A series of studies have been initiated which explore methods of information systems evaluation and their application to operational situations. Included are means of expressing benefits in terms of tangible measures of effectiveness. Functional and system objectives are considered in determining meaningful performance parameters which effect the…

The base'', means of access, indexing, storage, input costs and retrieval are discussed as factors that must be considered in comparing information systems. (2 references) (Author/KE)

Pollution of natural resources such as information is the result of inefficient use of those resources and misplacement of those resources after use. Information workers must make judgements or assign priorities to information to ensure its use to serve the cause of a humane rationality. (1 reference) (Author)

The problem of dissemination and utilization of scientific and technical information (STI) is of particular importance to Canada since it is not a major generator of STI. On the overall basis, it is in fact, one of the largest importers of scientific and technological knowledge. In this presentation, Dr. Beaulnes discusses: Approaches to STI…

One hundred seventeen administrators, users of both batch process and online computer systems at a major university, responded to a questionnaire designed to discover attitudes toward the quality of the system and services, the users' evaluation of the service, and the relationship of these attitudes with voluntary use of the system. These…

This paper discusses underlying assumptions of user studies and approaches to information systems design, and reviews key issues in the design of information systems in three major areas: (1) factors affecting information seeking and use; (2) formal and informal channels of information transfer; and (3) discipline oriented transfer patterns.…

An information system can be viewed as a symbiotic relation between the users of the system and the system's hardware, software, and data resources. Ideally, performance evaluation of these systems should be based on the achievement of user based criteria while concurrently minimizing resource costs. Current evaluation technologies concentrate on…

Presented is an analysis of nine agreements focused on three areas of common concern to dissemination specialists involved in the 1977 National Dissemination Forum: resources, linkage, research, evaluation and quality control. FORUM participants represented the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC of the National Institute of Education…

User training experiences in Asian countries, using the UNISIST guidelines for training users of scientific and technical information, are reported through summaries of discussions following the presentation of papers, as well as the texts of the papers. Participants, including users, user trainers, and information handlers, heard these papers:…

This paper deals with systems concepts, particularly those related to management information systems (MIS) as exemplified by the Center for the Study of Evaluation (CSE) Formative Evaluation Kit. The concept of MIS is in numerous ways more flexible than might be imagined from a cursory reading of the business-management literature. An MIS does not…

This paper discusses several of the trends in information handling for text-based storage and retrieval systems that are prevalent in the United States. The paper considers, in particular, specialized information products, cooperative and networking activities, and work on standards. Information products include current awareness abstract…

A study was conducted of the International Information Service in Physics, Electrotechnology, Computers, and Control (INSPEC) selective dissemination of information (SDI) user profile generation. Five degrees of user involvement in the generation of profiles were investigated ranging from having the user provide only a statement of subject…

Using the case study approach, the Merrimack Education Center was examined (1) to test the linkage model developed by Ronald Havelock, (2) to provide a model description for the benefit of others who wished to duplicate the center's program, and (3) to provide feedback to the center itself. The study produced a thumbnail sketch of the center; a…

Involving producing, analyzing, and using information, evaluation is the central discipline of the information age. Both traditional criteria for good evaluation and standards formulated in 1981 prescribe evaluations that are useful, practical, ethical, and accurate. The burning question in evaluation is the utilization of information for…

This paper identifies and describes the categories of electronic publications (EPs) in a document-based communication and information system called JIMMY, developed by Queen Margaret College (Edinburgh, Scotland) for use by students and staff in general arts and paramedical courses. The use of computer-mediated communication systems like bulletin…