The purpose of this document is to highlight some of the difficulties associated with retrieving information on Iran using Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and several other commonly used reference tools based on LCSH. Four subject areas concerning Iran are identified, and their treatment in LCSH and periodical indexes is analyzed. The…

The increased availability of digital images is accompanied by a need for solutions to the problems inherent in indexing them for retrieval. Problems in image description and access are discussed, with a perspective on traditional and new solutions. Recent developments in intellectual access to images are surveyed and contrasted with…

Discusses problems facing naive users of interactive information systems (IIS) that have been identified through classroom research. Impediments to successful use of IIS are students' inability to make use of non-text-based information sources and difficulty choosing appropriate search strategies. Mental models developed by users may provide clues…

This article examines each of four purposes of ONTAP ERIC, designed by Dialog Information Systems to provide online training and practice for database searchers and finds only one of them to be fulfilled by the file. Problems discussed include conceptual deficiencies and design faults. Recommendations for improvement are made. (EJS)

This paper describes the organization, implementation, and outcomes of a joint effort between the Regional Laboratory for Educational Improvement of the Northeast and Islands and the Vermont State Department of Education's Database Project. In 1987, the Laboratory proposed a feasibility study to examine the means and costs of accessing…

Humanists use a wide variety of textual, graphic, and aural materials in their research, each of which presents indexing challenges. Research into the nature of these materials and humanists' information-seeking behaviors indicate that indexing models from the sciences are not adequate. New controlled vocabulary and indexing frameworks are needed.…

Reviews literature about cataloging large microform sets. Subjects include: determination of location by remote users of online catalogs, guidelines for prioritizing cataloging of unanalyzed and underused microform collections, catalog versus finding aid, and catalog credibility. (JKP)

Examines the influence of the World Wide Web on the dissemination of scholarly literature. Discusses display and indexing of structured text, problems with matching the needs of session-based document retrieval and the stateless architecture of the Web, and the relationship of existing bibliographic description standards to emerging standards for…

Describes a feasibility study which focused on converting Japanese-American evacuation and relocation photographs to digital format for improved access and preservation. Problems and issues surrounding indexing the collection, the use of Library of Congress Subject Headings and authority files, and public service issues raised by a digital image…

Presents an algorithm that automatically extracts words and phrases containing geographic place names or characteristics from a text document and uses them as input to database functions that use spatial reasoning to approximate statistically the geoposition referenced in the text. Preliminary results and future work are discussed. (28 references)…

Describes five interfaces to remote, full-text databases accessed through distributed systems of servers. These are WAIStation for the Macintosh, XWAIS for X-Windows, GWAIS for Gnu-Emacs; SWAIS for dumb terminals, and Rosebud for the Macintosh. Sixteen illustrations provide examples of display screens. Problems and needed improvements are…

Discusses problems and benefits of the electronic book and challenges in the electronic environment in terms of aggregation, pricing, authentication and authorization, presentation, downloading and printing, intellectual property, continued availability, and reliability and accessibility. Gives examples of commercial book aggregators and…

One means of Web use evaluation is through analysis of server-generated log files. Various log file analysis techniques and issues are presented that are related to the interpretation of log file data. Study findings indicate a number of problems; recommendations and areas needing further research are outlined. (AEF)