Considers what people like about college radio web sites and why people use them. Provides a starting point for examining the reasons people use college radio sites. Concludes that most audiences' uses of college radio sites are entertainment oriented, however, there is an indication that people use media-based Web sites for the social integration…

Describes a study that examined the use of electronic mail reference service in three library units at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Highlights include patron demographics, question classification, and use patterns; and recommendations for further research. (Author/LRW)

Described use of human services reported by 245 injection drug users and 125 crack cocaine smokers living in Columbus and Dayton, Ohio. Findings suggest that drug users are active consumers of human services; nearly 90% reported involvement. Found no gross patterns of discrimination. (JBJ)

Presents results of an exploratory study attempting to establish a methodology for the unobtrusive analysis of a digital reference enterprise. Logs of over 3,000 questions asked of the Internet Public Library in early 1999 were analyzed on the basis of questions asked, self-selected demographic information, how those questions were handled, and…

Older adults (N=131) with hearing loss completed measures of hearing, hearing handicap, psychological control, depression, and ego strength. Older adults who accepted advice from hearing professionals to acquire and use hearing aids differed from those not accepting such advice on measures of hearing sensitivity, psychological control, and…

Discussion of usability testing of Web interfaces for virtual libraries focuses on a usability study conducted at the University of South Florida. Highlights include testing instruments; discrepancies between actual performance and perceived performance; and the need to use plainer language and less jargon. (LRW)

Examines the relationship between computer use (numbers of computers used for instruction) in Florida schools and student conduct, focusing on these conduct violations related to schooling: assault/battery/robbery, breaking and entry/theft/vandalism, and disorderly conduct/fighting/harassment. Results revealed decreases in conduct violations with…

Discussion of library users who seek information for others focuses on a study of public library adult reference desks that identifies the relationships between agents and imposers that motivate reference desk use and describes agent users in terms of their self-reported education levels and frequency of library and reference desk use. (Author/LRW)

Examines the literature that measures characteristics of the Internet. Discusses: conclusions about the Internet measurement literature; definition of the Internet from a technical standpoint; history of Internet measurement; nature of the Internet data environment; Internet technical characteristics; information measurement and the Internet;…

Understanding precisely how young people search for online information is both easy and frustrating. It's a snap because we can easily observe kids sitting down at a computer, going straight to Google, typing in one or two key words, and selecting a few Web pages from a huge list of hits. It's frustrating because of the many questions their…

This article describes rational analyses and cognitive models of Web users developed within information foraging theory. This is done by following the rational analysis methodology of (a) characterizing the problems posed by the environment, (b) developing rational analyses of behavioral solutions to those problems, and (c) developing cognitive…

The Internet is a significant information resource for students due to the ease of access it allows to a vast amount of information. As the quality of the information on the Internet varies, it is important that students are able to evaluate such information critically. The aim of the study was to investigate how students evaluate Internet sources…

The Internet and Web technology development have opened up new ways for people to communicate, gain new information and increase their knowledge. One particular area of interest is that of using online resources to empower informal learners to increase their knowledge at their own time and space. One could look at an online resource as a public…

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 places a strong emphasis on the use of student achievement test scores to measure school performance, and, throughout the United States, school and district education reform efforts are increasingly focusing on the use of student achievement data to make decisions about curriculum and instruction. To encourage…

A qualitative study of was conducted to have an insight about public school teachers' use of instructional applications and their daily practices. The specific objective of this study was, to explore how teachers apply instructional theories, methodologies, strategies and techniques in their lessons before the implementation of new constructivist…