Discusses reasons for staff resistance to library CD-ROM services based on responses on electronic bulletin boards from primarily academic libraries in North America and the United Kingdom. Highlights include psychological reasons; problems of multiple interfaces; increased teaching load; increased costs; increased stress; maintenance time; and…

Describes use studies of CD-ROM products in American and western European academic, public, and special libraries. Comparative results of the surveys are reported, including effect of CD-ROMs on library use of online databases, difficulties with different vendors' search techniques, and desired subjects of optical products. (10 references) (LRW)

Describes results of a meta-analysis that was performed to synthesize existing research on the effects of computer programing on cognitive outcomes. Effect size is used to evaluate studies that used experimental and control groups to assess the relationship between computer programing and cognitive skills, and outcome measures are discussed. (79…

Discussion of bibliographic instruction for users of CD-ROM products highlights computer-based tutorials (CBT) that were developed at the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Western Ontario. Structured searching is described, and problems created by the lack of commercial CD-ROM tutorials and adequate training videos are…

Presents an overview of research issues that have confronted the Interactive Technologies Division (ITD) of the Children's Television Workshop (CTW) and proposes a model for integrating research into the software design process. Highlights include the role of research literature; and formative research relating to software, interactive compact…

North Dakota State University has adopted automated timekeeping to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of payroll processing. The microcomputer-based system accurately records and computes employee time, tracks labor distribution, accommodates complex labor policies and company pay practices, provides automatic data processing and reporting,…

Describes two studies that examined the nature of Japanese elementary and junior high school students' perceptions of different media, the effect of teachers on these perceptions, and the relationship between perceptions and student learning. The studies of fifth graders and eighth graders also addressed gender and class differences. (Contains…

A sample of grade 11 and 12 Canadian students (n>2000) responded to a national survey concerning the epistemology of science. Results revealed preconceptions held by students involving the nature of science, scientific assumptions, values in science, conceptual inventions, the scientific method, consensus making in science, and characteristics…

The six articles of this special section address the organizational context that shapes utilization of mental health services, the relevance of data elements and results to decision making, and assuring the validity of evaluation results. Theoretical and practical concerns are considered. (SLD)

Presents an evaluation of the OnLine at PA Libraries (1996-97) Internet-based information services and resources project for Pennsylvania residents. The project provided a statewide demonstration to improve public library services; connect public libraries to the Internet; provide a range of new services and resources to their communities; and…

This study of an online search strategy based on word frequency found that it provided 98% sensitivity in retrieving systematic reviews of health-care interventions in MEDLINE, while retaining a low (20%) but acceptable precision. Presents other strategies with other levels of sensitivity and precision and discusses factors that may affect the…

Examines selected factors associated with classroom climate (satisfaction, friction, competition, difficulty, cohesiveness) as perceived by fourth-grade students and explores the relationship between those factors and student academic achievement in the areas of reading, math, and language. Findings indicate that climate plays a relatively minor…

Describes a computer-based adaptation of a case management model, Computer-Assisted Risk Accountability System (CARAS), which provides an on-site, desktop evaluation tool for school-based case management teams to manage their cases efficiently. Discusses the user-friendliness of the CARAS software; how school programs benefit from CARAS; and CARAS…

Describes the Vermont Community Adjustment Tracking System (VT-CATS), which utilizes four behavioral instruments to allow intensive, ongoing, and interpretable behavioral assessment of a service system's most challenging children and adolescents. Also explains the adjustment indicator checklists and the ability of VT-CATS to address agencies'…

Describes a study that was conducted to compare the differences in the achievement of students who studied senior high advanced mathematics by distance education versus students who studied by traditional means, and the success in postsecondary courses of those same students. Statistics show similar results for both groups. (LRW)