Discusses the variety of search command languages among online systems and provides suggestions for creating online information retrieval manuals using a database management system such as dBASE III PLUS. An online systems comparison chart is included for INFOGLOBE, INFOMART, DIALOG, QUICK LAW, and REUTERS TEXTLINE. (LRW)

Describes the incorporation of textile images into the University of Maryland Historic Textile Database by a computer user rather than a computer expert. Selection of a database management system is discussed, and PICTUREPOWER, a system that integrates photographic quality images with text and numeric information in databases, is described. (three…

Elementary students can investigate U.S. geography and exercise critical thinking and research skills by compiling a computer database on state facts and figures. As they research and work, they develop their own questions to ask and answer and make thoughtful hypotheses about how and why facts may be related. (SM)

Describes research aimed at investigating dynamically evolving database environments and corresponding schemata that allow storage and manipulation of variable length data, a variable number of fields per record, variable length records and fields, and dynamically defined objects. Proposes a new framework for dynamic database environments.…

Many organizations are creating a database of technical experts as a mechanism for identifying key people who can solve problems, transfer information and best practices, and/or identify other experts with the needed expertise. This article discusses experts versus skills; identifying experts; responsibilities of the expert; expert profiles;…

The problem of guaranteeing the security of confidential and private information in data bases and in library records is discussed. (PF)

The contribution of social science data archives to social science research is described and the results of a survey of 133 such archives are reported. A directory of 40 archives is given. (PF)

Describes the advantages of using variable length equifrequent fragments as the language elements for compression coding of large data bases. (Author)

The history and goals of CONSER, the North American bibliographic data base for serials, are discussed. (PF)

Reports research undertaken to conceptualize, design, and implement a system for automatic indexing, classification and repositing of "text items," which may be any aggregate of information in English Language on a computer-readable media, in a standard format. (Author)

Operating procedures are explained for COSMOS (County of San Mateo Online System), a computerized information retrieval system designed for the San Mateo Educational Resources Center (SMERC), which provides interactive access to both ERIC and a local file of fugitive documents. COSMOS hardware and modem compatibility requirements are reviewed,…

Databases and clearinghouses useful in education are described in this publication. Section one, "Databases," contains one-page summaries of 54 databases of interest to educators, covering a variety of subjects, such as energy and environmental education, psychology, funding sources, language, special education, art, child abuse and neglect, and…

This manual for computer searchers describes the software package--IBM's STAIRS (Storage And Information Retrieval System)--used for searching databases in AUSINET (AUStralian Information NETwork). Whereas the first edition explained STAIRS in the context of the National Library's Online ERIC Project and the ERIC data base, this second edition…

Most existing general record formats for bibliographical data are mainly designed for communication purposes but not for compact storing and efficient handling in an information retrieval system. Since bibliographic databases are well structured, the types of information that will appear in a specific record will vary only within a limited scope.…

Problems involved in searching multiple data bases are discussed including indexing differences, overlap among data bases, variant spellings, and elimination of duplicate items from search output. Discussion focuses on CA Condensates, Inspec, and Metadex data bases. (J PF)