This digest provides a brief explanation of what a database is; explains how a database can be used; identifies important factors that should be considered when choosing database management system software; and provides citations to sources for finding reviews and evaluations of database management software. The digest is concerned primarily with…

This description of the copyright protection available for automated databases provides a definition of an automated database; discusses the extent of copyright protection, i.e., the compilation of facts; explains copyright registration and what constitutes publication of a database; and describes the procedures for registering both published and…

This white paper provides an overview of the present state of community college evaluation processes and procedures, discusses possible enhancements, and outlines the basic design concepts for a unified system to collect, organize and manage student data. The intended audience is community college administrators, researchers, and others who…

Examines problems encountered when setting up a hypertext link, called an identity link, for moving between bibliographic and full text databases. MEDLINE and CCML (Comprehensive Core Medical Library) are used as examples, BRS/SEARCH text retrieval software is explained, and problems with syntax are discussed. (two references) (LRW)

Discusses the capability of computer technology in exchanging databases and spreadsheets in modern foreign languages. Numerous word processing programs and computer hardware are highlighted and compared. (GLR)

Briefly discusses the extent to which commercial publishers in Canada are using CD-ROM technology, and lists commercial and non-commercial CD-ROM products that are currently available or being developed. The description of each product includes the contents of the database, the producer, and the cost. (CLB)

Describes a hierarchical text database model and defines an algebra based on concordance lists. The algebra is presented as a theoretical model to define both a conceptual schema for the database and search protocols for database implementation. Several retrieval examples are included. (19 references) (MES)

Presents guidelines for effective online searching developed over the last 20 years. Areas covered by the guidelines include preplanning, database selection, cost-effective search techniques, searching for names, awareness of differences between databases and systems, matching search strategies to databases, postsearch routines, and the…

Describes a conceptual design of a bibliographic retrieval system that enables more thorough control of bibliographic entities. The conceptual schema describes a database comprising two separate files of bibliographic description, one of intellectual works and the other of physical items. This model provides information about a work's association…

Discusses online search techniques that can be used to identify inaccuracies and inconsistencies in records of online and CD-ROM databases. Methods that can be used to sample a database for errors in descriptor, name, or coded fields are described, including browsing, matching, looking up cross-references, and searching for implausible record…

Describes creation of a relational database at the University of Washington supporting ongoing academic planning at several levels and affecting the culture of decision making. Addresses getting started; sharing the database; questions, worries, and issues; improving access to high-demand courses; the advising function; management of instructional…

This article maintains that labyrinth-cases of multiple outlets, although difficult, but pleasant to construct, are probably the way to go to strengthen computer-aided learning. The objective of the article is to show, based on a particular labyrinth-case, how to construct labyrinth-cases and consolidate their contents based on associative…

The authors investigated whether memory for object locations in pictures could be exploited to address known difficulties of designing query languages for picture databases. M. W. Lansdale's (1998) model of location memory was adapted to 4 experiments observing memory for everyday pictures. These experiments showed that location memory is…

From time to time developers of (database) applications will encounter, explicitly or implicitly, structures such as trees, graphs, and networks. Such applications can, for instance, relate to bills of material, organization charts, networks of (rail)roads, networks of conduit pipes (e.g., plumbing, electricity), telecom networks, and data…

This book is intended to help librarians and others to produce databases of better value and quality, especially if they have had little previous experience in database construction. Drawing upon almost 40 years of experience in the field of information retrieval, this book emphasizes basic principles and approaches rather than in-depth and…