Research examined the relative desirability of categories of information supplied by a keysort search procedure, as judged by users. The Career Information System was used as the framework for obtaining occupational information organized around the concept of the Worker Trait Group (WTG). Four groups of students in each of grades 9 through 12…

Findings of a survey of 29 selected information centers that use computers to search the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) data base in batch mode are reported. The survey was conducted from December 1972 to May 1973. The report includes some general observations based on the information gathered, a brief description of two…

The information service performed by the Royal Institute of Technology handles requests from both university users and from industry. Fourteen data bases are currently used for SDI purposes. The system is of a general nature which permits inclusion of various data bases of completely different tape formats. Any combination of elements of a…

The problem of structuring sequences of instructional stimuli such that learning is optimized is modelled as a sequential decision problem with an imbedded mathematical model of learning providing a criterion function. Three types of optimization methods for such a representation are investigated for the specific case of paired-associate learning…

The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) provides access to the world's English-language literature relevant to educators; generates new information products; and utilizes developmental, research, and program findings in educational planning and operations. The components that comprise the ERIC System are Central ERIC, ERIC…

Describes a course in information research in which students use a package of representative information sources to identify seminal works in a given field of inquiry. The materials contained in the package and specific procedures followed by students are described, and some informal evaluation of the process is provided. (CLB)

In-person interviews were conducted with 147 randomly selected students to study usage of microfiche serials holdings list to determine accessibility and retrievability of periodical issues housed in four separate locations in California Polytechnic State University Library. Results showed that 80.6 percent of students were successful in their…

Describes introduction of online information retrieval to high school seniors in a public school system. Highlights include background (hardware and software selection, choice of information utility, instructional objectives); database use; meeting curriculum needs; problems with print sources; online solutions; search strategies; requests for…

Describes an evaluation of EasyNet, a menu-driven, dial access information system, in which end users conducted their own searches. User comments are discussed in terms of user friendliness, user satisfaction, user problems, and value for money. (Author/CLB)

A survey at the University of Houston examined factors related to subject searching success in online catalogs, including: extent of subject searching; response to unsuccessful searches; reasons subject search is not used; users' awareness of sources of subject terms; and suggestions from users for improving subject searching capabilities. (CLB)

Describes a study of library users' search strategies which focused on the extent of subject searching activity when using bibliographic tools and shelf browsing. The use of the results to evaluate the impact of a future online catalog on search behaviors is discussed. (23 references) (CLB)

Reviews the literature on user studies in both online catalogs and bibliographic retrieval systems. User problems with both mechanical and conceptual aspects are reviewed and potential sources of problems due either to individual characteristics or system variables are discussed. Possible solutions and areas that need further research are noted.…

This article describes use of the InfoTrac system, a self-contained periodical reference system designed for in-library use that provides coverage of 900 general interest, business, management, and economic periodicals, at Indiana University (Bloomington). Discussion covers InfoTrac installation, InfoTrac and student interaction, system…

Defines artificial intelligence (AI) and expert systems; describes library applications utilizing AI to automate creation of document representations, request formulations, and design and modify search strategies for information retrieval systems; discusses expert system development for information services; and reviews impact of these…

The National Library of Medicine's Current Information Transfer in English public access online catalog offers unique subject search capabilities--natural-language query input, automatic medical subject headings display, closest match search strategy, ranked document output, dynamic end user feedback for search refinement. References, description…