Blockchain Based Academic Letter of Recommendation System Model

Yıl 2023, , 67 - 81, 31.01.2023

Caner Demir , Doç. Dr. Selçuk Özdemir

https://doi.org/10.17671/gazibtd.1161180

Öz

Letter of recommendation is a widely used method that provides general and subjective information about students in job, internship and education applications. In the current processes, it is widely preferred that the letters of recommendation are physically sent to the recipient institutions or uploaded to the relevant central servers of the recipient institutions via an online portal. There are some risks such as loss of documents when they are physically transmitted and loss, theft and alteration of data in documents transmitted online due to the nature of central servers. In this study, a blockchain-based academic recommendation letter model is proposed to prevent problems that may occur in current processes. With the model designed in a traceable, transparent, secure and decentralized structure using smart contracts, it is aimed to automate data transmission between stakeholders by bringing a standard workflow for different requests and needs that take place in existing processes and vary from institution to institution. The architectural model, pseudo-codes and workflow of the system designed using the Ethereum network are explained in detail, and the information flow between the stakeholders is described with sequence diagrams. Smart contract codes of the developed system are shared on Github as open source.

Anahtar Kelimeler

blockchain, academic letter of recommendation, ethereum, smart contract

Blok Zinciri Tabanlı Akademik Tavsiye Mektubu Sistemi Modeli

Öz

Tavsiye mektubu iş, staj ve eğitim başvurularında öğrenciler hakkında genel ve öznel bilgi sağlayan yaygın olarak kullanılan bir yöntemdir. Mevcut süreçlerde tavsiye mektuplarının fiziksel olarak alıcı kurumlara iletilmesi veya alıcı kurumların ilgili merkezi sunucularına çevrim içi portal aracılığı ile yüklenmesi yaygın olarak tercih edilmektedir. Fiziksel iletilen durumda belge ve dokümanların kaybolması; çevrim içi olarak iletilen belgelerde ise merkezi sunucuların doğası gereği verinin kaybolması, çalınması ve değiştirilmesi gibi riskler mevcuttur. Bu çalışmada mevcut süreçlerde yaşanabilecek sorunların önüne geçilebilmesi için blok zinciri tabanlı akademik tavsiye mektubu modeli önerilmektedir. Akıllı sözleşmeler kullanılarak izlenebilir, şeffaf, güvenli ve merkezi olmayan yapıda tasarlanan model ile birlikte mevcut süreçlerde yer alan ve kurumdan kuruma değişen farklı istek ve ihtiyaçların standart bir iş akışı getirilerek paydaşlar arası veri iletiminin otomatize edilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Ethereum ağı kullanılarak tasarlanan sistemin mimari modeli, sözde kodları ve iş akışı detaylı olarak aktarılmakla birlikte paydaşların birbirleri arasındaki bilgi akışı sıra diyagramları ile tarif edilmektedir. Geliştirilen sisteme ait akıllı sözleşme kodları açık kaynak olarak Github üzerinden paylaşılmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Blok zinciri, Akademik Tavsiye Mektubu, Ethereum, Akıllı Sözleşme

Kaynakça

• B. T. Loher, J. T. Hazer, A. Tsai, K. Tilton, and J. James, "Letters of reference: A process approach", Journal of Business and Psychology, 11(3), 339-355, 1997.
• S. H. Peres, J. R. Garcia, "Validity and dimensions of descriptive adjectives used in reference letters for engineering applicants", Personnel Psychology, 15(3), 279-286, 1962.
• M. R. Anderson-Rowland, J. E. Sharp, "Helping Students (and ultimately faculty) write an effective recommendation letter", 38th Annual Frontiers in Education Conference, New York, USA, 9-13, 2008.
• P. Akos, J. Kretchmar, "Gender and Ethnic bias in Letters of Recommendation: Considerations for School Counselors", Professional School Counseling, 20(1), 102-113, 2016.
• J. H. Kong, L. J. Steele, C. M. Botham, "Ten simple rules for writing compelling recommendation letters", PLOS Computational Biology, 17(2), 1-6, 2021.
• J. Zarrin, H. Wen Phang, L. Babu Saheer, B. Zarrin, "Blockchain for decentralization of internet: prospects, trends, and challenges", Cluster Computing, 24(4), 2841-2866, 2021.
• Internet: Could You Spot a Fake Employment Reference?, https://www.socialtalent.com/blog/recruiting/fake-references, 31.10.2022
• S. Nakamoto, Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf, 2008.
• P. C. Franks, "Implications of blockchain distributed ledger technology for records management and information governance programs", Records Management Journal, 30(3), 2020.
• T. T. A. Dinh, R. Liu, M. Zhang, G. Chen, B. C. Ooi, J. Wang, "Untangling Blockchain: A Data Processing View of Blockchain Systems", IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, 30(7), 2018.
• M. A. Benatia, V. E. De Sa, D. Baudry, H. Delalin, P. Halftermeyer, "A framework for big data driven product traceability system", 4th International Conference on Advanced Technologies for Signal and Image Processing, Sousse, Tunisia, 1-7, 2018.
• P. K. Patro, R. W. Ahmad, I. Yaqoob, K. Salah, R. Jayaraman, "Blockchain-Based Solution for Product Recall Management in the Automotive Supply Chain", IEEE Access, 9, 167756- 167775, 2021.
• K. Salah, M. H. U. Rehman, N. Nizamuddin, A. Al-Fuqaha, "Blockchain for AI: Review and open research challenges", IEEE Access, 7, 10127-10149, 2019.
• Internet: Global 2000 List By The Center For World University Ranking, https://cwur.org/2021-22.php,31.10.2022
• Internet: Letters of recommendation, https://mitadmissions.org/apply/firstyear/letters-of-recommendation, 16.07.2022.
• Internet: Interfolio’s Dossier to manage and send out recommendation letters. https://www.interfolio.com/products/dossier, 12.07.2022.
• Internet: Cambridge: Application Process, https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/application-process, 16.07.2022.
• Internet: Letters of Recommendation, https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/transfer/evals.html, 16.07.2022.
• Internet: Letters of Recommendation, https://www.gse.harvard.edu/admissions/faq/letters-recommendation, 13.07.2022.
• Internet: Application Requirements, https://www.gradoffice.caltech.edu/admissions/checklist, 14.07.2022.
• Internet: Graduate Program Applications, https://fbe.metu.edu.tr/en, 18.07.2022.
• Internet: Executive and Other Graduate Programs Application, http://adaylar.boun.edu.tr/en-EN/Page/Admissions/II_Education/All, 17.07.2022.
• S. A. Raza, W. Qazi, K. A. Khan, J. Salam, "Social Isolation and Acceptance of the Learning Management System (LMS) in the time of COVID-19 Pandemic: An Expansion of the UTAUT Model", Journal of Educational Computing Research, 59(2), 183–208, 2021.
• E. C. K. Cheng, T. Wang,. "Institutional Strategies for Cybersecurity in Higher Education Institutions", Information, 13(4), 192, 2022.
• Internet: Bluevoyant. Cybersecurity in Higher Education Report.BlueVoyant. https://www.bluevoyant.com/resources/cybersecurity-in-higher-education, 31.10.2022
• K. Beaudin, "The Legal Implications of Storing Student Data: Preparing for and Responding to Data Breaches", New Directions for Institutional Research, 2016(172), 37–48, 2017.
• M. Rahman, H. Sultana, S. Paul, N. Mobtashim, "Online Recommendation Letter Verification Using Blockchain Technology", International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 10(9), 80-85, 2021.
• V. Marella, A. Vijayan, "Document verification using blockchain for trusted CV information", 26th Americas Conference on Information Systems, Utah, USA, 1-10, 2020.
• N. Kumavat, "Certificate Verification System using Blockchain", International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology, 7, 53-57, 2019.
• A. Taha, A. Zakaria, "Truver: A blockchain for verifying credentials: Poster", Proceedings of the ACM Symposium on Applied Computing, New York, USA, 346-348 2020.
• R. Alabduljabbar, "Development of a System to Manage Letters of Recommendation", International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 12(1), 2021.
• B. Yu, P. Zhan, M. Lei, F. Zhou, P. Wang, "Food Quality Monitoring System Based on Smart Contracts and Evaluation Models", IEEE Access, 8, 12479-12490, 2020.
• A. Donmez, A. Karaivanov, "Transaction fee economics in the Ethereum blockchain", Economic Inquiry, 60(1), 2022.
• M. M. A. Khan, H. M. A. Sarwar, M. Awais, "Gas consumption analysis of Ethereum blockchain transactions", Concurrency and Computation: Practice and Experience, 34(4), 2022.
• E. Karataş, “Developing Ethereum Blockchain-Based Document Verification Smart Contract for Moodle Learning Management System”, Bilişim Teknolojileri Dergisi, 11(4), 399-406, DOI: 10.17671/gazibtd.452686, 2018.
• Internet: Ethereum Gas Station, Recommended priority fee in Gwei, https://ethgasstation.info, 07.07.2022.
• O. Ali, A. Jaradat, A. Kulakli, A. Abuhalimeh, "A Comparative Study: Blockchain Technology Utilization Benefits, Challenges and Functionalities", IEEE Access, 9, 12730-12749, 2021.