Prepared to introduce the user to advanced scientific and technical information services and systems (STI/SS), this guide emphasizes computer searches, helping the user to set the bounds of his or her problem, to define the way the literature is stored in the computer, and to develop an improved problem statement with which to enter the computer. Chapters explain defining the scope of a search, browsing, manual searching, the operation of an online system, interpreting system output, selecting relevant information from retrieved abstracts, accessing hard copy and full texts, and current developments in STI/SS. Sample searches, user profile forms, descriptions of manual indexes and online databases, and the elements of a complete record are included. (FM)