This paper examines representative research in information science and compares its designs to an abstract ideal of the experimental research design. Threats to validity of conclusions are highlighted, including history, maturation, testing, instrumentation, statistical regression, selection biases, experimental mortality, and selection-maturation…

A rudimentary description of Markov Chains is presented in order to introduce its use to describe and to predict authors' movements among subareas of the discipline of ethnomusicology. Other possible applications are suggested. (Author)

Discussion of the development of expert systems for cataloging focuses on a feasibility study conducted at the National Agricultural Library. Topics addressed include the nature of cataloging expertise; limitations of existing expert systems; research on cataloging expertise; and a model for cataloging expertise based on five cataloging task…

Library usage study of OCLC network-provided software and services indicates most users make local modifications to standard practices. Findings are discussed in terms of network models for decision making in software use; methodology of software user studies; and diffusion of innovation processes in postimplementation stages of transaction…

Presents results of five experiments on human information-seeking behavior in different online information-seeking environments which studied search strategies and assessed information value in realistic search environments. A conceptual model of how humans value information is presented. Empirical and modeling results are considered for…