Presents strategies for researching topics on the Web that are controversial or current in nature. Discusses topic selection and overviews, including the use of online encyclopedias; search engines; finding laws and pending legislation; advocacy groups; proprietary databases; Web site evaluation; and the continuing usefulness of print materials.…

Cites major U.S. encyclopedia publishers interested in developing machine-readable versions and suggests design possibilities for accessing encyclopedia databases. Full text searching, searching by fields, and sorting on fields are presented as techniques that provide online systems with significant advantages over print. There are five…

Provides an annotated survey of reference materials published since 1980 that provide access to interdisciplinary psychological literature on adult development and aging. Highlights include periodical indexes and abstracts; dictionaries and encyclopedias; directories and guides; handbooks; literature reviews; bibliographies; test instruments; and…

Reviews of Compton's Multimedia Encyclopedia, New Grolier's Electronic Encyclopedia, and World Book's Information Finder are based on the 1990 editions. It is noted that all three publishers have announced plans to release annual revisions to their discs. The description of each of the products includes critiques of the search program, the…

Describes three library activities designed to be used with specific curriculum units on reading and language arts and social studies. Using the parts of a book is taught with the Guinness Book of World Records, and use of encyclopedias and the card catalog with projects on the ancient Greeks and Indians. (EM)

Presents findings of a survey of 63 ALA-accredited library education programs asked to list specific titles presented in their reference courses. Tables provide data from 31 schools: total number presented at each; total number by category; specific titles by category; and distribution by number and by category. (JD)

Reviews CD-ROM encyclopedias to guide librarians and teachers in decision making. Encyclopedias are divided into two groups: mass market for ages 9 and up, and academic for ages 14 and above. A table lists products with addresses and Web sites, as well as information on price, minimum specs, number of articles, Internet connection, strengths, and…

Describes the software package developed as a result of a project aimed at developing an effective model of computer assisted instruction to encourage the development of research and critical thinking skills among students. The package includes modules for class assignments, encyclopedic background information, a citations database, and access to…

Considers the concept of print books versus newer electronic formats, including CD-ROM and online versions. Topics discussed include changes in the publishing industry; a focus on content; reference books, including encyclopedias and dictionaries; children's books; multimedia publishers versus traditional book publishers; and production and…

Examines the cost effectiveness of using CD-ROM encyclopedias in school libraries; finds print encyclopedias to be cheaper, but advocates the use of both. Sidebars include price comparisons of popular print and CD-ROM encyclopedias. (AEF)

Reviews six books on developmental psychology: (1) "Children and Violence" (David Reiss and others); (2) "Television and the American Child" (George Comstock); (3) "Intellectual Development" (Robert Sternberg and Cynthia Berg); (4) "Context and Development" (Robert Cohen and Alexander Siegel); (5) "Adolescent Identity Formation" (Gerald Adams and…

Although many studies devoted to the information behaviour of young people have drawn attention to youngsters' tendency to rely heavily on information sources within the home on account of their ready accessibility, work addressing in detail the exploitation of non-fiction books in these domestic settings is rare. This article draws on the…

This column is a collaborative effort by library media specialists and K-16 educators who write about the motivational strategies that have worked for them in teaching IL skills. Motivational strategies include ways to gain and sustain attention, increase relevance for learning information literacy skills, build confidence in students' developing…

Discusses the use of microcomputers as communication devices and presents features of several national bibliographic networks, together with examples of searches for information of interest to academics. The status of electronic publishing is discussed and differences between national and local area networks are described. (Author)

To establish evaluation criteria for home multimedia products, this study examined 13 case studies of experienced users of CD-ROM encyclopedias aimed at the home consumer. Findings ranked seven features from most to least important: searching; textual content; browsing; multimedia; aesthetics; interactivity; and system performance. Results suggest…