This book provides guidelines for evaluating a variety of database types, including abstracting and indexing, directory, full-text, and page-image databases available in online and/or CD-ROM formats. The book discusses the purpose and techniques of comparing and evaluating the most important characteristics of textual databases, such as their…

The New York Times" Information Bank is described in detail. Scheduled to be in operation in 1972, this project makes available abstracts of newspaper articles for on-line search and retrieval, combined with microform copies of the original articles. (Author)

Survey to determine impact of online availability on subscriptions to printed publications found 2-5 percent annual attrition in subscriptions to printed publications over past five years is not related solely or primarily to availability of online databases, and evolution of online databases and printed publications as separate entities is…

Recommends those cases in which a database search of CIJE would benefit from a supplementary manual search of Education Index. Article also presents findings of a study of the usefulness of CIJE abstracts (1969-1978) which suggest that the user choose different online printing formats for different years. (JD)

Describes the different approaches taken by the Chemical Abstracts Services database, which abstracts and indexes chemical publications, and the Belstein Handbook of Organic Chemistry database, which produces a collection of critical reviews. The resulting content of the databases and their ability to meet the needs of different users are…

The majority of this publication is comprised of 13 feature articles covering a wide range of topics in the areas of educational technology and library and information sciences. Also offered are related abstracts found in the ERIC Database and the latest news at the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology, including the publication of…

Describes the scope, content, and retrieval characteristics of Sociological Abstracts, an online database of literature in the social sciences. Sample searches are displayed, and the strengths and weaknesses of the database are summarized. (FM)

The author presents a conceptual analysis of the role of bibliographic citations in the control and retrieval of U.S. government publications, and a factual examination of citation forms for government documents as prescribed by eight major style manuals. A discussion of the general purpose of bibliographic citations and the relationship between…

Discusses strengths of abstracting and indexing services (subject coverage, resolution of language problems, systematic indexing) and summarizes sources, countries of origin, languages, total coverage, and indexing of four scientific and technical services--Biosis, Engineering Information, Inspec, Chemical Abstracts Service. Characteristics of…

Argues that the major forces related to economic factors that effect the future of secondary services are growth of primary literature and expansion of secondary products; migration of use from print products to tape products; new technology and impact on production of products and services; and redefinition of user as end user. (EJS)

To assess value of abstracts in online information retrieval, this study attempts to match free-text search phrases to index terms and provides classification of documents indicating form of retrieval to be expected by searching three databases--Energyline; Management Contents; and America, History and Life. Results of a sample search are…

Traces the evolution of Engineering Information, Inc. (Ei), from beginnings in 1884 to present transition from role of traditional publisher of print-based bibliographic abstracts and indexes to provider of computer-based information products and services. Ei's concept of future as one-stop engineering information supermarket is defined. Ten…

This review of abstracting policies used by database producers focuses on the degree to which these policies incorporate criteria vital for acceptability of abstracts for free-text searching. Each topic in abstracting policy (abstract type, length, content, and language) is examined to consider its effect on retrieval. (MBR)

The 48 abstracts in the Project SHARE bibliography deal with the use of computerized information systems in day care, education, public assistance, and mental health and local government settings. Effects of standardization on human services and issues of privacy and confidentiality are two of the important questions raised by these documents.…

Describes five online databases that focus on computer products, primarily software and microcomputing hardware, and compares the databases in terms of record content, product coverage, vertical market coverage, currency, availability, and price. Sample records and searches are provided, as well as a directory of product databases. (CLB)