Showing papers in "Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology in 1972"

On the economics of information

Abstract: On November 11, 1971, the Special Interest Group of the American Society for Information Science on Behavioral and Social Sciences held a panel discussion a t the annual meeting in Denver. The audience found the ideas generated of sufficient importance to request that the highlights be published and disseminated to policy makers and other key people. In this paper, Robin Crickman' has summarized the statements of the five panelists. The primary message from these and other comments made during the panel discussion was the need to probe more deeply into the utility of knowledge for decision-making, to shift priorities toward making data more usable to policy-makers than to collectors and disseminators.

Interrelationships of scientific journals

Abstract: A series of models of the interrelationship of scientific journals has been developed from the cross citing amongst 275 journals in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. The data source was the Journal Citation Index (JCI), a file derived from the Science Citation Index. The JCI consists of a journal by journal tabulation of citings to and from each journal in the Index. A large amount of consistency was found between the citing characteristics of the journals in the different scientific fields, with quite clear boundaries between fields and a few well known cross disciplinary journals as cross field information links. The separate disciplines appear to relate to each other in an orderly manner, with a natural sequence: mathematics physics chemistry biochemistry biology. Within disciplines the journals form fully transitive hierarchies with very few relational conflicts.

A New Comparison Between Conventional Indexing (MEDLARS) and Automatic Text Processing (SMART).

Abstract: A new testing process is described designed to compare conventional retrieval (MEDLARS) and automatic text analysis methods (SMART) The results obtained with a collection of documents chosen independently of either SMART or MEDLARS indicate that a simple automatic extraction of keywords from document abstracts produces a 30 to 40 percent loss compared with MEDLARS indexing A replacement of the unranked Boolean searches used in MEDLARS by the standard ranked output normally provided by SMART reduces the loss to between 15 and 20 percent When an automatically generated word control list or a thesaurus is used as part of the SMART analysis, the results are comparable in effectiveness to those obtained by the intellectual MEDLARS indexing Finally, the incorporation of user feedback procedures into SMART furnishes an improvement over the normal MEDLARS output of 15 to 30 percent One concludes again that no technical justification exists for maintaining controlled, manual indexing in operational retrieval environments

Linguistics and information science

Abstract: This paper defines the relationship between linguistics and information science in terms of a common interest in natural language. The notion of automated processing of natural language–i.e., machine simulation of the language processing activities of a human–provides novel possibilities for interaction between linguists, who have a theoretical interest in such activities, and information scientists, who have more practical goals, e.g. simulating the language processing activities of an indexer with a machine. The concept of a natural language information system is introduced as a framework for reviewing automated language processing efforts by computational linguists and information scientists. In terms of this framework, the former have concentrated on automating the operations of the component for content analysis and representation, while the latter have emphasized the data management component. The complementary nature of these developments allows the postulation of an integrated approach to automated language processing. This approach, which is outlined in the final sections of the paper, incorporates current notions in linguistic theory and information science, as well as design features of recent computational linguistic models.

The use patterns of physics journals in a large academic research library

Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to reveal the use patterns of the physics journals in the M.I.T. Science Library. The findings are based upon an analysis of actual use data recorded from all volumes and issues left by library users on study tables and on trucks in the photocopy area from March 15 to June 31, 1971. The Science Library contains some 220 physics journals. The study reveals that only 138 journals (62.7%) were used even once during the 3 1/2-month interval. A core of 49 journals supplies 90% of use, and these titles would cost 51.5% of the total single subscription costs of the 138 used titles: 52.3% of use occurs in journal volumes less than 6 years old. English is the most used language of physics journals and the English journals account for 95.3% of use. American journals, 57.2% of which are published by the American Institute of Physics, supply 59.4% of the total use.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Certain Information Science Literature.

Abstract: Several bibliometric techniques previously applied to separate scientific literatures were used together in the analysis of a single corpus of journal articles relating to information science. Techniques included were (a) Bradford analysis, (b) epidemic analysis, (c) identification of research front, and (d) bibliographic coupling. Similar analysis was made of writings cited by the main corpus articles, and of the literature which in turn cites the main corpus. Results were analyzed in terms of structure and processes observable in patterns of authorship, publication, and citation. Their significance is discussed with potential application of the method to the solution of problems in the management of large research libraries.

Dialectical Inquiring Systems: A New Methodology for Information Science.

Abstract: A taxonomy for modeling information systems is presented. The taxonomy derives from the history of Western epistemology. Epistemology is used as a prescriptive modeling basis because (1) the fundamental problems of epistemology are concerned with information, and (2), because the history of epistemology identifies and archetypal ways that men have conceived of information and of models. It is shown how the different models of epistemology can be made scientifically operational through the use of a special kind of systems analysis. Finally, the results of a preliminary experiment based on one of the models are presented in the form of prescriptive rules for the design of future experiments.

Information networks: Definitions and message transfer models

Abstract: A mathematical definition of an information network is constructed with the purpose of developing a theory useful in answering practical questions concerning information transfer. An information network includes: (1) users, (2) information resources, (3) information centers, and (4) the total information transfer structure linking (1), (2), and (3). Emphasis is placed on the message transfer structure, as distinguished from the document transfer structure, to identify some basic network configurations. Any message transfer structure is shown in graph theory concepts to be either isographic or nonisographic. Among the isographic structures, the cyclic and decentralized networks are defined. The strictly hierarchical network is also defined, and the 2-regular network, reflected in the ARPA design, is identified. Measures of network structure, in particular the accessibility and flexibility in message transfer, are developed. These measures for the basic structures are used to characterize more general structures. While some comparisons of message transfer structures can be made, development of more comprehensive measures is a necessity.

A cost model for evaluating information retrieval systems

Abstract: This paper develops a mathematical model for use in studying how to minimize the cost of operating a mechanized retrieval system. Through the use of cost analysis, the model provides a method for comparative evaluation between information retrieval systems. The cost model divides the costs of a retrieval system into two components: system costs and user costs. In addition, it suggests that a trade off exists between the performance level of the system and the combination of user and system time that is expended in working with the system. With this approach it is possible to determine the allocation of user and system. This minimizes the total cost of operating the system. This allocation is done for a given performance level and for a given cost per unit of user and system time.

Measures of Effectiveness for a University Library.

Abstract: Two measures of effectiveness for university libraries are constructed. The Primary Measure of Effectiveness, defined over the total population of users, considers the number of material and information items desired by the users, the number of satisfactorily answered inquiries, and the number of users. For the Secondary Measure of Effectiveness, the total population is classified into subsets according to similarity of user needs. A measure is defined for each subset and is a function of the number of individuals in the subset.

The development of a semantic differential to assess users' attitudes towards an on-line interactive reference retrieval system

Abstract: A semantic differential (SD) is a commonly used instrument which can be used to reliably measure attitudes toward a variety of objects or concepts. Each SD consists of a series of bipolar adjective scales on which a respondent reacts, in relation to the object or concept of interest. To interpret completed SDs, it simplifies the procedures and aids in the development of theory if the adjective scales are grouped into one or more independent clusters. The primary purpose of this study was to identify those clusters (or dimensions) applied by a user of an on-line user-oriented reference retrieval system when he reacts toward such a system. Seventy-one who used or were familiar with a working on-line reference retrieval system completed a packet of 20 SDs, each consisting of the same 19 adjective scales. The correlations among the scales were factor analyzed. Three independent dimensions were identified. Factor I was labeled “evaluative-specific” and accounted for over 23% of the total variance. Factor II was called “desirability”; it accounted for over 17% of the total variance. And, Factor III, entitled “enormity” accounted for over 10% of the total variance. Another analysis showed the factor structure to be highly reliable. Therefore, if the derived three dimensional structure underlies users' attitudes toward a more general class of retrieval systems, then undimensional or unstructured system evaluations of users' attitudes will be simplistic and possibly misleading. In order to construct a working semantic differential, 10 adjective scales were identified which best represented the three dimensions. Brief instructions are included which outline how to use this SD. The discussion is mainly concerned with the obtained factor structure and the need for a predictive replication of the study.

Report on the Evaluation of an Experimental Computer-Based Current-Awareness Service for Chemists.

Abstract: A selected sample of U.K. University, industrial and Government scientists were given a current-awareness service for 18 months, in order to investigate the practicability and problems of such a service. Six hundred profiles were run, using the natural-language data bases Chemical Titles and Chemical-Biological Activities produced by Chemical Abstracts Service. Precision and recall were measured, and correlations between profile performance and such factors as subject area and profile logic were investigated statistically. Precision and recall failures were analysed and various improvements to the system were suggested as a consequence. It was concluded that a viable computerised current-awareness service based on searching natural language could be created.

The “generality” effect and the retrieval evaluation for large collections

Abstract: The retrieval effectiveness of large document collections is normally assessed by using small subsections of the file for test purposes, and extrapolating the data upward to represent the results for the full collection. The accuracy of such an extrapolation unhappily depends on the “generality” of the respective collections. In the present study the role of the generality effect in retrieval system evaluation is assessed, and evaluation results are given for the comparison of several document collections of distinct size and generality in the areas of documentation and aerodynamics.

An economic analysis of the demand for scientific journals

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that economic analysis can be useful in modeling the scientific journal market. Of particular interest is the efficiency of pricing and page policies. For example, would the community be better off if more copies or pages are produced, or similarly, should the journal be produced at all? In order to calculate losses due to the inefficiencies, demand parameters are statistically estimated and used in a discussion of market efficiency. Although more refinement is needed for both the specification of the demand functions and proxies for variables, the techniques used permit the establishment of lower bounds on the net benefits stemming from journals (assuming that there are additional social benefits). The responses of individuals and institutions to changes in pages are shown to differ. Thus, the analytic framework facilitates the evaluation of current trends toward the selective dissemination of information to individuals.

Citation Patterns of the Cardiovascular Serial Literature.

Abstract: In an attempt to further amplify the characteristics of the cardiovascular serial literature, citation patterns were studied. As previously shown, one-third of the 5,860 papers from the National Heart Institute grantees for 1967 appeared within 13 journals (3). After the exclusion of the abstract journals, the remaining journals were used to obtain a basic pool of 300 cardiovascular related articles. Science Citation Index was used to gather statistics relative to citing author, journal and year. The 300 articles in the basic pool were cited a total of 2,545 times during this four-year period (1967-1970). The figures concerning citation rate by year serve to uphold the idea that journal citation reaches a peak during the third year after publication. Also some definite patterns of self-citation were noted. It was found that, when analyzed on the basis of first author, 15 percent of the 2,545 citations were self-citations. The ten basic journals tend to be cited mostly within themselves; one-third of the citations were found in these journals. Although the citations were found throughout 349 journals, indicating an extensive scatter, a relatively high percentage of papers were found in few journals.

The dissemination of task and socioemotional information in an international community of scientists

Abstract: This study concerns the dissemination of task and socioemotional information among a sample of 977 theoretical high energy physicists working in thirty-five countries. The impact of geopolitical boundaries on the flow of information between discussion partners and on the acknowledgment of information pioneers is analyzed. While three general geopolitical subs-systems are discernable in the sample, the general finding is that task and socioemotional information flowed relatively freely across geopolitical boundaries. The flow of task related information is selected for greater depth of analysis and the investigation proceeds to focus on the diffusion of research specialties (regarded as innovations) in the international scientific community. Adoption and diffusion curves for each specialty were obtained and diffusion gaps between the United States, Europe, and Japan are noted. Research specialties tended to flow faster from Japan to the United States and Europe than vice versa and faster from the United States to Europe than from Europe to the United States.

A Universal Source Thesaurus as a Classification Generator.

Abstract: The construction of a Universal Source Thesaurus (UST) is suggested. Unlike a universal classification, UST's main purpose would not be to serve as an indexing language to be applied directly on an universal scale but to: (a) serve as a source in the construction of special schemes; (b) serve as a concordance between a great many classification schemes, existing ones as well as new ones. The following problems arising in the planning for UST are dealt with briefly: (1) The structure of UST–UST would have to be as complete and detailed as possible. (2) The use of UST in the construction of special schemes—especially the “extraction” of special schemes. (3) The use of UST as a concordance or “switching language” between different classification schemes as a basis for cooperative cataloguing and the possibility to have special schemes common to a group of related institutions (semi-universal classifications). (4) Organization and management of UST.

What information dissemination studies imply concerning the design of on‐line reference retrieval systems

Abstract: The use of an on-line computer system for locating bibliographic citations has been hailed as an important innovation for coping with the “information explosion.” However, on-line reference retrieval is only one element in a large social system of information dissemination. To have a widespread impact, an on-line system must compete successfully with a multitude of other sources of references. This paper reviews studies of information dissemination as a basis for determining how on-line retrieval can best compete. It recommends the functional groups for whom an on-line system should be designed initially, and suggests the uses for which the system should be designed and the forms of written media that should be included in the system's initial data base. Finally, it presents criteria the system should satisfy to be as widely used and as comprehensive as other reference retrieval methods.

A flow chart for indexing with a thesaurus

Abstract: The utilization of all or most of the different possibilities to find prescribed descriptors, identifiers or new index terms in thesauri is aided by using a flow chart which is applicable to most indexing aids (thesauri or subject heading lists). The use of the flow chart is shown in an application of the Thesaurus of Engineering and Scientific Terms to three articles from different fields of technology.

Overlap in the Lists of Journals Monitored by Biosis, CAS and Ei.

Abstract: In April 1970, the BioSciences Information Service of Biological Abstracts, the Chemical Abstracts Service, and Engineering Index, Inc. began a five-part study to determine the relationships between and the overlap in coverage in their printed publications and computer-readable services. This study was designed to provide information needed by these three accessing services for planning future cooperative programs and for reconciling differences in policies and practices so as to make their publications and services more useful to their user communities. This paper is based on the first part of the study, which compared listings of the journals each service was routinely monitoring as of 1 May 1970. Of the 14,592 different journals monitored, 1 % were monitored by all three of the services, 27% were monitored by two of the three services, and 72 % were monitored by only one of the three services. Subsequent phases of the study will determine the extent to which the services cover the same articles within the journals.

Interactive search of bibliographic data bases in an academic environment

Abstract: A surprising difference is found in the acceptance of on-line bibliographic search between university research workers and students in the classroom. The typical research worker, even after careful preparation and individual help, abandons the on-line system in favor of more traditional searching techniques. The student and the seminar participant, on the other hand, take to this new tool with enthusiasm and profit. Bibliographic data bases in physics, astronomy and urban systems are available to users through on-line access to the Remote Information Query System (RIQS). Examples of introductory on-line sessions are presented and a report of one of the professors participating is included.

An experiment in index term frequency

Abstract: This paper presents an experimental study of index-term frequency as a factor in retrieval performance. The frequency of an index term, or its “breadth” as it is called here, is the number of postings made to the term in a given collection. The question is asked: Of index terms assigned to documents, which function most effectively in retrieval, the most used or popular terms, or those which are used relatively infrequently? The experiment is a retrieval experiment and uses the Cran-field-Salton data. Breadth of indexing is varied by nonrandomly deleting terms from documents. Retrieval output is evaluated using the Expected Search Length measure of retrieval effectiveness as well as the usual precision and recall. The Wilcoxen Test is used to determine the statistical significance of the different indexings. The results show that the “optimal” breadth of indexing is a variable, depending on user needs: if a few documents are wanted or high precision is desired, then narrow terms are more effective than broad ones; if, on the other hand, all or most relevant documents are wanted, then broad terms are better. An argument, however, can be made for the quality of narrow terms, since when these terms are deleted precision never improves, whereas deleting broad terms always results in higher precision. A corollary experiment is carried out to compare two indexings of the same average breadth where one indexing consists of semantically appropriate terms—terms taken from the document title—and the other consists of merely “reasonable” index terms. The results suggest that title-term indexing is qualifiedly superior.

A Comparison of Several Zipf-Type Distributions in Their Goodness of Fit to Language Data.

Abstract: Raw language data dealing with frequency of letters, phonemes, words and categories were transformed to determine the goodness of fit of such obtained data to several Zipf-type distributions: log percentage-log rank, percentage-Whitworth, log percentage-linear rank, and linear percentage-log rank. For comparison, 9 sets of 50 three-digit random numbers and the 9 sets of intervals created by assuming those numbers to be randomly dissecting a line, were ordered by size, as in a Zipl distribution, and tested as if they were raw language data. Two distinct types of frequency distributions seem to emerge in language data with the lesser studied type applying to phonemes, letters, and conceptual data being fit by the Whitworth or loglinear (Linear percentage vs. log rank) distributions and words by the hyperbolic (Log percentage vs. log rank) distribution.

Sampling in‐library book use

Abstract: Although a large number of book usage studies have been conducted in the past, very little is known about in-library (unrecorded) use. This may be due to the lack of a “good” method of sampling in-library use. Here, a plan for sampling in-library use is presented which attempts to avoid the pitfalls of the earlier methods. According to this plan, the library is divided into a certain number of areas, and a sample of monographs within each area is selected for study. Inspection rounds are then made on each of the days of the survey period. The sequence in which different areas of the library are surveyed is determined at random for every round. During each round an investigator goes through the book shelves and determines which sample monographs are away from their positions on shelves. This plan yields an unbiased estimate of a proposed index of in-library use for any specified group of books. A hypothetical example is provided to explain the proposed plan.

Two Modes of Computer Assisted Instruction in a Library Reference Course.

Abstract: A study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a set of computer based teaching materials within a graduate library reference course. Evaluation of the materials and techniques was conducted both for the purpose of revision and also to determine the overall effectiveness of the materials as integral parts of the course. Techniques and findings were reported illustrating how evaluation during the formative stages enabled the instructor to selectively revise the materials. Evaluation of the materials as aids to student learning within the course revealed that they were effective in teaching some aspects of the material although student attitudes toward computer techniques tended to become more negative. Implications of the techniques and results were discussed.

1972 student paper award man-machine interface: Frustration

Abstract: As an exploration of the frustration of users of an online interactive retrieval system, students from the School of Library Science of Syracuse University participated in an experiment using an experimental reference retrieval system for library literature on the IBM system 360/50. The searching consisted of sample searches using key-words. The data base contained library literature citations for the year 1970. In the control group, students were instructed to locate literature related to library management and information retrieval systems. The particular terms in the search and the format were outlined in an instruction session before the students used the system. The experimental group was not restricted to a sample search, or specified search terms, but the format of the searches were to be the same as the control group. It was anticipated that significant variations in the behavior of the users would be displayed and identified by comparing measures of behavior as the man-computer interaction proceeded through the search process.

Preparation for Interpersonal Communication.

Abstract: This paper describes three methods used by engineers and scientists to enrich their understanding of a technical subject prior to an interpersonal communication. Professionals may: (a) store the information need in hopes of an accidental or working encounter with the required information (piggybacking), and/or (b) verify and extend their background by contact with friendly associates (friendly consultation), and/or (c) review the literature of the field which is peripheral to their own (professional peripheration). Factors which determine the methods used are proposed: the opportunity cost of time, the extent to which similar needs have been encountered before, and the breadth of the user's (problem). Implications for the management of R & D organizations concern the provision of peripheral literature, the development of skills involved in consultation, and the clarification of the organization's technical goals.

On‐line serials control system in a large biomedical library: 1) Description of the system

Abstract: An on-line serials control system with particular emphasis on storage and maintenance concepts is described. The system, operational since January, 1971, has evolved from a former batch card system and remains completely compatible with it. The system allows real-time display and updating of all elements of the file. Consequently all check-in, bindery, and claims operations, as well as new entries and data field changes are accomplished on a real-time basis. All programs are in PL/1. Required equipment is an IBM time-shared facility with 100 K memory available for the applications programs, and IBM 2260 display units. This article is the first of three. The second is concerned with an analysis of inverted file retrieval features and the third compares the operation of the on-line with the batch system, comparable manual operations, and discusses costs.

On-Line Serials Control System in a Large Biomedical Library. Part II. Evaluation of Retrieval Features.

Abstract: The on-line serials control system in use at UCLA Biomedical Library utilizes an inverted file for its primary retrieval technique. The correct title is reached with a single entry about 80% of the time by using an average of three title words. A detailed profile of title structure and search scheme is given. The major determinants of the scheme are evaluated on a performance and cost basis.

An Experiment to Study the Use of Boolean Not Logic to Improve the Precision of Selective Dissemination of Information.

Abstract: After one year's operation of a Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) program for personnel of the Air Force Materials Laboratory, the program was evaluated by personal interview. Although most people were receiving pertinent abstracts, they were also receiving many nonpertinent abstracts. The exposure to periodic distributions of abstracts permitted the recipients to identify factors causing nonpertinent retrievals. In an experiment, the profiles were modified by applying Boolean NOT logic to terms identified as causing non-pertinent retrievals. The uniqueness of the approach is the systematic application of the Boolean NOT to profiles after the SDI users had examined all abstracts from the original profiles and rejected nonpertinent returns. Retrieval results obtained by both the original and modified profile strategies for the same document base were compared. The SDI users assessed the relevance of the documents retrieved under both conditions. Precision was markedly improved by the modified strategies, although some loss of relevant documents also occurred. A follow-up study indicated greater user satisfaction with modified profiles; fewer nonpertinent abstracts were being received, yet the number of pertinent retrievals did not appear to be diminished. The careful use of the Boolean NOT technique applied to SDI profiles to improve precision was thus substantiated.