The relative effectiveness of the CD-ROM information retrieval system, InfoTrac II, and the manual "Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature," was studied. Seventeen community college students were divided into two groups which researched the same questions either on CD-ROM or in the printed index. Results showed the "Readers'…

Describes a study conducted at Jacksonville State University (Alabama) that compared the ERIC print index, "Resources in Education" (RIE), to the ERIC index in CD-ROM format. Accuracy of results, time savings, and user satisfaction are discussed, and copies of the questionnaire and survey are appended. (Author/LRW)

This 2-year project at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) was conducted to determine the feasibility of providing online periodical indexing to the journal holdings of the UTA libraries by demonstrating an extended use of the libraries' NOTIS Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) to provide better access to local resources. Three approaches…

Describes a study conducted at Jacksonville State University (Alabama) that compared the ERIC print index with the ERIC index in CD-ROM format in the areas of accuracy, time savings, and user satisfaction. Results show greater satisfaction with CD-ROM. Copies of the questionnaire and survey used are appended. (Author/LRW)

This study investigated the use patterns of four CD-ROM systems--Newsbank Electronic Index, SilverPlatter's ERIC and PsycLIT, and Dissertation Abstracts Ondisc--and their print index counterparts in the University of Georgia (UGA) Main Library, which houses collections and provides library services for the humanities, the social sciences, and…

This study compares ABI/INFORM and Wilson Business Abstracts in order to determine user preference. Surveys in the form of questionnaires were used to evaluate users' preference of interface, database response time, search results and ease of use with both business CD-ROM databases. Kent State University students, faculty, and patrons interested…

Discussion of the use of CD-ROM databases focuses on a study conducted at Russell Sage College (New York) that examined user attitudes toward CD-ROM technology and shifts in journal usage patterns. Highlights include previous studies, comparisons of print indexes and CD-ROM databases, and suggestions for future research. (LRW)

Describes a case study which explored the extent to which CD-ROM products can support the information needs in developing countries; assessed the economics of a system of CD-ROM databases supplemented by an online system; and investigated the breakeven analysis of the costs of searching CD-ROM versus online. (Contains 34 references.) (LRW)

Describes a survey of users of three academic libraries that examined users' reactions to CD-ROM products and compared their satisfaction with different products. Some of the evaluation criteria used include ease of use, satisfaction with the number and quality of citations retrieved, and time spent searching. The survey form is appended. (eight…

Describes a pilot project at the Department of Commerce Mountain Administrative Support Center Library that compared the cost effectiveness of CD-ROM with that of other media and examined the acceptability of CD-ROM by staff and users. A list of the CD-ROM products evaluated and the evaluation form used are appended. (CLB)

Discusses results of a survey of LIS (library and information science) educators who specialized in reference services or online retrieval to understand how teachers have prepared students to deal with online and CD-ROM resources. Results are compared to those from earlier studies, and a copy of the survey is appended. (Author/LRW)

A survey of public library users was conducted regarding retrieval results of unassisted user searches in general periodical indexes. The data were analyzed to evaluate the impact or lack of impact of searching a CD-ROM index with loosely-controlled vocabulary and expanded-search capabilities (i.e., InfoTrac-General Periodicals Index) versus a…

Integrating comments from the literature about CD-ROMs, online searching, and information retrieval, this report describes the initial experience of using InfoTrac at Winona State University (WSU). After finding that students did not tend to order fee-based online searches, the WSU library provided access on a trial basis to bibliographic…

This is a study of the research communities in history and political science at Kent State University (Ohio). The purpose is to provide a profile of historians and political scientists and to discover the kinds of information they use for research. A survey/questionnaire was circulated to the history and political science departments. Information…

A review of the literature was undertaken to determine whether purchasing DIALOG in the CD-ROM format or subscribing to the DIALOG online format would be the better solution for middle school students interested in information retrieval. This report begins by stating the problem and defining common computer terms. A review of the related…