As part of the research carried out at the University of California, Santa Barbara's Center for Information Technology and Society (CITS), the Paper Authentication and Integrity Research (PAIR) project was launched. We began by investigating how one recent technology affected student learning outcomes. One aspect of this research was to study the…

Describes an approximate document ranking process that uses a compact array of in-memory, low-precision approximations for document length. Combined with another rule for reducing the memory required by partial similarity accumulators, the approximation heuristic allows the ranking of large document collections using less than one byte of memory…

Discusses search and retrieval software for use with CD-ROM. Background trends, how data are made usable, supply and demand, data preparation services, and capabilities of search software are described. Vendors of significant information retrieval products are identified, and the characteristics of 12 packages are compared. (Author/EM)

Describes the use of microcomputer database management systems to facilitate the instructional uses of learning strategies relating to information processing skills, especially recall. Two learning strategies, cross-classification matrixing and node acquisition and integration, are highlighted. (Author/LRW)

Presents the conceptual design of a full-scale bibliographic database that includes bibliographic, authority, holdings, and classification data and is based on entity-relationship modeling. MARC format, AACR2 (Anglo-American Cataloging Rules) compatibility, and normalization and efficiency are discussed. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of quality, quality control and assurance, and quality management in using online information services focuses on the production of online bibliographic databases and covers possible attributes responsible for the quality of this kind of online database. Document acquisition, analysis, and selection; subject analysis; and bibliographic…

A hierarchical extension to the American National Standard for Bibliographic Information Interchange on Magnetic Tape is defined and described. The accommodation of the extension within the existing standard is discussed, modifications to the existing standard are proposed, and applications of the hierarchical format are presented. (21 references)…

Discusses the current status and future expectations of scientific and technical numeric databases. A bibliography provides resources for background readings, directories or listings of compilations, and subject specific discussions. Numeric database addresses and a summary of available databases are also provided. (CLB)

Eight articles describe the development, content, and structure of databases outside of the United States. Features discussed include library involvement, authority control, shared cataloging services, union catalogs, thesauri, abstracts, and distribution methods. Countries and areas represented are Latin America, Australia, the United Kingdom,…

Examines the practice and implications of issuing corrections, retractions, and amplifications in online databases. All database producers do not provide mechanisms to accommodate retractions and corrections, and it can be difficult for a searcher to find evidence of error correction. Sidebars illustrate both the lack of and evidence of…

Outlines some of the major considerations in developing an image database system with an emphasis on continuous tone images and network-accessible multiuser databases. Topics include: definition/description of a digital image; matching technology to use; documentation/standards; access; image quality; software systems; scanners; and sources of…

Discusses proposals for more standardized practices in CD-ROM development, sales, and distribution. Topics discussed include availability of trial copies; pricing policies; installation, including software, instructions, and compatibility; interface procedures; manuals; and vendor support services. A sidebar discusses proposals being addressed by…

Discussion of the quality of databases and database producers' responsibilities highlights a survey on current practices related to quality assurance that was completed by National Federation of Abstracting and Information Services (NFAIS) members. A checklist developed by the Southern California Online Users' Group (SCOUG) to help evaluate…

Outlines the file structure requirements for a microcomputer-based information retrieval system using FoxPro, a relational database management system (DBMS). Issues relating to the design and implementation of such systems are discussed, and two possible designs are examined in terms of space economy and practicality of implementation. (15…

Provides an overview of 50 bibliographic databases and library cataloging services currently available on CD-ROM. Entries include the name of the database; producer; frequency of updates; period covered; number of items included; subscription price; and a summary of the contents. Addresses of producers are also provided. (MES)