Search results

Farradane's system of relational indexing, which had been previously used in a retrospective search system with good results, was further tested as the indexing language for an experimental S.D.I. system. Sections of Metals Abstracts were used for the data base of 2,820 abstracts, and forty‐three volunteer users participated in the experiment which lasted for six months. Performance was assessed by recall, precision and fallout ratios, and the ‘coefficient of association’ (Q value) and the product (recall X precision) were used as overall measures. The overall average performance was about 75% recall and 75% precision. A failure analysis was also carried out. The browsing strategies incorporated into the system were analysed, as were the profile structure, the distribution of performance measures and possible relationships between recall, precision and generality. Farradane's relational indexing appeared applicable to the different scientific area of the properties of metals and again gave good results with a greater depth of indexing. Some new features of the system were observed.

Screen‐based word processors have been available all through the 1970s, although widespread interest and use dates from about 1975. Conventional offices, generating and manipulating many thousands of words, started to take advantage of the features word processors offer on a much wider scale than they had ever done with their forerunners, the automatic typewriters. Libraries and information departments who were concerned primarily with the already printed and published word were rather slower to realise that they too generated a relatively large number of words in their own right and that these words, in the form of, for example, catalogue cards, accessions lists, abstracts, bibliographies, reports and so on, could perhaps be handled more beneficially by word processors. However, once it began, interest grew rapidly, although actual installation of equipment has been considerably slower—probably a reflection of the limited budgets frequently allocated to such services for the purchase of technological aids.

A small‐scale test of Metals abstracts index, with ten profiles and five sections of the abstracts as data base, was carried out with a methodology which endeavoured to simulate real life use of this Index by an information scientist for current awareness searching. The performance results were 67 per cent recall, 40 per cent precision and 2 per cent fallout. An error analysis showed that 65 per cent of the errors were attibutable to human (searcher) factors. Some of the factors that must inevitably affect the assessment of printed indexes are discussed, together with the observation of two unexpected phenomena, namely an apparent relationship between precision and searching effort, and relationships between generality and both recall and fallout.

Because information is vital to effective decision making, the fostering of conditions which promote effective use of existing channels of information is therefore seen as a prime element contributing to organizational survival and success (Fulmer et al, 1990). In particular, the way in which characteristics of individuals and the attributes of the tasks they perform, affect the use of different information sources is a pertinent issue in organizational analysis. It is also an important consideration in information systems development and management. Much of the existing research in this area has been dominated by attempts to define appropriate modes of information processing and the construction of models that might enhance effective communication (O'Reilly, 1982; Schick et al, 1990; Kim 8c Lee, 1991). The importance of this area of research has been heightened by the dynamics and complexities of industrial organizations and the need for various modes of information processing to address these dynamics (Kim & Lee, 1991). Also, because the appropriate use of information is the ‘life‐blood’ of organizational dynamics, the identification of aspects that might affect differential use of various channels (of information) is fundamental to an understanding of the area.

A major international conference “Information Technology and the Research Process” sponsored by BLRDD, the University of Pittsburgh and the Computer Board for Universities and Research Councils took place in mid‐July at Cranfield Institute of Technology, UK. Delegates from all over the world gathered to hear how information technology (IT) is transforming the traditional research process. Twenty speakers provided their individual views on how IT is opening up types of analysis hitherto impossible, providing alternative methods of investigation and supporting new ways of communicating the results of research. The conduct of research in all disciplines including science, technology and the humanities and how IT enhances the outcome was debated during the lively meeting of minds at Cranfield. The proceedings are to be published this winter.

This guide “aims to assist those who need access to specialist organisations, societies, libraries, museums, etc within specific fields”. A companion volume to Peter Marcan's Directory of specialist book‐dealers in the UK, the guide is arranged by Dewey and many of the entries are annotated. There is a list of subject headings at the front of the guide arranged in Dewey order. I would have preferred this list to be in alphabetical order but it is short enough to scan fairly rapidly.