In this 26th annual survey, prices for U.S. periodicals indicate an 8.9% increase over the 1985 subscription rates. Average pricing information by subject category is provided for each year since 1977, and the addition of the Soviet Translations category and the expansion of the index tables are explained. (EJS)

Compares the compact disc read-only-memory (CD-ROM) Magazine Article Summaries (MAS) and Magazine Index Plus Backfile (MI+) in terms of system hardware, index coverage, searching capabilities, citation display, printing citations, local holdings, and miscellaneous features and costs. Finds in favor of MAS. (DMM)

A practical review of seven software directories is performed by comparing indexes, entry composition, subject classifications, and coverage overlap. The bibliographic control of microcomputer software and 13 microcomputer software directories published since 1980 are highlighted. (EJS)

This discussion of the failure to include many book reviews by indexes in selected subject fields and by several general indexes highlights the technique used to check review materials in selected magazines to see what was actually indexed, the policies of specific indexes, and the practical consequences for librarians. (EM)

This paper documents how the University of Oklahoma developed discipline cost indices which it then used in its budget allocation process. In order to overcome the interinstitutional comparison problems between universities which use different reporting and accounting methods, discipline cost indices were derived using data collected through the…

The core journals of library and information science were identified by overlap of coverage in Library Literature and Information Science Abstracts. Those core journals which review English language monographs in the field and are published by U.S. trade or university presses were identified. Reviews for the 6-month period from July 1, 1984, to…

Compares OCLC, WLN, and RLIN in terms of the composition of the databases, indexes and searching, special uses for public services, costs, and documentation. Selected bibliographies of general public service uses and interlibrary loan applications are provided. (CLB)

The derivation of discipline cost indexes, developed to permit accurate interinstitutional comparisons of relative costs among disciplines, is explained using expenditure data from five peer institutions. How the indexes have been used in one research university's budget allocation process is then described. (Author/MSE)

Examines online and printed equivalents of selected government documents indexes to compare the recall, precision, overlap, and cost effectiveness of online and manual searching. Indexes studied were the Monthly Catalog, CIS (Congressional Information Service) Index, and Government Reports Announcements and Index. (CLB)

This book provides guidelines for evaluating a variety of database types, including abstracting and indexing, directory, full-text, and page-image databases available in online and/or CD-ROM formats. The book discusses the purpose and techniques of comparing and evaluating the most important characteristics of textual databases, such as their…

Describes an investigation that assessed the effectiveness of Australian indexing and abstracting services in their bibliographic control of the literature of library and information science. Conclusions about the coverage of the literature are presented, and methods for improvement are suggested. (CLB)

Compares five services that offer mediated access to the Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications--Auto-Graphics, Brodart, Information Access (two services), and LSSI--on 14 points ranging from basic cost and type of media (microfiche, microfilm, laser optical disk, optical disk) to special features or enhancements. (CLB)

This study conducted at Texas A&M University compares two types of training approaches using ERIC SilverPlatter (ERIC SP). Education students received either: (1) a one hour training session on basic search commands and strategies, or (2) a four page instructional handout that described basic search commands, Boolean logic, and special…

Evaluates the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database. Summarizes ERIC's history and organization, and discusses criticisms concerning access, currency, and database content. Reviews role of component clearinghouses, indexing practices, thesaurus structure, international coverage, and comparative studies. Finds ERIC a valuable…

An examination of national data on dental educators' salaries since 1975 compares average salaries for basic and clinical science faculty, relates faculty salaries to changes in the Consumer Price Index (since 1976), and tracks faculty salaries in constant dollars. A brief analysis of results accompanies data graphs. (MSE)