bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bradford ranking conventions and their application to a growing literature
Authors: Heine M.H.
Published: May 2004

Bradford distributions describe the relationship between ‘journal productivities’ and ‘journal rankings by productivity’. However, different ranking conventions exist, implying some ambiguity as to what the Bradford distribution ‘is’. A need accordingly arises for a standard ranking convention to assist comparisons between empirical data, and also comparisons between empirical data and theoretical models. Five ranking conventions are described including the one used originally by Bradford, along with suggested distinctions between ‘Bradford data set’, ‘Bradford distribution’, ‘Bradford graph’, ‘Bradford log graph’, ‘Bradford model’ and ‘Bradford’s Law‘. Constructions such as the Lotka distribution, Groos droop (generalised to accommodate growth as well as fall‐off in the Bradford log graph), Brookes hooks, and the slope and intercept of the Bradford log graph are clarified on this basis. Concepts or procedures questioned include: (1) ‘core journal’, from the Bradfordian viewpoint; (2) the use of traditional statistical inferential procedures applied to Bradford data; and (3) R(n) as a maximum (rather than median or mean) value at tied‐rank values.
Use studies of electronic networks: a review of empirical research approaches and challenges for their development
Authors: Savolainen Reijo
Published: May 2004

The author reviews the major approaches and central findings of empirical research use studies. Six major research approaches were identified by cross‐tabulating two criteria: the major context of network use (job‐related vs non‐work) and the social level of variables (individual vs group level). Examples of all types of studies are presented. The majority of studies can be classified among the surveys focusing on frequencies of service use. From these studies, analyses of job‐related use are most advanced both theoretically and methodologically while studies focused on non‐work contexts of use are less established in this sense. The qualitative research settings seem to gain more popularity, thus making the use studies more balanced methodologically. The strengths and weaknessess of the research approaches are assessed and conclusions are drawn concerning the development of more context sensitive analyses of network uses.
A new classification system to describe the ageing of scientific journals and their impact factors
Authors: Moed H.F. , Van Leeuwen Th. N. , Reedijk J.
Published: May 2004

During the past decades, journal impact data obtained from the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) have gained relevance in library management, research management and research evaluation. Hence, both information scientists and bibliometricians share the responsibility towards the users of the JCR to analyse the reliability and validity of its measures thoroughly, to indicate pitfalls and to suggest possible improvements. In this article, ageing patterns are examined in ‘formal’ use or impact of all scientific journals processed for the Science Citation Index (SCI) during 1981‐1995. A new classification system of journals in terms of their ageing characteristics is introduced. This system has been applied to as many as 3,098 journals covered by the Science Citation Index. Following an earlier suggestion by Glnzel and Schoepflin, a maturing and a decline phase are distinguished. From an analysis across all subfields it has been concluded that ageing characteristics are primarily specific to the individual journal rather than to the subfield, while the distribution of journals in terms of slowly or rapidly maturing or declining types is specific to the subfield. It is shown that the cited half life (CHL), printed in the JCR, is an inappropriate measure of decline of journal impact. Following earlier work by Line and others, a more adequate parameter of decline is calculated taking into account the size of annual volumes during a range of fifteen years. For 76 per cent of SCI journals the relative difference between this new parameter and the ISI CHL exceeds 5 per cent. The current JCR journal impact factor is proven to be biased towards journals revealing a rapid maturing and decline in impact. Therefore, a longer term impact factor is proposed, as well as a normalised impact statistic, taking into account citation characteristics of the research subfield covered by a journal and the type of documents published in it. When these new measures are combined with the proposed ageing classification system, they provide a significantly improved picture of a journal‘s impact to that obtained from the JCR.
Questions in reference interviews
Authors: Domas White Marilyn
Published: May 2004

This article characterises the questioning behaviour in reference interviews preceding delegated online searches of bibliographic databases and relates it to questioning behaviour in other types of interviews/settings. With one exception, the unit of analysis is the question (N=610), not the interview. The author uses A.C. Graesser‘s typology of questions to analyse type of question and M.D. White’s typology of information categories to determine the question‘s content objective; this is the first application of Graesser’s typology to interview questions in any setting. Graesser‘s categories allow for a more subtle understanding of the kind of information need underlying a question. Comparisons are made between questions asked by the information specialist and those asked by the client. Findings show that the information specialist dominates the interview, about half the questions were verification questions and about 22% were judgemental questions or requests; all but four types of questions from Graesser’s categories appeared in the interviews, but no new question types were discovered. Clients often phrase questions as requests. In content, both clients and information specialists focus on the subject and service requested, but the clients ask also about search strategy and output features. Both parties ask predominantly short‐answer questions. Results are related to interface design for retrieval systems.
Representing and retrieving structured documents using the Dempster‐Shafer theory of evidence: modelling and evaluation
Authors: Lalmas Mounia , Ruthven Ian
Published: May 2004

In this paper we report on a theoretical model of structured document indexing and retrieval based on the Dempster‐Shafer Theory of Evidence. This includes a description of our model of structured document retrieval, the representation of structured documents, the representation of individual components, how components are combined, details of the combination process, and how relevance is captured within the model. We also present a detailed account of an implementation of the model, and an evaluation scheme designed to test the effectiveness of our model. Finally we report on the details and results of a series of experiments performed to investigate the characteristics of the model.
Informetric analysis of the international impact of scientific journals: how “international” are the international journals?
Authors: Wormell Irene
Published: May 2004

By developing a methodology for on‐line citation analysis, the international characteristics of scientific journals have been analysed on the basis of correlations between the geographical distribution patterns of authors, citations and subscriptions. The study covered seven selected LIS journals. Assuming that the numbers of authors and citations in each geographical region follow the Poisson distribution, the hypothesis was tested, that the intensities are proportional to the subscriptions. In most cases the correlation between authors and citations was so positive that the international visibility and impact of the scientific journals can be defined by these two variables. As regards the distribution pattern of subscribers, authors and citations, however, the test showed very weak or no correlations. The analysis of the statistical significance of differences gave some useful data, the importance of which to marketing and publishing strategies is obvious. The paper suggests examining also the knowledge export of journals as an additional criterion for the evaluation of their impact, and the quality of research published in them. The comparison of Journal Impact Factors (JIF) is another contribution of this study, aimed to enhance the use of impact factor analysis with various time intervals. We demonstrate new and flexible ways of using the JIF for diachronous and synchronous analyses. The study brings new dimensions to the discussions of the impact, status and image of scientific journals. It focuses on the utilisation of informetric analysis to go beyond the simplistic use of the JIF and to get a deeper understanding of the “real” impact of international scientific journals and their market.
Theory and metatheory of information science: a new interpretation
Authors: Hjørland Birger
Published: May 2004

This paper analyses the theoretical and the epistemological assumptions of information science (IS). Different views of knowledge underlie all major issues in IS. Epistemological theories have a fundamental impact on theories about users, their cognition and information seeking behaviour, on subject analysis, and on classification. They have also fundamental impact on information retrieval, on the understanding of “information”, on the view of documents and their role in communication, on information selection, on theories about the functions of information systems and on the role of information professionals. IS must be based on epistemological knowledge, which avoids blind alleys and is not outdated. The paper shows limitations in the dominant approaches to IS and proposes alternative viewpoints.
Overview of the Okapi projects
Authors: Robertson S.E.
Published: May 2004

This paper gives a brief description of the Okapi projects and the work of the Centre for Interactive Systems research, as an introduction to this special issue of the Journal of Documentation. Okapi is the name given to an experimental text retrieval system (or rather, family of systems, as will be discussed below), based at City University, London. The current systems and their predecessors have been used as the basis for a series of projects, generally addressing aspects of user information‐seeking behaviour and user‐system interaction, as well as system design. The projects have been supported extensively by the British Library, and to some degree by a number of other funders. They have been at City since 1989; for the previous seven years they were based at the Polytechnic of Central London (now the University of Westminster). In order to give a picture of the system(s) that now constitute Okapi, it is appropriate to describe one version containing some of the features that have become central to the Okapi projects, and then to indicate the variety of systems now implemented or implementable within the present setup, as well as the directions it may go in the future. In what follows, papers in this issue are referred to by brief titles.
Transaction logging
Authors: Jones S. , Gatford SM. , Do T. , Walker S.
Published: May 2004

Transaction logging has been used extensively in Okapi‐related projects to allow search algorithms and user interfaces to be investigated, evaluated and compared. Logging software may be independent of the system being examined, or integrated with it. Logging is undertaken for various purposes: recovery, playback or analysis, and the methods and formats used will vary accordingly. Logging techniques have developed over time to take into account the increasing sophistication of user interfaces and the requirement for more detailed analyses of the recorded data. A series of examples is presented, illustrating logging for both character‐based and GUI systems, and demonstrating the usefulness of a relational DBMS for storing and analysing log data. Future work will involve developing logging techniques for distributed versions of Okapi.
Application of probabilistic methods to Chinese
Authors: Huang Xiangji , Robertson S.E.
Published: May 2004

The use of text retrieval methods based on the probabilistic model with Chinese language material is discussed. Since Chinese text has no natural word boundaries, we must either apply a dictionary‐based word segmentation method to the text, or index and search in terms of single Chinese characters. In either case, it becomes important to have a good way of dealing with phrases or contiguous strings of characters; the probabilistic model does not at present have such a facility. Some ad hoc modificatkions of the probabilistic weighting function and matching method are proposed for this purpose.
Context learning in Okapi
Authors: Göker A.
Published: May 2004

A user who makes repeated use of a retrieval system may be assumed to have a context which is common to successive uses (even if the immediate need differs). An IR system which could make use of this context may be better able to match the specific need. A machine‐learning approach to inferring the user’s context is described, and the results of an evaluation experiment are given. There appears to be scope for IR systems to operate in this way.
Knowledge discovery from databases: an introductory review
Authors: Vickery Brian
Published: May 2004

The paper aims to provide a non‐technical introduction to the new procedures being used to extract knowledge from databases. The reasons for developing knowledge discovery methods are discussed ± primarily, the current production of very large databases that may include many data relations not explicit in the database structure. The background in machine learning is indicated. The methods used are described for such techniques as classification (sorting data into predefined classes), clustering (developing ab initio a data classification) and the detection of deviations from pre‐established norms. Examples of the applications of these methods are given. The paper concludes with some brief thoughts about the potential use of knowledge discovery in the information field.
Thesaurus structure design: a conceptual approach for improved interaction
Authors: López‐huertas María J.
Published: May 2004

The need for thesauri to help users in their search for information in online information systems has been discussed for several decades. Many wide‐ranging contributions have been made to solve this problem. Nevertheless, investigation is needed to design a thesaurus structure based on what is relevant for users and generators of information within a specific subject domain. This paper explores the possibility of creating a thesaurus from the cognitive viewpoint. This approach is based on a system (in this case represented by a thesaurus) that organises its representation of knowledge or its classification as closely as possible to the authors‘ and users’ images of the subject domain with the objective of increasing the interaction between users and texts, and thus the communication in a given information retrieval system. From this point of view, the thesaurus structure is considered as the essential foundation on which to base such an interactive thesaurus. Furthermore, this structure is conceived as representing the merging point for both the generators‘ and the users’ models of the subject domain and for their information needs. This paper is dedicated mainly to the generators‘ side involved in this process. It demonstrates how an author’s writings can be used to identify the generators‘ model and perception of the subject domain, and how these can later be inserted in the thesaurus structure. Discourse analysis is used as a main method to identify the categories and its relevance for building such a structure is discussed. It also outlines a general approach for the user side to set up different methods of getting the users’ information needs into the thesaurus structure.
Preference for physicians as information providers by women with multiple sclerosis: a potential cause for communication problems?
Authors: Baker Lynda M.
Published: May 2004

Communication problems between physicians and people with chronic diseases may result from many causes. A brief description of some causes is provided. The focus of this article concerns the information‐seeking patterns of women with multiple sclerosis (MS). A survey method was used to determine whether a woman‘s general orientation to information (monitoring, or actively seeking infor mation; blunting, or turning away from information) or the length of time she had had MS affected her choice of human resource from whom she preferred to receive both medical and non‐medical information on a variety of topics related to multiple sclerosis. Although both monitors and blunters indicated physicians as the preferred source of medical as well as non‐medical information, the results revealed that monitors preferred physicians more often than did blunters. The length of time a woman had had MS was not a major factor affecting her choice of physicians. The use of physicians as a resource for both medical and non‐medical information can contribute to physician frustration which, in turn, can foster physician‐patient communication problems.
Modelling the information seeking patterns of engineers and research scientists in an industrial environment
Authors: Ellis David , Haugan Merete
Published: May 2004

The study explores the role of information and information seeking in the Research and Development Department of an international oil and gas company. The information seeking patterns of engineers and research scientists at Statoil’s Research Centre, in Trondheim, Norway were studied in relation to their research activities in different phases and types of project. The project phases were evaluation of alternative solutions; development and testing; and summary of experiences. The project types were incremental; radical; and fundamental. Eight major characteristics were identified in the patterns: surveying; chaining; monitoring; browsing; distinguishing; filtering; extracting and ending. The study analyses the requirements for different types of information in an environment where the need for internal and external resources are intertwined; it also compares features of the information seeking patterns of engineers and research scientists from this and previous studies. It was found that, although there were differences in the features of the information seeking patterns of the research scientists and engineers, the behavioural characteristics were similar; and the study identified identical or very similar categories of information seeking behaviour to those of previous studies of academic researchers.
Informetric analyses on the world wide web: methodological approaches to ‘webometrics’
Authors: Almind Tomas C. , Ingwersen Peter
Published: May 2004

This article introduces the application of informetric methods to the World Wide Web (WWW), also called Webometrics. A case study presents a workable method for general informetric analyses of the WWW. In detail, the paper describes a number of specific informetric analysis parameters. As a case study the Danish proportion of the WWW is compared to those of other Nordic countries. The methodological approach is comparable with common bibliometric analyses of the ISI citation databases. Among other results the analyses demonstrate that Denmark would seem to fall seriously behind the other Nordic countries with respect to visibility on the Net and compared to its position in scientific databases.
The correlation between citation counts and the 1992 research assessment exercise ratings for British research in genetics, anatomy and archaeology
Authors: Oppenheim Charles
Published: May 2004

A study was carried out to assess the correlation between scores achieved by academic departments in the UK in the 1992 Research Assessment Exercise, and the number of citations received by academics in those departments for articles published in the period 1988±1992, using the Institute for Scientific Information’s citation databases. Only those papers first authored by academics identified from the Commonwealth Universities Yearbook were examined. Three subject areas: Anatomy, Genetics and Archaeology were chosen to complement Library and Information Management that had already been the subject of such a study. It was found that in all three cases, there is a statistically significant correlation between the total number of citations received, or the average number of citations per member of staff, and the Research Assessment Exercise score. Surprisingly, the strongest correlation was found in Archaeology, a subject noted for its heavy emphasis on monographic literature and with relatively low citation counts. The results make it clear that citation counting provides a robust and reliable indicator of the research performance of UK academic departments in a variety of disciplines, and the paper argues that for future Research Assessment Exercises, citation counting should be the primary, but not the only, means of calculating Research Assessment Exercise scores.
Gravity wells of meaning: detecting information‐rich passages in scientific texts
Authors: Paijmans Hans
Published: May 2004

Four term‐weighting schemes are used to detect information‐rich passages in texts and the results are compared. It is demonstrated that word categories and frequency‐derived weights have a close correlation but that weighting according to the first mention theory or the cue‐method shows no correlation with frequency‐based weights.
Theory growth in information science: applications of the theory of science to a theory of information seeking
Authors: Vakkari Pertti , Kuokkanen Martti
Published: May 2004

The aim of the study is to analyse theory growth in information science by using a case from information seeking studies. Scientific growth is identified with the growth of theories. Three contexts of theoretical work are differentiated: unit theories, theoretical research programmes and metatheories. For analysis of theory growth tools based on the current theory of science are needed. The study introduces tools for the analysis of theory growth and theory reconstruction and applies them to analysis of a theory on information seeking. Tools include the systematisation and formalisation of theories. The usefulness of these tools is illustrated by reconstructing a theory used in a current information seeking study. It is shown that they help in specifying the theory in the following ways: 1. in stating the central concepts and their relations; 2. in revealing implicit restrictions of the theory; and 3. in facilitating the derivation of additional hypotheses from the theory’s axioms, especially by showing the mechanisms which interconnect the concepts of the theory. The results of reconstruction, specification and enrichment of the theory show future prospects for developing it and thus it creates potential growth of knowledge within the theory of information seeking.
BIX – The Library Index, or: Why less is often more
Authors: Klug Petra
Published: May 2004

In October 1999 a new project of performance measurement in German public libraries was launched under the title ‘BIX ‐ The Library Index’. Based on the co‐operation of the Bertelsmann Foundation and the German Libraries’ Association (DBV) a long‐term national annual comparison on the basis of a few indicators has been established.
Management information and decision support for libraries in Europe: a concerted action.
Authors: Clarke Zoe , Lambert Siån
Published: May 2004

Management information for decision making is an essential tool for library managers. This paper outlines the European Commission Libraries Programme decision support projects that were brought together under the CAMILE concerted action. The three common themes to emerge from the CAMILE projects are then discussed. The themes are: information for decision making, systems for decision support, and the future challenges of measuring impact and developing performance measures for the elec‐tronic library. To conclude, recommendations for future research in the field of decision support in European libraries are considered.
The ESEP Project at Glasgow Caledonian University and the implications for LIS evaluation
Authors: Crawford John , Riley Sarah
Published: May 2004

This paper considers the assessment and enhancement of student feedback within a University Library context. It examines the assessment of the overall experience of the student of the university as a whole and the role that the library plays in that. Lessons can be learned from the article about the role of the information service in supporting the mission of the parent organisation.
Performance or measurement?
Authors: Stephen Town J.
Published: May 2004

This paper has been updated from the article that appeared in the ‘Proceedings of the 2nd Northumbria International Conference on Performance Measurement in Libraries and Information Services 1997’. It questions whether current UK systems of performance measurement and associated data collection activities are appropriate and suggests some hypotheses from which an improved framework might be developed.
Appraisal and access: we should expect changes driven by the media and by public awareness
Authors: Cook Michael
Published: May 2004

A statement of personal opinion on some of the effects of media discussion of issues with a records component. Appraisal of records for retention and the access to be given to users of these are singled out. Effects of electronic records management are included. Accountability is seen as the main principle in the appraisal of public records, but is extended to the private sector in such matters as environmental protection. Access is affected by the opening of the hitherto secret records of Eastern Europe, but also by new legal provision for data protection and freedom of information. Principles for further development of professional action in records and archives management are suggested.
The Impact of Records Centres on the Management of Public Sector Records in Kenya
Authors: Kemoni Henry N
Published: May 2004

This study examines the role of records centres in relation to the management of public sector records in Kenya. It highlights the inadequacies of the Public Archives and Documentation Service Act (Cap 19) of 1965 as a tool to manage public sector records. The findings of the study are based on questionnaires which were distributed to provincial archivists in charge of records centres. One of the major findings of the study is that records centres have played a significant role in the management of public sector records. The study also addresses the various problems experienced by record creators in managing public sector records and notes that the resources availed to records centres are not commensurate with their growing responsibilities in records management. Among the recommendations are that the Public Archives Act should be revised, existing provincial records centres should be converted into provincial archives, staffing at both the professional and para‐professional levels should be improved and an attempt should be made to involve records creators in the management of records created within their organisations.
Closure of a Government Agency ‐ Disposing of the Records
Authors: Philipson Sophie
Published: May 2004

Six months prior to its closure, Tyne and Wear Development Corporation, a government agency, appointed a records management professional to assist in the disposal of its records. This article documents the challenges the project presented and the procedures which were implemented to ensure appropriate actions were taken. It concludes with a summary of the issues which arose during the project and their implications.
The eluding definitions of records and records management: is a universally acceptable definition possible? Part 1. Defining the record
Authors: Yusof Zawiyah M. , Chell Robert W.
Published: May 2004

This article examines the various definitions accorded to the two key terms in records management ‐ the records and records management. Variations in their definition have lead to confusion which affects the formulation of theory to underpin the discipline. This problem is to be discussed in two separate parts. Part 1 discusses the changing definition of the ‘record’ as it evolves from an archives perspective, through a management perspective to an information technology perspective. These changes have lead to changes in the status of records. This is discussed as records as objects vs records as electronic objects. However, this is not a new issue. It was recognised by Jenkinson as early as 1922. The debate on the definition of records concludes that any new definition needs to take account of the component parts of a record: the information, the medium and the function. Part 2 will discuss the various definitions of records management.
Records management in the next millennium: conference report
Authors: Hare Catherine E.
Published: May 2004

Records management in the next millennium: the global perspective was the title of the 4th International Records Management Congress held in Edinburgh between 27 and 30 April 1998. More than one hundred delegates from four continents gathered at the Sheraton Grand Hotel to hear keynote addresses and papers from different parts of the world. But, as is usual at conferences, it was not only in the formal sessions that discussion raged about the challenges facing records and archives professionals as the year 2000 approaches. This report will highlight some of the key themes which emerged.
Partnerships in professional education: a study in archives and records management
Authors: Shepherd Elizabeth
Published: May 2004

The theme of the 1990s is partnership. Government policies and organisational structures encourage collaboration. This trend is reflected in the archives and records management profession. This paper is a study of partnership projects between higher education institutions and four types of partner: employers; professional bodies; a charity; and other higher education institutions. The focus of the study is professional education and training in archives and records management. The paper concludes that a complex environment requires a flexible response and that a small discipline needs to develop partnerships to enable all involved to respond swiftly to change. Collaboration rather than competition must be the basis for future survival and success.
RECPRO – developing a European records management programme
Authors: Valtonen Marjo , Hare Catherine , Horsman Peter , Schokenhoff Volker
Published: May 2004

This article describes the genesis of a project to develop a European‐wide curriculum for electronic records management and explains its aims and progress to date. It is jointly presented by the members of the project team who each represent an institution in Europe where archives and records management is taught.
The eluding definitions of records and records management: is a universally acceptable definition possible? Part 2: Defining records management
Authors: Yusof Zawiyah M. , Chell Robert W.
Published: May 2004

This is the second part of a two‐part article which examines the various definitions accorded to the two key terms in records management – the records and records management. Variations in their definition have lead to confusion which affects the formulation of theory to underpin the discipline. Having discussed the changing definition of a record in Part 1 in this part the authors discuss the various definitions of records management.
Casting the ‘Net: the Records Management intranet pages
Authors: Gibbons Paul
Published: May 2004

The technology of the Internet is increasingly used internally by organisations. The intranet, a private internal network, has become an essential tool in the workplace. It allows the members of such organisations to share information with colleagues who may be geographically separated, and provides a medium for up to date information. At Pfizer Central Research, Records Management are using the intranet to improve communication with user departments, and to develop more effective processes. This paper describes the pages designed by the author, and provides examples of how they are used by Records Management and by user departments. It concludes that the intranet is a great opportunity for records managers to improve the service that they provide to their organisation.
The metadatabase: the future of the retention schedule as a records management tool
Authors: Bailey Stephen
Published: May 2004

Records management has undergone an unprecedented process of change in the last few years. This has been chiefly due to the proliferation of information technology and the rapid pace of organisational change. It is my belief that current criticisms of the retention schedule as a records management tool are largely justified because the traditional retention schedule programme has failed to keep pace with these changes. This paper proposes that the full potential of the retention schedule has not been recognised in many organisations. It argues that if it is possible to identify overall retention requirements at a series level it should also be possible to identify other properties and descriptive values that can also be assigned to each series in advance of records creation It then discusses the range of such properties that it is possible to define at this point and begins to explore how, if automated, these values can act not only as the basis of future systems design, but can also be used as the point of control for virtually all records management functions.
Risk management of organisational records
Authors: Egbuji Angel
Published: May 2004

The impact on business of the failure to manage non‐financial risks has been repeatedly demonstrated during the 1990s.1 Businesses are constantly faced with the need to manage change within their organisation. Change generates choice, which carries risk. This paper is a study of a range of issues to be addressed in risk management of organisational records. Such a study needs to begin with a consideration of the management of risk in general. The paper concludes that for risk management of organisational records to be effective, it needs to be incorporated into the decision‐making process of the organisation making it central to all activities. Risk management of records needs to be proactive not reactive.
RecFind and the future of records management software
Authors: McKenna Frank
Published: May 2004

This paper attempts to predict the future of records management software and GMB‘s RecFind‐Corporate product. It looks at a four‐year period through until the year 2003. It answers questions both about the relevance of records management software as a discreet application and about the functionality required by the user community. The raw data on feature‐utilisation used for the graphs within this paper are based upon feedback from a selection of GMB’s 80,000 plus RecFind users around the world. The feedback was obtained via both surveys and direct contact, mostly from direct contact.
Towards a framework for standardising recordkeeping metadata: the Australian recordkeeping metadata schema
Authors: McKemmish Sue , Acland Glenda , Reed Barbara
Published: May 2004

In July 1999 the Australian Recordkeeping Metadata Schema (RKMS) was approved by its academic and industry steering group. The RKMS has inherited elements from and built on many other metadata standards associated with information management. It has also contributed to the development of subsequent sector specific recordkeeping metadata sets. The importance of the RKMS as a framework for mapping or reading other sets, and also as a standardised set of metadata available for adoption in diverse implementation environments, is now emerging. This paper explores the context of the Australian SPIRT1 Recordkeeping Metadata Project, and the conceptual models developed by the SPIRT Research Team as a framework for standardising and defining recordkeeping metadata. It then introduces the elements of the SPIRT Recordkeeping Metadata Schema and explores its functionality, before discussing implementation issues and future directions
Assessing research in the United Kingdom: the Research Assessment Exercise 2001
Authors: Elkin Judith
Published: May 2004

In the United Kingdom the quality of research in Higher Education Institutions is assessed on a regular basis via the Research Assessment Exercises. The outcome determines the allocation of grants for research in the following period of assessment. They are very important and, for the first time, records management is explicitly identified in the scope of the Library and Information Management Panel‘s subject area for the next exercise. In this article the chair of that panel reflects on the exercises to date, the policies to be adopted in 2001 and a brief discussion of the Library and Information Panel (Unit of Assessment 61).
Building a case for evidence: research at the International Records Management Trust, Rights and Records Institute
Authors: Barata Kimberley , Cain Piers , Thurston Anne
Published: May 2004

The availability of documentary evidence strengthens civil society by helping to protect legal rights and prevent human rights violations. Legal redress, voting rights, land registration and pension claims all depend upon the availability of records. Conversely, the loss of control of records undermines the state‘s ability to protect the people. Furthermore, in the absence of well‐managed records, information can be manipulated, transparency becomes impossible and fraud flourishes. Citizens cannot participate meaningfully in the governance process or hold government officials accountable for their actions and decisions. Freedom of Information is meaningless. The International Records Management Trust, Rights and Records Institute is dedicated to serving the international information management community. It acts as a leading resource for technical information and services through research and education. Through its activities, the Institute seeks to empower developing country governments to manage public records in support of citizen’s rights and to make public sector service delivery more efficient and economic. This article introduces broadly the work of the Trust and the newly established Rights and Records Institute and inform on both ongoing and completed research.
Records and archives as a basis for good government: implications and challenges for records managers and archivists in Africa
Authors: Wamukoya Justus
Published: May 2004

This article looks at the need to manage public sector records as evidence and as a means of controlling how government resources are used, as well as a vital source of information for empowering the people of Africa. The author examines the role of records and of record keeping within the context of three distinct domains – business, accountability and culture – and the contribution of records managers and archivists to the process of democratic governance.
Electronic signatures in the pharmaceutical industry – wider issues dominate over the technical and practical?
Authors: Whitman James
Published: May 2004

This article explores the relationship between the use of electronic signatures and governance within the pharmaceutical industry. The concept of governance and the use of research to explore the operation of processes of regulation and government intervention remains largely absent in the records management literature and further exploration, through additional original research, presents opportunities to develop records management theory and knowledge of records management practice.
The challenge of implementing a records management system at the National Electricity Regulator in South Africa
Authors: de Wet San‐Daleen , du Toit Adeline
Published: May 2004

This article concentrates on the implementation of an electronic records system at a statutory body in South Africa. Problems with the current records system as well as the criteria used to choose a new system to manage the records are discussed. It is concluded that South African enterprises should integrate records management more effectively with other information management functions in the enterprise so that records management becomes a strategic management function towards reaching a competitive advantage.
Systems of appraisal for the management of research records – content, value and contingency
Authors: Whitman James
Published: May 2004

One of the key issues that affects practitioners is the question of selection and the relationship this bears to records content and an evaluation of the long term value of collections of records. Appraisal has been the means developed by records management and archives to deal with this problem. In this respect, the aim of this paper has been to describe those theories of appraisal that are currently most influential in highlighting the choices and pathways that each present to those actively engaged in research, or in designing recordkeeping systems to manage research records. The conclusion is that the claims to singularity and independence that these perspectives represent will not be maintained during the course of dealing with the complex contingencies encountered when managing real recordkeeping systems. The alternative is to evaluate the strengths and difficulties that each represents and on this basis, develop appraisal strategies that most effectively meet the requirements of the wide range of interests likely to be involved.
Modelling the continuum as paradigm shift in recordkeeping and archiving processes, and beyond Ö a personal reflection
Authors: Upward Frank
Published: May 2004

This article outlines the development of a records continuum model initially developed as a teaching tool to communicate evidence‐based approaches to archives and records management. The continuum is being used in Australia as a metaphor to assist in getting records management ‘right’ in recordkeeping environments built around electronic communications, and the model supports this endeavour. It extends the concept of the continuum beyond metaphor, representing the case for viewing it in its fuller spacetime meanings as a worldview. In this form, the continuum is potentially a technologically driven paradigm shift within all information management and systems practice. There is a new game developing and the concept of the continuum can help us re‐organise our knowledge for that game. This article will discuss the diversity of records management theory and practice. It will look at the meanings of the continuum and my own model of it, including the differences between a worldview and a detailed view. Three other continuum models are presented. A continuum ‘patrol and control’ strategy for analysis is outlined briefly, and represents a point at which my own approach to the continuum is taking off into more detailed practical considerations in records management education and training.
Professionalism and ethics in records management in the public sector in Zimbabwe
Authors: Ngulube Patrick
Published: May 2004

This paper is a report of a study that looks at the practice of records management in the public sector in Zimbabwe and the extent to which records management, within Zimbabwe, can be regarded as a profession. The study reveals that records are mishandled and abused suggesting a lack of ethics. Those with the job title records manager have neither specialized training nor a code of ethics. The conclusions drawn are that, in Zimbabwe, records management has not yet been professionalized. The paper then suggests that the adoption of a code of ethics might lead to the professionalization of records management.
Pollinator visitation, stigmatic pollen loads and among‐population variation in seed set in Lythrum salicaria
Authors: WAITES ANNA R. , ÅGREN JON
Published: May 2004

Small populations of reward‐producing plants are likely to be less attractive to animal pollinators than large populations. As a result, both the quantity and the proportion of compatible pollen deposited on receptive stigmas, and seed output per plant, may be lower in small than in large populations.

We examined whether pollinator visitation, pollen deposition and seed set varied with population size in the self‐incompatible, tristylous herb Lythrum salicaria, in the Skeppsvik archipelago, northern Sweden. We documented both the number of compatible and incompatible conspecific and heterospecific pollen grains received per flower, seed set and degree of pollen limitation of long‐styled plants in 14 populations of different size in two consecutive years, and recorded the visitation rate to individual plants and the number of flowers visited per plant in eight of the populations.

As predicted, the visitation rate tended to increase, while the number of flowers visited per plant tended to decrease with increasing population size. However, visitation rates were low overall and temporally highly variable, and these relationships only approached statistical significance. The proportion and absolute number of compatible pollen grains received increased with population size, while the total amounts of conspecific and heterospecific pollen grains received did not vary significantly with population size. The results of supplemental hand‐pollinations indicated that the among‐population variation in seed set was due to insufficient transfer of compatible pollen in small populations.

Seed output increased with the receipt of compatible pollen grains up to about 200 compatible pollen grains received per flower. Between 73% and 98% of the L. salicaria pollen grains received were incompatible, and between 9% and 81% of the pollen grains deposited were heterospecific (population means). However, there was no evidence that the deposition of high numbers of incompatible conspecific and heterospecific pollen grains reduced seed set.

In the study populations of L. salicaria, variation in seed output and pollen limitation are apparently governed primarily by factors influencing the transfer of compatible pollen. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that a reduction in the efficiency of pollen transfer among compatible mating types may markedly reduce the reproductive output in small populations of self‐incompatible plants. In light of the current rapid transformation and fragmentation of habitats, there is a pressing need both to clarify how the pollination success of plants with different pollination systems is affected by large‐scale changes in population size, density and isolation, and to determine the demographic consequences of differences in pollination intensity.
Introducing a certified economic accountant (CEA) degree or diploma program: Would Nancy and Richard Ruggles approve?
Authors: Postner Harry H.
Published: May 2004

This paper is inspired by the work of Nancy and Richard Ruggles promoting national economic accounting in academic and non‐academic areas. They were concerned with both compilation and use of national accounts as well as developmental issues. Now that the subject has matured with the 1993 SNA standards, the compilation, development and understanding of the accounts require special training and experience, but national economic accounting has become a multidisciplinary matter that cannot easily fit into one academic department. Hence we advocate a Certified Economic Accountant (CEA) degree or diploma program to gain enhanced recognition and greater understanding for national economic accountants and their work. The paper includes an annotated list of 50 references, covering the period 1942–2002, that might form a syllabus, and a section outlining the mechanics and problems of organizing such a program.