The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food conducted an operational evaluation of the software packages CAIRS and STATUS, which were used to build databases and databanks. Setting up the trial, types of data involved (chemical products used as pesticides), searching and presentation of data, and the final choice are covered. (EJS)

Describes audio and digital recording devices, computer-assisted instructional systems, audiovisual aids, and viewdata systems used by British library schools in the instruction of online searching. Twenty-eight references are cited. (FM)

Investigates the search behavior of CD-ROM database users in Zagreb (Croatia) libraries: one group needed a minimum of technical assistance, and the other was completely independent. Highlights include the use of questionnaires and transaction log analysis and the need for end-user education. The questionnaire and definitions of search process…

Explores the relationship between the concept of uncertainty in information seeking within a model of the problem-solving process and variables derived from other models, based on longitudinal data collected in the United Sates and the United Kingdom that investigated the processes of mediated information retrieval searching during human…

Describes a survey of online searchers in Australia that examined their educational background, organizational settings, experience, attitudes toward online searching, search behaviors, styles of searching, and perceived requester satisfaction. It is concluded that Australian searchers support preplanning, online interaction, and relevance checks;…

The first of two papers describes the rewriting of the DIALOG system software for DIALOG Version 2, and discusses both software and user interface issues. The second describes the development of Canadian produced scientific and technical databases and discusses issues concerning user training. (CLB)

Introduction: We analyse how academic status and discipline influence the major search methods used by university academic staff for obtaining electronic articles for teaching, research and keeping up to date in their field. Method: The data consist of a nationwide Web-survey of the end-users of FinELib, The Finnish National Electronic Library.…

Since February 1971 the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, has been running the ERIC data base mainly for SDI purposes. The implementation of the data base into the generalized search system, ABACUS, is described. One hundred and fifty-eight users received SDI service at present, 99 from governmental and educational institutions, 23 from…

Describes a study that examined the information seeking behavior of undergraduate students in Nigeria. The factors examined include the main sources of references to the literature used by students, and the effects of class standing and intellectual disciplines on choices of reference sources. (8 references) (CLB)

Sketches history, design, and future plans of VUBIS (joint development of VUB--Vrije Universiteit Brussel/Free University of Brussels, and IS--Interactive Systems, Inc.), an online, user-friendly, public access library system for a European academic library. Search capabilities, cataloging subsystem, and software are discussed. Thirteen references…

Reports experimental results of a study of the cognitive aspects of information retrieval which focused on user interaction with document organization, user-librarian negotiation, and the librarian's search procedure. Related studies, the cognitive viewpoint, and experimental design and analysis methods are discussed. Forty-two sources are listed.…

Provides an overview of the British Library's Initiatives for Access program which uses digital imaging. Highlights include digitization of microfilm, the electronic "Beowulf", electronic photographic viewing system, computer software that uses neural networks and fuzzy matching to provide links to search terms, and international…

Describes a study at the City University (London) that was conducted to evaluate the impact of an online catalog on subject searching behavior. Methods of using the catalog and browsing at the shelves are examined, and results are compared with an earlier study of subject searching with a manual PRECIS index. (25 references) (LRW)

This study of the Web information searching behavior of 206 United Kingdom college students over a 10-month period showed that, contrary to expectations, the users adopted a more passive or browsing approach to Web information searching and became more eclectic in their selection of Web hosts as they gained experience. (Contains 61 references.)…

Reports the results of an empirical study into gender differences in collaborative Web searching, conducted in a Canadian school. Searches undertaken by same-sex groups of two or three sixth-grade students. Analysis of search sessions reveals the boys formulated queries comprising fewer keywords than the girls; boys spent less time on individual…