Describes and evaluates a system that selects key information from an event database by reasoning about event frequencies, frequencies of relations between events, and domain-specific importance measures. The system aggregates similar information and plans a summary tailored to a stereotypical user. (AEF)

Describes a method of selective information presentation exemplified by an editor that produces an encyclopedia based on source articles, and needs access to dynamically-selected aspects of the articles for editorial decision making. Presents a system that provides a generic basis for summarization by building multilingual, genre-driven automatic…

Compares the structure, communicative function, and linguistic devices of abstracts in German medical journals with their English equivalents. Analyzes differences in the discourse of non-native speakers and native speakers. Suggests that abstracting should be incorporated into language courses for the medical profession and for technical…

A text production model is considered as an instrument for researching the writing strategies of abstractors. Within this framework, abstracting is a subtype of the writer's activities, which are described in terms of text actions. A computer system can be constructed that evaluates and/or supports human text production. (Author/AEF)

Summarizes three phases of a research project on the educational benefits of multimedia, especially the role of animation or still imagery in enhancing text. Results indicate that animation did not help sixth graders to improve their recall, but it may be beneficial for their comprehension. (JKP)

A reanalysis of the database from the 1993-94 AASL (American Association of School Librarians)/Highsmith Research Study indicates that library media specialists who participated in at least one multiple-content area unit reported significantly higher levels of involvement with classroom teachers in curriculum planning compared with those who…

Contains two articles: (1) discusses the features and structure of the "Success for All" (SFA) reading program and presents findings from an evaluation of SFA sites in four cities; and (2) summarizes eight documents and five articles about SFA that are abstracted in the ERIC database. (JKP)

Compares state telecommunications regulatory policies and their potential impacts on the development of the physical infrastructure needed to support an information superhighway. Topics include federal telecommunications regulations, federal preemption of state regulations, and economic impacts of the development of the National Information…

Presents an economic model to analyze the cost efficiency of access to journal articles via three alternatives: journal subscriptions, consortium membership, and commercial document delivery. Results show cost efficiency is based on the value of future journal use, costs of delivery and subscriptions, and the value of time to patrons. (Author/LRW)

Examines attitudes and cooperative behavior of personnel in six multitype libraries through questionnaires and interviews to determine the degree to which monetary considerations or their perception influences interlibrary cooperation. Results indicate it is the perception rather than the reality of monetary concerns that influences decisions…

Investigates the relationship between information and economics through an analysis of representational literature on the value of information in both disciplines. The analysis reveals patterns of conceptualization shaped by the differing paradigms, and identifies four perspectives, including commodity, utility, and two forms of message.…

Compares citation data collected from publications of faculty in a pure science discipline and applied science disciplines to factors such as journal costs and publisher type. Based on a serials cancellation project at the University of Maryland, College Park, the relationship between citation frequency and cost is also discussed. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of academic library journal cancellations focuses on the development of a valuative instrument at the University of Maryland, College Park libraries that allows science librarians to identify titles which appear to be likely candidates for cancellation based on a list of attributes including cost, publisher type, value-added features,…

Discusses the economics and value of information and describes a study that compared an objective measure, the estimated direct costs to a library to purchase materials or provide services used by specific users, with a subjective measure, exchange values those users would pay for the information. (LRW)

Describes the use of infometry, or informational geometry, to meet the challenges of information service businesses. Highlights include theoretical models for cognitive coordination and genetic programming; electronic information packaging; marketing electronic information products, including cost-benefit analyses; and recapitalization, including…