Describes XMARC, a set of computer programs which provides students with a simplified means of writing programs for the automatic indexing of an experimental collection of MARC records. (Author/FM)

Concentrates on describing and illustrating by example the unique BRS features of the online Social Sciences Citation Index. Appendices provide a key to the BRS/SSCI citation elements, BRS standardized language codes, publication type codes, author's classification of BRS/SSCI subject category codes, search examples, and database specifications.…

Describes the decisions involved in an online environmental literature search of COMPENDEX and ENVIROLINE databases when considering free text or controlled vocabulary searching techniques. Topics covered are scope, concept identification, database choice, planning search strategy, and changing tactics during the search. Appendix contains examples…

Illustrates that proper use of location information in the NUC and OCLC databases can reduce costs and improve interlibrary loan efficiency. (Author/RAA)

Discusses the problems encountered and solutions adopted in application of the ADABAS database management system to the ECDIN (Environmental Chemicals Data and Information Network) data bank. SIMAS, the pilot system, and ADABAS are compared, and ECDIN ADABAS design features are described. Appendices provide additional facts about ADABAS and SIMAS.…

Briefly described is the County of San Mateo Online System (COSMOS) which was developed and is used by the San Mateo Educational Resources Center (SMERC) to access the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) and Fugitive Information Data Organizer (FIDO) databases as well as the curriculum guides housed at SMERC. (TG)

Describes the IBM research library's computer programing for assuring compliance with U.S. Copyright Law. Developed for ease of use by library staff and to be comprehensible to users, the program indicates payment of royalties, obtainment of copy permission, special publisher arrangements, or fair use application for any photocopy requested. (RAA)

Outlines practical searching techniques in seven core behavioral science databases accessing psychological literature: Psychological Abstracts, Social Science Citation Index, Biosis, Medline, Excerpta Medica, Sociological Abstracts, ERIC. Use of individual files is discussed and their relative strengths/weaknesses are compared. Appended is a list…

Summarizes results of a project which analyzed data for decisions concerning linking; i.e., whether and how to link utilities in order to pool bibliographic resources. Benefits and problems of links for cataloging, interlibrary loan, and online reference are discussed. A cost-revenue model which analyzes alternatives for linking is presented. (SW)

Five groups of searchers each performed searches using ONTAP ERIC to identify behaviors that differentiate among degrees of experience, and between searches of familiar and unfamiliar databases. Results showed that, compared to the experienced subjects, novices performed surprisingly well. Eight references are listed. (Author/SW)

Outlines the evolution of automatic translation research during the last 25 years and describes the systems developed by the University of Montreal group. Defines the applicability of these systems as limited to technical texts with restricted terminology and simple grammar, their product still requiring a translator's correction and revision.…

Discusses and differentiates between four commercially available versions of the online source of chemistry information, "Chemical Abstracts": Lockheed, SDC, BRS, and NLM. Disadvantages/advantages of the vendors are considered, and tables are used to show the different print formats and data elements of each version. (JD)

Discusses the text retrieval system, EUREKA, and its techniques for helping the unsophisticated user through the search for and understanding of information based on the vocabulary file concept. Methods for easy construction and maintenance of a suitable data base organization through the EURUP system are described. (RAA)

Examines the strengths and weaknesses of the three chemical dictionary files now available online--CHEMNAME, CHEMDEX, CHEMLINE--to aid the searcher in selecting the most appropriate database. (Author/JD)

Describes for researchers in language, literature, and folklore the MLA (Modern Language Association) International Bibliography, which is available for searching online: history, scope, compilation and sources, languages, print v online access, searchable fields, and future plans. (JD)