Describes a study that was conducted to explore the potential of text analysis as a tool in full-text search and design improvement. A review of pertinent literature is included, and a trial analysis performed in the domain of family history literature is described. (Contains 49 references.) (LRW)

Literature showing the disadvantages of Boolean logic in online searching is reviewed, and research comparing the Filter/Flow visual interface (i.e., a graphical representation of Boolean operators) with a text-only interface is described. A significant difference in the total number of correct queries is reported that favored Filter/Flow. (16…

This article examines technology tools and strategies that enhance the process of conducting a comprehensive review of the literature. Strategies for accessing digital resources include: identify key words, identify appropriate databases, execute the search, and document the results. Seven strategies to consider when executing a search are…

Investigates the relation between comprehension skill and the ability to locate information. Results reveal that good comprehenders were more efficient than poor comprehenders when they were required to locate specific pieces of information in a text. Findings suggest that good comprehenders' superior search strategy may arise because of their…

This article is part of a special issue reflecting on what people have learned about violence and trauma over the past 20 years and where we need to go in the next 10 years. The author emphasizes the importance of learning to communicate in order to form effective community partnerships. Evidence-based research is noted as a methodological…

This study investigated university student information literacy skills benchmarked by the Association of College and Research Libraries: (a) determine the extent of information needed, (b) access the needed information effectively and efficiently, (c) evaluate information and its sources critically, (d) understand the economic, legal, and social…

Describes the inability of traditional subject index terms to represent relational information among concepts, and the development of frame based knowledge representation methods that provide relational semantic representations of documents and user queries. The discussion covers research in user interfaces and automatic document classifications,…

Provides an overview of the development and use of numeric databases, and of the evolution of user charging methods for all online information retrieval systems. The need to provide database users with advance estimates of charges is discussed, and a methodology for charge estimation is presented. (87 references) (CLB)

Reports on a study of the information-seeking behavior of users of Infotrac, OCLC, Newsbank Electronic Index, and LS/2 at the Bowling Green State University Libraries. Data gathered via interviews are discussed as they pertain to the user's profile; understanding of systems functions; effects on information-seeking behavior; and appropriateness of…

Discusses the relationship between information science research and practice and briefly describes current research on 10 topics in information retrieval literature: vector processing retrieval strategy, probabilistic retrieval models, inverted file procedures, relevance feedback, Boolean query formulations, front-end procedures, citation…

This article expresses concerns about online searches being run by inexperienced searchers or nonchemists for other nonchemists or students. Studies concerning problems in the use of Chemical Condensates Database, Chemical Abstracts, Medline, and patent information are highlighted. Examples of searches yielding unsatisfactory results are noted.…

Reviews previous work on producing knowledge by the use of information retrieval or classification schemes, and describes techniques by which hidden knowledge may be retrieved, i.e., serendipity in browsing and use of appropriate search strategies. Possible future methods based on relational indexing or artificial intelligence are also explored.…

Reviews recent research into the use of hierarchic agglomerative clustering methods for document retrieval. The topics discussed include the calculation of interdocument similarities, algorithms used to implement clustering methods on large databases, validity testing of document hierarchies, appropriate search strategies, and other applications…

Reports on a study that investigated the effects of subject knowledge and search experience on tactics used by novices and experienced searchers in online searches. Results of an experiment conducted with 32 undergraduate students and 32 professional searchers, and implications of the findings for system design are discussed. (52 references) (KRN)

Describes a study that tested the effectiveness of a thesaurus as a search-aid in free text searching of a Finnish full text database. Linguistic and conceptual approaches are discussed; five search modes are explained; recall and precision are examined; and the use of proximity operators is discussed. (Contains 29 references.) (LRW)