Describes how electronic resources can support learning in small and medium-sized enterprises by identifying connections among management strategy, technology deployment, and knowledge creation. Examples of emerging practices in the use of electronic resources are used to develop a matrix that matches type of learning (adaptive, collaborative,…

Compares standard global information retrieval searching with more localized techniques to address the database selection problem that users often have when searching for the most relevant database, based on experiences with the Westlaw Directory. Findings indicate that a browse plus search approach in a hierarchical environment produces the most…

Examines the characteristics of Web resources in Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) Cooperative Online Resource Catalog (CORC) in terms of subject matter, source of content, publication patterns, and units of information chosen for representation in the database. Suggests that the ability to successfully use a database depends on…

Examined the use of cellular digital packet data (CDPD) systems by a state police agency to support a problem-oriented policing project (POP), focusing on 20 officers. The CDPD data system should have improved the agency's POP operations, but in practice, the benefits were not clear. Few differences were seen between officers who did and did not…

Offers a descriptive table of databases that help higher education institutions orchestrate advancement operations. Information includes vendor, contact, software, price, database engine/server platform, recommended reporting tools, record capacity, and client type. (EV)

Discusses how achieving compliance with the federal government's new Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) will require higher education institutions to establish, on a very tight schedule, systems to track international students and share data about them with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). (EV)

Briefly describes six principles from Education Commission of the States' Leadership for Literacy initiative designed to help make the teaching of reading more effective and efficient. Includes discussion of scientific evidence, standards, assessment systems, data management, professional knowledge, and alignment. (PKP)

Describes resources for researchers called the Invisible Web that are hidden from the usual search engines and other tools and contrasts them with those resources available on the surface Web. Identifies specialized search tools, databases, and strategies that can be used to locate credible in-depth information. (Author/LRW)

Describes two database systems in a law enforcement agency: one is a legacy, text-based system with cumbersome navigation; the newer system is a graphical user interface with simplified navigation. Discusses results of two user studies that showed personnel preferred the older more familiar system and considers implications for system design and…

After reviewing the literature on automatic indexing research an experiment is described which examined term distribution and the effectiveness of the Two Poisson and Three Poisson Models in identifying good index terms. The conclusion reached is that these models should be applied with caution in document retrieval. (25 references) (EAM)

Describes the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system, a national network of 16 specialized clearinghouses and several central ERIC service facilities. Notes that the ERIC system is charged with enhancing the database of educational resources by identifying hard-to-find materials. Explains briefly how to use ERIC and the educational…

Reviews the history of the Public Relations Body of Knowledge Abstracts, a database of public relations research and literature. Describes the uses of the abstracts for research purposes, and reports assessments of new research directions as set forth by members of the Public Relations Society of America's permanent Body of Knowledge Board. (MM)

AgriData is an agricultural information and communications network designed for use by anyone with an interest in agriculture. It includes a business information service, statistics service, used equipment information, product information, an electronic mail service, and an online file service. (JOW)

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using dBASE for the storage and retrieval of downloaded bibliographic records, and the problems involved in importing data downloaded from various online systems into dBASE. ASCIIREF, a software program developed to allow users to easily reformat just about any file of ASCII bibliographic records into…

FINDIT Version 2.20--a database-retrieval software application to assist researchers/users in locating references in the "Journal of Educational Measurement" and "Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice" from 1975 to 1988--is reviewed. The system includes a cumulative index of citations and search/retrieval software.…