Discusses educational applications and implications of the GeoRef geoscience database. GeoRef is 15 years old and will soon contain one million references. The online product of the database is explained in relation to accessibility, educational impact, and searching methodology. (Author/JN)

Increased flexibility and modularisation in higher education complicates the process of learners finding their way through the offerings of higher education institutions. In lifelong learning, where learning opportunities are diverse and reach beyond institutional boundaries, it becomes even more complex to decide on a learning path. However,…

There is a common assumption that hypermedia navigation is influenced by a learner's style of thinking, so people who are inclined to apply sequential and analytical strategies (left-thinkers) are thought to browse hypermedia in a linear way, whereas those who prefer holistic and intuitive strategies (right-thinkers) tend towards non-linear paths.…

This issues paper, eighth in a series of eight, is intended to distill formative evaluation questions on topics that are central to the development of the higher and further education information environment in the United Kingdom. This study focused on the searching behavior of higher education students as they attempted to locate electronic…

Examined research strategies and resources used by students to find scarce information. Found that students followed a general strategy that started with an exploratory Web search. (EV)

Assesses the impact of prior knowledge on locating information in textbooks. Finds that search efficiency varied with the state of prior knowledge. Finds no group differences in search in a textbook for which there were no systematic group differences in prior knowledge. (RS)

Designed primarily for use by first-time searchers, this workbook provides an overview of online searching. Following a brief introduction which defines online searching, databases, and database producers, five steps in carrying out a successful search are described: (1) identifying the main concepts of the search statement; (2) selecting a…

This workbook is the third in a series of three that has been integrated into the chemistry curriculum for majors at the University of Vermont. The workbook consists of readings and exercises designed to provide undergraduate students with foundation skills in the use of professional literature. The major emphasis is on searching the literature…

This document presents a training module for finding environmental education resources on the Internet. The module includes information on online searching and searching strategies. Also provided are training resources, overheads, databases, online information providers, and other valuable resources. (YDS)

Discussion of information-seeking strategies of domain experts and nondomain experts (undergraduates) focuses on a study at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor that investigated whether nondomain experts enlisted the strategies of domain experts when using information gateways on the library Web page; if so, how they learned about them; and…

Explains portals as tools that gather a variety of electronic information resources, including local library resources, into a single Web page. Highlights include cross-database searching; integration with university portals and course management software; the ARL (Association of Research Libraries) Scholars Portal Initiative; and selected vendors…

Examines factors related to efficiency in a textbook search task. Finds that time and accuracy involved distinct processes and that accuracy was related to verbal competence. Finds further that measures of planning and extracting information accounted for 59% of the variance in search efficiency. Suggests that both accuracy and rate need to be…

Describes Project Alexandria, a digital library initiative funded by the National Science Foundation based at the University of California, Santa Barbara, that provides online access to spatial data in a distributed environment with search options by areas of interest on a base map or by text, according to user preference. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of hypertext for computer-assisted instruction highlights SINS (Semistructured Intelligent Navigation System), a hypertext system that addresses and solves navigation problems common to hypertext environments. The semantic search mechanism of SINS is explained, and SINS is compared with HyperCard using searches performed by veterinary…

Defines a type of literacy task, the search task (locating specific information). Explains why it is of concern, describes research on high school and college students' searching, and offers suggestions for search instruction. (SR)