The user-centered approach is central to the creation of usable information systems, services, and institutions. Information system design should derive from user research into information needs, tasks accomplished in meeting those needs, and resources used in the tasks. "Information Tasks" summarizes user research, then presents design sketches of systems that illustrate how design is linked to research. Also discussed are usable information services and an overview of the organization and economics of information institutions. This comprehensive user-centered approach provides an agenda for...

Using Subject Headings for Online Retrieval" is an indispensable tool for online system designers who are grappling with developing new systems or refining existing ones. This ready reference describes subject analysis and subject searching in online catalogs, including the limitations of retrieval, and demonstrates how such limitations can be overcome through system design and programming. The practical reference also describes the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) system and system characteristics; it shows how information is stored in machine-readable files; and it offers...

This book is intended for those in the library community with an understanding of library processes and a desire to actually make use of scientific management techniques. The emphasis is on presenting insights into which tool may be appropriate for particular problems, not on the isolated understanding of theoretical issues. It does not require an extensive mathematical background. It shows well-developed examples of solving library problems and features chapter summaries and questions for further study.

This well-written guide for the design and management of information services is tailored to suit the needs of students in information services management, both in schools of library and information science and in schools of business management. It is also intended for practitioners, librarians and other managers - who provide information to services in business, industry, and government, either from within an organization or as external consultants and contractors. In addition this book will assist those managers of computer and communications facilities. This book offers a sound basis for...

Communicating Research" explores how changing technologies affect academic research practices. The book begins with the rise of electronic media and fundamental changes in the dissemination of research. It then outlines the problems and concerns of researchers, librarians, and publishers: inadequacies of copyright laws, the rise of interlibrary loan practices, and the unchecked broadcast of working papers. These problems lead to a discussion of research practices across scholarly disciplines and an investigation of the biases and intentions of practitioners. The book includes historical data...

A source guide for business, marketing, and financial researchers looking for information in the commercial, industrial, manufacturing, communications, automotive, and agricultural sectors. The reference lists print and electronic tools, compact discs, and online databases. Entries provide a summary

The primary objective of this book is to provide an understanding of business information in the context of those who seek business information. Information-seeking behavior includes the underlying information needs that drive one to seek information, the types of information used to resolve information needs, the types of resources that contain the needed information, the channels used to secure that information, and effective strategies to locate the needed information.The reason for this approach is that effective business research depends upon the ability to identify the type of...