Discusses the design of interfaces for online systems and suggests requirements that must be met to offer maximum aid to inexperienced users. Highlights include the online search process, user data, query processing, database descriptors, semantic links, multilingual processing, search strategies, and distributed systems. A 20-page bibliography…

Reviews 30 reference sources in all subject areas, except the sciences, that were published in 1992. Appropriateness for public, academic, or other type of library is given in each review. CD-ROM products are included in this annual list for the first time, and the competition between print and CD-ROM reference works is described in a sidebar.…

Describes a survey of users of ERIC and AGRICOLA databases in a midsized public university library. Statistics on the use of computerized and print resources, user reasons for choosing the computerized databases, and the percentage of inappropriate or borderline searches are presented; and implications for library services are drawn. (12…

Discussion of the process involved in information seeking focuses on studies of high school students that were conducted to determine how mental models for a print encyclopedia are adapted to a full-text electronic encyclopedia. Three case studies are analyzed, and recommendations for designers of electronic encyclopedias and instructional…

Colleges and universities must find a way to streamline and integrate information management processes across the organization. The Georgia Institute of Technology responded to an acute problem of dissimilar operating systems with a campus-wide integrated administrative system using a machine independent relational database management system. (MSE)

Two types of national data sets are described and used to analyze minority student equity in higher education: longitudinal survey data for tracking student persistence and cross-sectional data for monitoring the performance of institutions. Development of additional data sets of institutional characteristics that can provide true explanatory…

The National Science Foundation's Computer-Aided Science Policy and Research database system provides microcomputer-based access and manipulation of multiple national databases for federal and now institutional use. Applications at West Virginia University, Portland State University, and the State University of New York at Buffalo pilot tested the…

Describes the capability of printing availability messages for a library's local journal holdings with CD-ROM MEDLINE databases. Results of a survey conducted at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital medical library suggest that users will tend to use only those sources available locally rather than interlibrary loan. (five references) (LRW)

A technique for the numerical identification of bacteria using normalized likelihoods calculated from a probabilistic database is described, and the principles of the technique are explained. The listing of the computer program is included. Specimen results from the program, and examples of how they should be interpreted, are given. (KR)

The Educational Testing Service is piloting WORKLINK, an information system linking education and business. Half of America's high school graduates go directly into the work force with little transitional assistance. WORKLINK combines facts about individual students with skills assessment. Schools and businesses share information on work-bound…

Discussion of electronic mail and computer-mediated communication focuses on local bulletin board systems (BBSs) that run on microcomputers. Uses in education and businesses are described, computer requirements and costs are outlined, bulletin board software is discussed, and echo networking is explained. (Four references) (LRW)

Discusses the use of remote communications software (RCS) with microcomputers as an inexpensive way to deliver information technologies such as CD-ROM databases to users at remote locations. Typical library applications at the University of Pennsylvania are described, potential disadvantages are presented, and an appendix lists vendors of RCS.…

Describes online information systems that have been developed for community access. Systems available in cities around the country are explained and include electronic bulletin boards, local government information, human services information, library online catalogs, commercial databases, and electronic mail. Possible levels of library involvement…

Discusses the use of CD-ROM products in libraries and describes a full-text CD-ROM library, called the Compact Agricultural Library, that is being produced for developing nations. Topics discussed include CD-ROM and international development; making information more useable; full-text versus fielded information; editing and layout; hypertext; and…

A meta-analysis of studies examining the interrater reliability of the standard practice of peer assessments of quality of care was conducted through the use of several databases. The mean weighted kappa of 21 findings from 13 studies was 0.31, which suggests that the interrater reliability of peer assessment is limited. (SLD)