The UNISIST reference manuals and UNIBID — standardisation for development

Abstract

In this article, standardisation refers mainly to bibliographic information and to information on research in progress, in automated environments. The purpose, underlying methodological principles and contents of the Reference Manuals for bibliographic descriptions and for descriptions of research projects and institutions respectively, is summarised. A brief account is given of past and proposed future objectives and activities of UNIBID. Proposed future activities of UNIBID include development of portable software for a comprehensive information processing package based on the Reference Manuals, and the establishment of implementation, advisory, training and maintenance services. Suitable software is being developed and it is anticipated that, after an initial pilot phase, the complete package and supporting services will be available from 1984. Partial implementations should already be available as from the beginning of 1983. The role of the Reference Manuals and UNIBID's activities in contributing towards the creation of information infrastructure, especially in developing countries is indicated. The final sections include a discussion of the Reference Manuals with particular reference to some parallel international communication formats, such as the Universal MARC format (UNIMARC), the Common Communication Format for Bibliographic Data Interchange (CCF), and the format of the International Information System for the Agricultural Sciences and Technology (AGRIS). It is suggested that the information needs of end users, in combination with the adoption of the Reference Manuals and accompanying portable software, may have a long‐term impact on standardisation attitudes of database producers.