Providing researchers, especially those in the social sciences, with access to publicly collected microdata furthers research while advancing public policy goals in a democratic society. However, while technological improvements have eased remote access to these databases and enabled computer using researchers to perform sophisticated statistical…

Analyzes the utility of policy principles advanced by professional associations for public access to government information. The National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS), the Information Industry Association (IIA), and the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) urge the adoption of principles for the dissemination of public…

This income and eligibility verification system (IEVS) database was created to aid the implementation of data exchanges among federal and state agencies. These exchanges are important for income and eligibility verification of persons who receive benefits from welfare and unemployment programs. Attempts are being made to match the computer…

Describes the Electronic Dissemination of Information database operated by Martin Marietta Data Systems, under contract to the Department of Agriculture, to illustrate the issues and problems librarians face in trying to provide access to government information in electronic formats, and to discuss the role of public and private sectors in…

This report discusses the need for a national information policy. This need has been generated by advances in computer and communications technology, by shifts in the United States economy from a manufacturing to an information base, and by citizen demands for clarification of their rights to have and control information. Fifteen major policy…

Asserts that policymakers and the general public should be well informed about economic and social issues. Contends that a statistical system in a democracy has a heavy responsibility to ensure that the data represent fact, not opinion. Discusses changes made in the Consumer Price Index to prevent it from becoming politicized. (CFR)

Three categories of issues relating to government policies and computerized data processing are examined. These relate to: 1) central government policies for data development; 2) parliamentary and public concern with the social consequences of computerized data processing; and 3) the international dimensions of developments in data processing.…

Prepared in response to a request from the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, this report assesses how scientific and technical information (STI) developed by or for the Federal Government can contribute to a more competitive United States and what actions are needed to realize this potential. It is argued that STI is important…

Concern is growing over the problems of freedom of information, individual right to privacy, and automated recordkeeping systems. As a guide to policy considerations for overview and for detail, this extensive structured bibliography of privacy and disclosure literature adopts a topical scheme, dividing the subject first into governmental and…

This report presents results of a 1992 conference on the unique needs of minorities with disabilities. Major recommendations include: increased coordination of government policies and programs for this population; authorization of targeted research on minorities with disabilities; outreach efforts to ensure participation by minorities with…

This newsletter's first article is the director's report "Double Standards in Australian Family Policy" by Don Edgar. It asks for government support for families in the form of programs and funding, not just rhetoric. The next article, "IFS Research", also by Don Edgar, details the past, current and future research of the…

This document contains the proceedings of a conference on family literacy that was attended by representatives of community-based literacy and family literacy programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. The document begins with an executive summary of the conference activities. The texts of the following keynote addresses are presented: "A…