Describes a systematic method for producing pictures to accompany textual instructional materials. The resulting instructional design model is then used in an attribute by treatment interaction study of post-secondary school students that was designed to investigate the role of analogical pictures in adult learners' acquisition of higher level…

Describes two experiments that investigated the influence of textual factors on the perception of bibliographic records. Topics include index descriptors; term overlap; extent of semantic distance; direction of semantic distance; generic trees of descriptors; relevance perception; and implications for the design of information retrieval…

Examines influences on the use of electronic information resources, including the Internet. Highlights include information quality and accessibility; the Technology Assessment Model; the Fitness for Purpose model; the Theory of Planned Behavior; and a study in Australia that compared the ability of these models to explain electronic information…

Describes a study with undergraduate students that examined whether the appearance of graphics and other visuals in a television newscast would result in lower recall of audio content, whether such visuals would promote comprehension of each story as a whole, and whether subjects would prefer stories with visuals. (24 references) (LRW)

Discussion of standards for school library media programs focuses on standards developed for Alabama's school systems. A study that was conducted to determine the level of implementation of the criteria for library media programs is described, hypotheses tested are explained, and the questionnaire used in the study is included. (nine references)…

This study was designed to determine whether differences in performance on a popular instructional gaming package would be observed under differing conditions of color presentation. It was hypothesized that performance would be enhanced under a monochromatic and/or moderately colored condition, and least successful under a multicolored condition.…

Presents a general framework for designing sampling programs that ensure cost effectiveness, and managed errors kept within known and acceptable limits. (LZ)

Discussion of knowledge maps focuses on a study at Texas Christian University that was conducted to determine the effects of scripted cooperation in a hypermap environment. Hypermap and hypertext versions of MacStat--the software for univariate statistics that was used in the study--are described, and performance measures are explained. (17…

Two experiments were conducted with graduate students to test hypotheses regarding the effectiveness of diagrams in which concepts were shown spatially. Response latencies were compared for problems applying kinship rules to information presented in family trees and in lists of statements, and the use of rules to compute responses was examined.…

A proposed research project is described in which two university-based researchers and four elementary school teachers will investigate problematic features of "whole language instruction" in monthly reflexive conversations. One hypothesis is that problems with whole language practice are indicative of a more broadly based cultural…

Reports the results of a bibliometric study of the "Journal of the American Society for Information Science" that examined information science as a discipline through determining the institutional affiliation of authors, funding status, and citation counts. Trends over the past 20 years are discussed, and future research is suggested. (40…

Describes a study of fifth graders that was conducted to investigate whether the type of instructional control affects achievement when using computer-assisted instruction. Highlights include research on learner-controlled instruction; the interaction of student characteristics and learner control; and research hypotheses. (60 references) (LRW)

One implication of attitude self-ratings, that scales may become recalibrated transiently, was investigated conservatively using hypothesized shifts of data from 368 college students rating the desirability of taking senior comprehensive examinations. Results support the validity and reliability of simple graphic rating scales as measures of…

Describes a study that used focus groups, mail surveys, and in-home observations to examine differences in traditional television viewing and video cassette recorder (VCR) movie rental viewing. Viewing preparation, activities during viewing, and visual orientation to the screen are examined; hypotheses tested are discussed; and future research is…

Reviews the literature on patron perceptions of library use and the necessity of instruction, describes a survey of Illinois public library patrons that asked their views on library use instruction, compares results with those of an earlier survey of academic library patrons, and suggests areas for further study. (16 references) (LRW)