The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food conducted an operational evaluation of the software packages CAIRS and STATUS, which were used to build databases and databanks. Setting up the trial, types of data involved (chemical products used as pesticides), searching and presentation of data, and the final choice are covered. (EJS)

Five models which perform search tasks of the Data Base Access and Search Environment (DBASE) are presented and used for comparison with subject search performance--unconstrained (rule-based, decision theoretic) and constrained (optimal rule-based, rule-based, probabilistic rule-based). Previous experiments and the modeling approach are briefly…

Reviews 12 different methods of information retrieval for the reduction of a large set by removal of irrelevant or unwanted elements, including logic revision (use of "and" and "not" logic, classification codes, limit commands, field restriction), concept revision, and terminology revision. Examples for each option are given.…

The implementation plan, database design and data relationships, and benefits achievable through an integrated online/database approach to a university information system are presented. The core of the Washington State system is a central name and address file. (Author/MLW)

Describes a system for providing educational resources to educators in Alaska's widely-dispersed schools, with specific attention to the communications systems developed for delivery of educational resources, the Alaska Knowledge Base, information retrieval, training for system use, and statewide dissemination. (JL)

Provides background of automatic indexing and overview of Fully Automatic Syntactically based Indexing of Text (FASIT), a system based on idea that content-bearing words belong to certain syntactic categories. Results of comparison of FASIT with thesaurus and stem-based indexing systems on database of 250 documents and 22 queries are summarized.…

Discusses institution of public access microcomputers in Adult Continuing Education Department of Forsyth County Public Library, noting three goals and how they are being met--computer literacy, information/instruction, and development of a local educational opportunity database. A list of books and magazines used in the computer center is…

Describes the organization of the House of Commons Library which provides information, documentation, and research services to its members and outlines the history of the Parliamentary On-Line Information System (POLIS). The physical description of POLIS, indexing practices, users, and the Library's subject thesaurus are discussed. Eight…

The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) provides valuable historical and current data for research and decision making. Its organization, procedures, products, and services are described, including those of the Clearinghouse on Higher Education. Manual and computer search guides are provided. (MSE)

Presents results of study undertaken at Census Bureau Library to determine which databases would be most productive and how they can be effectively searched to meet demands of bureau staff for literature on statistical research and methodology. Database selection in DIALOG Information Retrieval Service and journal coverage are noted. (EJS)

Discusses processes involved in development, operation, and utilization of bibliographic databases--design, data collection, processing, access, and use--and assesses their relevance to developing countries. Utilization of other countries' databases, use of services of organizatons in other countries, and participation in a cooperative system are…

Discusses use of microcomputer at Chicago Public Library to generate a "subject guide" wall chart of 549 frequently requested subjects with corresponding Library of Congress and Dewey classification numbers. Background of the project, computer software used, field testing, cost, and errors are noted. A copy of the chart is appended. (EJS)

Advocates using microcomputers to reduce school administration paperwork through three categories of general application programs: word processing, electronic spreadsheets, and database management systems. Discusses each program category's purpose, software availability, and use in practice and presents in chart form information on specific…

Argues that secondary analysis of existing data sets provides an important opportunity for science education researchers. Reviews basic arguments for secondary analysis (quality, cost, scientific merit of multiple analyses of a common data set), discusses new forces fostering these analyses, and provides three examples of secondary analysis…

Derives the underlying structure of the Zipf distribution, with emphasis on its application to word frequencies in the inverted files of automatic bibliographic systems, and applies the Zipfian model to the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database. An appendix on the Zipfian mean and 12 references are included. (Author/JL)