The international character of online bibliographic databases is assessed by addressing three major aspects: literature production, article selection, and database use, as well as a number of side issues such as distribution and language. Requests for information were sent to producers and suppliers, most of whom responded, with no attempt being…

This self-improvement manual developed for experienced online searchers presents and discusses several alternative search strategies and their appropriate use to achieve the desired outcome. The manual is divided into two parts: (1) an eight step model of the total search process emphasizing how the decision of the information professional affects…

The Ontario Ministry of Education's role in funding educational research, and its procedures for the dissemination of educational research information are described. Two ministry initiatives are discussed in detail: the establishment of the Educational Information System for Ontario (EISO), a computerized search and retrieval service to access…

The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system was used to identify 1,734 documents on program evaluation methodology. Attempts to further characterize these documents by subject were only partially successful because of the lack of sufficient depth of indexing and design constraints of the computer system. Attempts to characterize…

Problems which frustrate and hinder training in data base use for personnel employed in biomedical libraries include the ever increasing number of data bases which continue to be introduced, search techniques that differ from vendor to vendor and data base to data base, and differing formats of data bases and their training manuals. Training…

The results of personal interviews with 18 of the more experienced online searchers in Washington State are presented. A profile of respondents determines the experience of each in searching in years, number of searches per month, vendors used, and most used data bases. This information is used to analyze the answers given to questions about the…

Activities of the final year are reported as they relate to the objectives of the Wisconsin Dissemination Planning (WDP) Project: (1) to develop a plan for coordination among the dissemination functions in the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) through a state-wide steering committee; (2) to complete a needs assessment for dissemination…

This study of the development of international data networks, a phenomena of the 1970's, and policy issues arising from their use is an in depth investigation of 24 private and six public European networks commissioned from Logica Limited and sponsored by the governments of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. The report…

This study of ranking algorithms used in a Boolean environment is based on an evaluation of factors affecting document ranking by information retrieval systems. The algorithms were decomposed into term weighting schemes and similarity measures, representatively selected from those known to exist in information retrieval environments, before being…

The project described was designed to develop and disseminate reports on quality Indiana research and development products on vocational education to appropriate state and national target audiences; to implement a system for acquiring, organizing, storing, retrieving and disseminating research and development documents to meet the identified needs…

Database publishers are in a position to assist corporate users in their transition into the future by providing services which successfully integrate online systems with the larger information systems. Information is one of industry's most valuable assets. Present and future technological advancements offer the means for controlling burgeoning…

Modeled on public databases such as Lockheed and SDC, the information system described in this report was utilized in the creation of in-house databases in the Mobay Chemical Corporation's special library in Pittsburgh. Using IBM's Storage and Information Retrieval System (STAIRS), Mobay created two databases: one to hold product information, the…

The University of Pittsburgh has developed software that stresses the teaching of systems rather than databases and replicates the language, formats, and search capabilities of the DIALOG, ORBIT, and BRS systems. Using a DEC 11/780 computer and samples of more than 60 databases, the University has successfully emulated the parent systems. A…

This guide is intended to aid Maryland educators in using Project LIFE (Library Information Functional Exchange), an information retrieval system designed to strengthen the resource base of the State Media Services Center, to support school library personnel by providing access to pertinent information which is not available in local resources,…

This report presents the findings of a statewide census of basic science curriculum data in the state of Illinois. This census, conducted in 1977, was designed to produce normative data relative to science course offerings, enrollments, and curricular activities in Illinois public secondary schools and to establish a data base on secondary school…