Research on variables that may bias student ratings of faculty have found them generally insignificant, but students do rate differently by academic field. The real problem arises from not knowing why this occurs. Institutions and individuals should decide how they will take these differences into consideration when interpreting student ratings.…

Discussion of a project in which adolescent novels were analyzed in terms of the characters' incorporation of information skills in problem solving notes the lack of information skills models in adolescent literature. Ways to use these novels--even though they lack models--to teach adolescents information and problem solving skills are suggested.…

Discussion of the use of computer-based information retrieval systems in schools focuses on three paper and pencil experiments conducted in the United Kingdom that were designed to investigate how 9- to 11-year-olds organized and retrieved information from four organizational structures: lists, hierarchies, networks, and tables. (18 references)…

Reports on a study of how 13 chief executives in the Canadian publishing and telecommunications industries scan their environments for information and use it in decision making. Critical incidents of information use were analyzed according to their environmental sectors, information sources, and their use in decision making. (Contains 27…

Discusses the utility of Cable Television (CATV) in information services and education, noting its high fidelity and versatility. Examines efforts to introduce it into the Nigerian information scenario and the apparent problems. Provides suggestions for strategies the Nigerian government could adopt to encourage the operators of CATV to develop…

The development of institutional performance indicators in higher education is viewed as part of a broader approach to management information and decision making. The experience of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems in developing useful information from raw data, selecting appropriate performance indicators, and applying…

The use of base rate information by professionals (n=161) and undergraduates (n=97) in deciding probability of sexual abuse was studied. While professionals better prioritized the evidence of abuse in hypothetical cases based on sexual behaviors, both groups misestimated the probability of abuse for a child from a population with a known base rate…

Ways in which various student and program assessment tools can assist the academic advising function are discussed. Such tools include student test scores and interest assessments, analysis of advising interviews, administrative data on student progress and advising "flow," and student achievement measures. Information drawn from personal contact…

Describes a Delphi study conducted for the Netherlands Council for Libraries and Information Services (RABIN) to forecast the future of information services in the year 2000. Highlights include information supply; information attributes; user needs; substitution of print by electronic information; the role of publishers; generic coding; and…

This paper outlines a model of cognitive functioning and remedial direction, based upon an information integration approach and work in neuropsychology. The approach, used primarily with low-achieving and learning-disabled students, utilizes "bridging tasks" which are paired with specific global cognitive tasks to promote generalization…

Describes a study that investigated the information needs of rural health workers in Hawaii and their current means of information access. Highlights include ranking of information needs, ranked sources of information, hardware ownership, use of electronic sources, use of document delivery services, and perceived barriers to information use.…

Reports on a study designed to formulate a literature-based model describing what teacher-librarians do as they help students involved in information search and use (ISU). Whether teacher-librarians work with students in all phases of the ISU process and the extent to which their intermediary activities can be related to other models are…

Explains the components of a library and information skills curriculum and integrated instructional model that was developed to help students solve information problems. The six steps include (1) task definition, (2) information seeking strategies, (3) location and access, (4) use of information, (5) synthesis, and (6) evaluation. (LRW)

Selected data drawn from national sources are statistically refined to construct a microcomputer-based model for monitoring academic quality and simulating the effects of management decisions. The method, illustrated for doctoral institutions here, can be used for colleges at any level, across institutions, and over time. (MSE)

Discussion of the development of information literacy focuses on a study in New Zealand elementary schools that examined teachers' understanding of information skills; teachers' understanding of resource-based learning; the role of the library; a model of information problem solving; students' experiences; conflicting information; and reading and…