Discusses online search techniques that can be used to identify inaccuracies and inconsistencies in records of online and CD-ROM databases. Methods that can be used to sample a database for errors in descriptor, name, or coded fields are described, including browsing, matching, looking up cross-references, and searching for implausible record…

Discusses natural language retrieval systems, focusing on West Publishing Company's WIN (Westlaw Is Natural) system used with its case law database. Information retrieval models, the advantages and disadvantages of natural language retrieval, and the use of the approach by Congressional Quarterly's Washington Alert, Personal Librarian, and other…

Highlights the unique characteristics of NEXIS, a full-text database of newspaper, wire-service, magazine and newsletter stories, and discusses its structure, educational versus commercial rates, the old versus new price structure, and search tips. An addendum describes changes through October 1985 and detailed appendices are included. (Author/EM)

Describes the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), a national information network in the field of education. Printed indexes are explained as well as online searching of the ERIC database. Online searching is emphasized, including search strategies, database vendors, cost considerations, gateway services, and CD-ROM versions. (LRW)

Defines and discusses competitive intelligence for business decision making and suggests the use of online databases to start looking for relevant information. The best databases to use are described, designing the search strategy is explained, reviewing and editing results are discussed, and the presentation of results is considered. (LRW)

This article describes the Internet and lists resources available to community college (CC) practitioners through the Internet. The Internet is described as an international computer network which links thousands of smaller networks. The digest suggests the following hardware for Internet access: an IBM-compatible computer capable of running…

This document is a self-paced training packet developed for a pilot project at the University of Houston-University Park to teach art faculty members to do their own online searching. The training begins with general topics such as the kinds of searches that can be done most effectively online, the selection of appropriate databases to search, and…

This document is a self-paced training packet developed for a pilot project at the University of Houston-University Park to teach chemistry faculty members and research assistants to do their own online searching. The training begins with general topics such as the kinds of searches that can be done most effectively online, the selection of…

Describes some support programs and materials that facilitate preparation of an effective and inexpensive classroom program on online searching of the chemical literature. Presents more than 20 databases by type of database and subject area. Discusses practice files and overall cost. (MVL)

This document is a self-paced training packet developed for a pilot project at the University of Houston-University Park to teach pharmacy faculty members to do their own online searching. The training begins with general topics such as the kinds of searches that can be done effectively online, the selection of appropriate databases to search, and…

This document is a self-paced training packet developed for a pilot project at the University of Houston-University Park to teach architecture faculty members to do their own online searching. The training begins with general topics such as the kinds of searches that can be done most effectively online; the selection of appropriate databases to…

Reviews recent trends in databases and online systems. Topics discussed include new access points for established databases; acquisitions, consolidations, and competition between vendors; European coverage; international services; online reference materials, including telephone directories; political and legal materials and public records;…

With more than 38,000 references to journal articles, books, book chapters, and reports on Mexican Americans, the Chicano database offers the most comprehensive access to information on one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States. It is a model for other ethnic CD-ROM projects. (SLD)

Discusses the use of fax transmissions. Highlights include searching by fax, including online service, print and electronic publishing, and database producers; customer service, including documentation updates, new product announcements, and marketing materials; document delivery; problems; and fax messaging. (four references) (LRW)

The emphasis of this text is that the problems of information retrieval are the intellectual ones of subject analysis and description. These problems are not easily solved by technology alone, although certain inroads are being made by knowledge-based expert systems and other computer aids to indexing. Linguistic approaches are also showing…