workflow management, and the impact new computing systems have on education and industry. Targeted at both researchers and IT professionals, this book provides current trends and emerging issues in cloud and grid architectures, standards and performance analysis.