Reports research that investigated whether children use television commercials in family viewing situations to initiate, control, and manipulate social interaction with other family group members, especially their parents. Observational data are presented and discussed. (Author/JD)

Describes the integration of a library orientation session with an information resources assignment in which students write papers describing resources available in their particular areas of specialty. (TJ)

A study of elementary teachers' reliance on standardized test scores shows that teachers depend more heavily on observation in student assessment. (WD)

Critical issues in the process of program evaluation are (1) identification and definition of objectives and outcomes, (2) development of valid and reliable forms of assessment, (3) development of methods of data analysis and interpretation, and (4) extension of the use of evaluation results. (SK)

In the field of organizational development, it is almost self-evident that an intervention or change action comes after a period of data gathering and/or analysis of the organization. This article explores how a manager can determine what actions to take following an organizational diagnosis. (LRA)

Reviews research findings on the effects of user fees in online searching, and concludes that charging does discourage use of computerized retrieval systems. It is recommended that alternatives to direct user fees be sought whenever possible. (SW)

A successful school program evaluation is re-examined to determine what made it successful. Suggestions for future evaluations include: (1) observe the political context of the program; (2) select a useful research design; (3) be sensitive to the subjects; and (4) discuss preliminary findings and be open to rebuttals. (JKS)

Analyzes the half-life of book use through analysis of over 10,000 regional and statewide interlibrary loan requests. Correcting for the growth of the literature, this study indicated that the half-lives of monographs may increase from lower to higher levels of the hierarchy in a library network. (CWM)

Seeks conditions that improve group performance on "hidden profiles." Finds that, among undergraduate student groups, group information sharing and decision-making effectiveness were higher in small groups with a low percentage of shared information, and lower when groups either were large or shared a high percentage of information.…

Discusses the increasing emphasis on evaluation in the fields of training and performance improvement. Suggests considering why the evaluation is being done, what is being evaluated, and how the data will be used to make it more useful. (LRW)

Knowledge management (KM) has risen out of organizational downsizing and technology innovation and is an attempt to cope with the information explosion and to capitalize on increased knowledge in the workplace. This article examines the emergence of KM, business world variations on its concepts, the role of and opportunities for librarians, and…

Argues that like other technological innovations, the rise of the digital information age is contributing to shape people's mode of cognition. Reviews the use of computers in teaching and learning in terms of their impact on our ability to process parallel data, access information in a non-linear order, and visualize information. (Author/LRW)

Studies how technical communicators use the Internet. Finds that the Internet plays a significant role in the work practices of technical communicators--respondents find the Internet helpful for contacting customers, obtaining updated technical information, and publishing online documentation, but they encounter company resistance and are…

Discusses how school librarians can use self-interest to increase their influence with the principal. Topics include demonstrating how the library can help; providing pertinent information; increasing interaction with the principal; accuracy and speed of providing information; helpful Web sites; and organizing and presenting the information. (LRW)

A study looked at the effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Science and Education Impact Fact Sheet program. Less than half of the eight congressional aides surveyed reported having seen or used the fact sheets prior to the survey. They were unaware of land-grant universities as sources of nontraditional information. (Contains 16…