Assignment #1: EXACT MATCH MODEL

ERIC on DIALOG Classic, CSA, and ERIC Web.

Prepared for M.S. Stephenson's LIBR 557: Advanced Information Retrieval. UBC. SLAIS.

Search scenario

 

A graduate student at UBC wants to locate recent information on how web based education or other forms of online courses are used for graduate level university education or continuing education for professionals. She is interested in answering such questions as:

• How is web-based education being used in graduate education and/or continuing professional education?

• Who are some leading researchers or writers on the topics?

• What are the benefits and problems of using web delivered or other forms of online courses for graduate education or continuing education for working professionals?

She only wants items in English. She only wants items that have been published since 2001. She would like a combination of journal articles and research items if possible.

 

Summary

 

This study compares the search/retrieval interfaces for the ERIC database on three interfaces: DIALOG Classic, CSA, and the Education Resources Information Center, from now on, ERIC WEB. Search features are explored through a search problem tested on the three systems. Compared aspects include: basic and advanced interface options, Boolean searching, truncation and wildcards, phrase searching, field limits, online help, and search history. Interface design and usability issues are also considered. A literature review on online searching is embedded throughout the analysis.