Data on 2,380 searches of online information retrieval systems are analyzed using a mathematical model to determine the relationship between two measures of effectiveness--documents read and relevant references. The nature and relative merits of these two variables are discussed, as well as the findings, and seven references are listed. (RBF)

Because the volume of information circulating in our society has proliferated since World War II and become increasingly subject to processing by electronic hardware, the public has a vital interest in knowing how information performs, how its flow is controlled, and on what terms it is made available to the public. Since all information systems…