What began with a few libraries' early application of ethnographic methods to learn more about user behaviors and needs has grown to become a significant body of work done across many institutions using a broad range of methods. User-centered investigations are increasingly influential in discussions about the shape and future of the research…

This report summarizes the results of an international survey on the utilization of videotex and teletext which covered 20 countries, including Canada, Great Britain, France, Holland, Switzerland, the United States, and West Germany. Included are: (1) definitions and a comparison of the two media; (2) the methods used to collect the data…

This study was designed to compare the attitudinal and lifestyle patterns of video game players with the amount of time they play, the number of games they play, and the types of video games they play, to determine whether their personal use of time and attitude toward leisure is different when playing video games. Subjects were 200 individuals…

The relationship between teacher burnout and the use of various media in teaching was examined with data collected from 545 elementary and secondary teachers in the Fort Worth, Texas public school system. Subscales measured factors indicating teacher burnout, including teachers' perceptions of the degree of administrative support received, career…

In order to determine the capacity of high schools to profit from the pre-high school computer experiences of its students, a study was conducted to measure computer utilization in selected high schools of Middle Tennessee. Questionnaires distributed to 50 principals in 28 school systems covered the following areas: school enrollment; number and…

This overview of the status of online databases in the United Kingdom describes online users' attitudes and practices in light of two surveys conducted in the past two years. The Online Information Centre at ASLIB sampled 325 users, and Chadwyck-Healey, Ltd., conducted a face-to-face survey of librarians in a broad cross-section of 76 libraries.…

The use of general systems theory in the field of instructional systems design (ISD) is explored in this paper. Drawing on work by Young, the writings of 12 representative ISD writers and researchers were surveyed to determine the use of 60 general systems theory concepts by the individual authors. The average number of concepts used by these…

To investigate the integration of new communications technology into existing patterns of leisure, a functional research model must be combined with a paradigm based on leisure time and the economical use of such time. A survey of 273 Davis, California, residents investigated the relationship between the desire to subscribe to cable television…

A study was conducted to determine who, within a target user group, used and benefitted from a videotex system. The subjects were large-scale farmers who agreed to have videotex terminals installed in their homes to receive a wide range of informational and commercial transaction services provided by a bank holding company. At the end of an…

The question of whether adolescents turn to arcade video games for gratifications similar to those met by television viewing was investigated with 244 children 10 to 14 years old, who were attending a statewide summer sports camp. A questionnaire required subjects to rate the importance of 17 need statements and provide basic demographic…

Prestel is an interactive videotex system which has been available to the public in the United Kingdom since the late 1970's. Recent research funded by the British Library Research and Development Department provided public libraries with access to Prestel and monitored their reactions to the services. Aims of the trial were to promote Prestel by…

This study investigated whether a disabled person's predisposition to technology use can be assessed in order to optimize the match of person with technological aids. Subjects, most with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, or deafness, were assessed with newly developed instruments and interviewed. Subjects were determined to be either technology…

The social role of the personal computer and its implications for familial health were investigated in a study of approximately 100 families with microcomputers in their homes. Data were collected through a written questionnaire and through diskettes programmed to monitor day-to-day computer usage. Analysis emphasized both patterns in family use…

Based on the concept of a mathematical manifold, the model developed for this study was designed to measure and provide insights into the interaction of gender and access to computers among Canadian adolescents, as well as the multiple situational and personal variables which can constrain or facilitate computer access for the adolescent. The…

The focus of this study was to understand and describe the nature of a professional community of interdisciplinary science teachers linked together through a telecommunications network. Thirty two high school science teachers participated in a 2 week summer institute. Patterns of teacher participation and changes within this community were…