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Dissertation Information for Gary Everett Masters

NAME:
- Gary Everett Masters

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of North Texas (USA) (1987)

ADVISORS:
- Donald B. Cleveland

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- [Indecipherable1]
- [Indecipherable2]
- Herman L. Totten

MPACT Status: Complete - Except Indecipherables

Title: THE EFFECTS OF INCREASED EQUIPMENT SPEED ON ONLINE DATABASE SEARCHING PRACTICES

Abstract: This study reports changes in online database searching at North Texas State University when equipment speed was increased. Data were from database vendor invoices and price and sale data of online equipment. The hypotheses examined the relationship between the decrease in the cost of online equipment and the change to faster online equipment and the change in the number of databases that changed for online types. The change in equipment was related to changes in the number of offline prints per hour, the average time per search, the average number of descriptors per search, the number of searches per month, and the rank order of database use over the studied period. The increase in the number of databases with billed types was related to the number of online billed types produced. The number of prints was related to the number of billed types. Time spent online was examined for annual seasonal cycles. The major statistical tool was time-series analysis, although other methods were applied.

The conclusions were that searching practices at NTSU changed when the equipment changed in 1982. The major effect was the increase in online types and the decrease in offline prints. The number of searches per month, the number of descriptors per search, the rank order of databases searched, and the average time per search did not change. The decrease in cost for online equipment was correlated to an increase in its speed and in the number of databases with online type charges. This increase in type charges was linked to an increase in the number of online billed types and a decrease in prints.

Based on the conclusions, the following specific recommendations were made: (1) maintain access to several database vendors, (2) use a modular system for searching, (3) keep complete records of search activities, (4) evaluate online search activities constantly, (5) establish and support user groups, and (6) provide continuing training for searchers.

MPACT Scores for Gary Everett Masters

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:20:57

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