Results of this study comparing coverage and features of Psychological Abstracts and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) online databases demonstrate a 49 percent citation overlap between the files. A complementary, not competitive, relationship is indicated by comparing citation overlap, journal coverage, descriptive indexing, treatment of…

Reviews authority control as represented in the literature from circa 1900 to the present. Catalog codes and handbooks are examined; efforts to develop authority files are summarized; and consideration is given to impact of automation on authority control. A list of recommended readings is included and 46 references are provided. (Author/EJS)

This description of the automated acquisitions system used by Knox College Library provides a history of its development and compares the system to the OCLC Acquisitions Subsystem. The system's chief management tool--a dealer report and several permutations (sorts by publisher and fund)--is discussed. Six references are cited. (EJS)

Discusses information systems in which information use becomes the prime design factor rather than technology and content. Highlighted topics include the change of useless data to productive knowledge, a value-added process; environments in which problems requiring information exist; and users' perceptions of the benefits and costs of using…

Recommends an expansion of MARC codes for decimal class numbers to enhance automated subject retrieval. Five values for a second indicator and two new subfields are suggested for encoding hierarchical relationships among decimal class numbers. Additional subfields are suggested to enhance retrieval through analysis of synthesized numbers in…

Traces the evolution of Engineering Information, Inc. (Ei), from beginnings in 1884 to present transition from role of traditional publisher of print-based bibliographic abstracts and indexes to provider of computer-based information products and services. Ei's concept of future as one-stop engineering information supermarket is defined. Ten…

Reviews computer storage devices designed to provide additional memory for microcomputers--chips, floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks--and describes how secondary storage is used (file transfer, formatting, ingredients of incompatibility); disk/controller/software triplet; magnetic tape backup; storage volatility; disk emulator; and…

Computerized searching of bibliographic databases useful in women's history studies is discussed. The particular material available in machine-readable form and aspects of searching for it are reviewed. How to arrange for a search is also explained. A number of databases and search services are described. (Author/EF)

The experimental best match information retrieval system described is based on serial file organization. Documents and queries are characterized by fixed length bit strings (generated by automatic and manual methods) and character-by-character term match is preceeded by bit string search to eliminate documents which cannot satisfy query.…

An iterative method for information retrieval is presented using searchonyms found from previously retrieved set of documents in query expansion. Large operational bibliographic databases are used to simulate behavior of this method which selects most informative features as searchonyms to be used in query reformulation. Ten references are listed.…

Considers patent subject searching capabilities of major online databases, noting patent claims, "deep-indexed" files, test searches, retrieval of related references, multi-database searching, improvements needed in indexing of chemical structures, full text searching, improvements needed in handling numerical data, and augmenting a…

Overview of issues concerning computer-monitored data for research in communication and information science includes a description of systems and kinds of data possible; uses of data; advantages of and problems with computer-monitored data and collection; prior research using computer-monitored data; prospects for future research. A 111-item…

Introduces methods designed to reduce role of search intermediaries by generating Boolean search formulations automatically using term frequency considerations from natural language statements provided by system patrons. Experimental results are supplied and methods are described for applying automatic query formulation process in practice.…

Reviews computer applications in judicial, legal, and legislative information activities being used to support litigation and court administration, assist in searching for legislation and laws, aid criminal justice information systems, and provide appropriate bibliographic and reference assistance. Management issues in automating systems are…

Planning and preparations for online equipment fair sponsored by Hudson Valley Online Users Group are discussed, including long-range planning (determining interest, economic considerations, when, where, who, publicity); short-range planning (communications, attendee registration); and last minute preparations. A publicity sheet, vendor…