Examines some questions arising in connection with the application and usefulness of Bradford's Law, which describes the dispersion of articles on a particular subject among journal titles. (Author)

Introduces two data distortion methods (Frequency-Imposed Distortion, Frequency-Imposed Probability Distortion) and uses a Monte Carlo study to compare their performance with that of other distortion methods (Point Distortion, Probability Distortion). Indications that data generated by these two methods produce accurate statistics and protect…

Investigates questioning behavior--the generation and formulation of questions--as an observable behavioral act reflecting information needs which proceeds from a series of cognitive processes produced by the "need to know." Statistical and linguistic analyses support the theory that the nature of information need can be discerned…

Enrollment data for 1977-1982 are used to produce an innovative map of top 42 elective courses in Drexel University's School of Library and Information Science. Data gathering and computing procedures are given in sufficient detail for replication and evidence is relevant to accreditation standards of American Library Association. (Sixteen…

Describes a study that examined Top 40 singles chart data to determine whether the frequency distribution of artist productivity fit either of two laws of scatter (Lotka Law of Scientific Productivity or Bradford Law of Scatter). Possible reasons for the lack of statistical significance found between the theoretical and observed distributions are…

Describes a study that examined the characteristics of uncited papers in the biomedical literature. The variables examined included number of authors; number of words in title; number of references; journal age, price, and circulation; research support from the National Institute of Health; and biomedical research level. (18 references) (CLB)

A statistical model for characterizing the growth patterns of data base utilization and for estimating future utilization levels of demand has been developed for information retrieval organizations. Illustrations of the model applied to a typical information retrieval organization are given and discussed. (5 references) (Author)

The role of the coauthor relationship in the structure of informal communications networks within disciplines is explored, and the validity of coauthor graphs used to map these relationships is tested for both small and large databases. (CLB)

This paper explains the theoretical links between the demand for library service and key economic variables, and describes how demand was estimated in one specific experimental context: the demand for library service by institutional users of the Cleveland Health Sciences Library. (Author)

The mini-computer is found to be a viable alternative to large computer bio-medical information processing. (Author/RS)

Examines and compares the theoretical and empirical bases for the use of the relative frequency of descriptor use in the design and maintenance of thesauri for information retrieval in the social and natural sciences. Data are presented in two tables and a reference list is included. (JL)

Proposes a model for technical journal deselection based on the Bradford law of distribution. The model's operational prescriptives, characteristics of the Bradford distribution in the field of pediatrics, and relevance to collection management are discussed. (42 references) (KRN)

Discusses ways to improve quality of retrieval systems that depend on use of truncated words or quasi-word stems as indexing vocabulary. Problems of generalizability and stability of discriminant function analysis for selecting good topical terms in database drawn from abstracts of Harris Survey press releases are addressed. References are cited.…

Uses Markovian analyses to compare the search patterns of novice and experienced searchers using an experimental computer-based instruction and assistance system for Lockheed's DIALOG. This system was developed by the Individualized Instruction for Data Access (IIDA) project at Drexel University. Eleven references are listed. (JL)

Study comparing statistical use in 99 journals from four subject areas (library and information science [LIS], education, social work, business) found that: LIS produced more articles making no use of statistics; and only in LIS were there more articles using only descriptive techniques than articles using inferential techniques. (17 references)…