Why do some people make self-enhancing decisions and others potentially self-destroying decisions? The reasons are complex and probably unique to each individual, but a few explanations that have been suggested include lack of information, conflicting value system, lack of self-confidence, lack of love, and the presence of excessive stress. (LRA)

Describes the development of the Environmental Issues Attitude Defensibility Inventory (EIADI), an instrument for assessing the amount of information a person uses in making a value judgement. Also presented is evidence regarding the EIADI's reliability and validity as well as suggestions for its application. (WB)

Examines the policies and practices developed by Sandia Laboratories Technical Library to acquire, process, announce, and promote the use of the technical reports literature in microfiche format. The use of COM for various internal processing functions is also described. (Author)

The importance of evaluation for institutional development is discussed from the perspective of the manager. It is suggested that the higher education manager can use evaluation to obtain feedback about program effort, performance, and effects that will aid in the decision-making process. (Author/SF)

The rising demand for accountability has had a great influence on the design and use of management information systems. The purposes of accountability, needs assessment, and program evaluation would be well served if a set of indlcators could include information about the outcomes of higher education. (MLW)

Paragraph recall was easier if prior information, presented as elaborations of the paragraph sentences, was precise, rather than irrelevant or imprecise. Precise information also permitted quick and efficient elaboration of new information. (Author/CP)

Presents a method of using library patrons' perceived needs for titles as a means of ascribing scholarly journal collection support and costs to academic programs. (Author/FM)

The lack of utilization of evaluation studies is criticized. It is suggested that program directors be asked to submit proposals to evaluators which will demonstrate that the directors are competent to utilize the information provided and to assess the quality of the evaluation. (JKS)

This is a 53-page cumulative index to the Journal of Geological Education. Ninety-three categories are included and the contents are intended to be more accessible to readers with the establishment of the standard subject matter indexing categories. (Author/SA)

Studied use of scientific periodicals and irregulars (monographs/conference reports) in open access boxes for updating of current awareness scanning. Data were obtained from survey slips completed by users who consulted the literature after their previous visits to the library. Graphs and tables illustrating aspects of use are included. (SW)

Principles and techniques for college fundraisers to use in preparing for a major solicitation are discussed, including information gathering, adequate and appropriate preparation for the call, content of the conversation, rehearsal of the interaction, making the appointment, handling objections, and closing the gift. (MSE)

Responses from 130 of 156 technology education students indicated that 93% found the Internet an important research tool but 70% used it primarily for e-mail; only 14 had formal Internet training; 78% were unaware of the need to document Internet information sources; 74.2% believed this is public information; most said instructors did not teach…

Highlights a set of professional competencies that need to be developed by library and information professionals. Topics include collection development skills; collection processing skills, including knowledge analysis, knowledge synthesis, knowledge repackaging, and knowledge retrieval; collection service skills; user education skills; and…

Argues that the best strategy for building integrated, personalized information systems consists of linguistically oriented knowledge and inference, rather than artificial intelligence techniques. The discussion addresses difficulties in the evaluation of such systems and strategies for devising performance studies. (five references) (CLB)