Presents overview of commercially available databases useful to field of mental health. The availability, costs, coverage, currency, update frequency, and access points are compared for four major files--PsychINFO, National Clearinghouse for Mental Health Information, Social SciSearch, and MEDLINE. Forty-nine references are provided. (EJS)

Discusses problems of increasing numbers of databases (standardization, vendor contracts, training, restricted access, duplicate citations), noting implications for change in librarian's role as supplier of decision making data (education, users groups, search aids, information brokers, collection evaluation, reference and source databases,…

The ability of operating departments of an institution to mechanically gather, summarize, and report "local" data is discussed. Problems are outlined that arise when departments have the ability to produce data and do so with rigorous quality control by the institution's central information management organization. (MLW)

In-house library databases or "private files" (online catalog, library-created indexes, citations to journal literature) are discussed, focusing on computer software directories, periodicals, general directories, and online directories as sources for information on computer software. (EJS)

This article shows how MAGIC, a computer language formulated by a major supplier of business-oriented numeric data which works in conjunction with the APL programing language, provides an effective management tool for analysis and presentation of business-oriented data (private or public) by nonprogrammers. Illustrative material is presented. (EJS)

Presents a method for using the amount of semantic information in search-query terms as a weighting factor in constructing a fuzzy relation of resemblance between retrieved items in information retrieval online. Two tables, two figures, and a reference list accompany the text. (Author/JL)

Describes a method for identifying frequently cited business- and management-related journals using the DIALOG Information Service and discusses the relevance of this method to the selection of publications for a basic collection on business and management. Tables listing the frequently cited periodicals and the databases consulted in the study…

This bibliography provides citations to 74 articles which compare either single databases across different systems or different databases to each other. All articles included were published after 1976 in Database, Online, Online Review, or the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association. A subject index is provided. (EJS)

Available databases of potential interest to researchers in education are described. The advantages of online access, basic access modes, and guidelines for computer literature searches are presented, with alternative strategies for structuring literature searches. (Author/CM)

Discusses the rise of drug information centers in hospitals and medical centers, highlighting staffing, functions, typical categories of questions received by centers, and sources used. An appendix of drug information sources included in texts, updated services, journals, and computer databases is provided. Thirteen references are listed. (EJS)

Provides a generalized overview of the problems that software buyers are likely to encounter and could overcome. Experiences of Online, Inc., in purchasing programs, using software documentation or manuals, and problems with software, provide examples. (EJS)

Discusses paragraph qualification, a search strategy used to retrieve information from computerized databases. Positive and negative paragraph qualification, after-the-fact qualification, multifile searching, and free text searching are described, using examples from the Bibliographic Retrieval Services (BRS)/Search System. (EJS)

Reports on educational information services developed by the Bibliographic Retrieval Services (BRS)/Education Service Group (ESG): School Practices Information Network (SPIN) and School Practices Information File (SPIF). Background and history of the services, a description of each service, and illustrative material are provided. (EJS)

The Boreal Institute for Northern Studies was established in 1960 at the University of Alberta with the major objective of "acquisition and dissemination of knowledge of the North," accomplished by a threefold programme: development of an information centre, provision of training and instruction, and implementation and encouragement of…

Describes the meaning of the term multimedia database and presents a model of its potential role in aiding message creation for the purposes of communicating educational material using many parallel channels. Some of the problems associated with the implementation of such systems are outlined. Seventeen references are listed. (Author/LLS)