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)

This presentation at a seminar for library staff and students describes the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system as an information system designed to provide users with ready access to primarily English-language literature dealing with education by establishing a database, publishing abstracting journals, and reproducing…

A well-designed online database system allows users to ask a computer to find only information that is relevant to their needs. A variety of databases exist, each specializing in a particular topic or type of information. Fulltext systems provide complete copies of such documents as news articles, research reports, and software evaluations.…

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)

Step-by-step instructions for locating material in the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database are provided. Following an introduction, information is presented in three main sections--manual searching, computer searching, and using search results. Subdivisions under manual searching describe who can or should do a manual search…

This manual provides electrical and electronic engineers with an introduction to online information retrieval as implemented on the DIALOG information retrieval system. Sections cover: (1) the development of computerized information retrieval; (2) its advantages; (3) the equipment needed, DIALOG hours of availability, methods of access, and cost…

The Interchange newsletter is prepared semiannually by the staff of Access ERIC in order to communicate matters of interest to users of the ERIC database and of other ERIC products and services. The newsletter disseminates a broad spectrum of information pertaining to ERIC, including: price changes, microfiche products, ERIC Clearinghouse news,…

A reference guide for online bibliographic searchers introduces and explains the major computer-searchable fields of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database, presents field access labels or commands of three online ERIC database vendors--BRS, DIALOG, and ORBIT--and lists the codes necessary for searching particular ERIC…

The Interchange newsletter is prepared irregularly (approximately semiannually) by the staff of the ERIC Processing and Reference Facility in order to communicate matters of interest to users of the ERIC database and of other ERIC products and services. Initially, the focus was on computer-oriented users who were receiving the ERIC magnetic tapes…

The focus of Part Two of this series is on techniques for searching special applications in the behavioral sciences, such as grant sources, dissertation abstracts, audiovisual materials, and government publications. A sample search demonstrates the extent to which retrieval may be enhanced by exploring multiple databases for interdisciplinary…

This document defines and describes electronic databases and provides guidance for organizing a useful database and for selecting hardware and software. Alternatives such as using larger machines are discussed, as are the computer skills necessary to use an electronic database and the use of the computer in the classroom. Files, records, and…

Describes H. W. Wilson's information retrieval system which provides access to such familiar printed indexes as "Social Sciences Index,""Humanities Index,""Education Index," and "Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature." Use of this flexible system is explained and illustrated. (CDD)

These planning and evaluative guidelines for online trainers utilize a sliding scale--from minimal to suggested to optimal--for five types of training sessions: (1) Search Service--Beginning; (2) Search Service--Advanced; (3) Search Service--Subject; (4) Database Producer; and (5) Independent Introductory Workshop. (RAA)