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Article
Publication date: 1 April 1993

Pieter A. van Brakel

Tertiary programmes for teaching online searching consist typically of the components of an online search system, different categories of databases, overview of database hosts and…

Abstract

Tertiary programmes for teaching online searching consist typically of the components of an online search system, different categories of databases, overview of database hosts and their search facilities, methods to create search strategies and command languages, to name but a few. Practical experience, an integral component, is gained by searching interactively on one or more database hosts, where the emphasis is on search techniques rather than the intrinsic characteristics of the databases of the specific system. The extent of students' hands‐on experience invariably depends on the teaching unit's budget, which may preclude extensive ‘live’ exposure. However, the technical facilities and shared resources of a local area network (LAN) are likely to have a significant effect on the traditional teaching methods of online searching. It is now possible, in a LAN environment, to integrate the various information retrieval activities, for example creating and searching personal or local databases, utilising these for indexing, abstracting and thesaurus building, searching locally on CDROM databases which simulate the search facilities and command languages of commercial database hosts and, when the need arises, accessing their external ‘online’ counterparts. This article will demonstrate how the limited concept of ‘online searching’ is broadened when a LAN and local databases are utilised in the online teaching process.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 11 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1985

Carmel Maguire and Robin Kench

Online use of external databases by Australian manufacturing companies has been growing rapidly since 1979. A survey of online users in some chemical and food companies found that…

Abstract

Online use of external databases by Australian manufacturing companies has been growing rapidly since 1979. A survey of online users in some chemical and food companies found that in one‐third of the companies scientists and technologists performed searches. They did not search as many databases as the librarians in the other companies. They are, however, obtaining more information than before. All companies considered online searching cost effective, citing the rapid retrieval of information and the fact that searches need only be conducted when information is wanted, as evidence of cost‐effectiveness. Implications for manufacturing industry in Australia of current trends in the online industry are discussed and the potential of the new technology for equalising access to information among companies of all sizes is noted.

Details

Aslib Proceedings, vol. 37 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0001-253X

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1990

EFTHIMIS N. EFTHIMIADIS

This review reports on the current state and the potential of tools and systems designed to aid online searching, referred to here as online searching aids. Intermediary…

239

Abstract

This review reports on the current state and the potential of tools and systems designed to aid online searching, referred to here as online searching aids. Intermediary mechanisms are examined in terms of the two stage model, i.e. end‐user, intermediary, ‘raw database’, and different forms of user — system interaction are discussed. The evolution of the terminology of online searching aids is presented with special emphasis on the expert/non‐expert division. Terms defined include gateways, front‐end systems, intermediary systems and post‐processing. The alternative configurations that such systems can have and the approaches to the design of the user interface are discussed. The review then analyses the functions of online searching aids, i.e. logon procedures, access to hosts, help features, search formulation, query reformulation, database selection, uploading, downloading and post‐processing. Costs are then briefly examined. The review concludes by looking at future trends following recent developments in computer science and elsewhere. Distributed expert based information systems (debis), the standard generalised mark‐up language (SGML), the client‐server model, object‐orientation and parallel processing are expected to influence, if they have not done so already, the design and implementation of future online searching aids.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 46 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2005

Abdul Razeq Mustafa Younis

The study is concerned with gathering factual data on the use of local online information systems, automation, online connections, online public access catalogs (OPACs)…

1163

Abstract

Purpose

The study is concerned with gathering factual data on the use of local online information systems, automation, online connections, online public access catalogs (OPACs), CD‐ROM‐based systems in 19 Jordanian university libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Information was sought through a written questionnaire; personal interviews; literature review, and field visits. The implementation of local online information systems; OPACs, CD‐ROM databases, online searching, networks/databases subscribed to, methods of online services to users, problems and solutions are investigated.

Findings

Of the 18 (94.7 percent) libraries responded, half (50 percent) are using MINISIS or CDS/ISIS, one‐third (33.3 percent) is using either M2L, or ORACLE based systems, and 3 (16.7 percent) are using locally designed packages. Technical processing, information retrieval, circulation, reference services, and serial control are the prime systems functions. All respondents are linked to the internet. A total of 15 (83.3 percent) respondents have developed collections of databases on CD‐ROMs; 11 (73.3 percent) use single‐ access, and four (26.7 percent) use multi‐user systems.

Practical implications

Online services are provided mostly by traditional means. Lack of skilled staff, shortages of fund, and insufficient hardware are prime obstacles hindering systems optimal utilization. Outdated databases, cost, and users incompetence are problems limiting the optimal use of online systems. Developing intranet, funding, trained manpower, training courses to users, sharing subscription expenses in electronic full‐text database, and promote cooperation to exchange OPACs records through the internet, are suggested solutions to overcome these problems.

Originality/value

Academic libraries in Jordan are changing emphasis from ownership of information sources in printed forms, to the access to online databases or local area networks systems based on CD‐ROMs, to linkage with the internet as a prime gateway to information sources.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1983

I. Sebestyen

One of the most important categories of data flow applications is databases — especially public databases. Without going into depth concerning the philosophy of database

Abstract

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.

Details

Online Review, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-314X

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1998

Kristina Voigt and Rainer Brüggemann

The large number and big variety of online databases in the field of environmental sciences and chemistry underlines the need for a comparative evaluation approach. In this paper

Abstract

The large number and big variety of online databases in the field of environmental sciences and chemistry underlines the need for a comparative evaluation approach. In this paper 12 evaluation criteria are presented. The criteria are divided into: • general criteria: SI (size of the data‐source), CO (cost of one hour online searching), UP (update of online database), and AV (availability on other media) • chemical‐relevant criteria: NU (number of chemicals), ID (identification parameter for chemicals), CT (testset chemicals), CD (development of chemicals) • environmental‐relevant criteria: IP (information parameters for chemical substances), PD (parameter development) and • criteria describing environmental chemicals: US (use of chemical substances), QU (quality of database). A six number scoring system is applied on these criteria. Furthermore a comparative evaluation approach, the so‐called Hasse‐diagram‐technique is presented for 19 bibliographic online databases using the criteria mentioned above. In this approach maximals (‘good’ databases) and minimals (‘bad’ databases) can be identified, for example. Using the Hasse‐diagram‐technique changes in the database content from 1995 to 1998 applied on the 19 databases can be visualised.

Details

Online and CD-Rom Review, vol. 22 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1353-2642

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1982

Stephen Smith

Developments in the technology of electronic transmission of information are rapidly transforming the tools available to the general public for gathering information about current…

Abstract

Developments in the technology of electronic transmission of information are rapidly transforming the tools available to the general public for gathering information about current events. Direct access to news and retrieval of bibliographic information pertaining to traditional printed news sources are a daily reality for a growing number of individuals, on the job, at home, through personal computer terminals or at libraries. The purpose of this paper is to examine the characteristics of electronic databases providing access to news, as well as applications of these tools to various library settings.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 10 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1989

Frank W. Miller and Deborah Voigt Loeding

The library marketplace for reference services is a rapidly changing environment. Various types of technologies have been introduced during the past twenty years to facilitate the…

Abstract

The library marketplace for reference services is a rapidly changing environment. Various types of technologies have been introduced during the past twenty years to facilitate the retrieval of periodical information. Beginning with online access to databases, and progressing from menu‐driven systems to access online databases, the library community is now ready to embrace the latest and most revolutionary technology for libraries—CD‐ROM.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 17 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1993

BRIAN VICKERY and ALINA VICKERY

There is a huge amount of information and data stored in publicly available online databases that consist of large text files accessed by Boolean search techniques. It is widely…

Abstract

There is a huge amount of information and data stored in publicly available online databases that consist of large text files accessed by Boolean search techniques. It is widely held that less use is made of these databases than could or should be the case, and that one reason for this is that potential users find it difficult to identify which databases to search, to use the various command languages of the hosts and to construct the Boolean search statements required. This reasoning has stimulated a considerable amount of exploration and development work on the construction of search interfaces, to aid the inexperienced user to gain effective access to these databases. The aim of our paper is to review aspects of the design of such interfaces: to indicate the requirements that must be met if maximum aid is to be offered to the inexperienced searcher; to spell out the knowledge that must be incorporated in an interface if such aid is to be given; to describe some of the solutions that have been implemented in experimental and operational interfaces; and to discuss some of the problems encountered. The paper closes with an extensive bibliography of references relevant to online search aids, going well beyond the items explicitly mentioned in the text. An index to software appears after the bibliography at the end of the paper.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 49 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1982

Martha E. Williams

The connect hour prices for use of 320 online databases up on seven major biblio‐graphic systems in February 1981 in the U.S. and Canada were analyzed. A distribution was run and…

Abstract

The connect hour prices for use of 320 online databases up on seven major biblio‐graphic systems in February 1981 in the U.S. and Canada were analyzed. A distribution was run and all databases fell into five ranges with 65% in the medium‐low ($25–49) and medium ($50–74) ranges. Government databases were analyzed as a subset of the total, and National Library of Medicine databases were analyzed in more detail as a subset of govern‐ment online databases. Further analyses of database prices were done in terms of four new measures: (1) price per connect‐hour per record accessible online; (2) price per connect‐hour per record searchable online; (3) number of records accessible per dollar per connect‐hour; and (4) number of records searchable per dollar per connect‐hour. Data are given in both real and constant dollars. Using these four measures, one can see that database size correlates extremely well with price. Reasons for increasing the price per connect hour for MEDLINE are given. They relate to the numerical analyses and to the responsibilities government database producers have to not‐for‐profit database producers.

Details

Online Review, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-314X

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