Outlines a methodology for standardizing word lists of subject- related fields using a macrothesaurus which provides basic classification structure and terminology for the subject at large and which adapts to the specific needs of its subfields. The example of the Cancer Information Thesaurus (CIT) is detailed. Six references are listed. (FM)

Librarianship and science are antithetical as knowledge systems because the substance of the former is instrumental to the latter, and vice versa. This is revealed by the diametric oppositions of their objects and methods of study, and their objects and means of mastery. (Author)

Gedenken experimentation provides a theoretical basis for what the indexer does, lends itself to (1) various schemes for the education of indexers, (2) the provision of graphic aids to indexing, and (3) the evaluation of indexing performance. Traditional solutions to the indexing problem are also discussed and compared with the gedanken method.…

Considers the problem of allocation resources among various locations in an information system where phases of a process are carried out. Approach taken combines queueing theory and dynamic programming. (JB)

Presents a method based on a constrained optimization technique that determines the time of removal of scientific periodicals from the shelf of a library. A geometrical interpretation of the theoretical result is given, and a numerical example illustrates how the technique is applicable to real bibliographic data. (FM)

Describes the state of science and technology information transfer, details an idealized design of a Scientific Communication and Technology Transfer (SCATT) system, reviews alternative strategies for implementing changes, and constructs a typology of stakeholders in the field on the basis of the idealized planning approach. (FM)

Suggests a probabilistic method to compute the term relationships from relevance information, which complements the studies on a nonprobabilistic technique called pseudo-classification. A quadratic ranking function is derived by incorporating the term-by-term relationships. Procedures for estimating the required parameters are provided by…

Compares raw-use ranking of journal titles held in libraries with dividing the raw-use frequency of titles by the actual linear shelf space of the title's file to obtain a density-of-use rank. The quality of the differences between the two methods is evaluated. Thirteen references are cited. (FM)

Describes the motivating reasons for a systematic approach to the specification, design, and development of information systems, and surveys some of the methods developed to assist software specification and design. Ways that system development organizations can create and use such techniques are emphasized. (Author/FM)

A method of determining core journals for any discipline, using data from the Journal Citation Reports to generate discipline impact factors, is described. (Author)

Citations of 23 old papers in physics and physical chemistry were studied in 978 papers in which they appeared in 1974-1975. Using a new typology of reasons for citing the papers, it was determined that in about 60 percent of the cases, the papers are still being actively used. (Author/MBR)

International information flows are investigated for three energy related fields of physics using the referencing data appearing in physics journals. (Author)

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)

Discusses standards as tools to promote compatibility and improve practice, the role of research versus expert opinion in creating standards, and the changing scope of indexing standards. The current draft of the NISO (National Information Standards Organization) American Standard Guidelines for Indexes in Information Retrieval (Z39.4) is…

Reviews major term-weighting theories, presents methods for estimating the relevance properties of terms based on their frequency characteristics in a document collection, and compares weighting systems using term relevance properties with more conventional frequency-based methodologies. Eighteen references are cited. (Author/FM)