In the explorations of the scientific aspects of the information problem, information scientists must not forget the human equation which is the most important one of all. (Author/MF)

Impediments to Russian transfer of information include lack of invisible colleges; absence of preprints; difficult telephone communication; delays in the procurement of foreign literature; failure of Soviet libraries to mechanize library processes; and the absence of narrowly specialized information centers intensively exploiting computers for…

Discusses the utilization of evaluative information in terms of the dimensions of evaluation, pitfalls of evaluation, and facts concerning useful evaluation. (AH)

Critically reviews the preceding article by Lapointe and Koffler. Suggests that many of these authors' recommendations for program improvement need qualification. (GC)

Points out that the fundamental and unifying activity of those who work in the information field--and the basic social value of the information profession--is the facilitation of the utilization of records. Thus, the training of the information professional should emphasize three concepts: records, utilization, and facilitation. (Author)

Evaluators may attempt to form particular relationships with their clients in order to increase the probability that the evaluation findings will be used for decision making. The evaluator's interest in this relationship should not overshadow the importance of ensuring the validity of reported results. (Author/GDC)

Discusses content-based image retrieval systems that effectively utilize information from image databases, and provides a taxonomy for approaches to image retrieval. Highlights include image retrieval architecture that supports query operators; conceptual issues; and two application prototypes. (100 references) (Author/LRW)

Explains personal information management (PIM) systems and suggests a user-subjective approach to PIM system design. Advocates that PIM systems relate to the subjective value-added attributes that the user gives the stored data so that the user can find information again, recall it when needed, and use it effectively in the next interaction.…

Explored how images were used in a social science research project and analyzed the use of verbs to identify three functions that images fill. Argues that the separation between finding documents and using them is artificial, and explores the use of image documents to help integrate information retrieval more closely with knowledge generation.…

A survey of 1,200 midwesterners received 643 replies identifying factors affecting tendency to read and use product owner's manuals: (1) product familiarity and lack of time negatively affected use; (2) having a question or problem increased use; and (3) perceived value of information (i.e., redundant or obvious information) deterred use. (SK)

Reviews commonly accepted notions of information value from the perspective of a computer scientist and suggests the importance of using an economic commodity value approach as the most meaningful way to establish information value. Information value as use, as traffic, and as commodity are considered. (Contains 24 references.) (LRW)

In organizational knowledge cycles there is continuous flow of information between sensemaking, knowledge creation, and decision making. The outcome of information use in one provides the context and resources for use in another. The example of the World Health Organization's smallpox eradication program illustrates a continuous cycle of…

Today's interconnected technical environment creates unprecedented opportunities while simultaneously introducing risks. With economic, social and personal interactions increasingly occurring in technology-mediated settings new vulnerabilities are continually being introduced. This dissertation seeks to improve extant understanding of how…