The purpose of this study was to explore cost-effectiveness factors that affect the choice among alternative systems. A cost-effectiveness model that may be used to evaluate potential systems was derived and a statement of the general magnitude of costs that the American Psychological Association (APA) can expect in implementing and operating alternate systems is given. These "typical" costs may be used to establish the cost-effectiveness of general classes of systems, such as mechanized search on-line by titles or by batch processing on index terms. A bibliography used for the literature survey is appended. (Author/AB)