Considers some of the major categories of federally produced data resources, mentions some of the means of access to those resources, calls attention to some of the difficulties confronted in their use, and notes several developments that look toward more effective access by social scientists to those resources. (Author)

Many higher education institutions are focusing on their admissions operations. They are attempting to ensure a steady stream of enrolling students, and/or attempting to ensure the quality or composition of their entering classes. However, many colleges have not developed a comprehensive method of tracking student cohorts, measuring retention, and…

Regardless of the inadequacies of the new information retrieval systems, and despite the serious social inequalities which will result from charging fees for information, most libraries are incorporating the computer-assisted bibliographic searching devices into their reference operations, and passing the costs on to the users. (Author)

This document describes the computerized procedures developed and utilized by Montgomery College (Maryland) to maintain records related to student academic progress. The new system was fully operable by fall 1972. Systems development included: (1) the conversion of past student records to a permanent grade history file; (2) the development of a…

Large-scale databases are an underutilized source of data for secondary analysis by researchers. Major government and private databases available to the public, the types of agencies developing them, and how to obtain and utilize them are described. A catalogue of 20 databases, their characteristics and sources is included. (BS)

This collection of ten conference reports begins with "Historical Impact of Computers on the Operation of Libraries and Information Systems: A Personal Perspective" and is followed by "Tips on Computer Software: Advantages and Methods of Program Dissemination" and "BLOCS--A Unique Multi-Dimensional Approach to On-Line Circulation". Next, libraries…

An assessment of the Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS) reveals that small colleges can benefit from the consistency of standardized responses in creating individual planning data systems. HEGIS has a long enough history to have stabilized its several instruments. However, if one is looking to create student or personnel specific…

Ways in which computers and audio tape recorder techniques were used to record, index, and present data collected during two summers of field work in a rural area of Mexico are described. The research goal was to study the Otomi Indian shamans. Two computers were used: the Honeywell 6800 DPS-2 and the Osborne-1 microcomputer. The database system…

As of 1993, Nevada had no systems for statewide automation and transfer of student records. This guide book presents findings of a collaborative study, conducted by the Nevada Department of Education and local school districts, that explored the need for and feasibility of developing a statewide system for automating and transferring student…

A major problem identified in the current, manually kept high school attendance system is the inability to handle the large volune of daily information. This ineffectual data management is reflected by the high absentee and tardy rates. Additionally, this failure to produce current and timely reports hinders class cut reporting. This is evidenced…

This paper is based on information related to the use of computers in special education within California, and on the experiences of the San Juan Unified School District in using computer information for special education research, evaluation and planning. The majority of special education planning agencies in California have some type of…

This report from the first Computer Users Conference is organized around the four panel discussion topics: data collection, data preparation and presentation, data base management, and overall management of hardware, software, people and data. On each panel were two industrial data processing experts who presented papers for discussion. These…

The Information and Referral Manual (IRMA) project is an ongoing comprehensive urban services information system that produces and maintains directories of city agency services and functions for New York City. Contained in this document are the appendices to the final report for the project. It includes: 1) the administrative order that initiated…

Experiences in systems-development for state information systems are summarized for eight pilot-test state agencies, as part of the State Level Information Base project. Attention is directed to the evaluation of information needs; hardware and software choices; survey administration; data organization, storage, and linkages; and staffing…