Formative evaluation of a prototype system can help developers to refine a product and define a market. A survey of adopters and non-adopters of a prototype videotex system, when coupled with machine-collected data about system usage, provided rich information for that purpose. (Author)

Examined effects of participating in senior programs in two rural Arkansas counties. Found that programs reached socially active elders at low risk for institutionalization. Participation failed to lower rates of institutionalization or to improve health and life outlook; did not result in higher use rates for other government services. (NRB)

Describes study to determine effect on Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores of coaching with a microcomputer software program, Computer SAT. Results indicate mathematics scores are improved by computer coaching with no difference between effectiveness of individual or small group computer use, and verbal scores are improved by small group use.…

Presents a historical account of health care and services in the San Francisco Chinatown community. Reports on a study of current health status and health service utilization among Chinatown residents, which found that, despite marked improvements in health services, a disproportionate number of Chinatown residents reported low health status. (KH)

Projects utilization history of a synthetic cohort of nursing home admissions in 1976 by normalizing length of stay (LOS) specific discharge rates derived from life tables to an estimated 1.1 million persons. Results focus on the LOS distribution, discharge status, and total days of nursing home care used. (Author/JAC)

Discusses results of mail survey eliciting 180 responses from libraries concerning reference use of online databases. Reference database users profile, activity levels and online use, acceptance by librarians of online ready reference searching, administrative considerations, print materials and online availability, and ready reference questions…

Assessed social service use and need for older persons in an urban area changed through redevelopment. Comparison of those forced to move and a matched group not forced to move showed that through time, nonmovers experienced an increased need for services as redevelopment inflated rents and eroded informal services. (JAC)

An experiment conducted to determine the effects of a changeover to paperback collections and browsing arrangement on cost of bookmobile service and use of materials. (KP)

Observations on the causes of user frustration at Sears Library, Case Western Reserve University were done in 1972 and 1974. A method of analysis was developed that allows for the calculation of four independent probabilities indicating measures of performance of acquisitions policy, circulation policy, library operations and users. (Author/AP)

This report presents the results of phone surveys that examined Internet use following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Findings include: (1) in the first days after the attacks, the number of people using the Internet fell; (2) overall usage was down, but the people using the Internet were surfing aggressively; (3) there was a rise in…

In 1996, as part of the budget review process, Utah State University questioned the legitimacy of the outdoor recreation program in terms of student use, cost, and its role as part of the university mission. A task force was appointed to determine if the Outdoor Recreation Center should continue. This paper discusses program issues investigated by…

When museum professionals speak of evaluating a web site, they primarily mean formative evaluation, and by that they primarily mean testing the usability of the site. In the for-profit world, usability testing is a multi-million dollar industry, while non-profits often rely on far too few dollars to do too much. Hence, heuristic evaluation is one…

To prepare for dissemination of data from the next administration of the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS), scheduled to occur in school year 1999-2000, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) sponsored a review and survey of the appropriateness, usability, and accessibility of SASS publications for key customers. The first phase of…

Journal citations in masters theses were examined. The purpose was to develop one means of measuring the use of the collection. Additionally, the study looks at the use/cost aspect and closes by noting some of the implications of the study for more rational decision-making and inter-library cooperation. (3 references) (Author/SJ)

The philosophy of a systems approach to the design of information storage and retrieval systems is suggested in which the computer is recognized in its proper perspective as a powerful and effective alternative tool. (Author)