Argues that online searching in terms of both recall and precision improves when search results are checked, and identifies many problems that a searcher should look out for. Numerous examples of printouts illustrate these problems. (JD)

Identifies the main local government publications that libraries will want to collect and then suggests where and how to acquire them. (JD)

Explains the benefits of storing online search strategies on cassette tape for use with communications terminals that have tape units attached. An appendix describes the process of recording and running a search on a Texas Instruments Silent 700 Series, Model 733 ASA Data Terminal. (FM)

Concentrates on the practical, everyday aspects of online search strategy, specifically offering ideas and comments on search strategies for STAIRS users. Included are tables listing the logical operators available on the system and the search level (document, paragraph, sentence, word) of each. (Author/JD)

Defines field of psychohistory, a form of history that makes systematic use of concepts, principles, and theories of psychology in order to enhance understanding of particular individual or of people and events in past; reviews major writers and publications; and discusses special concerns of the librarian. Thirty-four footnotes are provided. (EJS)

Concentrates on describing and illustrating by example the unique BRS features of the online Social Sciences Citation Index. Appendices provide a key to the BRS/SSCI citation elements, BRS standardized language codes, publication type codes, author's classification of BRS/SSCI subject category codes, search examples, and database specifications.…

Discusses methods for designing search strategies for maximum recall, including minimizing the number of concepts intersected, isolating key subtopics, adapting the strategy to the database, and minimizing problems with search words and codes. (Author/RAA)

Explains search commands for SERIDU, an online bibliographic search system developed at Brussels Free University. These commands and output formats are compared with Euronet commands (from which they were derived), with existing INFODOC storage system commands, and with the planned BIDULE system commands. An evaluation of SERIDU is included. (SW)

Very briefly describes a workshop on film and television documentation that informed participants about available reference and resource materials for information about films and television shows. (CLB)

Presents user orientation and instruction guidelines for online search systems, including a sample reference manual outline in five parts: (1) introduction, (2) summary of services, (3) system descriptions, (4) principles of searching, and (5) operating instructions. Harmonization of search instructions is advocated, in order to eliminate user…

To become efficient Internet searchers, students and teachers need to learn online search skills. Discusses hierarchical subject directories (Yahoo) and search engines (Excite, Lycos, Alta Vista, HotBot); lists top search engines and their universal resource locators (URL). Provides examples of search strings; outlines search tips, and a…

Describes a simple six-step searching model designed to deliver good results without introducing complexities likely to confuse the naive user. The findings of tests that compared the results of the easy search model with expert searches are presented, and conclusions about end user training are discussed. (nine references) (CLB)

This study examined the importance of negative searching, or searching to discover topics not previously explored in writing, and its oversight in the library literature. A survey of university faculty revealed a tendency to view negative searching as necessary to scholarly endeavors, but an online literature search showed little discussion of…

Discusses the problems associated with using connect time as the basis of user fees for searching numeric online databases, and proposes a methodology for user charge estimation based on query formulation and results. (87 references) (CLB)

In this fourth of five course installments, statements by four practitioners and researchers on role of Library of Congress (LC) and its subject headings in improving subject access to United States libraries are presented. Comments from LC and a tabulation of suggestions from 10 respondents are included. (EJS)