This thesis charts the development of a reference guide to searchable fields in the ERIC online database including identifying a target audience, planning and preparation of drafts, testing drafts with experienced online searchers and students, incorporating suggestions, and preparing and distributing the final version of the guide. The thesis reports that draft test results indicated the guide was successful in introducing and clarifying ERIC's searchable fields for searchers with moderate online experience; novice searchers needed more information about searching strategies than the guide provided. The thesis describes the ERIC database and introduces online searcher problems which prompted production of the guide. A literature review includes findings about the intended reading audience of searchers, background information about and user perceptions of the three major online vendors of the ERIC database, and research/advice about developing a concise and clear reference guide. A chapter on methodology describes development of questionnaires to solicit evaluation of the draft from groups of moderately experienced and novice searchers and from other reviewers, patterns which emerged from the responses, and incorporation of responses into the revised guide. Appendices contain copies of draft and final versions of the reference guide, search exercise/questionnaires for reviewers, and reviewers' suggested revisions. (LFL)