Online Searching of ERIC: Suggestions for Improvement from the Special Project.

Based on a series of studies performed by ERIC/Information Resources staff and consultants which focused on the activities of over 40 experienced online searchers, this report offers the following suggestions for enhancing certain online retrieval system features and making improvements in ERIC vocabulary: (1) the implementation of an online rotated descriptor display, (2) the introduction of an online rotated identifier display, and (3) the use of links between the controlled vocabulary and free text. A brief history of ERIC online services precedes a cursory look at some current ERIC searching practices. In addition, an appendix provides three overheads which compare several elements of ERIC searching with those used by three commercial bibliographic retrieval services presently marketing the ERIC database. (FM)