Explores similarities between research approaches characterizing different paradigms in information science and different information-processing styles of individual researchers. Proposes a model of the way in which new knowledge is generated, based on these similarities. The model focuses on "research pathologies," and ways in which the…

The purpose of the present study is twofold: (a) to compare the validation of percentage of nonoverlapping data approach and percentage of data points exceeding the median of baseline phase (PEM) approach, and (b) to demonstrate application of the PEM approach in conducting a quantitative synthesis of single-subject research investigating the…

This study examines precision and recall for title and keyword searches performed in the "FirstSearch" WorldCat database when keywords are used with and without adjacency of terms specified. A random sample of 68 titles in economics were searched in the OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) Online Union Catalog in order to obtain their…

Traditional library skills have been augmented since the introduction of online computerized database services. Because of the complexity of the field, forensic psychology can benefit enormously from the application of comprehensive bibliographic search strategies. The study reported here demonstrated the bibliographic results obtained when a…

The database contents, search features, and costs of two services offered by UTLAS (University of Toronto Library Automation Systems) are compared to determine which of the two should be used for interlibrary loan (ILL) processing at Concordia University. A review of studies of CATSS (Catalogue Support System) is provided, as well as a description…

SOME MACHINE-PRODUCED INDEXES ARE COMPARED TO ASSIST IN DECIDING ON THE FORMAT FOR A PROPOSED INDEX. THE OBJECTIVES OF AN INDEX AND THE SEARCH PROCEDURE ARE ANALYZED, AND AN EXPLANATION AND A RELATIONSHIP IS GIVEN FOR KEY-WORDS-IN-TITLE AND KEY-REFERENCES OF THE SAME ARTICLE. BASED ON THE COMPARISON OF THE INDEXES, A 53- YEAR CUMULATIVE INDEX WAS…

This study examined the effectiveness of a simple browse search strategy and a more complex analytical strategy with 25 high school students, using an electronic full-text encyclopedia. Captured keystrokes and student essays were analyzed for retrieval performance and information application. No significant differences between types of search…

Description of America: History and Life (AHL)--database including references from over 2,000 periodicals in literature, philosophy, religion, art, sociology, other disciplines of historical value--highlights structure; document treatment; access points; comparison of dissertation coverage between AHL and Comprehensive Dissertation Abstracts;…

Discusses major features and capabilities of gateway software--microcomputer software packages that act as interfaces between users and bibliographic retrieval systems they are searching--i.e., communication, interface, auxiliary programs. Four programs (In-Search, Universal Online Searcher, Search Helper, microDisclosure) are reviewed and…

Studies show that the majority of Web searchers enter extremely simple queries, so a reasonable system design approach would be to build search engines to compensate for this user characteristic. One hundred representative queries were selected from the transaction log of a major Web search service. These 100 queries were then modified using the…

The purpose of this exploratory study was to compare three experts and three novices in a Web-based problem solving context. The task was to search and evaluate Web sources for writing a research paper on a topic (inquiry based instruction, or IBI) that was unfamiliar to the users. The following research questions guided the study: (1) What type…

Study investigated whether visual serial search time for letters differed significantly from visual serial search time for numbers. (Author/MB)

Compares features of selective dissemination of information service in information retrieval systems Quest and Orbit with those of smaller noncommercial system, George 3. Construction of profiles, editing during construction, and editing of stored profiles are noted. Examples of method of constructing and editing a profile in George 3 are…

Retrievability of titles of 152 periodicals were compared in a fixed-length algorithmic search (Library Computer System) and a keyword search (Washington Library Network) to determine which type of search algorithm is more successful with titles of varying lengths. Three references and a list of English language stopwords are appended. (EJS)

Presents findings of project aimed at improving subject access in online library catalogs by generating records with augmented subject descriptions, termed BOOKS records, and comparing them with MARC records. Procedures involved in the selection of subject descriptions to generate a BOOKS record are described and illustrated. Six references cited.…