Thesauri on the Web: current developments and trendsAli Asghar Shiri; Crawford Revie
2000 Online Information Review
doi: 10.1108/14684520010350623
This article provides an overview of recent developments relating to the application of thesauri in information organisation and retrieval on the World Wide Web. It describes some recent thesaurus projects undertaken to facilitate resource description and discovery and access to wide-ranging information resources on the Internet. Types of thesauri available on the Web, thesauri integrated in databases and information retrieval systems, and multiple-thesaurus systems for cross-database searching are also discussed. Collective efforts and events in addressing the standardisation and novel applications of thesauri are briefly reviewed.
Creating and nurturing distributed asynchronous learning environmentsThomas R. Kochtanek; Karen K. Hein
2000 Online Information Review
doi: 10.1108/14684520010350632
The introduction of Web-based course instruction into an existing degree programme offers the opportunity to re-examine models supporting learning and the transfer of knowledge among students enrolled in such courses. By removing the barriers of time and place, instructors can create and sustain student learning communities supported by interactive communication tools grounded in asynchronous learning models. The instructor's role moves to that of a facilitator who seeks to stimulate interactions between students and between students and the instructor, in the pursuit of improved learning and knowledge base construction.
An information method for achieving value‐added processing of bibliographic databases in science and technologyDragotin Kardos; Bojana Boh
2000 Online Information Review
doi: 10.1108/14684520010350641
The article presents and discusses a methodological procedure based on the functional density of information, which can be used for value-added processing of bibliographic databases with scientific and technological information to predict and recognise trends in research and development fields. The concept of functional information density can be applied in processing bibliographic databases by specific search fields, such as: number of documents by the publication year, number of articles and patents by year, patent assignee, patent applications and granted patents by country, international patents classification codes, and journal titles. The proposed information procedure was tested on the research topics microencapsulation technology, microencapsulated pesticides, microencapsulated repellents and superabsorbents, and was used as an information support for design of research hypotheses, planning of research, development and marketing of products.
A study of graduate student end‐users’ use and perception of electronic journalsChern Li Liew; Schubert Foo; K.R. Chennupati
2000 Online Information Review
doi: 10.1108/14684520010350650
The growth and diversity of electronic journals (e-journals) in the past five years has led many to predict the extinction of print journals and that a new paradigm is sweeping scholarship. Some others, however, believe that future electronic scholarly journals will be different from their print antecedents and fill a different niche, and will be necessary for the growth of knowledge. This paper considers the future of e-journals in the light of the use and perception of graduate student end-users, and their expectations of future e-journals. Some results from a recent user study presenting significant implications for the design of future e-journals are reported. The results show a significantly high acceptance of e-journals by this category of users. Generally, e-journals are expected to be different from print journals, with novel forms of functionality not possible in their print counterparts.
Internet service providers: an Indian scenarioSiriginidi Subba Rao
2000 Online Information Review
doi: 10.1108/14684520010350704
An Internet service provider is examined, along with the factors that should be considered when entering the ISP market. The global Internet scenario is discussed regarding the phases of the Internet in India, i.e. pre and post commercialisation. The main players are described: ERNET, NICNET, STPI, VSNL, MTNL, Satyam Infoway and Bharti-BT. The financial and legal implications are highlighted in the Indian context. Many companies entered the nascent ISP business in India due to deregulation. Building local content, foreknowledge of new Internet technologies, connecting issues, competitiveness, etc. would help in their sustainability.