Explores current research on indexing and ranking as retrieval functions of search engines on the Web. Highlights include measuring search engine stability; evaluation of Web indexing and retrieval; Web crawlers; hyperlinks for indexing and ranking; ranking for metasearch; document structure; citation indexing; relevance; query evaluation;…

Four techniques that rely on educational technology are provided for use in English-as-a-Second-Language Instruction. (Author/VWL)

Describes study that was conducted using the "Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) Journal Citation Reports" to identify data sources used in the journals with the greatest impact factor in finance and financial accounting research. Results are reported that indicate heavy use of computer databases, government publications, and serials.…

This excerpt from "The CD-ROM Handbook" (Desmarais, Meckler Corp., 1988) describes a variety of CD-ROM products with library applications. Highlights include cataloging services; acquisitions; public access catalogs; reference works; indexes and databases; and names and addresses of 30 vendors connected with the optical publishing…

Reviews the use of executive orders and proclamations throughout U.S. history and emphasizes the importance of access to these documents. A publication by the Congressional Information Service (CIS) which provides full text and detailed indexing of presidential decisions is described, and a descriptive list of source record groups in the CIS index…

Defines value added CD-ROM products as those that permit enhanced manipulation of data and reviews value-added law and law-related products. The potential of CD-ROM for legal research, as well as the high cost of product development and purchase, is discussed. Current research and development at West Publishing and the Matthew Bender Company are…

Describes a study that asked college students to compare CD-ROM and print versions of ERIC, PsycLit, and the Business Periodicals Index. The findings indicate that students found the CD-ROM versions to be faster and easier to use. Search strategies employed by students and the extent to which they required assistance are also discussed. (four…

Boston food costs exceed the combined value of government cash and food assistance benefits that households whose sole income is Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) may receive. This contradicts findings by the General Accounting Office. Food stamps and AFDC benefits indexed to the actual costs of living are needed. (Author/BJV)

Describes a project at the University of Guelph (Ontario) that combined both bibliographical and archival references in one large machine readable database to facilitate local history research. The description covers research tool creation, planning activities, system design, the database management system used, material selection, record…

Contends that, despite ongoing criticism, Allen's arc elasticity formula remains entrenched in the microeconomics principles curriculum. Reviews the evolution and continuing scrutiny of the formula. Argues that the use of the geometric mean offers pedagogical advantages over the traditional arithmetic mean approach. (CFR)

Argues for the use of computer-stored corpora in courses in grammar awareness for teachers of mother-tongue English. It is suggested that the ability to do grammar entails a set of skills rather than a body of knowledge and that corpora provide excellent data for doing grammar. Questions regarding the comparison of different methodologies are…

This periodical price survey examines pricing trends, currency fluctuation and other predictors of 1996 serials costs. Tables are derived from analysis of three Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) databases and reflect subscription rates of large libraries. Sidebars include cost history information specific to mid-size to smaller academic…

Examines the search strategies of fifth graders who were asked locate the answers to three specific questions in an unfamiliar book, all of which contained terms that could be found in the book's index. Finds that students who were asked guiding questions before and during their search were more successful than their counterparts who were simply…

Describes the release of the British Education Index on CD-ROM, summarizing the deliberations leading to the conjunction of the Australian, British, and Canadian education index databases on the International ERIC CD-ROM. Considers the impact of CD-ROM availability on traditional print media and how it may affect the future development of the…

Argues that librarians should and can develop new electronic information products to meet their users' needs and describes the development of three such products at the Graduate School of Management Library at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)--the RATIOS file, the REF-LITE Project, and the expert system Who?Biz. (EA)