Information technology may help physicians to manage information more effectively through more accessible clinical indexes, databases of diagnostic test characteristics, computerized audits of clinical activities, on-line access to medical literature, etc. Medical informatics, a new discipline dedicated to the solution of information problems in…

Discusses how computerized databases (collected information arranged in categories) can be used successfully in the language arts classroom. (MM)

Describes microform sources of government information available in Canada. The information contained in these sources includes a union list of Canadian newspapers, government statistics, revised federal statutes, products of the Atmosphere Environment Service, and the documentary history of records relating to Indian affairs. (17 references) (CLB)

Discusses the use of a relational database as a data management and analysis tool for nonexperimental qualitative research, and describes the use of the Reflex Plus database in the Vitrine 2001 project in Quebec to study computer-based learning environments. Information systems are also discussed, and the use of a conceptual model is explained.…

Examines the factors affecting the flow of information from international organizations to users in libraries. The types of materials generated are described, and the positive and negative factors affecting information flow in eight specific agencies are discussed. The issue of public access to international organization databases is also…

Examines changes in the newsmaking process following the introduction of an electronic newspaper library system. Finds that, although all journalists reported using clip files, 16 percent did not use the electronic library when it was installed. (RS)

Discusses methods and content of library instruction for CD-ROM searching in terms of the needs of end-users. Instructional methods explored include staff instruction, structured instruction, database documentation, tutorials and help screens, and floaters. Suggestions for effective instruction in transfer of skills, database content, database…

Describes the development of a knowledge-based system, REX, that creates subject bibliographies by downloading reference material from an online bibliographic service. The expert systems architecture is explained, use of Prolog is described, and creation of the subject knowledge base and an author index are discussed. (10 references) (LRW)

Discusses the status of a pilot project undertaken by the ERIC facility to provide access to education-related statistical tapes. Procedures developed for the identification of sources of such tapes, documentation for the tapes, and the creation of surrogate records for cataloging, indexing, and abstracting are described. (seven references) (CLB)

Describes a model for the workload of a full text retrieval system and of a simulation model for a version of an existing system called Full/Text. The effectiveness of various data caching strategies using the 2 models are explored, and the impact of various parameters on the strategies are evaluated. (13 references) (LRW)

Discusses the critical need for tools to manage, access, and disseminate text and image information ranging from free-form ASCII data to scanned documents stored on optical media. Current types of integrated text/image databases are described and the advancement of technology toward systems that manage large collections of documents made up of…

Describes a Minnesota school district's approach to managing a day care program, highlighting the integrated database management system used to automate the billing process and to provide complete data concerning the program and its enrollees, constituents, and services. Presents several guiding principles for designing a system matched to program…

Plans for an international database that would furnish university officials with information about educational systems, institutions, and academic credentials around the world are discussed. The Trans Regional Academic Mobility and Credential Evaluation would be on a computer at the National University Computer Center in Montpellier, France. (MLW)

Offers 20 multiple choice questions to test the reader's knowledge of characteristics of the ERIC online database. The levels of expertise indicated by scores obtained on the quiz are given and suggested further readings are provided. (CLB)

The distribution of databases physically separates users from those who administer the database and the administrators who perform database administration. By drawing on the work of social scientists in reliability and validity, a set of concepts and a list of questions to ensure data quality were developed. (Author/MLW)