Using examples of data from the areas of information retrieval and of multivariate data analysis, six hierarchic clustering algorithms (single link, median, centroid, group average, complete link, Wards's) are examined and evaluated by using three proposed coefficients of hierarchic structure. Nine references are cited. (EJS)

Discussion of data quality examines five approaches to defining data in the literature; considers criteria of adequacy; proposes a modeling activity; discusses the most important dimensions of data quality, including accuracy, precision and reliability, currentness, completeness, and consistency; and suggests further research. (Contains 44…

Describes the development of a method for the automatic identification of sublanguage vocabulary words as they occur in abstracts. Highlights include research relating to sublanguages and their vocabulary; domain terms; evaluation criteria, including recall and precision; and implications for natural language processing and information retrieval.…

Illustrates that the Poisson-lognormal model provides good fits to a diverse set of distributions commonly studied in bibliometrics and scientometrics. Topics discussed include applications to the empirical data sets related to the laws of Lotka, Bradford, and Zipf; causal processes that could generate lognormal distributions; and implications for…

Describes the hyperterm system REALIST (Retrieval Aids by Linguistics and Statistics) with emphasis on its semantic component, which generates term relations from free-text input. Experiments with various similarity measures are discussed, and the quality of the associated terms is evaluated using term recall and term precision measures. (22…

Describes and organizes the variables affecting display presentation format (i.e., tables and graphs) in information systems into a classification scheme and creates a framework for research in this area. Two-factor studies are discussed; research recommendations are presented; and Cognitive Match Interface Design is explained. (Contains 31…

Describes the principles and methodology of Warsaw Clearinghouse activity and its specialized bibliographic service for collecting, processing, and disseminating information on thesauri and related topics. An information retrieval system TEKLA, designed to improve clearinghouse service, is discussed. (Author/BK)

Review of office filing facility filing and retrieval mechanisms for unstructured and mixed media information focuses on free text methods. Also discussed are the state of the art in handling voice and image data, problems with searching text surrogates to implement free text content retrieval, and work of Project Minstrel. (Author/MBR)

Discusses current use of psychological theory in software science and reviews recent developments in cognitive psychology relevant to programing (human information processing, expert-novice differences). Critique of Maurice Halstead's model of cognitive aspects of programing and a structured data flow perspective (control flow and data flow…

Discusses the shift of information access from a data-centered to a user-centered model and describes the Daltext system, a prototype user-centered information system that allows the user to determine how the data will be viewed (i.e., within a datastream model, a set model, a relational model, and/or a hierarchical model). (Contains 30…

Summarizes the findings of a recent study of the ways in which the institutions for initial library professional training in the countries of the European Community have incorporated information technology into their curricula. Four stages of development are identified, and increased library school cooperation--both within and between…

Describes the creation and integration of a microfiche catalog into an online computer system for bibliographic control in a university library. Results from two experimental tests are described which demonstrated the feasibility of the system, and costs and operation times are evaluated. Tables of data are included. (Author/BK)

Examines novel computer filing systems which have particular application to office information storage and retrieval requirements. A variety of filing systems and their major characteristics are reviewed, ranging from network-based file servers to digital image storage and retrieval systems. Desirable characteristics of a modern electronic office…

Zipfian laws for frequency distributions of word pairs and longer phrases are derived from text sample analysis. From crossing of Zipfian curves, it is deduced that number of multi-word phrases that occur frequently in text is surprisingly small, of same order of magnitude as number of individual word-types. (8 references) (EJS)

Description of a Canadian research and development project that involved the development of a library information system which would satisfy the needs of a variety of libraries focuses on the technological aspects of the system. Data manipulation is discussed, software is described, standards are considered, and customer requirements are examined.…