Describes methods for applying natural-language processing for automatic concept-based indexing of full text and methods for exploiting the structure and hierarchy of full-text documents to a large collection of full-text documents drawn from the Health Services/Technology Assessment Text database at the National Library of Medicine. Examines how…

How to access and search using the Online Library System (OLS) is described. The OLS is a computerized list of bibliographic citations compiled by the library network of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It consists of several related databases and can be used by anyone to search for books, documents, journals, and other materials. In…

The Intergovernmental Records Project (IRP) was established by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to facilitate the exchange of information about federal records. This report focuses on six categories of intergovernmental records targeted by the IRP for description in the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN) national…

Describes three groups of databases sponsored by the European Communities Commission: Eurobases, a textual database of the contents of the "Official Journal" of the European Community; the European Community Host Organization (ECHO) databases, which offer multilingual information about Europe; and statistical databases. Information on…

Reviews six CD-ROM bibliographic databases: BRS/Colleague MEDLINE; Wilsondisc Cumulative Book Index and MLA International Bibliography; Dialog OnDisc ERIC; SilverPlatter Sociofile; CCOHS (Reteaco Findit) CCINFOdisc; and Knowledge Finder MEDLINE. Criteria used include browsing, using menus, refining a search, accessing an online version, and…

When DIALOG introduced DIALMAIL, its electronic mail service, online searchers were encouraged to use it as an alternative delivery method for offline prints. The new method of retrieval was considered to be fast and described in documentation and reviews as being much less expensive than online types. Performed in June 1987, this study compares…

The purpose of this study was to improve upon previous research investigations by analyzing the elements of cost effectiveness, precision, recall, citation overlap, and hours searching in a comparison between computerized database searching and manual searching, using the setting of an academic library environment with a diverse group of students…

Description of the ERIC database covers suggested uses for teachers, students, parents, and researchers; information available in ERIC; how to access ERIC, including through the Internet; the AskERIC service that is available through the Internet; and steps for searching the database. A directory of ERIC clearinghouses is also included. (LRW)

Discusses the application of artificial intelligence to online information retrieval systems and describes several systems: (1) CANSEARCH, from MEDLINE; (2) Intelligent Interface for Information Retrieval (I3R); (3) Gausch's Query Reformulation; (4) Environmental Pollution Expert (EP-X); (5) PLEXUS (gardening); and (6) SCISOR (corporate…

Describes an investigation of tools, techniques, and methods for the evaluation of interactive library catalogs, with emphasis on diagnostic methods and on use of the catalog in the wider context of user information-seeking behavior. A front-end system (Olive) developed to test various enhancements of traditional transaction lodging as a…

Explores the use of metaphors as problem-solving mechanisms by novice searchers of bibliographic databases. Subjects were 28 undergraduate students at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia, who "talked through" a search on a bibliographic retrieval system. A range of metaphors was apparent from the language used by students.…

Discussion of online databases and their hardware and software requirements, interactive search techniques, and costs focuses on information services of interest to higher education. Bibliographic, full-text, and online conferencing databases are described, menu-driven and command-driven information systems are explained, and modems are discussed.…

Reports on design and rationale of Online Access to Knowledge, a computer intermediary developed by Online Access to Knowledge Project to enable users with little or no training or experience in bibliographic searching to conduct their own searches. Topics covered include software design, tutorials and assistance programs, and conclusions based on…

Presents literature review of concept-based search theory and its relationship to end user instruction for online bibliographic information systems. Existing search models and search curriculums from the library and information science literature are surveyed, scholarly patterns of information access are discussed, and commercial sources of…

Describes the MenUSE (Menu-based User Search Engine) retrieval system for multilingual database searching and reviews the status of other similar projects funded by the European Communities Commission. A Japanese-English version of MenUSE is explained, including its use of HyperCard software. (LRW)