Examines two primary roles played by natural language processing in storage and retrieval of information and outlines organization of natural language interface for data retrieval (question-answering system) and approaches being taken to text analysis. Research issues in computational linguistics and interactive knowledge acquisition are…

Considers information exchange as an essential element in international cooperative arrangements and examines information systems of United Nations and its specialized agencies and their contributions to international cooperation. Recent trends in establishment of a global information network, impact of information technology, and problems of…

Most North American institutions have developed valuable institutional research capabilities. Consensus about some issues of institutional research has not yet been reached, but the work, either using existing databases or obtaining new data, helps the institutions know themselves better and is worth supporting. (MSE)

This essay explores issues arising as librarians and publishers exploit new technologies--economic constraints, different discipline predilections for formats of information, intransigence of some scholars to alter communication patterns--and examines future of electronic publication and how the scholar, the library, and publishing industry will…

Suggests decision making techniques that can be used to estimate the consequences of choosing alternative courses of action, to select an optimum strategy, or to determine how sensitive predicted outcomes are to particular assumptions. Microcomputer use, quantitative techniques, and examples involving item reordering and adoption of word…

Describes the methods and results of the transfer of the SCAN bibliographic database, sponsored by the Administration on Aging (AoA) to the private sector American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) when Congress repealed authority for AoA. Steps involved in the establishment of a bibliographic database are outlined. Four sources are given.…

Explores current status of archival automation on both the national and local levels, and discusses its implications for control and access of historical documentation. Development of Selected Permutation Index by National Archives and Records Service, automation at Library of Congress (LC) Manuscript Division, and planning for automation are…

Districts must hire "highly qualified teachers" to implement "research-based best practices" using "data-driven decisions" to positively impact student achievement. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 has provided educators a whole new set of catch phrases. As states, districts, and educators work to define…

The Internet has provided the world with an almost instantaneous communication vehicle. The traditional approach to sharing academic publications has been to prepare written articles for submission to the appropriate journal, then wait for the 6-month to 2-year delay before publication. With these built-in delays from occurrence to publication,…

Discusses the role of the computer in the educational process and describes how the advanced computer system assists physicians in patient care. Distinguishes between informational and decisional support systems to help those anticipating the future role of computers in education. (JOW)

Discusses theory of mental models--i.e., representations of relationships within a system which enable the user to produce mental simulations of the system's actions and develop ways of dealing with it--and its implications for user training, interface design, and overall systems design. (EJS)

The citizen of tomorrow needs to understand the role of information in political systems; computer technology and information storage, retrieval, and use; the implications of information systems for individual rights; and the impact of computer crime, databanks, and systems analysis on the social, economic, and political spheres. (QKR)

Discusses the functions of business planning systems and analyzes the underlying assumptions of the information systems that support strategic planning efforts within organizations. Development of a system framework, obstacles to the successful creation of strategic planning information systems, and resource allocation in organizations are…

Requests by external agencies for information about many facets of institutional operations and resources are examples of the complexity of higher education functions and societal demands. These requests are the result of uncertainty regarding external perception of tasks performed in higher education. (Author/MLW)

Considers the use of nonbibliographic databases, also known as source files, as an information service supplied to library users and notes commercially produced databases, brokerage firms offering a variety of small databases, community resource files, differences between use of bibliographic and non-bibliographic databases including fees, and…