Multivalent relations, inferred as relationships with an added dimension of discernment, are realized as weighted graphs with multivalued edges. A unified treatment of the threshold problem is discussed and a reliability measure is produced to judge various partitions. (Author/EM)

Relations on a finite set V are viewed as weighted graphs. Using the language of graph theory, two methods of partitioning V are examined: selecting threshold values and applying them to a maximal weighted spanning forest, and using a parametric linear program to obtain a most adhesive partition. (Author/EM)

Catastrophes that can have disastrous impacts on information systems are discussed. An information system designer must assume that eventually a disaster will occur, and therefore must plan accordingly. Several approaches to disaster recovery are described, and five key lessons regarding disaster are given. (Author)

Recent mathematical descriptions of Bradford's distribution, and a new formulation that provides a more accurate estimation of the total number of papers and sources on a given scientific subject are presented. (Author/MBR)

Presents a model for representing and storing binary topological and directional relationships between 2-dimensional objects that is used to provide a basis for fuzzy querying capabilities. A data structure called an abstract spatial graph (ASG) is defined for the binary relationships that maintains all necessary information regarding topology and…

Describes an index of cohesion for the investigation of communication between authors or academic units and compares it with the Brillouin-Shaw index. Communication and cooperation between researchers is discussed and graph theory is explained, especially cooperation graphs. (Author/LRW)

The imprecision of some concepts used in formal models in information science has led to attempts to apply fuzzy set theory to aspects of information science. An analysis of various kinds of imprecision that can occur indicates that fuzzy set theory is not an appropriate formalism for these models. (Author/MBR)

A quantitative comparison of peer versus bibliometric procedures for rating the quality of U.S. universities is presented. The quality of graduate faculty is measured by the Roose-Andersen peer rating, while bibliometric ratings are based on the number, average "quality," and total influence of university papers in each field.…

A theoretical foundation is provided for a method of identifying those books in a library's stack that determine any given percentage of the current circulation. Basic components and requirements of the technique are described, and the theory is applied in an example that manipulates data from a university library. (Author/MBR)

Random samples of monographic materials from U.S. and Canadian public libraries were matched with collections from similar libraries of different sizes. Strong positive correlation appears between percentage find rate and target library size, with regression analysis suggesting linearity over a wide range of collection sizes. (Author)

Describes the logical construction of several Russian hypertext systems, and discusses the navigational algorithms used, nodes selected, and coherence demanded. Several illustrative graphs are included, and an overview of the development of linking structures producing logical-semantic models is given. (20 references) (EA)

Reviews the characteristics of electronic communications technologies and their role in knowledge utilization. The uses of various technologies, relationships among technologies, and success in the marketplace are addressed; and issues for knowledge utilization research are discussed. (17 references) (EA)

Proposes the use of the multiple criteria utility theory, a means of measuring satisfaction of predetermined evaluative criteria, quantifying their relative importance, and identifying and determining the best trade-offs among them to evaluate information systems. This method is demonstrated via the evaluation of a hypothetical selective…

A comparative study of the cost effectiveness of retrospective manual and on-line bibliographic searching is described. Individual task times for question analysis, searching, photocopying, shelving and output distribution were measured, and component costs for labor, information, reproduction, physical space and telecommunications calculated. The…

The role of the coauthor relationship in the structure of informal communications networks within disciplines is explored, and the validity of coauthor graphs used to map these relationships is tested for both small and large databases. (CLB)