Summarizes the literature explaining focus group interview techniques and provides ideas on how they can be used for needs assessment and program evaluation in libraries and information centers. Discussion includes focus group session objectives, the level of moderator involvement, various methodologies, data analysis, and reporting in qualitative…

Presents an overview of some of the methodology used in a project that examined children's understanding of library information and how those perspectives change in the first five years of formal schooling. Following a description of data collection methods and analysis, a discussion focuses on the reasons for using these particular methods of…

A discussion of the interrelated aspects of library performance measurement and what data collection means to library planning. Methodologies considered are cost analysis, quantitative vs qualitative measurement, community analysis, and citizen attitudes and opinions. (JAB)

Library performance criteria used by managers in 62 academic, special, and public libraries are analyzed to measure the extent to which criteria proposed in the literature are actually used, to identify types of criteria in use, and to develop guidelines for future criterion selection. (Author)

Surveys Canadian libraries to discover whether or not they are implementing Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (2nd edition) and what methods of implementation are being used. Research methodology, response rate, data analysis, geographic considerations, and questions used are discussed. Five references are cited. (EJS)

Five methods for determining the needs and aspirations of the total library community (library personnel, library affiliates, and general population) in Illinois are presented in this report, and the use of three of them for a 3-phase study is outlined: (1) survey of the literature (documentary research and secondary data collection and analysis);…

Working from the premise that for any given periodical title there is some frequency of use at which it becomes cheaper for a library to acquire the publication than to borrow it, this report presents a mathematical model for estimating the costs of options associated with acquiring periodicals. Cost elements included in the model are initial…

Examines methodologies underlying studies which measure the information economy and considers their applicability and limitations for analyzing policy issues concerning libraries and library networks. Two studies provide major focus for discussion: Porat's "The Information Economy: Definition and Measurement" and Machlup's…

Available library statistical information is unreliable and missing in many areas. This report covers three general subjects: (1) the description of the nature of the figures that are currently available, including lists of library statistics publications, and an indication of some information which is wanted but not available; (2) a discussion of…

The purpose of this assessment is to update earlier surveys of Italian sociology, particularly in terms of developments within the past 10 to 15 years--and again, to offer primarily an American perspective on such an overview. The present assessment differs in that many of the data upon which it is based are derived from informal study conducted…

Using factor analysis, seven socioeconomic indicators and three information activity indicators (written communications, technology, and libraries) were derived to relate social and economic conditions in less developed countries with measures of information activity. Information activity variables are appended. (17 references) (EJS)

Results of work of Centre for Catalogue Research into usability of library catalogs with different levels of content of entries and users' needs for bibliographic data elements suggest that much information normally included in catalog entry is rarely used, and its inclusion makes catalog use difficult. Twelve references are provided. (EJS)

A thorough understanding of the uses and applications of statistical techniques is integral in gaining support for library funding or new initiatives. This resource is designed to help practitioners develop and manipulate descriptive statistical information in evaluating library services, tracking and controlling limited resources, and analyzing…