Examines whether search engine design shows a pattern of interdisciplinarity focusing on two disciplines: computer science and library/information science. A citation analysis measured levels of interdisciplinary research and publishing in search engine design and development. Results show a higher level of interdisciplinarity among library and…

This column presents views of professionals in the library and information studies (LIS) field and assess the state of LIS research. Questions are posed to researchers and practitioners in various LIS fields, asking them to address where they think the research front is. Six respondents focus their discussions on library and information center…

Presents a humorous treatment of the "sessio taurino" (or humanistic inquiry) technique for describing changes in technological models. The fundamental tool of "sessio taurino" is a loosely-structured event known as the session, which is of indeterminate length, involves a flexible number of participants, and utilizes a…

Professional associations in the library/information science field are viewed from the perspective of the value they bring to the field. Research and professional development are reviewed in this context based on the efforts of ALA (American Library Association), ALISE (Association for Library & Information Science Education), ASIS (American…

"Confronting Hypertext" is a collaborative project designed to investigate learning outcomes using hypertext-based instruction delivered via the Internet. This article describes the project and suggests ways to map student reactions (commitment to books, distrust of online information, confusion) in different professional programs,…

Examines instructional frameworks for university-level education in Internet content design. Looks at academic constructs, philosophies and strategies from two disciplines traditionally associated with content--instructional science and informational studies. These approaches are extended into a curricula paradigm for academic studies in Internet…

MIT research associate and Merrill Lynch Fellow Michael Schrage believes collaboration provides opportunities for research and understanding which could never be realized by individuals working alone. This article presents highlights of his discussion of collaboration at the 1998 Mid-Year Meeting of the American Society for Information Science in…

Addresses ways to reexamine the world of information from small world perspectives and suggests implications for public libraries. Highlights include a conceptual scheme to examine small world lives, including social norms, world views, social types, and information behavior; and ethnographic inquiries to illustrate how qualitative methodology can…

Discussion of change and its influence on information professionals focuses on curriculum changes needed and implemented in library and information science education at Emporia State University. Topics include social context and shifts in perspective; postmodernism; dynamics of information technology and the global information economy; and a…

Sixty-one library and information science (LIS) teachers, identified as "superior," speak in behavioral terms about the way they plan, teach, and deal with students. Then six veteran observers of LIS teaching participate in a listserv discussion and reveal their views about superior LIS teaching, remediation for poor teachers, and adult learner…

Reviews the contributions to cataloging that have recently appeared in the print literature, as well as working documents publicly available on the Web developed by those responsible for creation of cataloging rules. Topics include: theory; revising AACR; summary of proposed changes; metadata; education of catalogers and cataloging staff; subject…

Reviews information retrieval (IR) studies since 1986 from the user's perspective. Identifies two main approaches that advocate user-centered design theory: (1) the cognitive approach; and (2) the holistic approach. Also explores other approaches--systems thinking/action research and usability techniques that may have potential for IR research and…

Explores the concepts of interaction and interactivity presented in different theoretical models in the fields of human-computer interaction (HCI) and information-seeking/searching behavior, and relates these to information retrieval (IR) research. Suggests that interaction in HCI is primarily concerned with establishing a user/system dialogue at…

Presents abstracts of papers presented at the 29th Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for Information Science (CAIS) held in Quebec on May 27-29, 2001. Topics include: professional development; librarian/library roles; information technology uses; virtual libraries; information seeking behavior; literacy; information retrieval;…

Identifies current trends and issues in health informatics with examples of applications, particularly in English-speaking countries. Topics include health systems, professionals, and patients; consumer health information; electronic medical records; nursing; privacy and confidentiality; finding and using information; the Internet; e-mail;…