bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successful organisational teams: Theory and practice from an adult communication management perspective
Authors: Kaye Michael , Gilpin Anne
Published: January 2008

In the past few years, many Australian organisations have either undergone or been planning a change from a hierarchical bureaucratic culture to a team‐based one. Much faith in the potential success of this kind of change appears to have been based on stories of transformations which worked well in overseas organisations, notably Japanese and American companies. One important issue for Australian organisational leaders was to come to terms with how the cultures of local and overseas companies were similar to or different from each other. For example, if the value systems of both local and overseas organisations tended to converge rather than diverge, the probability of developing a team‐based culture in Australian companies was relatively high. This paper critically examines stories of Australian organisations which are moving to a team‐based culture, from an adult communication management perspective. In particular, the paper aims to identify communication management variables which contribute to the successful implementation of teams in those organisations. Finally, conclusions and implications are drawn for maintaining high performance in team‐based organisations through effective communication management practices. ‘The art of progress is to preserve order amid change and to preserve change amid order’ — Alfred North Whitehead.
Preventive marketing for crisis communications in tourism: Management strategies in the USA and Spain
Authors: González‐Herrero Alfonso , Pratt Cornelius
Published: January 2008

Using chaos theory as a point of departure, this comparative study of systematic samples of public relations, communication and marketing directors of tourism organisations in both the USA and Spain identifies the types and the number of crises that these organisations experienced from 1992 to 1994. It also rates the extent to which those practitioners said they used a number of crisis management strategies to minimise, contain or possibly to prevent the negative effects of crises. It identifies the memberships of crisis management teams. Further, it examines the presence of five primary elements of preventive marketing for crisis communications among tourism organisations in those countries. These elements are: issues management, the crisis plan, the crisis management centre, the company representative and the use of external consultants. Results indicate statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between both countries in their organisational preparedness for managing crises, in the types of crises experienced, and in the memberships of their crisis management teams. The implications of these results for effective preventive marketing communications in the tourist industry are discussed and suggestions for future research are offered. The research on which this paper is based was supported by funds awarded to the first author by the Spanish Tourist Institute of the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism, Madrid, Spain.
Managing your corporate reputation: Strategies for the internet
Authors: Solheim Christofer , Henning Kay
Published: January 2008

THINK New Ideas, Inc., The Marketing and Communications Company for the Information Age, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Seattle and London provides a broad range of information technology and interactive business solutions to Fortune 500 and other high profile clients. THINK is also positioned as one of the leading Internet and Intranet systems developers and interactive communications solutions providers in the emerging new technology and digital communications arena. The company's integrated solutions include the development of several proprietary Internet, Intranet tools and applications including WebMechanic, E‐corp, Net‐cube, ASAP and Comparabase, each providing specific solutions to business problems commonly faced by large corporations.
The role of communication in current debates on knowledge management
Authors: More Elizabeth
Published: January 2008

‘The management of knowledge goes far beyond the storage and manipulation of data, or even of information. It is the attempt to recognize what is essentially a human asset buried in the minds of individuals, and leverage it into an organizational asset that can be accessed and used by a broader set of individuals on whose decisions the firm depends.’ The ability to manage human intellect and its conversion into useful ‘product’ is, perhaps, the most critical management skill in our age, providing the ultimate in competitive edge. Unfortunately, in most organisations managing intellectual capital remains largely unexplored territory, especially understanding the human side of knowledge management. Moreover, given the centrality of communication to organising, it is surprising how little recent work in the field of knowledge management or intellectual capital focuses on, never mind even mentions, the concept of communication per se. Perhaps it is time that organisation communication scholars tackled this void. This paper then takes up such a challenge, reflecting on the role organisation communication might play in dealing with knowledge management in contemporary and future organisational practice.
The newsletter: What future?
Authors: Redhouse Jeremy
Published: January 2008

The author claims there is still a future for the company newsletter despite the arrival of faster electronic communications such as the intranet. If the right editorial strategy is put in place, the newsletter can offer a valuable role in the communications mix by promoting a feeling of belonging, empowering staff and facilitating change, rather than being perceived as just ‘management propaganda’.
Emotional capital: Putting soft issues on the boardroom agenda
Authors: Thomson Kevin , Powell Lucy
Published: January 2008

As business communicators, we seek the ‘holy grail’ of our industry — a way to contribute to the bottom line, and demonstrate that contribution in hard business terms. We want the hard evidence to support our belief that internal communication is more than a fashionable ‘nice to have’, but also a critical element of business performance. It will be this ability to measure the impact of our work on the top and bottom lines of our businesses that will win us a seat at the boardroom table. This will give the role of the corporate communicator the credibility and influence it deserves. This paper offers not only the latest thinking in using internal communication and marketing as an effective business tool, but also the rationale and measures for communicators to develop their role and the arena in which they work. It introduces the concept of emotional capital, and explains the impact this has on an organisation. More importantly, it demonstrates how it can be measured as a tangible element of the balanced scorecard, increasing quality, profitability and shareholder return.
Business communication education/training in MBA programmes: An analysis and framework for change
Authors: Silvis Donn E. , Rayfield Robert E. , Pincus J. David , Chang Mu‐Chen
Published: January 2008

This research paper explores the type and amount of business communication education given to students in Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes, and offers insight into the thinking of those who supervise and teach business communication within those programmes. While this particular research study focuses on US MBA schools, it is advocated that this subject and research findings have global relevance. Communication and public relations skills have been recognised as being critical to the success of aspiring managers and business leaders. Prospective managers need to possess not only the skills of communication, but also an appreciation of strategic business communication factors. However, most MBA curricula do not require or recommend communication education for students. This paper compares the findings of two studies: research conducted in 1995–96 (n = 215, 31.5 per cent response rate) replicated a 1991 study (n = 51, 26 per cent response rate). In addition, the paper discusses prior research on the subject and the role and quality of business communication currently found in MBA curricula. It also includes a model communication curriculum for MBA programmes and proposes suggestions for additional research.
The culture of communication and the communication of culture in the modern corporate environment
Authors: Steffen Jonathan
Published: January 2008

The paper proposes a methodology for helping organisations steer through the flood of information generated by contemporary information technology. Opening with a discussion of patterns of inefficient communication behaviour in the workplace, it goes on to address changing notions of the right to receive and evaluate information, and how these ideas affect employee attitudes. After a debate on the ownership of any individual corporate culture and the means by which messages can most effectively be transmitted within a given organisation, the paper concludes with an outline of a methodology designed to create a culture of corporate communication that will support the company's business objectives even as those business objectives change.
Diversity: A tool for globalisation
Authors: Zainuba Mohamed A.
Published: January 2008

Companies should develop a domestic organisational culture to effectively address the prevailing domestic workplace and marketplace diversity. If this effort is successfully implemented, companies can then use diversity as a competitive advantage to pursue global business opportunities. This paper examines the link between domestic corporate diversity and global business opportunities, and whether this link might result in diversity being used as a tool for globalisation. It is the intent that the approach to diversity being advocated in this paper may be adopted by corporations whose cultural structures differ from that of the US culture.
On considering the meaning of managed communication: Or why employees resist ‘excellent’ communication
Authors: Daymon Christine
Published: January 2008

This paper argues that much communication management literature and practice is biased because it fails to take acount of the organisational cultural context in which communication takes place. As a result, culture's influence on the understanding and behaviours of members of organisations is overlooked, which leads to managed communication activities that are often misinterpreted, resisted or rejected by employees. The paper contends that when organisational communication is analysed through a number of different perspectives (which include both traditional and cultural), then a more comprehensive understanding of the complexity of communication is gained. A multiperspective analytical approach of this nature sensitises researchers and managers to other points of view, helps to expand problem definitions, reveals a wide range of influences affecting communication activities, and helps to prevent stereotypical thinking about communication in organisations. To illustrate this approach, the paper presents a longitudinal case study of managed communication in a television company. Practical strategies for managers are then offered.
Making networks work
Authors: Newbold Tony
Published: January 2008

At a time when technology enables more information than ever before to be disseminated faster then ever before, and markets and organisational goalposts rapidly change, there is increasing dependence on networks to meet both strategic and personal needs. This paper explores how to overcome common individual and organisational barriers to networking. It examines the personal and strategic drivers for networking, before studying the practical steps organisations can take to: — prepare their culture for networking — promote the skills needed — give employees practical tools to identify and develop networks.
Searching linear files on‐line
Authors: Hickey Thomas
Published: January 2008

Two types of linear on‐line search have been implemented on a data base of 100,000 INSPEC records, and compared with an inverted search program on the same file. It was found that the linear search which does a character‐by‐character scan of the whole file was too slow to be useful as an on‐line search, but that the second linear search, which uses a linear file of keys to select records for full scanning, was useable on‐line. An algorithm suitable for the on‐line searching of the linear file of keys is presented with run time nearly independent of the number of terms in the search query. Neither of the linear searches can compete with an inverted search in terms of user convenience, but they do not require as complex file‐maintenance software, they use less processing time to build indexes, and they have lower storage requirements than inverted files.
Distribution of SDC Search Service in Canada by INFOMART
Authors: Mauerhoff Georg R.
Published: January 2008

INFOMART is an information retrieval service of the Southam Press Limited and the Torstar Corporation. It provides exclusive access in Canada to the Search Service of the System Development Corporation in Santa Monica, Calif., USA. The paper outlines the background and organization of INFOMART, its focus on marketing and sales, and its orientation to user education and training. Communication is cited as a significant factor in the arrangements between the two companies. The author concludes that INFOMART has been a welcome development in Canada, where commercial information activities have formerly been dominated by the USA.
On‐line services in Europe
Authors: Tomberg Alex
Published: January 2008

The paper is a written adaptation of a talk at the July 1977 Cranfield Conference. It has two main purposes: (a) to bring to the attention of the information community the facts and figures collected by EUSIDIC (b) to develop proposals for a more rational basis for European policies regarding on‐line services. Three assumptions are made in this presentation: (i) that it is possible to discuss on‐line services without implying that that is all there is to information transfer (ii) that it is possible to do so without a renewed description of the basics or details of what is available (iii) that it is possible to speak of European problems and solutions which are not necessarily incompatible with, but distinct from, either individual, regional or global problems and solutions.
On‐line retrieval as an information source for bench bioscientists
Authors: Curtis Dade T.
Published: January 2008

Survey results of active research bioscientists invited to a summer conference are presented. A ranking of the sources used by respondents to obtain current and retrospective information shows that interactive searching is not a major source. Profiles are given of searchers, potential searchers, and non‐searchers. Causes of low search activity are discussed, and strategies are suggested to increase searching in academic environments.
On‐line searching in a research environment
Authors: Colthurst J.P. , Shilling M.E.
Published: January 2008

The introduction of on‐line searching into a research laboratory and its acceptability vis‐a‐vis alternative information sources is discussed. In particular its cost effectiveness and its use to complement rather than to replace SDI are outlined.
TECHNICAL BRIEFING
Authors: Cawkell A.E.
Published: January 2008

The basic reasons for data transmission errors are described and a distinction between baud and bit/s is drawn. Examples of error detection/correction methods are given; in their absence the recipient's ability to detect errors depends upon redundancy in the message. It is suggested that since such methods are not normally used in on‐line access to data bases, error rates typic‐ally encountered may be unacceptable when accessing nonredundant data for which accuracy is vital.
Online information retrieval bibliography
Authors: Hawkins Donald T.
Published: January 2008

This is the first update of the bibliography on online information retrieval that was published as a supplement to Vol. 1 of this journal. The update contains 436 references. The subject coverage is the same as that of the earlier bibliography, but some types of literature are included which were not previously covered, e.g., government reports, user manuals when published as reports etc. Many of the references in this update, therefore, date back to the time period covered in the original bibliography.
News
Authors: Williams P.W.
Published: January 2008

Online Information Meeting — 1978 London, December 5–7,1978. Following the successful meeting held in London last year and reported in the March 1978 issue of this journal, Online Review is sponsoring the 2nd International Online Meeting which will be held at the Commonwealth Institute in London, England on December 5–7, 1978.
Letter to the editor
Authors: Rolling Loll
Published: January 2008

As a member of the Editorial Board, I wish to publicly disagree with Harry Collier's ‘letter to the editor’ published in the December 1977 issue of Online Review.
Predicasts in Europe
Authors: Martin Peter
Published: January 2008

In this article I shall try to set out some of the problems that face international database producers and the progress made so far by Predicasts Inc. to overcome them.
Development of multi‐media teaching packages for user education in online retrieval systems
Authors: Vickery A. , Batten A.M.
Published: January 2008

A multimedia teaching aid, the Mediatron, has been developed by the Central Information Service of the University of London to illustrate the potential of online by recording searches displayed on a VDU and voice commentary together with pulses for the synchronization of the display of slides. The Mediatron is now being used in training in a variety of ways. Simple searches can be recorded to demonstrate the principles of online searching, and programs have been developed at the University of London to teach basic command languages, database structure and specialized search techniques. A self‐teaching program using all three media is described.
News
Authors: Nash Mary M. , Williams P.W.
Published: January 2008

Lockheed to add Foreign Trade Index and The Philosophers Index; installs new computer. Lockheed Information Systems continues to announce plans for database additions at a rapid rate. This time two somewhat unusual databases are being scheduled for introduction early in the spring of 1979.
Online information services in U.K. academic libraries
Authors: Akeroyd J. , Foster A.
Published: January 2008

A short survey of the use of online information retrieval is presented and shows that 70% of academic libraries were users. The main justifications for implementation were felt to be cost‐effectiveness and greater retrieval capability. Most services were directed at academic and research staff and few at undergraduates. At this stage only a small number of trained searchers exist in each institution. The pros and cons of charging for services are evaluated and linked to the results of American surveys.
Online services in the Executive Office of the President
Authors: Kadec Sarah T. , Mancher Rhoda
Published: January 2008

The Executive Office of the President's Office of Administration has restructured its informational organizational components to provide for better integration of information support systems for the 11 EOP agencies. External computerized databases are being used to support information needs in major policy areas such as economics, social welfare, health, trade, science, technology, international affairs and the environment. At the same time, internal systems are being designed and implemented to support use of the external databases. These systems will provide administrative and management capabilities as well as reference support, and will enhance communications in this highly intensive policy and programmatic environment.
Online user forum
Authors: Lawrence Gerri G.
Published: January 2008

Workshop themes are prevalent in the agendas of many online user groups. Presently a variety of such programs exists. It is the intent of this Online User Forum column to explore the intricacies of such workshops in an effort to provide online user groups with a broad basis in planning their own programs.
A review of Telidon development
Authors: Phillips Dorothy
Published: January 2008

Telidon, a second generation videotex system developed in Canada, was announced in August 1978. Since that time developments have occurred in planning field trials, developing information services and in planning a coordinated development for Canada of this new technology.
Online users survey 1980
Authors: Hlava Marjorie M.K.
Published: January 2008

This survey was done to provide a profile of online users and/or searchers in the United States.
Comparison of selecting, abstracting and indexing by COMPENDEX, INSPEC and PASCAL and the impact of this on manual and automated retrieval of information
Authors: de Jong‐Hofman M.W.
Published: January 2008

The journal ETA (Elektrowärme im technischen Ausbau) is commonly referenced by COMPENDEX, INSPEC and PASCAL. A number of annual volumes of this journal (1974–1977) were examined for papers concerning the subject ‘The application of heat pumps for the heating of houses’. Twenty‐five such articles were found. Whether or not these papers had been included in the three bibliographies was determined. Successively examined were (1) the number of the selected articles, (2) the quality of the abstracts, and (3) the suitability, precision and efficiency of the total of allocated subject index terms: classification codes, controlled and uncontrolled terms, and title words. It appears that the selection of papers is quite different for each of the three databases and that the abstracts and allocated subject index terms as well as the title words often do not reproduce the subject of the original paper. The subject index terms which were relevant to the chosen subject were selected. With these selected index terms, five different searches were carried out in each of the databases with the help of the computer, via ESA/IRS; in addition to this a manual search was done via the printed editions. Recall, precision and overlap seemed to be dependent on the chosen search strategy. All these are shown in tables and Venn diagrams.
ONTAP‐ERIC: a critical view
Authors: Jackson William J.
Published: January 2008

ONTAP ERIC was designed by Dialog Information Systems to provide online training and practice for database searchers. Documentation provided by Dialog lists four purposes for the file. This article examines each purpose and finds only one of them to be fulfilled by ONTAP ERIC. Problems discussed include conceptual deficiencies as well as design faults. Recommendations for improvement are made.
Online user forum
Authors: Lawrence Gerri G.
Published: January 2008

ERIC Clearinghouse on Information Resources is designed to share educational information, innovations and development with educational practitioners and information scientists. ERIC is very interested in having documents from online user groups — papers, reports, studies — put into the system. So if you have any such documents, be sure to send them in to:
Online implementation of the CA SEARCH file and the CAS Registry Nomenclature File
Authors: Callahan M.V. , Rusch P.F.
Published: January 2008

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) produces a variety of chemical information in both printed and computer readable form. Although the information content of CAS computer‐readable files is quite informative, the database from which they are derived was designed primarily for producing printed products. Production of printed products involves a selection and formatting of information which carries with it certain inferences and implications that can be easily handled in context. Some concomitant disadvantages of printed products are due to the need to predetermine access points. By their very nature online files can eliminate some of these disadvantages and open otherwise inaccessible routes to the information. Processing of information in the creation of an online file offers opportunities to provide enhancements that add value and simplify the information retrieval activity. In this paper, we focus on implementation by the DIALOG system of bibliographic CA SEARCH files and chemical name dictionary CHEMNAME.
National courses in online retrieval in the Netherlands
Authors: van der Meer K. , Koster L.M. , Brand‐de Heer D.L.
Published: January 2008

The advent of online information systems has been followed by gradual improvements in both their accessibility and ease of operation. This and the low cost of machine‐searching, certainly compared with manual searching, are factors which have persuaded many organisations to use such systems. Consequently, a growing number of staff are required to operate them and, as a result, a steady demand for online training courses has been established.
Telecommunications Regulations and policy
Authors: Brimmer Karl W.
Published: January 2008

Many feel that we are in a period of fundamental social and economic change made possible by advanced computer and telecommunications technology; I believe this, but there are many details that need to be worked out before these changes will be realized.
Fifth International Online Information Meeting
Authors: Sebestyen Istvan
Published: January 2008

Tuesday, December 8 was an unusually cold and snowy morning in London, which made it difficult for participants of the Online Information Meeting to arrive on time at the Cunard International Hotel in Hammersmith. The hotel was hosting for the third consecutive time the meeting and its satellite events.
Study of strategies used in online searching: 2. Positional Logic — an example of the importance of selecting the right Boolean operator
Authors: Oldroyd Betty K. , Schroder J.J.
Published: January 2008

In online searching, the positional logic capability has made it possible to combine terms together in any order, in a word, fragment, phrase, link, sentence, or citation relationship. The advantages and disadvantages of the strategies that can be employed are reviewed. This Boolean operator capability can permit a reduced number of search statements and should therefore make search time shorter. It is also possible to include the truncation symbol in the search statement, allowing even wider selection on one input. A study was made of alternative ways that a positional statement can be formulated. Searches for material on the topic of ‘micro‐wave integrated circuits’ were carried out with the aim of finding the most economical way of generating the maximum number of relevant items while still keeping the noise level to a minimum. It was found that the ideal method for one database was not valid for another file.
A computer graphical tool for analyzing user reaction to video‐tex systems
Authors: Magnenat‐Thalmann Nadia , Thalmann Daniel , Bergeron Philippe
Published: January 2008

The INVIDO system is a graphical tool which was designed and implemented for studying user reactions to videotex systems. For different themes, including weather reporting, sport results and winning numbers in lotteries, different visual presentations have been created. As home visual information systems will invade the market in the next few years, it is essential to develop new tools which can give an idea of the user's reaction to this kind of information. The entire methodology (graphics capabilities, implementation and investigation) is presented. Numerous examples are also given.
A preliminary analysis of overlap between CAB and Tropag
Authors: Thorpe Peter
Published: January 2008

A preliminary study of the overlap between the CAB Abstracts and Tropag (Abstracts on Tropical Agriculture) files, based on ten selected searches is reported. The results indicate that the average overlap between the two files is less than 10% and that for a comprehensive search in the subject field of tropical agriculture both files must be used.
Modifying online passwords in Europe: a survey
Authors: Evers Hans
Published: January 2008

Now and again it can be necessary to change online passwords, perhaps because too many people have seen them and someone might get the brilliant idea to use one. We recently went through such an exercise and we present our findings “tot leringh ende vermaek” which is old Dutch “for learning and amusement”.
The pricing of information — a search‐based approach to pricing an online search service
Authors: Boyle Harry F.
Published: January 2008

CAS ONLINE is a unique searching system with an innovative pricing structure. This paper provides a description of the service and discusses the pricing options CAS considered prior to introducing CAS Online, including users' reactions to the chosen pricing structure. Alternatives for extending this pricing method to new online services from Chemical Abstracts Service are also considered.
Evaluation of alternative microcomputer systems for retrieval of scientific references
Authors: Davis R.H. , Rinaldi C. , Neves J.
Published: January 2008

The practice of using a large international database to retrieve scientific abstracts through a time sharing network may be replaced by storing this type of information locally on a microcomputer system. Evaluation of alternative configurations through the use of systems simulation is well known, and in this study a simulation model is developed to reflect the characteristics of a typical information retrieval system on three specific microcomputer configurations.
Quick reference command languages chart
Authors: Wells Christine A.
Published: January 2008

It is not possible to remember more than a few command languages accurately. If a command language is used infrequently it is very easy to forget the commands or make mistakes because the command is entered incorrectly. To solve this problem a quick reference chart of the main searching and printing commands and support features for the following command languages has been compiled — Basis, BRS, Dialog, Elhill, Eurolanguage, Grips/Dirs, Orbit, Quest, Questel. This paper describes the compilation of the chart and discusses the differences between command languages.
Public database services in Hungary
Authors: Sebestyen I.
Published: January 2008

One of the most important categories of data flow applications is databases — especially public databases. Without going into depth concerning the philosophy of database classification, in what follows we are going to describe and analyse the state of public database production and services in Hungary. All data and statistics that are used were published by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (Orszagas Statisztikai Hivatal), the National Technical Library and Documentation Center (Orszagos Mueszaki Koenyvtar es Dokumentacios Koezpont—OMKDK) and by the Information Center for Construction and Building (Epitesuegyi Tajekoztatasi Koezpont) and in other printed publications. At this early point we would like to mention that OMKDK was recently reorganised and extended by new functions and now is called OMIK, but throughout the paper when mentioning this institution we refer to its old name, which was valid when the data for this study were collected.
Chemical Abstracts' document delivery service
Authors: Rollins Stephen
Published: January 2008

In the Spring of 1981, Chemical Abstracts joined the growing number of commercial vendors who offer document delivery services. Chemical Abstracts is a welcome entry into this market place by providing many soviet publications, various patents from a variety of countries, and most materials cited by CA in their indexes within the last ten years. While their rates are not inexpensive, Chemical Abstracts' Document Delivery Service is a valuable resource for materials which are not readily available from other sources. The purpose of this article is to describe Chemical Abstracts' Document Delivery Service in terms of DIALORDER, the mail, and OCLC. Included in this article are transmission costs, success rates, delivery times, and other considerations involved in utilizing CA's Document Delivery Service.
Study of strategies used in online searching 5: differences between the experienced and the inexperienced searcher
Authors: Oldroyd B.K.
Published: January 2008

The characteristics of the experienced online searcher are identified and an attempt is made to show the ways in which the experienced searcher is able to enhance a basic search.
Coal liquefaction case study: Impact, potential, forecast
Authors: Dou Henri , Hassanaly Parina
Published: January 2008

The use of databases and microcomputers enables almost anyone to analyse a scientific field. Forecasting scientific production is a way of estimating trends in various countries, patents, thresholds of investment, etc. This analysis of trends can be used to determine research policy. Fundamental research and R&D must obviously be developed with full regard to results present in the international scientific literature. Moreover, it is important to view the various human and financial potentials involved in certain areas. The aim of this paper is to show how, with an information tool such as the Chemical Abstracts database, it is possible to carry out various analyses of scientific subjects. The authors present a real‐life case study developed at the laboratory of the Centre de Recherche Retrospective de Marseille; the work was closely related to the analytical work on various liquefaction products from the French coal liquefaction pilot plant. The database used was Chemical Abstracts. Two periods corresponding to two files have been considered: CA 77 (from 1977 to 1981) and CA 82 (from 1982 to date). The software used allows most types of search, and the mathematical analysis and trends were determined with an Apple II/e computer using the programs Vitrend, Visiplot and Appleplot.
Full text database retrieval performance
Authors: Tenopir Carol
Published: January 2008

Complete texts of many journals are now available for online searching. Most of these full text databases have been made available on the same or similar search systems that provide access to bibliographic information. The systems use inverted files that retain limited context information (e.g., paragraphs and location of words within paragraphs). The retrieval techniques used are simply those that were developed earlier for bibliographic databases. Retrieval relies on Boolean logic, word stem searching with truncation, and word proximity specification. Minor adjustments have been made for the display of full text databases, allowing words resulting in retrieval to be displayed in context; but changes have not been made in retrieval techniques. This is due to the reliance on search systems that provide access to many types of databases, all of which are by‐products of improved techniques for creating printed publications.
Iron and Steel Online search system
Authors: Balasubramanian V. , Bhattacharyya S.
Published: January 2008

This article discusses briefly the framework of system design, interrogation procedures and features of the Iron and Steel Online (Isoline) search system developed with the goal of providing nationwide information services in the field of iron and steel. Isoline operates on Metadex and incorporates a variety of interrogation facilities ranging from assisting novice users to instantaneous performance evaluation and search request reformulation. The methodology adopted for the problem identifies component processes and prescribes sixteen commands as an approach to these processes. The system is in‐built with extensive diagnostic error analysis and control abstraction as well as with enhanced versatility and flexibility that provide an effective user interface.
Heuristics for online information retrieval: a typology and preliminary listing
Authors: Harter Stephen P. , Rogers Peters Anne
Published: January 2008

At this point in its short history, online information retrieval possesses many of the characteristics of an art. In spite of much that is logical and orderly about it, there are few specific rules of action or well‐defined procedures that are known to apply in all retrieval situations. Except in the simplest of cases, online searching is more uncertain and tentative than this.. It is largely guided by heuristics rather than algorithms.
Omnifile: business file storage and retrieval
Authors: Force Ronald
Published: January 2008

This is a very polished and professional business package. It is extremely easy for beginners to operate, has excellent documentation and form design capabilities. Simple retrieval can be quickly accomplished, and there are powerful techniques for preparing arithmetically‐oriented reports.
CAIRS: Local database information storage and retrieval
Authors: Lundeen Gerald
Published: January 2008

CAIRS is a storage and retrieval package for creating and using local databases. It offers a great deal of flexibility in database design, indexing options, security and output options. It is a mature system that appears to be virtually impervious to user error. CAIRS is not an easy package to learn, even when configured with access menus. However, for regular, experienced users, the strengths of the package will repay the effort to learn to use it.
Design and implementation of an online private information retrieval system for a technology‐based consultancy
Authors: Tomlinson Daphne , Cordiner Mary
Published: January 2008

This paper considers factors central to the design, specification and implementation of a private bibliographic database for internally generated techno‐commercial report documentation: emphasis is placed on pragmatic solutions resulting from experiences at PA Technology in developing a system based on custom‐designed menu‐driven software for an existing Wang VS computer installation. A systematic survey of potential users highlighted the Company's needs and requirements, identified the desirability of a distributed search capability and consequently the paramount importance of user‐friendliness. Subject access to documents emerged as an overriding need which led to the development of a retrieval language based on a controlled vocabulary structured hierarchically. Existing thesauri were assessed for use in indexing and searching the documentation and rapidly developing areas of technology were felt to be inadequately represented; hence a dynamic vocabulary was developed in‐house. Further additional searchable fields conveyed a high degree of flexibility and satisfied the Company's perceived needs. The majority of the desirable features were incorporated when the database was first released within a relatively short timescale, eighteen man‐months after project initiation. The modular approach adopted permits further enhancement with minimal resources.
Learning to search: how people become database searchers
Authors: Gaul Kathleen
Published: January 2008

This article is concerned with how people currently doing database searching learned to search, how they feel about their learning experiences, and what they believe people who are about to begin to search should use as learning methods. The study utilizes a questionnaire sent to over one hundred database searchers (both librarians and end‐users) in Indiana, as being a fairly representative state with a mix of academic, public, and special libraries. There are, in addition, research‐based predictions resulting from the individual responses on how searchers in the future will most probably leam to do database searching. The questionnaire is included as an appendix.
Tenth International Online Information Meeting London, 2–4 December 1986
Authors: White Martin S
Published: January 2008

In ten years' time the CD‐ROM version of the Oxford English dictionary may well contain a number of entries for ‘online’, one of them being:
Where full‐text is viable
Authors: Cotton PL
Published: January 2008

Definitions can be tedious and pedantic, but I have noticed recently that standard industry terms I thought I was clear about have been used in unexpected ways. Being relatively new to this field I assumed the fault was mine and that in an industry so concerned with words it was unlikely that anyone else would be guilty of sloppy thinking or imprecise expression! So I would like to make clear what I mean by certain terms. I must emphasise that I will not say anything original about this — I simply would wish to avoid confusion.
The indexing of the literature of online searching: a comparison of ERIC and LISA
Authors: Verbeck Alison , Sievert MaryEllen
Published: January 2008

A comparison of the indexing on Eric and Lisa of the three journals devoted to online searching, Online, Online Review and Database, revealed some differences, but a greater number of similarities. On average, Lisa assigned more terms/document but Eric indexed more concepts/document. A critical subset of the vocabulary which distinguished online searching (a small number of terms used frequently) did emerge for each, but there were no exact matches in the terminology of the two systems. Several words within the multi‐ word phrases, however, were the same. For both systems, at least one term from the critical subset had been assigned to more than half the articles in the sample. Further, in each system, a single term had been assigned to more than eighty percent of the sample.
Full text information retrieval software for use in government administration (a selection procedure and process)
Authors: Reginiano‐Peterson Naomi , Silbergeld Israel
Published: January 2008

A project, involving selection procedures for choosing information retrieval software (full text) for government administration oriented applications and users, was undertaken by a team from Malam Systems Ltd, an Israeli government‐owned computer company, centre and software house.. A case study and comparison of six IR software systems, Basis, BRS, Context, Documaster, Responsa, TRS, were undertaken as part of the selection process and a list of up to twenty seven selection criteria were compiled in order to evaluate the systems accordingly. Pilot systems, based on an excerpt from a catalogue of custom import fees, were developed in order to test the efficiency and functionality of the IR software system.
The energy related construction information system ERCIS: response to a need for information on army facilities
Authors: Apostolidis Romanos Vasso , Fittipaldi John J.
Published: January 2008

The paper describes the Ercis bibliographic information system, developed at the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Urbana‐Champaign, Illinois. The purpose of the system is to assist the Architecture/Engineering firms under contract with the Army Corps Engineers in locating regulations or guidelines on the planning, design or construction of army facilities. Full bibliographic records of these regulations or guidelines contained in various army publications constitute the system's database. Ercis is a user friendly information system and its search dialog is based on Boolean logic using controlled vocabulary terms.
Eric and ECER
Authors: Hirsch Steven
Published: January 2008

Eric is one of the most frequently‐used databases. Created in 1964 by the Federal Government, Eric contracted various educational and professional organizations to act as clearinghouses in their special areas of study. The Eric clearinghouse for special education is the Council for Exceptional Children, an organization which also produces its own database, ECER. The relationship between the Council and Eric permits the online searcher to avoid duplication of citations.
PTEL: capable file transfer package
Authors: Grosch Audry
Published: January 2008

The main purpose of PTEL is to perform transfers of files between computer systems. For this use it is a reliable, well functioning package. PTEL is also able to perform automatic dialling, control automatic logons and emulate a DEC VT‐102 terminal. PTEL lacks the exploding menus, screen windows and colour graphics offered by some other packages. What it offers are sound basic operation and reliability in file transfers.
Cost and know‐how — the ‘Matthew effect’ in information retrieval
Authors: Moureau Magdeleine
Published: January 2008

The cost of online bibliographic searching depends on how it is done. What is paid is the means and not the result. Yet there is no correlation between the price of the means and the value of the result. To achieve a satisfactory balance between means and results as well as a good quality/price ratio, an attempt must be made to optimise searching along the following two axes: the strategic approach and the conceptual approach. But the elements that have to be taken into consideration are rarely known by the occasional user. This is why a new category of specialist has come into being, i.e. the systems expert, who knows everything about all the databases and search procedures. The more online searches he makes, the more skilled he becomes and the more he is asked to make, whereas the occasional user moves in the opposite direction (‘Matthew’ effect).
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: Citroen Charles , White Martin , Raitt David
Published: January 2008

MIDS Search Aids. Part I: Vendors. Part II: Databases. Part III: Database index. Compiled by A. Labuschagne & S. Rossouw. South African Medical Research Council, 1986, 204 pages, Free. This publication is a listing of search aids available for databases accessable via the major online hosts in the world. It is a print of the user aids holdings collected for the Medical Information Dissemination System, though the scope is wider than only medical databases.
FYI 3000 Plus: For searching large files
Authors: Hansen Fenichel Carol
Published: January 2008

FYI 3000 Plus retrieves information from documents in ASCII format. Ease of input, ability to handle large files, depth of indexing and low cost make this an attractive package, particularly for users who are more interested in locating stored information than in displaying it attractively.
Computer database searching and business librarians
Authors: Kendrick Aubrey W.
Published: January 2008

This article reports the results of a survey of computer database searching activities by business librarians. The survey shows that over half of business librarians search databases other than those related to business subjects, that most searches are for citations to articles, that over half of computer database searches are paid for on a cost recovery basis, and that approsimately seventy percent of business librarians do computer searches for patrons from outside the college or university. Librarians who read this article will probably think of other aspects of this subject which could be studied more thoroughly. The author encourages anyone who is interested, to follow up with another survey or more study on this subject. The author of this article recently conducted a survey to gather data on the educational background, work experience duties, and professional activities of business librarians in colleges and universities. This article discusses the part of the survey which dealt with computer database searching and the databases used by business librarians.
Word Finder: Electronic thesaurus
Authors: Lasbo Povl
Published: January 2008

Word Finder is recommended for those who use a personal computer for writing materials such as reports, manuals, and letters, in which careful choice of words is important. It is convenient to use and significantly speeds synonym lookup, but is limited in the number of available synonyms. Printed thesauri generally provide five times as many synonyms.
PaperChase: For Medline searching
Authors: Stigleman Sue
Published: January 2008

PaperChase is a Medline searching system designed for use by physicians and other health care professionals and students. It offers searching by subject headings, title words, author, journal title, year of publication, all of which can be combined using the Boolean operators AND, OR, and NOT. Unlike most Medline searching systems, PaperChase attempts to guide the user in developing a successful search strategy.