Describes a study of federal depository libraries that was conducted to determine how and if depository CD-ROMs were being used. A 23-page appendix includes the questionnaire and responses, which indicate that many GPO distributed CD-ROMs are not being used due to a variety of reasons. (Author/LRW)

Surveys public libraries in Canada and a 1997 IFLA conference regarding use of Internet for multicultural library services. Librarians identified if, and how the Internet is currently used. Key strategies in training, communications, global library partnerships, and funding need to be considered for a global implementation. (MMU)

Examines experimental research reports and published practitioner accounts to show that few users, even "experienced" users, used a word-processing package at anywhere near its full potential. Encourages students in two postsecondary institutions in Japan to use word processing more fully, but finds little improvement. Discusses the need…

Considers the use of information technology in the UK (United Kingdom) National Health Service (NHS) as the government pledges to connect every doctor or general practitioner to the NHS's information superhighway by the year 2002. Uses a case study to social and technical considerations surrounding this issue. (Author/LRW)

Describes a study conducted in a Taiwan hospital library that explored the in-house use age distribution of journals, their citation age distribution, and the difference between them. Discusses use of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, which showed that the use age distribution does not fit the citation age distribution. (Author/LRW)

Investigates uses and gratifications of the World Wide Web and its impact on traditional mass media, especially television. Identifies six Web use motivations: entertainment, social interaction, passing of time, escape, information, and Web site preference. Examines relationships between each use motivation and Web affinity, perceived realism, and…

The second of two parts, this article develops a taxonomy of value-in-use for library and information services based on user assessments and proposes methods and instruments for similar studies of library and information services in general. Divides value of services into three classes: reasons for use; quality of interaction; and worth, benefits…

This study demonstrates the usefulness of cluster analytic patterns of care in a sample of 979 children receiving federal mental health services. Six patterns were identified. These service-utilization clusters provide a useful and easily understood way to summarize children's quantity of use of various mental health services. (SLD)

Although web browser caching speeds up retrieval, reduces network traffic, and decreases the load on servers and browser's computers, an unintended consequence for marketing research is that Web servers undercount hits. This article explores counting problems, caching, proxy servers, trawler software and presents a series of correction factors…

Analysis of a national random telephone survey of 2,500 revealed that Internet users tend to be wealthier and more highly educated and that Blacks and Hispanics are disproportionately unaware of the Internet. The prime reasons for using the Internet was socio-personal development, whereas barriers to Internet use included cost and difficulty…

Explores current electronic mail use, attitudes toward e-mail, and likelihood of future e-mail use among freshman university students at a particular college. Discusses how noncurricular e-mail use patterns and attitudes may affect implementation of a collegewide e-mail system in the College of Communication. (SR)

Describes a study conducted at the University of Ulster (Northern Ireland) that examined reasons for defecting from Internet access. Topics include availability through institutional access; subject differences; e-mail and critical mass; information rich versus information poor; and suggestions for further research. (LRW)

Presents a case study of a pilot test of usability testing with farm instructions for applying pesticides. Discusses adapting usability testing to the field setting; selecting a topic, usability testing sight, and participants; developing the usability scenario and securing institutional review board approval; conducting usability testing in the…

Outlines research basics for technical communicators collecting qualitative information in a workplace environment. Discusses: developing researchable questions from workplace experiences; searching existing literature for credible research reports; using observation, artifacts, and interviews as sources of information for answering workplace…

This review provides a summary of the main theoretical arguments and empirical results available in literature dynamics. Discusses studies of growth, diffusion of information, epidemic theory, and fast-growing literatures. Deals with methodological problems of publication counts, the time factor, and converging indicators, and discusses two…