Develops a probabilistic model of the usage of an awareness-maintaining mechanism in a collaborative hypertext database system. Studies longitudinal time series data of user-database interaction. Finds that the recurring patterns in the occurrences of the awareness-seeking event were related to several contextual aspects of the Computer Supported…

Examines the processes that occur when a searcher searches for documents in a reference database, and what relationships exist between psychological descriptions of these processes and models from the domain of information retrieval. Highlights include associational psychological modeling; empirical testing; and information science and psychology.…

Provides an overview of journal evaluation indicators, highlighting strengths and weaknesses and their range of applicability. Topics include the definition of a quality journal; different notions of impact factors; citation models; electronic journals; ranking journals; possible biases in citation databases; and using the journal impact in…

Discusses end-user searching in Boolean information retrieval systems considers the role of search intermediaries and proposes a model of user preferences that incorporates a user's profile. Highlights include document representation; information queries; document output ranking; calculating user profiles; and selecting documents for a local…

Presents an improved inverted region quadtree variation called Dynamic Inverted Quadtree that is able to support and index a pictorial database. Pattern-searching algorithms are described, and the space needs of Fully Inverted and Dynamic Inverted Quadtrees are analytically compared based on a model of image randomness expressed as a branching…

Discusses why new systems and processes are needed in the development of multimedia training products. Highlights include: benefits of object-oriented design; the new system of development based on models, databases, and tools; a comparison of the craft process and the new process of development; and the transition to better quality, faster, more…

Three medical curriculum database prototypes have been developed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Maryland, and the University of Miami. Generic characteristics of the hardware and software systems are noted, and issues in further development (such as a controlled vocabulary and collaborative activities) are…

Defines information tectonics as the organizing of information in structures and good information tectonics as being adapted to the needs of the user. Topics discussed include the influence of electronic information technology and electronic databases; hypertext; hierarchical information structures; cross-graining, e.g., the Dewey Decimal system;…

Presents an approach for dynamic database integration and query processing in the absence of information about attribute correspondences and global IDs. Defines different types of equivalence conditions for the construction of global IDs. Proposes a strategy based on ranked role-sets that makes use of an automated semantic integration procedure…

Discusses new pricing models for some online services and considers the possibilities for the traditional online database market. Topics include multimedia music databases, including copyright implications; other retail-oriented databases; and paying for free databases with advertising. (LRW)

Economic-crime investigation in Finland is in transition from hierarchically organized, sequential collaboration between authorities toward parallel, interorganizational collaboration. This article describes the tools used and developed for managing the new collaborative economic-crime-investigation process. The challenge is to find…

Much has been written about the importance of school leadership, but there is surprisingly little systematic evidence on this topic. This paper presents preliminary estimates of key elements of the market for school principals, employing rich panel data on principals from Texas State. The consideration of teacher movements across schools suggests…

Examined are methodologies for modeling students' choices among higher education institutions. A statistical technique called "conditional logit analysis" is applicable to the problem studied. These applications are reviewed and certain weaknesses inherent in the approach are pointed out. Alternative approaches are offered, based on the…

It is recognized that there is a major gap between the promises of large data bases and optimization and simulation models and their actual ability to solve real world problems. This document describes a Generalized Data Base Planning System (GPLAN), currently being developed at Purdue University, that is proposed as a system to bridge this gap. A…

A description is provided of a conceptual model for a data secure system. The discussion first offers a formal working vocabulary and next, using the intuitive idea of a dichotomy between permissible and impermissible accesses, formalizes the idea with an Extended Logical Data Base and with protection specifications and patterns. These…