Objective: Identify the most performant automated text classification method (eg, algorithm) for differentiating empirical studies from nonempirical works in order to facilitate systematic mixed studies reviews. Methods: The algorithms were trained and validated with 8050 database records, which had previously been manually categorized as…

A complete description of the literature search, including the criteria used for the inclusion of reports after they have been located, used in a research synthesis or meta-analysis is critical if subsequent researchers are to accurately evaluate and reproduce a synthesis' methods and results. Based on previous guidelines and new suggestions, we…

Purpose: The paper aims to assess the utility of non-agriculture-specific information systems, databases, and respective controlled vocabularies (thesauri) in organising and retrieving agricultural information. The purpose is to identify thesaurus-linked tree structures, controlled subject headings/terms (heading words, descriptors), and principal…

The Internet has made it possible for students to access a vast amount of high-quality references when writing papers. Yet research has shown that the use of reference databases is poor and the quality of student papers is consequently often below expectation. The objective of this article is twofold. First, it aims to describe the problems…

Based on information solicited from database producers which had files publicly available on SDC and/or Lockheed, this study is intended to help searchers assess available database support materials with regard to their cost, format, depth, and purpose. The eight assumptions addressed cover the following areas: (1) the amount of reference material…

This brief article describes the database, Science Online, from Facts on File. Science is defined broadly in this database to include archeology, computer technology, medicine, inventions, and mathematics, as well as biology, chemistry, earth sciences, and astronomy. Content also is divided into format categories for browsing purposes:…

A staff improvement course was developed by an intern at the technical information center (TIC) at Owens-Illinois, Inc. (O-I). First an analysis was made of the information center itself--its goals, services, literature search procedures, information sources, and the function of the information representative-analysts. Next a comparison was made…

Intended for novice searchers, this review of available materials comments on availability and cost, as well as the relationship between the search materials and the topic area of the file or the organizational type of the producer. An extensive bibliography is provided. (SW)

The authors present information sources and retrieval techniques for persons wishing to search recent educational literature. They discuss card catalogs, bibliographies, periodical indexes, abstracting services, computer databases, interlibrary loaning, and institutional resources. In many cases they name and briefly describe specific reference…

Discusses the use of the OCLC Authority File for answering reference questions. Contents of the authority file are described, including personal, corporate, conference, and geographic names, uniform titles, and subject headings; accessing the authority file is explained; searching strategies are discussed; and examples of authority records are…

This report describes how the City University of New York College of Staten Island library incorporated the Dow Jones News/Retrieval (DJN/R) service into their collection. Included in the report are some general criteria that the college considered before selecting the DJN/R database system, an overview of the seven categories of databases…

Research methodologies in several of the social sciences require the use of tests. When assisting social science researchers who seek information on tests, reference librarians do not, themselves, always have direct access to the instruments. Librarians should not only have the knowledge that various print and electronic database resources are…

Describes how genealogists visiting the Library of Congress can use Library of Congress Information System (LOCIS) to identify genealogies in library's collections. Search strategies within two LOCIS systems--Multiple-Use MARC System (MUMS) and Subject-Oriented-Retriever for Processing Information Online (SCORPIO)--and the PREMARC database for…

This book, created by three reference librarians, teaches the beginning researcher good research habits. It provides names of tools students should consult for a well-rounded, well-researched paper on a controversial issue in the news. Books, specialized databases, online resources, and agencies to contact are all included. Each…

This last article in a four-part series describes database selection behavior of end-users of the EasyNet Scan feature in the categories of people, news, and general reference. Databases are ranked in descending order of selection, the value of multifile search strategies is confirmed, and plans for further investigations are presented. (LRW)