Discusses methods of evaluating commercial online databases and provides examples that illustrate their hidden dimensions. Topics addressed include size, including the number of records or the number of titles; the number of years covered; and the frequency of updates. Comparisons of Readers' Guide Abstracts and Magazine Article Summaries are…

This article concentrates on the use of online searching to provide information needed by business for strategy formulation. The following steps are explained: environment analysis (structural analysis, trend analysis); business analysis; strategy formulation; strategic anticipation; strategic plan formalization; and implementation and control.…

Identifies and describes databases which cover business practice, policy, and principle; government activity; popular interest; and scientific, scholarly, or technical developments and specific information on products, services, and business lines, industries, companies, individuals, and geographic places. Nineteen figures illustrate sample…

Introduces courseware authoring systems, which are defined as software devised for an instructional environment that simplifies courseware development. The process of courseware authoring consists of two basic elements--computer and lesson--which are further subdivided. The use of authoring systems to simplify each of these subcomponents is…

The manuscript is a draft written in nontechnical terms, for the purpose of acquainting local and regional occupational administrators with RESOE's functional specifications and basic design concepts. Following a brief introduction is a description of what RESOE does, covering: evaluation of occupational programs; program monitoring and…