Collection use study is a must if research collections are to meet scholarly needs while competing for scarce financial resources. Such studies will be in harmony with the realities under which academic libraries must operate in the future. (RAA)

Reviews the use of simulation in teacher preparation, with descriptions of the extent and the nature of such use. Data are taken from the reports of surveys conducted by Johnson, 1968; Sherwin, 1973; and Kuuskraa et al., Morra et al., and Joyce et al., 1977. Thirty-six references are listed. (Author/CMV)

Reviews the results of a brief questionnaire survey of academic libraries in the United Kingdom to determine use of on-line information retrieval, including major systems used, justification of on-line services, recipients of the services, service integration into present reference and information services, and charging and budgeting…

Reports the results of two studies revealing that, except for television viewing, there was little mass media use by patients in a mental hospital and that patients' television viewing was of a passive nature. (GT)

Hypothesizes that instrumental media motivation, selectivity, attention, and involvement are positive predictors of satisfaction, parasocial interaction, and cultivation effects from watching daytime television serials; avoidance, distraction, and skepticism were seen as negative predictors. Finds support for these expectations through three path…

A study of 170 undergraduates at the University of Washington examined the effect of terminology and screen layout on student ability to select databases from an initial online interface, "Session Manager." Results indicated that student ability to navigate menu screens was improved with expanded terminology and type grouping of online…

Examines whether spouse caregivers of people either with noncognitive disorders (Parkinson's disease) or cognitive disorders (Alzheimer's disease) differed in their use and perception of social support resources. Results indicate that caregivers of spouses diagnosed with cognitive disorders were older, had fewer children, and had fewer financial…

In a study of library use and research behavior, 91 undergraduate and 68 graduate business students at California State University San Marcos were surveyed and observed for query formulation and task assignments, prereference process expectations, and postreference process responses. Findings support past research by pointing to user impatience…

Outlines the seven stages of the Research Activity Timeline (RAT) data collection/analysis technique which structures the research interview around a discussion of participants' current specific work projects. Illustrates the use of RAT through results of the Information Access Project, which examined the use of information technology-assisted…

To determine if users of the library at Auburn University (Alabama) used the cross-references provided by the series title authority file in online catalog searches, this study performed a transaction log analysis of 2,793 searches and found that cross-references are used. The number of redirects rose as the number of cross-references in the…

Compares users' self-reported and observed usability problems within a Web-based information system. Participants were asked to complete a specific list of tasks within the system, after which they answered several questions regarding the system's usability. While, advanced users generally completed the tasks in less time than novices, the number…

A user-oriented study of how research results reached Swedish environmental health protection inspectors on the job determined that research dissemination was affected by a lack of standardized professional training; professional responsibility for a wide range of knowledge; employment on small staffs precluding specialization; development of…

A study of 22 high school students who used a prototype navigational map for browsing hypermedia documents found that the tool was not effective. Supporting previous research the study found the use of maps resulted in poorer performance, less use of the system, lower perceived control, and poorer development of mental representations. (PEN)

Describes how reference-based instruction can be incorporated into an instructional system design. Provides specific examples of learning objectives and student exercises. Defines reference-based instruction and outlines its benefits. Lists guidelines for how to structure usability tests for Help systems. Advises how technical communicators can…

Describes a series of user studies used to advance understanding of how people use electronic tables (E-tables) and inform the development of a Web-based statistical table browser for use by non-specialists. Results of needs assessment, prototype development, and user studies provide a foundation for understanding E-tables in general and guiding…