Bioinformatics embraces powerful new knowledge and techniques which, Janus-like, promise advances in medicine and agriculture and threaten new weapons for warfare. To guard against misuse of bioknowledge, nations must foster free international communication against experts. (Author)

Investigated assumption that those most concerned and knowledgeable about the environment (as well as those most active) tend to use specialized media rather than mass media for environmental information. Results indicate that persons environmentally active do not necessarily use mass media differently from those not environmentally active, except…

Student questionnaires used at the University of Waterloo are examined regarding students' willingness to complete them, variability of professor ratings over time, and usefulness of the responses to the university administration. The greatest value of the questionnaires, from an administrative perspective, is for flagging courses and faculty in…

Literature of information needs and uses of humanities scholars in universities is reviewed, using materials published from 1970 onwards. Areas covered include definitions of humanities, research materials, secondary services, computers, role of libraries and library services, and comparisons between humanities and other disciplines. A 174-item…

Findings from survey of information needs and habits of educational practitioners reveal that position, dissemination, and attitude are strong predictors of information use, education a moderate predictor. Information sources clustered into three factors: close at hand traditional sources, less accessible print sources, and organized interpersonal…

Addresses the issue of utilization of program evaluation information in public schools. Provides perspectives on utilization of evaluation information derived from knowledge utilization theory and research. Describes a set of program evaluation guidelines. Reports a meta-evaluation of the application of the guidelines in public schools. (Author)

Ways to monitor staff development programs include: (1) counting the number of participants; (2) obtaining participant reactions to programs; and (3) tracking participants by needs, objectives, and inservice topics. A needs assessment model of staff development focuses on information utilization, program impact, and evaluation approaches. (JN)

Summarizes a report from Northwestern University that reviewed Federal evaluation practices of federally supported educational programs at the national, state, and local levels. Considers: (1) evaluation purposes and methods; (2) evaluators' capabilities; (3) use of evaluation results; and (4) ways that evaluation procedures/practices can be…

Provides details pertaining to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ruling that gives employees, their designated representatives, and OSHA the right to examine their on-the-job medical records. Discusses the effects the ruling may have on organizations. (Author/MLF)

Describes E. Frank Harrison's model of decision making and discusses its implications for decision making by librarians and information managers. Questions relating to decision quality, group size, reward and penalty mechanisms, group norms, and the place of information science in the study of decision making are addressed. Nine references are…

Discusses the need for more explicit data on successful retention programs. Considers problems in collecting institutionwide, local, state, regional, and national information. Urges leadership from professional associations to establish policy directions ensuring the availability of student retention information. (DMM)

Discusses the process whereby a variety of resources (human, informational, material) are brought together and fitted into problem-solving situations to achieve goals set by individuals, groups, or communities. Describes the Missouri community development system. (JOW)

The purpose of the Illinois Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network is to provide technical assistance and resources to local school districts for the improvement of vocational education for special needs students. It includes an educational model designed to prevent the long-term personal and economic problems associated with youth…

Literature suggests that the factual approach to drug education may cause an increase in drug usage. The pharmacological approach was used in a college drug education course, and an assessment of students' drug consumption was made. No statistically significant changes were found for the substances surveyed. (Author)

An information feedback model and an ideology of evaluation are posed and contrasted with experiences in evaluation research. Impact on policy is the criterion for success of an evaluation and political constraints block this impact. Some ways social researchers might conceptualize and construct an appropriate base of power are considered.…