This paper is based on statistical and qualitative analysis of library and information science (LIS) literature. Our study asks the question of whether, and if so, how, and how often, the discourse generated by scholarly literature in LIS engages discussion about identity in LIS, what topics are covered, and whether the articles engage praxis, or…

The index term input to three information retrieval systems has been analyzed in detail in order to form the input to a completely computerized simulation of an information retrieval system. The paper reports that, with certain reservations, index terms conform in general with the Bradford distribution. (Author)

Describes the merging field of informetrics in a historical perspective as a generalization of bibliometrics, combining advanced information retrieval theories and methodologies with the quantitative study of information flow. Explains programs at the Center for Information Studies at the Royal School of Library and Information Science in…

Presents a literature review that covers the following topics related to data mining (DM) in health and medical information: the potential of DM in health and medicine; statistical methods; evaluation of methods; DM tools for health and medicine; inductive learning of symbolic rules; application of DM tools in diagnosis and prognosis; and…

Introduces some of the considerations behind the teaching of research methodology at the Royal School of Library and Information Science (Denmark) at the masters level. Discusses information retrieval experiments; sampling problems; the concept of a model; and statistical analysis and its role in information retrieval experiments. (Contains 25…

The ideal on-line information retrieval system would offer statistical inference analysis and heuristic optimization programs as aids to query formation, and would include on-line programs capable of automatically computing, generating, and executing optimal query formulations and retrieval on request. (Author/MM)

Examines the literature on the myth of "hard science-soft science" as a means of defining scientific specialties and classifying science literature, and discusses some shortcomings of scholarship in library and information science. Use of Toulmin's categorization of sciences to organize the literature and provide access for scientists is…

Reviews the literature on qualitative methods in information retrieval research. Qualitative research is shown to be noncontrolling, holistic and case oriented, about processes, open and flexible, diverse in methods, humanistic, inductive, and scientific. Relevance to library and information science and sources of information on qualitative…

This article reports the results of a quantitative and thematic content analysis of the organization of information literature in the "Library Quarterly" ("LQ") between its inception in 1931 and 2004. The majority of articles in this category were published in the first half of "LQ's" run. Prominent themes have included cataloging codes and the…

Papers on information technology which were presented at the 1985 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference include: (1) "Technology in the Public Library: The Impact on our Community" (Kenneth E. Dowlin, United States); (2) "Software Evaluation: Sources and Resources in the United Kingdom" (Stephen…