Reports a study that analyzed natural language search statements constructed by 22 Getty Visiting Scholars as they researched humanities topics on DIALOG. Results show a greater use of names, geographical areas, chronological periods, and discipline terms than scientists use, with implications for the design of humanities online systems and…

Describes an evaluation of two video modules developed at the University of Plymouth (United Kingdom) to interest and motivate students in learning mathematics. Videos to teach the concepts of motion and of momentum and collisions are described; students' and teachers' attitudes are discussed; and evaluations of revised versions are reported.…

Describes a cross-national study of students at Arizona State University and at Anadolu University (Turkey) that was conducted to investigate the influence of body position as a photographic element on viewers' perceptions of professional competence. Highlights include implicit personality theory, sex stereotyping, and Turkish attitudes toward…

This study, conducted at Illinois State University library, evaluated the ability of professional librarians to answer reference questions. Evaluations by undergraduate students were scored for accuracy of response and attitude of the librarian to determine the best attitudinal predictor of accuracy scores. The evaluation form is appended. (three…

Describes the Geography 16-19 Project, a National Curriculum program in operation in the United Kingdom since 1976. Examines the project's approach to curriculum planning which emphasizes process-oriented, inquiry-based learning that focuses on interrelationships between people and their environments. Considers implications for higher education…

Description of high density data storage (HDDS) devices focuses on CD-ROMs and explores their impact on libraries, publishing, education, and library communications. Highlights include costs; technical standards; reading devices; authoring systems; robotics; the influence of new technology on the role of libraries; and royalty and copyright issues…

This overview of the research process for the novice information retrieval (IR) researcher provides guidance on selecting a research question, choosing the type of test, defining variables, developing or using databases, finding and processing queries, assigning treatments to experimental units, collecting and analyzing the data, and presenting…

Discussion of search strategy formulation focuses on a study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that analyzed how medical students developed and revised search strategies for microbiology database searches. Implications for future research on search behavior, for system interface design, and for end user training are suggested. (16…

Describes a project sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Defense that investigated the relationship between the use of U.S. government technical reports by aerospace engineers and scientists and seven independent sociometric variables. The conceptual framework is explained, and relevant…

Presents a geographic analysis of results of a survey of medical libraries in the United States, Canada, and Europe that examined the automation of book and serials processing. Levels of automation are investigated, geographic differences between the use of personal computers versus mainframe/minicomputers are discussed, and software systems are…

Presents results of a survey of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) members in the United States and Canada that was conducted to discover which electronic reference options are offered and their impact on library services. Online mediated searching, CD-ROM, end-user searching, and local databases are investigated. (nine references) (LRW)

Describes results of a survey of library schools in the United Kingdom, Australia, and North America that was conducted to determine the schools' roles in educating their students about library service to cultural minorities. Highlights include race awareness training and minority faculty and student representation in library schools. (LRW)

Three urban library systems asked their patrons to read descriptions of seven library roles and to select the role that best described why they were visiting the library. From these patron surveys, each library system was able to develop profiles of the roles that its libraries play in the community. (Contains two references.) (SLW)

Examines the effects of word processing on high school seniors' writing and revisions of essay assignments. Length of papers, the impact of topic on the results, the effect of handwriting papers after computer composition, comparison of writing methods over time, and effects of typing ability and computer experience are discussed. (Contains eight…

Librarians at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) offer CD-ROM database and online catalog training using a portable unit composed of a laptop computer, modem, LCD panel, and overhead projector. This unit allows librarians to make presentations to large groups and to demonstrate to faculty and students the relevancy of library technology.…