Designed for use in the reading room of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information Resources, this set of three self-instructional guides provides step-by-step instructions for locating information in the ERIC system. The first instruction sheet explains how to use the Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors to identify appropriate subject headings, or…

This guide to the Educational Resources Information Center system provides descriptions of ERIC products--i.e., the two indexes, Resources in Education (RIE) and Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE), and the Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors--and illustrates their use with examples based on gender equity. Practice exercises using ERIC tools…

Traces the development of "The Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms" from its roots as a term list through six editions to a sophisticated searching and indexing tool, and describes the process for determining controlled vocabulary and forms of display. Features designed especially to assist novice users and nonpsychologists are also…

Reports on a study that examined scope notes added to subject headings in the Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) Online User Manual. Types of messages conveyed by scope notes and word patterns within the notes are identified, and comparisons between the 1982 and 1987 editions of the manual are made. (16 references) (MES)

In order to permit systematic searching of multiple data bases to satisfy requests in interdisciplinary areas, a mapping of a portion of "Medical Subject Headings" to three other controlled vocabularies has been constructed. (Author)

This paper discusses examples of searching vocabularies, i.e., lists of terms which have been prepared with the online searcher, rather than the indexer, in mind. These lists are categorized as: enhanced thesauri or subject heading lists, synonym listings, index term listings, and merged vocabularies. Eight references are provided. (EJS)

This study discusses the problems of conceptual and bibliographic access to the literature of the social sciences. The study is intended to assist both professionals and students who are conducting social science research. Part I examines conceptual access and search strategies. It traces the flow of social science information from original…

This thesaurus presents the specialized terminology and air pollution indexing terms used for the storage of, and search for, information in the Air Pollution Technical Information Center (APTIC) data base file, and illustrates the rules formulated for their use. The meanings of the terms are implied rather than defined, being implicit in the…

This report details the various search methods applicable to the ERIC database through the use of manual indexes available in paper and microfiche form. It provides examples of searches for both documents and journal articles, illustrating the use of ERIC thesaurus terms, subject descriptor/identifier indexes on microfiche, paper indexes, the…

Examines the knowledge base of an intermediary expert system that provides advice about search term selection. Topics include a proposal for an integrated approach, including an option focusing on terminological attributes based on knowledge acquired from professional searchers; and the content of the knowledge base and the research needed to…

Proposes a single underlying structure for the production of a variety of computer index displays, using a networking system which represents both concepts and links by nodes. Desirable characteristics of index displays are outlined, and algorithmic extraction of subnetworks for local use is discussed. References are included. (Author/BK)

The indexing and online searching of data bases have both conflicting and complementary structures, determined in part by the choice of indexing language. In the planning of a machine readable system, the Foundation Center, administrator of two data bases, initially chose a natural language for the lower cost, more rapid implementation, and…

A concise explanation is provided of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) and its major components: Resources in Education (RIE) and Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE). ERIC's publications are explained, and instructions are given for conducting a topic search through the ERIC system, from locating the correct terms in…

The logical structure of the data bank is described from the user's point of view, without reference to machine implementation. The length of files, records, segments, and fields are variable and unlimited; duplication factors are unlimited; sequence of files, records within file, and segments within record are random. All data are subject to…

Describes three major features of treatment of paradigmatic thesaural information in microcomputer-based concept network management system: use of simple graphic displays of thesaural or paradigmatic information (linktypes); use of thesaural information to generate indirect entries; capability of customizing index displays, including thesaural…