Analyzed and compared the success and information seeking behaviors of seventh grade science students and graduate students in using the Yahooligans! Web search engine. Discusses cognitive, affective, and physical behaviors during a fact-finding task, including searching, browsing, and time to complete the task; navigational styles; and focus on…

Describes methods used to increase the participation of staff and students in their own searching at the European Institute for Business Administration. Areas discussed include the use of CD-ROM and floppy disks as alternatives to online searching, and the development of a prototype expert system to help users move between online and offline…

Provides an overview of the Minnesota State University System's Project for Automated Library Systems (MSUS/PALS), a fully integrated library system. Highlights include a historical background; search strategies; the online catalog; MARC editing; circulation; interlibrary loan; inventory; serials control; acquisitions; relationships with vendors;…

Discussion of information retrieval in the humanities focuses on a study of 10 graduate students at Indiana University as they conducted literature searches using databases on CD-ROM. Highlights include a review of related literature, search strategies, relevance assessments, human-computer interaction, and databases and indexing. (LRW)

Discusses reasons why K-12 school libraries should purchase multimedia CD-ROMs and reviews 4 interactive CD-ROM encyclopedias based on interface, search capabilities, printing and presentation, product support, and overall educational value. Provides example computer screens and a comparison of the reviewed CD-ROMs. (Author/JMV)

Explores the dynamics of information system use to understand the requirements of intelligent information systems. Highlights include the novice/expert distinction and the development of skills from novice to expert; methods for understanding dynamics; and a study of elementary school children's use of an online public access catalog in grades…

Discusses the Science Library Catalog, an online catalog intended for use by children at the Los Angeles Public Library, and describes the process of reorganizing the MARC-based database by using clustering algorithms to extend the Dewey Decimal Classification. Examples of screen displays are included. (18 references) (LRW)

This study analyzed CD-ROM searches in five science and engineering databases in an academic library. Results indicated that users were usually able to obtain results and print records but that few used more sophisticated techniques to refine their searches. It was concluded that instruction in CD-ROM database searching should be a high priority.…

Examines factors relating to selecting machine-readable information sources from the perspective of the library manager concerned with serving user needs. Professional and novice searchers are considered; remote time sharing, CD-ROM workstations, and local tapes are described and compared; network choices are discussed; and impacts on the…

With more than 38,000 references to journal articles, books, book chapters, and reports on Mexican Americans, the Chicano database offers the most comprehensive access to information on one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States. It is a model for other ethnic CD-ROM projects. (SLD)

Describes an evaluation of a CD-ROM wide-area network at the University of Pittsburgh libraries. Reference staff were interviewed on their use of and satisfaction with the network; student assistants were asked about the type and amount of user assistance they provide; and users were surveyed. Suggestions for future enhancements are offered.…

Advice for doctoral students and fledgling educational researchers presents the following suggestions: (1) use what is known about problem finding to choose a dissertation topic, (2) be persistent in productivity and in the face of discouragement, and (3) replace the typical dissertation structure with a more functional one. (SLD)

Comments on the following research finding: teacher-librarians who understand the search process, work with classroom colleagues to integrate the process in instruction, and intervene early in student support, more effectively guarantee student success and academic achievement than those who don't. (PEN)

Reviews empirical studies about how digital libraries evolve for use in scientific and technical work based on the Digital Libraries Initiative (DLI) at the University of Illinois. Discusses how users meet infrastructure and document disaggregation; describes use of the DLI testbed of full text journal articles; and explains research methodology.…

The SLAPPS model is a student-centered framework for planning, creating, and presenting multimedia presentations that allows teachers and media specialists to collaborate on content, research strategies, presentation skills, and student evaluation. This article describes the steps in the model: select topic, locate resources, analyze resources,…