Reviews literature on digital libraries (DLs) by examining its conceptions; concepts related to social informatics; researchers exploring DL social informatics; methods of DL design; social aspects of DL infrastructure and use; and research approaches to DL social informatics. Presents questions for further research and discusses social and…

Examines the relationship between information and democracy through a framework of six stereotyped assumptions regarding ontology and epistemology, i.e., dogma, naturalism, cultural relativity, constructivism, postmodernism, and communitarianism. Implications for the design and implementation of information systems are discussed. (Contains 93…

Reviews cognitive research and the design of information systems based on cognitive research that has appeared in the information science literature since 1985 and that is primarily user oriented. Topics discussed include various types of knowledge and cognitive models, general and specific cognitive processes, cognitive abilities, and cognitive…

Explains the technologies of electronic imaging as background for other articles in this section, focusing on technologies seen by the developer or user of electronic imaging applications. Topics discussed include image acquisition, storage, retrieval, compression, transmission, display, manipulation, and printing; standards and architectural…

Reviews information retrieval (IR) studies since 1986 from the user's perspective. Identifies two main approaches that advocate user-centered design theory: (1) the cognitive approach; and (2) the holistic approach. Also explores other approaches--systems thinking/action research and usability techniques that may have potential for IR research and…

Arguing that relevance judgments are fundamental to the design and evaluation of all information retrieval systems, and that a consensus on the definition of the central concept of relevance has not been reached, this paper begins by critically reviewing four approaches to the problem of defining relevance: (1) the system-oriented approach…

Examines how users interact with text to devise a more effective information retrieval interface. Research in cognitive psychology and information science that relates to the use of metaphors and document categorization is reviewed, and an example of text organization and retrieval by historians is presented. (60 references) (LRW)