Reports on a two-phase study of academic libraries to identify patterns of database use and the factors that might influence this use. Online data was used as well as results from a survey that investigated factors that may influence online use, including level of instruction and availability of remote access. (LRW)

Examines the potential of the World Wide Web as an information and bibliographic source for scientists. Analyzes through content analysis the Web pages retrieved by the major search engines on a particular date as a result of a query regarding informetrics, and compares results to data retrieved from commercial databases. (Author/LRW)

Provides a methodology for evaluating title coverage of full-text periodical databases in relation to a library's print journal collection. Presents a pretest of that methodology along with a discussion of collection development principles for an effective evaluation of full-text databases. (Author)

Discusses results of a national study that tracked students from eighth grade through the first 2 years of college. Findings strengthen arguments for working on articulation and advocating early language learning. (Author/VWL)

Examines the effects of database assistance on clinical problem solving across three cohorts of medical students and two database interfaces. Discusses the relationship between personal domain knowledge and problem solving, personal domain knowledge and database searching, and comparisons of different interface styles in information retrieval…

Describes organizational issues of the Integrated Information Center (IIC) at the University of Minnesota, the technological structure of the IIC, and the services which it offers for faculty in identifying, retrieving, and organizing scholarly information. (JAK)

Examines technological and innovation processes and the economic benefits in a region with open borderlines (Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany) as part of a national innovation and economic system. Provides scientometric data on the contribution of public institutions to technological development and a synopsis of present structures and an information…

Examines two multilateral approaches that aim to raise the level of intellectual property protection for databases. Discusses how both proposals, the European Union (EU) new Database Directive and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty fail to provide ample copyright exemption provisions, necessary for offsetting the expanded…

Research findings using data from the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) database has shown that race, socioeconomic level, class size, and classroom heterogeneity are poor predictors of student academic growth. TVAAS findings indicate that teacher effectiveness is the main determinant of student academic progress. (SLD)

Discussion of the research methodology of theoretical linguistics argues that linguists studying a small, unrepresentative set of languages defining the content of sub-disciplines in linguistics are engaging in an unarticulated alliance, and that the choice of languages for study threatens the validity of the research. This is illustrated through…

Describes developments in Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) electronic reference services. Presents a background on networked cataloging and the initial implementation of reference services by OCLC. Discusses the introduction of OCLC FirstSearch service, which today offers access to over 65 databases, future developments in integrated…

Suggests evaluation criteria for selecting CD-ROMs and describes some typical titles along with examples of learning activities. Highlights include reference titles, including encyclopedias, magazine indexes, newspaper databases, subject-specific indexes, timetables and almanacs, and atlases; and curriculum-specific titles. (LRW)

Describes the "Archaeotype" curriculum, a pioneering effort to apply networked multimedia to create complex, content-rich learning environments by combining a task environment with a hypermedia database in a local network environment for sixth graders. Topics include Study Support Environments, use of real data, and access to knowledge…

Discussion of information available on the Internet focuses on two pilot studies that investigated how academic users perceive search engines and subject-oriented databases as sources of topical information. Highlights include information seeking behavior of academic users; undergraduate users; graduate users; faculty; and implications for…

Discussion of academic library book acquisition reviews pertinent literature on book reviews, book selection, and evaluation and proposes a model for academic library book acquisition using a two-year relational database file of approval plan records. Defines a core collection for the California State University system, and characterizes…