This report considers universities as information systems because their effective operation is based on the storage, processing, and communication of various types of information. Three basic types of information systems (administrator-, teacher-, and researcher-oriented) are discussed in an attempt to understand each system's operation from the…

This paper describes a model for managing a dynamic Web site with multiple concurrent versions. The voyage of the Duyfken Replica (i.e., a replica of a 17th century Dutch ship) from Australia to the Netherlands has generated great interest in its associated Web site, and it is now planned to extend the original site to mirror sites in both…

A six-stage evaluation model is described for gathering data concerning the relative cost-effectiveness of alternative professional development activities which share common objectives. The model specifies the type of cost effectiveness data to gather and the analysis procedures to use in comparing the relative costs and effectiveness of the…

Using as examples four computerized database systems operating in schools of medicine, this article examines ways in which software designs differ and some of the operating implications of these differences. (Author/GK)

Criteria for suitable research designs for use with large databases are suggested and analyzed. The advantages and disadvantages of several types of quasi-experimental designs are compared. Examples are taken from the authors' research with data from the Manitoba Health Services Commission. (Author/AL)

Processes and technologies for efficient and effective decision making in colleges and universities are discussed, with emphasis placed on anticipatory rather than reactive decision making. An integrated institutional database is seen as an essential element for this system. (MSE)

Argues that organizations need to integrate information systems, database management systems, and telecommunications in order to effectively manage and move information. Well-established frameworks in each of these areas are described and a new integrated framework is presented. A descriptive example is used to illustrate the power of the…

The University of North Carolina School of Medicine developed a computer database, INQUIRER, containing scientific information in bacteriology, and then integrated the database into routine educational activities for first-year medical students in their microbiology course. (Author/MLW)

To generate a search query based on an end-user request, a database searcher has to select appropriate search terms. A selection process is simulated for 94 records of written requests to a psychological information agency and the respective online searches. Results show that the simulation is better than a random selection. (AEF)

Explores the use of visualization to enhance the information retrieval process, particularly in bibliographic retrieval systems. Topics discussed include document retrieval systems; human visualization; the VIBE (VIsualization by Example) system, a prototype system for visualizing a collection of documents; and differences between VIBE and more…

Discusses women's use of computers and considers how the principles of feminism affect computerization. Highlights include the computerization process; gender differences in learning; models for feminist use of computers, including information processing and telecommunications; and a resource list of women's organizations that use computers.…

Elicitations study during 40 mediated information retrieval (IR) interactions identified 1557 search intermediary elicitations within 15 purpose categories (requests for information on search terms and strategies, database selection, search procedures, system's outputs and relevance of retrieved items, and users' knowledge and previous…

Integrates structured data and text using the unchanged, standard relational model. The performance of a parallel relational database system and the effect of query reduction on accuracy were tested, and it was found that queries can be reduced prior to their implementation without incurring significant loss in precision/recall. (AEF)

Presents a framework for financing lifelong learning that will be more comprehensive, efficient, equitable, and flexible than the existing approach. Specifies essential components of lifelong learning and raises question of who should pay. Suggests a system for constructing both international and national databases on lifelong learning that can…

Behavioral and social sciences theories and models have the potential to enhance efforts to reduce unintentional injuries. The authors reviewed the published literature on behavioral and social science theory applications to unintentional injury problems to enumerate and categorize the ways different theories and models are used in injury…