Proposes a conceptual framework for studying the information-seeking behavior of executives when they scan the business environment. Research in management theory and information science is reviewed, and the principal elements of the framework are discussed, including the environment, acquisition of information, environmental information use,…

Introduces this journal issue which is a symposium on the theory, methods, and applications of qualitative research in the field of library and information science. Highlights include a definition of qualitative research, models of qualitative research, distinguishing features of research practice, comparisons with quantitative research, and…

Discussion of nonlinear dynamic mechanisms focuses on whether information production and dissemination can be described by similar mechanisms. The exponential versus linear growth of literature is discussed, the time factor is considered, an example using literature from the field of superconductivity is given, and implications for information…

Discusses three types of interdisciplinary relationships related to library and information science (LIS): those within LIS itself; those among individual information-seeking disciplines; and those between LIS and other fields. Encouraging interaction with other disciplines so that information can be provided expeditiously and economically is…

Discussion of methodologies for online citation analysis focuses on a study of seven library-and-information-science journals that analyzed international characteristics on the basis of correlations between the geographical distribution patterns of authors, citations, and subscriptions. Also discusses Journal Impact Factor (JIF) as a measure of…

Discusses the application of methodological techniques to social science Web experiments, and suggests topics in library and information science most conducive to research on the World Wide Web. Topics include causal inference; the Web as a venue for research; Web experiments versus laboratory experiments; and internal, construct, and external…

Explores how the "Journal of the American Society for Information Science (JASIS)" has developed and what it might become. Topics covered include JASIS versus other American Society for Information Science publications; types of papers in JASIS; authors; competing journals; content scope; electronic enhancements; and how information…

Describes the establishment of SIG/CON in 1975, its development, and the group's function to "explore the fundamental notions of information science, and expose them for what they are." Provides a full citation list of SIG/CON published research presentations. (AEF)

Describes the process and outcome of an effort to develop an information design for a community network's Web site. Topics include user-centered design techniques, diffusion of innovations literature, targeting innovators and early adopters, the use of focus groups, and usability tests. (Author/LRW)

Examines various kinds of uncertainty in information science. The notion of ambiguity is defined and contrasted with the more familiar notions of randomness and vagueness. Functional forms resistant to ambiguity are defined, and it is shown how to incorporate a random component, that is itself also resistant to ambiguity, into a resilient, but…

Discusses the nature of information measuring its distance from the perfect theory or from the right answer to the information seeking question that led to it. The measures here are provided by the Tichy-Hilpinen-Oddie-Niiniluoto-likeness measures introduced in the context of the philosophical problem of verisimilitude. (JAK)

Considers the need for specialization in library and information science education as opposed to a more generalized entry degree, and presents two case studies to further discuss the issue, one in archival science and one in information systems and technology. Convergence and divergence is also discussed. (LRW)

Discusses barriers to the implementation of quality management in the library and information science sector in Europe. Topics include Total Quality Management and other business experiences, an information quality infrastructure, supplier/customer relations, customer satisfaction, and a European Quality Model. (LRW)

Describes plans for a technical session that included presentations of six winning papers on practical collaborative applications of digital library or information science technology in advancing communications in developing countries. Papers were all written by citizens of a developing country and were selected from an international competition.…

Examines the structure of medical informatics and the relationship between biomedicine and information science and information technology. Uses co-occurrence analysis of subject headings assigned to items indexed for MEDLINE as well as multidimensional scaling to show seven to eight broad multidisciplinary subject clusters. (Contains 28…