Discusses results of a survey designed to investigate the role of technology in research, both from the instructor and student standpoints. Results indicate a wide discrepancy between instructor and student expectations and methods, as well as an increasing demand on the part of students for full-text sources. (Author/LRW)

Secondary analysis of datasets can extend previous work in the field, provide a greater quantity of material, and has the advantages of speed and lower cost. More use of secondary data could improve the low esteem of educational research. (Contains 15 references.) (SK)

Describes the structure and functioning of a computerized database of student information within an admissions testing program (the University of Port Elizabeth's Admissions and Placement Assessment Programme). Discusses how it could serve as a model to foster development and accountability through information sharing. (EV)

Discussion of information retrieval from online databases focuses on sorting techniques to help the user analyze the increasing number of references that may result from a search. Link analysis and Datalink software are described, and examples using keyword factorial analysis and research pole analysis are presented. (16 references) (LRW)

The first of four articles describes the move by the European Space Agency to eliminate connect time charges on its online retrieval system. The remaining articles describe the pricing structure of DIALOG, compare the two pricing schemes, and discuss online pricing from the user's point of view. (CLB)

The ways in which alumni associations trace missing alumni are described. Methods vary from listing lost names in alumni periodicals to paying credit bureaus to trace alumni by Social Security number. The U.S. Postal Service, which runs National Change of Address, sells access to its database of forwarding addresses. (MLW)

To enhance each student's ability to choose career options and increase the amount of available career information, an Ohio high school instituted a computer-based management program called the Pathfinder. Starting in sophomore year, students develop a specific postgraduation plan by selecting one of three pathways (college, career, or undecided)…

Examines the Child Language Data Exchange System (CHILDES), its organizational form, and its three major tools: (1) the CHILDES database of transcripts, (2) the CHAT system for transcribing and coding data, and (3) the CLAN programs for analyzing CHAT files. (GLR)

Compares the performance of inverted and signature file organizations in handling incrementally specified Boolean queries to an information retrieval system. The discussion covers the impact of more sophisticated signature file organizations, related problems, and possible future work. (65 references) (CLB)

Discusses the PsycINFO database as a source for articles on character analysis and psychological or psychoanalytical literary criticism. Serials included in the database that address psychoanalytical literary criticism are listed, and the types of articles and recurring themes found in the database are described. (six references) (CLB)

Approaches to improved productivity in the input cycle of database creation are discussed in three papers. The discussions include problems with and potential impacts of computer support for indexers; conversion from a minicomputer based indexing and abstracting production system to a microcomputer network; and a computerized system for…

Lists frequently used sources of U.S. agency decisions, including loose-leaf services, reporters, and computer assisted legal research systems. Information provided for each agency represented in guide includes a description of agency and its authority; official and commercial sources for agency decisions, their publishers, OCLC numbers, and…

Investigates methods of compressing headings identified by MARC subfield codes to reduce the size of browsable displays. An argument is made for sorting subdivisions by a conceptual, rather than an alphabetical, approach to present efficient browsable displays and relieve the user of the burden of data organization. (14 references) (Author/CLB)

Reviews the area of telecomputing. Discusses system components, reasons to study telecomputing, system use, simulation programs (for teaching telecomputing without a modem), and database access. (CH)

Discusses browsing in the particular context of visual and multimedia (e.g., videodisc) information databases and describes a working prototype system based on a fisheye view of documents in their context. Topics discussed include selecting and presenting information, exploratory access to information, artificial intelligence, user needs, and…