Discussion of decision making focuses on a study that was conducted to examine how policymakers at the local community level use social science information in making decisions. The use of social science information and other information sources in two communities examining health care issues is described. (Contains 18 references.) (LRW)

Geodemographic analysis offers colleges a description of student or donor prospect groupings, and direction on finding more of them. However, the method only complements careful use of other resources such as internal yield and retention information, matriculant and nonmatriculant surveys, national and longitudinal data services, focus groups, and…

A survey of research scientists (n=35) at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, investigated the usefulness of a funding newsletter generated by the office of research affairs. Results suggest that many researchers contact sponsors after seeing a newsletter announcement but need longer lead times and prefer a monthly publication. (Author/MSE)

Institutional researchers are often called on to compare financial performance across institutions as part of comprehensive institutional management teams. Several types and sources of national data, including databases and publications, are appropriate for this, each with particular strengths and limitations. Three sources also provide…

Describes a project conducted by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to determine the possibility of establishing indicators to concretely measure the relevance of information to decision-making processes in the context of assistance to developing countries. Use of a computer conference and a workshop to develop a model are…

Discussion of the parents' role in homework highlights use of the Big6 Skills to focus on information literacy and information problem-solving processes rather than focusing on having parents help with the actual subject area content. The emphasis is on having parents act as guides and helpers rather than as teachers. (LRW)

Summarizes the "Big Six" information literacy skills and examines some of the research on the problems involved in information literacy for both teachers and students. Implications of these studies and guidelines for student use of the Internet are discussed. (PEN)

Geographic information systems (GIS) provide a computer-based system for organizing, tracking, and using practically any kind of information that has a geographic component. Partnerships between rural electric cooperatives and local governments in Minnesota and Missouri make GIS data available for various uses by electric cooperatives, county and…

Discusses how four historical discontinuities (time and space, mind and body, real and virtual, and humans and technology) relate to new ways of being and thinking about the future of librarians and libraries. Topics include computers and books; entertainment industry growth; information uses; global economy effects; and future library…

Considers problems that have arisen with the vast quantities of information available as a result of the popularity of computers. Topics include inequity; capitalism, commodification, and privatization; hacking, privacy, and fraud; censorship; monitoring and surveillance; cyberethics; and integrity in an age of electronic communication. (LRW)

Investigates the impact of statewide database licensing for ProQuest on the users of public, school, and community college libraries in Washington State. Results of transaction log data and a study of how communities used information indicated that the database is used mainly in education and stressed the importance of implementation and promotion…

A study involving 91 children (ages 3-5) divided into more able and less able sub-groups found mathematical word problems containing inconsistent information were more difficult than those with consistent information. Word problems containing inadequate and redundant information were more difficult to explain than those items with just enough…

Using a standard survey instrument, the Barrier Scales, the present study surveyed university librarians' perceptions of barriers to greater use of library and information research utilization in Seoul, Korea. The greatest barrier was that the implications of research for practice were unclear, followed by a lack of replication of the research,…

The emerging trends in digital(ized) collection development from 1997 are examined using a sample of projects accessible through Web-based registries of the Association of Research Libraries and the Digital Library Federation. The analysis focuses on thematic repertoire, narrative structuring, underlying historiographic principles, presentation,…

Among the two most prominent school reform measures currently being implemented in The United States are school choice and test-based accountability. Until recently, the two policy initiatives remained relatively distinct from one another. With the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), a mutualism between choice and…