Showing papers in "Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology in 1985"
TL;DR: The motivational background for more than 900 citational acts were gathered and analyzed and the seven most significant citer motivations identified.
Abstract: Citation analysis has been used as a method for evaluating scholars and their impact. Evaluative citation analysis has been employed without a clear understanding of why authors give references and in the absence of any empirical work investigating citer motivations. The debate over the validity of evaluative citation analysis derives from the competing theoretical models used to describe the citer's motivations. Current models describing citer motivations were analyzed in this article and the seven most significant citer motivations identified. These seven citer motivations were presented to 26 authors at the University of Iowa each of whom had recently published an academic article. The authors indicated their motivations for giving each reference in their articles. As a result, the motivational background for more than 900 citational acts were gathered and analyzed.
250 citations
TL;DR: This field study measured end‐user perceptions of three sources of information (computer‐based, libraries, and individuals) for three samples of individuals and suggested that accessibility is a multidimensional concept encompassing physical access to the source, the interface to the sources, and the ability to physically retrieve potentially relevant information.
Abstract: Perceived accessibility to information is proposed as a unifying concept for the design and evaluation of a wide variety of information systems and services. This field study measured end-user perceptions of three sources of information (computer-based, libraries, and individuals) for three samples of individuals. The results suggest that 1) accessibility is a multidimensional concept encompassing physical access to the source, the interface to the source, and the ability to physically retrieve potentially relevant information, and 2) perceptions of accessibility are moderated by prior experience with the source and contextual factors.
179 citations
TL;DR: Concepts and techniques used in contemporary social network analysis are applied to a network of journals based on citation, supporting the idea of treating the journals of a discipline as a status‐role relational system.
Abstract: Concepts and techniques used in contemporary social network analysis are applied to a network of journals based on citation. By means of procedures drawing on the notion of structural equivalence, a set of blocks or positions, containing journals, are delineated. These blocks have a very close correspondence to a categorization of the journals based on their aims and objectives, supporting the idea of treating the journals of a discipline as a status-role relational system. By means of the reduced image of the network, a highly centralized and hierarchical structure appears. Some hypotheses concerning the structure and operation of journal networks are advanced.
111 citations
TL;DR: In this study automatic relevance feedback techniques are applied to Boolean query statements using both the conventional Boolean logic, as well as an extended logic producing improved retrieval effectiveness.
Abstract: Automatic feedback methods may be used in online information retrieval to generate improved query statements based on information contained in previously retrieved documents. In this study automatic relevance feedback techniques are applied to Boolean query statements. The feedback operations are carried out using both the conventional Boolean logic, as well as an extended logic producing improved retrieval effectiveness. Experimental output is included to evaluate the automatic feedback operations.
109 citations
TL;DR: Two journal-to-journal matrices for psychology in 1950 and 1960 have a strong correspondence with a categorization based on the intended audiences and objectives of these journals, supporting the hypothesis that journals of a discipline function as a status-role relational system.
Abstract: Two journal-to-journal matrices for psychology in 1950 and 1960 are analyzed in terms of structural equivalence. Structurally nonequivalent positions have a strong correspondence with a categorization based on the intended audiences and objectives of these journals, supporting the hypothesis that journals of a discipline function as a status-role relational system. The hypothesis that interdisciplinary journals are distant from journals of a field is also supported. However, the hypothesis that journal networks have a core-periphery structure is not supported. The network of psychological journals has a discernable core, but not a clear core-periphery structure. Some propositions concerning the causes and consequences of the structure of journal-to-journal networks for fields are advanced.
98 citations
TL;DR: While thesauri that combine a number of relations together have been most effective in a batch environment, there is reason to believe that individual relations will be more useful in an interactive retrieval system that presents index terms to the user and allows him to choose those that best convey his meaning.
Abstract: This article describes the design and development of a new type of thesaurus based on lexical-semantic relations. Relational thesauri have been constructed to perform a new type of term classification. These relational thesauri are generally applicable to any document collection and their maintenance is relatively simple. A series of experiments to evaluate thesauri of this new type have been run on an information retrieval system called IRS at Illinois Institute of Technology. The results of experiments with queries enhanced using thesauri based on several different groups of relations have been compared against performance with the original queries. Thesauri from most groups, except antonyms, made improvements in recall as well as in precision. The best results come from a set of ill-formed queries with few index terms. These results have been analyzed with both precision-recall graphs and statistical tests. While thesauri that combine a number of relations together have been most effective in a batch environment, there is reason to believe that individual relations will be more useful in an interactive retrieval system that presents index terms to the user and allows him to choose those that best convey his meaning.
94 citations
TL;DR: The Generalized Inverse Gaussian‐Poisson Distribution is suggested as an all‐embracing mathematical model for bibliometric frequency distributions and Twelve examples are given which show that the new model cannot be rejected by virtue of an objective chi‐squared test.
Abstract: The Generalized Inverse Gaussian-Poisson Distribution is suggested as an all-embracing mathematical model for bibliometric frequency distributions. Twelve examples are given which show that the new model cannot be rejected by virtue of an objective chi-squared test.
77 citations
TL;DR: The findings suggest that differences in searching performance can be attributed, to a small degree only, to general verbal and quantitative aptitude, artistic creativity, and to an inclination toward critical and analytical creative thinking.
Abstract: This study investigated more attributes of online searchers that were believed to affect the quality of their search results. Subjects were selected from the online searching courses in six library schools. The searching proficiency of the subjects was measured by their performance on two DIALOG searches. Their creativity level was measured using two self-report inventories; their intelligence level was approximated from their GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores; and their personality traits in regard to masculinity, femininity, and self-esteem were measured using the Interpersonal Disposition Inventory. The large number of independent, predictor variables were reduced by factor analysis and the derived factors were related to the dependent variable, online searching performance, in a multiple regression analysis. The findings suggest that differences in searching performance can be attributed, to a small degree only, to general verbal and quantitative aptitude, artistic creativity, and to an inclination toward critical and analytical creative thinking. The findings also raise doubts, however, that high intelligence and other attributes cited by writers in the field are necessary for high performance. The notion that searching performance can be predicted by or is dependent upon certain cognitive or personality traits has thus become highly suspect.
61 citations
TL;DR: A case study on the subject of acid rain is described, suggesting that this type of tracking may be valuable in identifying topics likely to become significant social or technological "issues" and might therefore become a useful tool in issues management.
Abstract: Online data bases can be used to track the growth of the literature on some topic and to follow the diffusion of the topic through data bases of various types. This type of tracking may be valuable in identifying topics likely to become significant socOnline data bases can be used to track the growth of the literature on some topic and to follow the diffusion of the topic through data bases of various types. This type of tracking may be valuable in identifying topics likely to become significant social or technological “issues”; it might therefore become a useful tool in issues management. A case study on the subject of acid rain is describe it might therefore become a useful tool in issues management. A case study on the subject of acid rain is described.
54 citations
TL;DR: The politics of information in contemporary times is a kaleidoscope of continuing change as society and government strive to cope with the impacts of various information technologies–computers, telecommunications, microform systems, audio and video devices.
Abstract: The politics of information in contemporary times is a kaleidoscope of continuing change as society and government strive to cope with the impacts of various information technologies–computers, telecommunications, microform systems, audio and video devices. Within the Congress and throughout Federal, State, and local governmental units, inexorable pressures are causing the integration of these innovative support systems into existing processes. Laws and institutions are evolving at an accelerated pace, as both public and private sector leadership recognize the criticalness of selectively utilizing this manifestation of mankind's ingenuity as applied to the collection, processing, retrieval, and distribution of information essential to business, education, science, agriculture, and an array of social services.
41 citations
TL;DR: The findings demonstrate the importance of person-to-person communication; differences in the sources used, and the value placed on these sources, by individuals in different work roles and settings; and that information-seeking episodes generally involve using multiple sources.
Abstract: The area of rural mental health services was used as a testbed to study information-seeking behavior in a field that includes researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. Findings from a nationwide survey (n = 1666) describe the sources that were used to obtain information about various topics and the use and value of these sources by or to individuals in various work roles and settings. The findings demonstrate the importance of person-to-person communication; differences in the sources used, and the value placed on these sources, by individuals in different work roles and settings; and that information-seeking episodes generally involve using multiple sources (5.0) to obtain information about several topics (3.2).
TL;DR: A subject uses a computer terminal interactively in order to maximize subjective expected value over a number of courses of action available to him by choosing what be believes to be an optimal course of action at each trial.
Abstract: This article describes a series of experiments which relate information to decision making. The experiments were developed with the objectives of validating a previously suggested conceptual model of information flow and its relation to decision making, as well as to establish specific values for the significant parameters involved. The conceptual approach related information to its effectiveness and therefore its use and value. Theory, measures, and relationships thus derived relate to the way information, once it is transmitted and received, is utilized by a decision maker. Specifically, information is said to be data of value in decision making. Starting with this definition it has been possible to define information quantitatively and to establish some of its properties and interrelationships. In the experiments described here a subject uses a computer terminal interactively in order to maximize subjective expected value over a number of courses of action available to him by choosing what be believes to be an optimal course of action at each trial. A decision-making situation is formulated in terms of value and probability matrices, unknown to the subject. The subject is instructed to maximize the sum of the outcome values obtained, and through feedback to learn the structure and the probabilities involved. Data were obtained from 60 subjects each experimenting on 12 different matrices. These data generally validated the theoretical approach and also enabled the determination of specific values for significant parameters involved. The experimental design is described in detail in the article. Analysis of some of the data is presented.
OCLC1
TL;DR: The descriptive analysis contained in this report can assists system design activities, while the predictive power of the transaction log analysis methodology may assists the development of real-time aids.
Abstract: In this article the authors present their analysis of the online search patterns within user searching sessions of the National Library of Medicine ELHILL system and examine the user search patterns on the CATLINE database. In addition to the CATLINE analysis, a comparison is made using data previously analyzed on the MEDLINE database for the same time period, thus offering an opportunity to compare the performance parameters of different databases within the same information system. Data collection covers eight weeks and includes 441, 282 transactions and over 11, 067 user sessions, which accounted for 1680 hours of system usage. The descriptive analysis contained in this report can assist system design activities, while the predictive power of the transaction log analysis methodology may assist the development of real-time aids.
TL;DR: Using Bayes' decision theory, it is shown how a source document may be indexed and weighted by its set of relevant cited or citing document features, corresponding to a one pass relevance feedback Model 1 (probabilistic indexing) or Model 2 (proBabilistic retrieval) system of [8].
Abstract: A new model of viewing a document based on the citingcited relationship between documents is introduced. Using Bayes' decision theory, it is shown how a source document may be indexed and weighted by its set of relevant cited or citing document features, corresponding to a one pass relevance feedback Model 1 (probabilistic indexing) or Model 2 (probabilistic retrieval) system of [8]. Once every document in a collection has been so indexed, various forms of similarity measures based on probability of topical relevance between documents are derivable, including asymmetric, symmetric, and the relationship with Model 3 of [8]. Applications to retrieval and document clustering are also discussed.
TL;DR: A number of social and cultural impacts of information technology are discussed, and the effect of changing technology on national informatic policies is illustrated.
Abstract: This article reviews selected effects of new developments in information technology on the Third World, and suggests that the more positive effects lie in the social and cultural realms. It is generally conceded that the economic impact of information This article reviews selected effects of new developments in information technology on the Third World, and suggests that the more positive effects lie in the social and cultural realms. It is generally conceded that the economic impact of information This article reviews selected effects of new developments in information technology on the Third World, and suggests that the more positive effects lie in the social and cultural realms. It is generally conceded that the economic impact of information technology favors industrialized countries rather than those with labor intensive industries and high unemployment. A number of social and cultural impacts of information technology are discussed, and the effect of changing technology on national informatic policies is illustrated. While national development of informatic industries in the Third World is essential and beneficial, the “postindustrial society” does not appear to be a realistic alternate goal of socio-economic developme does not appear to be a realistic alternate goal of socio-economic developme does not appear to be a realistic alternate goal of socio-economic developme does not appear to be a realistic alternate goal of socio-economic development.
TL;DR: Information technology and the effective management of information resources are beginning to play a significant role in reversing the declining rate of U.S. productivity growth.
Abstract: The growth of U.S. productivity has been declining for several years. The reasons for this decline are complex, and there is little consensus among experts as to the real cause. Part of the difficulty lies in accurately assessing the productivity of today's workforce. Much of the work being done in today's society is based on services, communications, and information and, therefore, no longer fits the traditional production processes and techniques used for measuring productivity in an industrial society. Traditional input and output measures do not work for measuring the productivity of most white collar workers. New measures and definitions are needed to measure productivity more accurately. Information technology and the effective management of information resources are beginning to play a significant role in reversing the declining rate of U.S. productivity growth. Traditionally, the introduction of new technologies into the workplace has focused on the blue collar worker or, within the office environment, on the secretarial or clerical population. However, the bulk of U.S. salary expenditures is spent on the managerial and professional population. The greatest productivity gains can be realized by improving the productivity of this group, often referred to as knowledge workers. By improving knowledge workers' ability to communicate more effectively and to find and use information more efficiently, significant improvements in productivity can be realized.
TL;DR: It was found that journals in library and information science produced more articles making no use of statistics than did journals in the other three subject areas, and that only in libraryand information science were there more articles using descriptive techniques only than articles using inferential techniques.
Abstract: This study compared the use of statistics in 99 journals from four subject areas: library and information science, education, social work, and business. It was found that journals in library and information science produced more articles making no use of statistics than did journals in the other three subject areas, and that only in library and information science were there more articles using descriptive techniques only than articles using inferential techniques. A comparison of the mean number of articles per journal using no statistics, descriptive statistics only, and inferential statistics indicated that the mean number of articles per journal using inferential statistics was much lower for library and information science than for the other subject areas. The only inferential technique not used significantly less in library and information science than in the other subject areas was correlation, one of the simplest of inferential techniques.
TL;DR: A split model is proposed, which uses both a rank function for the high frequency terms and a sizefunction for the low frequency terms, with the point of transition being determined either empirically or by rule.
Abstract: Since the introduction of the Zipf distribution, many functions have been suggested for the frequency of words in text. Some of these models have also been applied to the distribution of index terms in a set of documents. The models are of two forms: rank-frequency and frequency-size. The former serve well to describe the distribution of high-frequency terms; the latter the distribution of low-frequency terms. In this article, a split model is proposed, which uses both a rank function for the high frequency terms and a size function for the low frequency terms, with the point of transition being determined either empirically or by rule. This model is fitted to the marginal empirical term distributions for four document datasets. Distributions to describe index term exhaustivity and term co-occurrence are also considered briefly.
TL;DR: Trends in assistance strategies and types of international organizations as sources of information transfer are outlined and information‐related factors to be considered by technical assistance projects and implications for developing countries are concluded.
Abstract: Policies for development assistance have undergone several changes in recent decades. These changes have affected the information needs in developing countries and the responses of aid agencies. The article outlines trends in assistance strategies and types of international organizations as sources of information transfer. The review concludes with information-related factors to be considered by technical assistance projects and implications for developing countries.
TL;DR: Computers and their accompanying information retrieval systems are supplementing the traditional way of acquiring information and may bring to fruition John Gardner’s vision of twenty years ago: a “Learning Society” in which people are constantly learning new information and new skills.
Abstract: Computers and their accompanying information retrieval systems are supplementing the traditional way of acquiring information. For those who have the knowledge and equipment, it is possible to access information in their own home that previously was available only at the library. The impact of this technology may bring to fruition John Gardner’s vision of twenty years ago: a “Learning Society” in which people are constantly learning new information and new skills. We can only speculate on the significance this will have for the next generation. And as today’s children become highly competent adults, they will in turn have an effect on information science. The potential of the interaction between humans and technology is immense. The need for equality in technology seems obvious. Information must be available to all segments of society. In reality, however, some societal imbalances have already developed. Three out of four computer campers are boys, four out of five subscribers to computer magazines are men, and twice as many men as women have a computer at home [17]. While only a few individuals would advocate that computers are “for men only,” many believe in differentiating computer tasks. There are school policies which promote “word processing” for girls and programming for boys [9] . Certainly, many questions emerge for educators who are preparing children for this technological age. TWO have been selected for this study. When should children be introduced to computers? Is working on the computer perceived as a sex-stereotyped activity by young children?
TL;DR: The authors conclude that in the coming years the transfer of information will have to be considered as a whole encompassing the production, recording, processing, distribution and use of information, the economic aspects of related industries, the sociopolitical and socioeconomic characteristics of the countries participating in a given information system, and the contribution of the information communication industry to the economic development of nations.
Abstract: This article considers information exchange as an essential element in international cooperative arrangements. It examines in some detail the information systems of the United Nations and its specialized agencies and their impact on and contribution to international cooperation. The library, archives, and information programs of Unesco are described. The article considers recent trends observed in the establishment of a global information network, under the auspices of the United Nations, in order to facilitate a more equitable distribution of technological information and promote technical cooperation among developing countries. Certain features of Unesco's regional approach to information network development are reviewed and their advantages are described. The impact, both beneficial and disadvantageous, of information technology on international cooperation in the information area is examined. The special problems faced by developing countries wishing to benefit fully from international (cooperative) information systems are discussed as well as some of the strategies adopted in an effort to find solutions to some of these problems. The authors conclude that in the coming years the transfer of information will have to be considered as a whole encompassing the production, recording, processing, distribution and use of information, the economic aspects of related industries, the sociopolitical and socioeconomic characteristics of the countries participating in a given information system, and the contribution of the information communication industry to the economic development of nations.
TL;DR: A tentative theory that rests on five axioms that assists in the design of information systems and imparts increased survival power to them and contributes to the reconciliation of several opposing lines of thought that have hitherto appeared incompatible or even hostile to one another.
Abstract: Experience in chemical information has suggested a tentative theory that rests on five axioms: (1) Definability: The compilation of responses relevant to a topic can be delegated only to the extent to which the inquirer can define the topic in terms of concepts and concept relations. (2) Order: Any compilation of responses relevant to a topic is an order-creating process. (3) Sufficient degree of order: The demands made on the degree of order increase as the size of the collection and/or the frequency of searches increases. (4) Representational predictability: The accuracy of any directed search for relevant texts (especially the recall ratio) depends on the predictability of the modes of expression for concepts and concept relations in the search file. (5) Representational fidelity: The accuracy of any directed search for relevant texts (especially the precision ratio) depends on the fidelity with which concepts and concept relations are expressed in the search file. The observance of these axioms assists in the design of information systems and imparts increased survival power to them. They are also helpful in the revision of existing systems that show signs of incipient weakness. Several useful principles, hitherto only intuitively conceived, receive axiomatic corroboration. This theory also contributes to the reconciliation of several opposing lines of thought that have hitherto appeared incompatible or even hostile to one another. Each of them is justifiable, but only under circumstances and requirements that are specific to the task to be solved by a particular information system.
TL;DR: The environment of development provides the framework for information science education in developing countries, but the issue of what is appropriate or relevant for development in such education is debated.
Abstract: The environment of development provides the framework for information science education in developing countries, but the issue of what is appropriate or relevant for development in such education is debated. Up to now, continuing education is the majorThe environment of development provides the framework for information science education in developing countries, but the issue of what is appropriate or relevant for development in such education is debated. Up to now, continuing education is the major vehicle for education and training of information scientists in the Third World. Not many formal, academic courses and programs exist; those that do are almost exclusively located in library schools. The dependence on continuing education and lack of academic bases present another important issue, as does the lack of faculty and facilities. International organizations, particularly Unesco and FID, played a major role in spreading information science education in the Third World. The advent of the “information age” is watched with some anxiety—reactions to which will affect the future of information science education in developing countri is watched with some anxiety—reactions to which will affect the future of information science education in developing countries.
TL;DR: It is concluded that the choice of citation and co‐citation thresholds can be influenced by formal considerations which insure statistically meaningful partitions rather than arbitrary decisions which can produce meaningless interpretations.
Abstract: Using the Random Graph Hypothesis, the statistical validity of co-citation graphs has been investigated as a function of co-citation strength for a given value of citation frequency. The results show that for both high and low values of co-citation strength the partition of cited documents produced by the co-citation relationship may be statistically invalid. Critical thresholds can be identified that define the limits of statistical validity. Within these limits, there is a narrow region of statistical validity where the associated structures are not an artifact of the clustering procedure and can be interpreted. It is concluded that the choice of citation and co-citation thresholds can be influenced by formal considerations which insure statistically meaningful partitions rather than arbitrary decisions which can produce meaningless interpretations. Experimental and theoretical implications for the co-citation graph and other bibliometric structures are discussed.
TL;DR: The results of this study support the Dillon Hypothesis of Titular Colonicity, which reveals that more theoretic research in biology is significantly more scholarly than that in psychology.
Abstract: The Dillion Hypothesis of Titular Colonicity has been proposed as the primary correlate of scholarly character in journal publication. The Hypothesis was developed and tested in the fields of education, psychology, and literary criticism; its geographical strengths have been tested in a study of the same fields from New Zealand. In this paper, The Hypothesis is tested across disciplinary lines. Data from 21,000 titles in six journals of ecology and aquatic sciences are examined. Titular colonicity has increased dramatically over the last 15 years. Striking differences are found between theoretical and applied sub-fields (with theoretical papers being an order of magnitude more scholarly) and between the papers presented at international scientific congresses and those published in peer-reviewed journals (the latter are more scholarly). No significant differences in scholarly character between aquatic and terrestrial ecology were detectable. A comparison of findings from available studies reveals that more theoretic research in biology is significantly more scholarly than that in psychology. In general, the results of this study support the Dillon Hypothesis of Titular Colonicity.
TL;DR: It is argued that the widespread use of personal computers will accelerate the development of electronic publishing and new ways of disseminating research information are explored.
Abstract: Scientific publishing has evolved over three centuries of technological change. It now faces problems that include rapid growth, literature scatter, increasing costs, and excessive delays in publication. This article examines technical solutions to increasing delays and costs and explores new ways of disseminating research information. Noting developments in computer networking and microcomputer applications, the author contends that the widespread use of personal computers will accelerate the development of electronic publishing.
TL;DR: It is advocated that consistent, comprehensive, and meaningful information measures need to be compiled regularly, evaluated, and upgraded to properly monitor, interpret, and control the far reaching changes taking place nationally and internationally.
Abstract: The rise of the information society calls for quantitative and qualitative measures of information activities at the subnational, national, and international levels, which could help us better understand the issues and make sounder decisions. This article reviews recent developments in this direction as they relate to sectoral studies centered around kinds of information, information institutions and services, messages and communication technologies, and to global studies, concerned with the production and consumption of information, social change, information channels, policies and information indices. An account of efforts in the area of information statistics is also given. The present limitations of the various kinds of measures are discussed. It is advocated that consistent, comprehensive, and meaningful information measures need to be compiled regularly, evaluated, and upgraded to properly monitor, interpret, and control the far reaching changes taking place nationally and internationally.
TL;DR: Three aspects of the transborder data flow debate—privacy protection, national and cultural sovereignty, and economic development—provide illustrations of the effect that national concerns have on the formulation of international information policies.
Abstract: Developments in computer and telecommunications technology underlie the shift to an information-based economy. Throughout the world policymakers are establishing national policies to promote their information industries and to protect against potential negative effects of the information age. Efforts to address information policies at the international level involve a process of reconciling these varying national perspectives. Three aspects of the transborder data flow debate—privacy protection, national and cultural sovereignty, and economic development—provide illustrations of the effect that national concerns have on the formulation of international information policies.
TL;DR: The discussion covers potential uses, the role of central governments, implications for economic development, and transborder data flows in the area of informatics and small computers.
Abstract: The microelectronics revolution has opened numerous opportunities for developing countries This paper highlights some of the potential benefits, as well as some of the more pressing social and legal problems, facing Latin American nations in the area of informatics and small computers The discussion covers potential uses, the role of central governments, implications for economic development, and transborder data flows In order to benefit from this technology, Latin American nations must analyze their current situations, strengthen electronic and communications infrastructures, and pinpoint possible sources of conflict and cooperation