Discusses the influences of mass media and other communication technologies on small linguistic communities using examples from the Catalan and Occitan/Aranes communities of Spain. Highlights include hardware, linguistic software, national character sets and sorting, spelling checkers, automatic translation, multilingual software, networking, and…

The three articles in this special section on document image files discuss intelligent character recognition, including comparison with optical character recognition; selection of displays for document image processing, focusing on paperlike displays; and imaging hardware, software, and vendors, including guidelines for system selection. (MES)

Reports results of an electronic survey of users of CD-ROM databases at a university library. Data are presented on experience level, database selection, how users learned of the service, use of multiple databases, favorite features, user satisfaction, preferred source of help, research strategies, and use of printed versions. A copy of the…

The evolution of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC); and changes in its mission and operating policies at its creation, the redesign of 1987, and during the present planning for a second quarter century are discussed. Eight program improvement initiatives are discussed. (SLD)

This overview of the research process for the novice information retrieval (IR) researcher provides guidance on selecting a research question, choosing the type of test, defining variables, developing or using databases, finding and processing queries, assigning treatments to experimental units, collecting and analyzing the data, and presenting…

Discussion of search strategy formulation focuses on a study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that analyzed how medical students developed and revised search strategies for microbiology database searches. Implications for future research on search behavior, for system interface design, and for end user training are suggested. (16…

Presents results of a survey of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) members in the United States and Canada that was conducted to discover which electronic reference options are offered and their impact on library services. Online mediated searching, CD-ROM, end-user searching, and local databases are investigated. (nine references) (LRW)

Reports on a four-year study of use patterns of CD-ROM databases in a biological sciences library. More than half the individuals recorded all use within one month. Over a third recorded use on only one day. Results suggest that the library should emphasize point-of-use instruction for first-time searchers and deemphasize workshops. (Contains 11…

Librarians at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) offer CD-ROM database and online catalog training using a portable unit composed of a laptop computer, modem, LCD panel, and overhead projector. This unit allows librarians to make presentations to large groups and to demonstrate to faculty and students the relevancy of library technology.…

To provide better access to information, the University of Arizona information technology center has designed a data warehouse accessible from the desktop computer. A team approach has proved successful in introducing and demonstrating a prototype to the campus community. (Author/MSE)

Discussion of California State University's development of alternative education delivery models using digital technology focuses on use of the EmbARK database. Highlights include declining financial resources; EmbARK's cataloging and management portion and the public access portion; student software testing; and collaboration between higher…

Discusses the use of Total Quality Management (TQM) in education and describes the use of a database management system to evaluate and monitor university course effectiveness. Principles of TQM and feedback from students, faculty, administration, alumni, and employers to monitor the content and structure of various courses are included. (13…

Discusses the selection and evaluation of locally mounted computer files for health sciences libraries, including informational programs such as bibliographic and factual databases; computer-assisted instruction programs; and expert systems. Topics addressed include print sources; database sources; selection criteria, including content and cost;…

Explores gender issues in school board membership through interviews with 13 male and 5 female school superintendents and 28 male and 26 female school board members in Arizona, New York, and Pennsylvania. Responses represent the beginning of a database of experiences of female school board members. (SLD)

Describes the design of a decision support system (DSS) for a management game called MAGNUS (Management Game for National University of Singapore). Built-in models for performance analysis and decision making are explained; database query and model building are described; and future work is discussed. (11 references) (LRW)