This exploratory investigation of the process of defining the information needs of computer users and the impact of that process on information retrieval focuses on communication problems. Six sites were visited that used computers to process data or to provide information, including the California Department of Transportation, the California…

Selected papers and reports on discussions from a Conference of University Administrators are presented. Contents are as follows: "Performance Assessment and the Management of Universities for the 1990s"--extract from a paper by J. Sizer; "Opportunities to Assist the Career Development of Administrators in British…

The purpose of the research described in the report is twofold. First, it is to analyze the relative benefits and costs of on-line computerized placement systems. The techniques developed for such an analysis which might be useful in evaluating other manpower programs are presented. Second, it is to provide a prototype model which shows how…

Batch mode processing is compared, using cost-effectiveness, with on-line processing for computer-aided searching of chemical abstracts. Consideration for time, need, coverage, and adaptability are found to be the criteria by which a searcher selects a method, and sometimes both methods are used. There is a tradeoff between batch mode's slower…

Measures, tools, and techniques applicable to the performance measurement of computer communication networks are described for technicians who procure computer services from a remote access network. Cost considerations are discussed as a major component of evaluation, and measurement and evaluation methodologies are surveyed. External measurement…

This study shows strategies which can be used to plan and implement the Canadian National Library's bibliographic data base and the systems which it is to support. The data base would be a subset of a national bibliographic data base which can be brought together in the context of the projected Canadian Library and Information Retrieval Center.…

The operational features of feasible alternative configurations for a computer-based instructional management system are identified. Potential alternative means and components of accomplishing these features are briefly described. Included are aspects of data collection, data input, data transmission, data reception, scanning and processing,…

Two questions arise in regard to the computer-based humanities reference services: (1) What knowledge, abilities, and attitudes should the information specialist or librarian in the university library have in order to aid users in fully exploiting the innovative humanities information handling processes? (2) To what extent do users in the…

A series of 11 articles describes information technologies being used in the U.S. Congress, the impact of these technologies, and possible future developments. Included are a chronology of key actions affecting congressional information support and a list of readings in information technology and Congress. (CLB)

This report presents an information needs assessment for an office automation plan to be undertaken for the School Building Services Branch of the Alberta Department of Education. This exercise complements the work of two senior committees within the Department: (1) the Electronic Information Processing Needs Study Steering Committee, and (2) the…

A comparison of costs for computer-based searching of Psychological Abstracts and Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) systems by the New York State Library at Albany was produced by combining data available from search request forms and from bills from the contract subscription service, the State University of New…

A class project in a systems programing course at the University of Michigan sought to produce a system realistic enough to warrant production use, the underlying assumption being that the reality of the project would motivate students and provide them with valuable experience. Eighteen experienced students in the Computerized Registration…

Collected here are 55 papers presented at the 1975 College and University Systems Exchange (CAUSE) national conference. Papers are organized to reflect the activities at the conference: 10 papers are grouped in the section for management presentations, 10 papers are included in technical presentations, and 12 papers are included in mixed…

Intended as an overview of the nature and use of computers in schools, this document describes the history and development of computers generally and of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) specifically. Included is information on several CAI systems currently in operation including (1) Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations (PLATO),…

Over 6,100 references are contained in this bibliography of computer literature published from 1946 to 1963. The full title and all of the authors of every article published in 9 journals, 21 books, and over 100 proceedings are included. No articles from other sources are included. The books selected are those that have chapters by individual…