Describes an experiment that examined the relationship between successful searching of CD-ROM databases by undergraduate students and various types of instruction provided by the library staff. The findings indicate that the only level of instruction that resulted in a significant difference was a live demonstration of searches. (six references)…

Reports the findings of a survey of Rhode Island depository libraries that examined how the state's publications are cataloged by libraries and located by users. It is concluded that a system of bibliographic access based on user needs and universally adopted by the libraries would improve access. The questionnaire used is appended. (12…

Library research skills instruction aids the development of critical, evaluative faculties in teacher trainees. This article describes a problem-solving simulation method (guided design simulation method) for teaching library skills, and discusses gains accruing to teachers and pupils from such instruction. (IAH)

Discusses the need to develop more efficient information retrieval skills by the use of new technology. Lists four stages used in automating the media center. Describes North Carolina's pilot programs. Proposes benefits and looks at the media center's future. (MVL)

A qualitative study of learners' strategies in selecting resources within an information-rich learning environment was conducted to develop a grounded theory of student choice. Coding categories were developed that suggested common learning events; cognitive learning patterns were searched; and a factor analysis uncovered eight factors that…

Describes the system architecture and user evaluation tools for Cheshire II, an online catalog and full-text information retrieval system being developed at the University of California, Berkeley, that uses advanced information retrieval techniques to overcome the problems of topical searching in online catalogs, search failure, and information…

Discusses key developments in library automation. Topics discussed include online database vendors; bibliographic utilities; local online systems, i.e., turnkey circulation systems and academic systems that have incorporated online catalogs, circulation, acquisitions, and serials control; commercial integrated systems; CD-ROMs; local online…

Demonstrates a means for estimating the number of retrieved items using well-established selective dissemination of information (SDI) profiles in the SCI, INSPEC, ISMEC, CAS, and PASCAL databases. A correlation between individual database size and number of retrieved documents in technical fields is also examined. (17 references) (LAE)

Discusses subject searching problems in online library catalogs; explains advanced information retrieval (IR) techniques; and describes experiments conducted on a test collection database, CHESHIRE (California Hybrid Extended SMART for Hypertext and Information Retrieval Experimentation), which was created to evaluate IR techniques in online…

Describes analyses of 3 searches conducted in an academic library by 11 novice users of full-text databases. The study examined affective search behavior, search strategies, and searcher assessments of retrieved material. Results of interviews, transaction log analysis, and audiotape recordings of search sessions are discussed, and further…

Discussion of computer networking and information retrieval technology focuses on the usefulness of accessing remote library catalogs. Experiences with the University of California MELVYL online catalog and Internet are described, problems of remote access for the user are considered, and future possibilities are suggested. (nine references) (LRW)

Examines an online searching instructional program for high school seniors from the perspective of several cognitive learning theories and proposes a synthesized approach to applying learning theory to bibliographic instruction. Topics discussed include concept-based teaching; novice versus expert search methods; mental models; cognitive…

This study tested two Web personal spiders (i.e., agents that take users' requests and perform real-time customized searches) based on best first-search and genetic-algorithm techniques. Both results were comparable and complementary, although the genetic algorithm obtained higher recall value. The Java-based interface was found to be necessary…

An introductory graduate course on Internet use in education included the semester-long development of an electronic journal of student-discovered Internet resources for education, and posting the results to a dedicated listserv. Over 200 Internet sites were contributed. The study profiled how educators in an academic course found resources they…

Describes the modeling of effective teaching and learning strategies (choosing a topic, finding and using information, timelines, journals, interventions, questions for peer editing, and conferencing questions) during an inquiry-based, student-centered "I-Search" unit taught by a high school library media specialist and an English teacher.…