Online Information Systems Research Articles

User education for online information systems*

Historique de la formation, responsabilites des divers secteurs de l'industrie. Couts et financement. Previsions pour la formation a la recherche en ligne

Optical disk technology and information.

The optical video disk, spawned by the home entertainment industry, and its counterpart, the optical digital disk, both hold great promise for information storage and retrieval and the scientific enterprise. Optical digital disks for computer mass storage are currently under development by many firms. In addition, efforts are under way to allow encoding of digital information on video disks. This is desirable as an inexpensive publication medium for machine-readable data as well as a means of obtaining both video and digital information on one disk. Potential applications of this technology include inexpensive on-line storage, random access graphics to complement on-line information systems, hybrid network architectures, office automation systems, and archival storage.

Economies of online retrieval

The growth and usage of online information systems has resulted in institutions making statistical studies on the costs of providing this service to users. Vendors analyze their indirect and direct costs in making database services available. This paper deals with the economies of online retrieval costs to the institution as well as the end user. One cost factor on which little has been reported, due to a paucity of data, is the value of the time saved by the end user in having a computer search run. Information which indicates savings to the end user will be reported from evaluations of completed searches run by the Purdue University Library's Computer Based Information Service. To measure overall benefits, institutions should consider the volume of usage, system performance and effectiveness, user behavior and user satisfaction.

National courses in online retrieval in the Netherlands

The advent of online information systems has been followed by gradual improvements in both their accessibility and ease of operation. This and the low cost of machine‐searching, certainly compared with manual searching, are factors which have persuaded many organisations to use such systems. Consequently, a growing number of staff are required to operate them and, as a result, a steady demand for online training courses has been established.

Retrieval models in on-line documentary information systems: An analytic review

Retrieval models in on-line documentary information systems: An analytic review

Man-Machine Interface Requirements Definition: Task Demands and Functional Capabilities

The man-machine interface (MMI) is a critical element in the specification of computer software for on-line information systems. To help ensure effective MMI software design, a requirements matrix is proposed to categorize the functional capabilities required for characteristic user tasks. Based on this matrix, design guidelines can be tailored to required capabilities. This approach to specifying MMI design must be tried in system acquisition programs to evaluate its usefulness.

Monitoring and evaluation of on-line information system usage

The paper presents a background survey of the existing state-of-the-art as it relates to monitoring of information systems. It addresses both historical and current approaches and both manual and automated techniques. The general concept of automated monitoring into a well-defined methodology, categorizing the generic uses for monitoring, identifying specific objectives of monitoring and translating these objectives into detailed parameters are developed. Methodologies, techniques and theoretical foundations essential for analyzing monitored data are formulated. Desirable computer-based support requirements for data analysis also are discussed. Conclusions and implications for future research and development efforts in monitoring and evaluation of on-line information systems are highlighted.

Computers and operations research: A survey

The rôle of the computer as a number-crunching device in operations research (OR) is first investigated including techniques like simulation, etc. The developments in speed, size and costs of the central processor and memory are studied, and also means of reducing software cost; see section 2. Heuristics and interactive man-computer systems are examined, especially their rôles in model formulation, scope, and solution. The discussion includes the various degrees of possible computerization, and the practicality gap between management science and management practice; section 3. The data input into management models can be provided by on-line data-capture (point-of-sale terminals), data bases and Management Information Systems; section 4. The quantification of financial benefits of computerized information systems is examined in section 5. OR may be used to improve the design and use of computer systems; section 6. Conclusions are summarized in section 7. 45 selected references are given for further study.

On-line information systems in perspective.

The rationale supporting the desirability of on-line information systems and the arguments underlying their development are discussed. A major argument in favor of on-line retrieval has been the assumption that the opportunity to negotiate search problems through on-line access to the data base has the inherent effect of improved system performance. The extent to which on-line retrieval has fulfilled this and other expectations is considered along with trends relating to the operational characteristics of existing systems.

A preliminary research note: on-line information systems: their potential value to the practicing physician.

A preliminary research note: on-line information systems: their potential value to the practicing physician.

A Modern Information System for Uniform Parole Reports Data

New developments in computer technology will funda mentally change the relationship between man and the com puter. There clearly exist both the need and the capability for a flexible, adaptive technique for fulfilling user requirements of a spontaneous nature. Modern on-line information systems such as can be supported by third generation computer tech nology can provide the tools permitting the users to interact with the computer in a dynamic fashion. The application of such a system to the Uniform Parole Reports data is described and future developments of on-line statistical analyses and modeling and simulation techniques are mentioned as targets for collaborative research efforts.