Data is a powerful tool for the healthcare industry to use for managing, analyzing, and reporting on critical events in the field. The analysis of broad, salient data files aids healthcare businesses in uncovering hidden patterns, market trends, and customer preferences; these details may then be used to improve the quality and delivery of care to…

This manual on microcomputer-based database management programs provides a description of the key characteristics of database software as well as guidelines for designing a database, uses of database programs, and selecting the right software. Three sets of concepts related to database management are listed and explained: creating a database,…

This report presents the rationale, motivation, and formal description underlying the General Retrieval and Information Processor for Humanities Oriented Studies (GRIPHOS) Management Information System. This system was devised to handle "card catalog" types of information; perform searches that are usually carried out in archives,…

INDEX, an interactive retrieval program developed at Pepperdine University, is described. It is easy to use and maintain, locates sources of information from a general description of the information needed, requires only a modest investment of time, and is widely applicable. (MLW)

Discusses information systems in which information use becomes the prime design factor rather than technology and content. Highlighted topics include the change of useless data to productive knowledge, a value-added process; environments in which problems requiring information exist; and users' perceptions of the benefits and costs of using…

Clemson University has developed techniques and procedures to assist in the construction and maintenance of administrative systems. Procedures as well as the tools and techniques used by all systems are discussed: online report request software, online user table maintenance software, report supervisor and report writer software, etc. (Author/MLW)

A subset of data base management techniques for the hardware/software functions necessary to support a management information system are discussed. Seven basic dimensions of data base design are: (1) data base life span, (2) logical record growth, (3) record content growth, (4) data set organization, (5) linkages, (6) design criteria and (7)…

The trend to distributed processing is being fueled by numerous forces, including advances in technology, corporate downsizing, increasing user sophistication, and acquisitions and mergers. Increasingly, the trend in corporate information systems (IS) departments is toward sharing resources over a network of multiple types of processors, operating…

An online data retrieval system for administrators of departments at Ball State University is described. The underlying concept is to pull together data elements from operational databases available on the mainframe and to make this information accessible to administrators through a straightforward retrieval system. (MLW)

Proceedings of the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers are summarized which relate to planning and management programs and techniques and system development. Names and institutions of conference participants are included. (MSE)

One hundred and fifty bibliographic entries, dealing with the subject of management information systems, are divided into sections for books and for periodicals. The latter section is further subdivided according to years of publication, although no attempt has been made to gather articles that appeared prior to 1969. (WM)

This paper addresses the problem of data management techniques for efficiently retrieving requested subsets of large data sets from mass storage devices. Describes the development of algorithms and software that facilitate the partitioning of a large data set into multiple "clusters" that reflect their expected access. (Author/JKP)

Introduces the Canadian Socio-Economic Information Management System (CANSIM), one of Canada's first computerized databases consisting entirely of Canadian data. System design, distribution network, services (time series, cross-classified system, summary data system), information retrieval, data presentation, and the graphic displays of Telichart…

A computerized student record system will incorporate several characteristics including: reduction of data redundancy, data storage by student, historical data cumulation, effective and efficient maintenance of records, flexibility, etc. (MLW)

An integrated student information system (ISIS) at Trinity University (Texas) is described with attention to how data are entered and how data are extracted for purposes of institutional research. The structure of the original ISIS files, the extract files, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) files is examined. An outline is…