Conceptual modeling of databases is a complex cognitive activity, particularly for novice database designers. The current research empirically tests a new pedagogy for this activity. It examines an instructional approach that stresses visualizing gradual transitions between levels of abstraction in different hierarchic levels of a relational…

The authors conducted six focus group semi-structured interviews consisting of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers within the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in order to understand their roles within research groups and their ability to manage research data. More specifically, participants…

This paper explores possibilities for marrying data visualization to online archival finding aids, which have continually suffered from usability issues in their long history. This paper describes a project in which two different data visualization models were built to replace sections of an archival finding aid. Users were then shown the models,…

Protection of academic integrity in online environments can be challenging. Understanding how the technology works and concerns about each of the methods for monitoring online interactions can assist in the selection of the best proctoring tools. Depending on the content, the type of assessment and the comfort level with the technology, a…

This case study consists of a real database project for a charter school--Scholar's Academy--and provides background information on the school and its cafeteria processing system. Also included are functional requirements and some illustrative data. Students are tasked with the design and development of a database for the purpose of improving the…

This case describes the situation of Smile Land Academy (SLA), a real-world based childcare center. SLA has grown from a very small company to a fairly large-sized organization (30 employees with 150 children). Unfortunately, its system for record-keeping, summarization of data, and reporting has not kept pace. The hard copies and spreadsheet…

Coastal Pacific Doctor Associates (CPDA) is a multi-physician medical practice located along the west coast. CPDA decided to replace their inadequate and outdated medical office system during a time of tremendous restructuring in the medical software industry. In their impatience, CPDA chose an electronic medical record (EMR) and practice…

Discovery layers provide a simplified interface for searching library resources. Libraries with limited finances make decisions about retaining indexing and abstracting databases when similar information is available in discovery layers. These decisions should be informed by student success at finding quality information as well as satisfaction…

This report presents the results of a research and development effort for SpeechRater? Version 1.0 (v1.0), an automated scoring system for the spontaneous speech of English language learners used operationally in the Test of English as a Foreign Language™ (TOEFL®) Practice Online assessment (TPO). The report includes a summary of the validity…

One of the challenges limiting the capability for analysis of educational issues is that data on school enrollments, staffing, and financing are collected through separate but annually conducted universe surveys. Because the data are collected and provided by separate agencies, the available data from the nation's school districts are often…

A progress report on the Center for the Study of Higher Education (CASE) National Donor Data Base Project is presented. The project, which began in June 1987, has proceeded in several phases: (1) data base design; (2) acquisition of data from participating institutions; (3) development of software to load each institution's data into the donor…

Full-text databases allow Central Missouri State University's clients to access some of the serials that libraries have had to cancel due to escalating subscription costs; EbscoHost, the subject of this study, is one such database. The database is available free to all Missouri residents. A survey was designed consisting of 21 questions intended…

Describes a survey of library systems and software vendors that examined the sources, management, and use of authority records in their systems and the functions of an authority control module within an integrated system. Several tables and graphs offer summaries and comparisons of vendors' offerings and capabilities. The questionnaire used is…

This report offers comprehensive information about the current capabilities of statewide higher education student data systems including the scope of these systems, what information is collected, and how information is used. The report provides analysis of student tracking systems and data sharing across agencies. It addresses protection of the…

A project developed a comprehensive database of Pennsylvania state adult literacy service providers that could be used to provide information on service provision to public and private organizations and individuals. The project team distributed a mailed survey to 2,911 known and potential adult literacy service-providing organizations throughout…