Study of User-Defined Searching Requirements for the on-Line Version of the Directory of DoD-Sponsored R&D Data Bases on the Defense Gateway Computer System

摘要

In anticipation of the implementation of the Directory of DoD-Sponsored R&D Data Bases in an on-line version on the Defense Gateway Computer System (hereafter the Gateway), a study was undertaken to identify the searching requirements of existing and potential users. The terms user-friendly interface, natural language front-end processor, and expert system are defined. The procedure followed in conducting the study is described. Results of the study are presented along with a recommendation for an interface to be incorporated into the Gateway for searching the on-line version of the directory. The plan for this study was to contact a sample group of people who were familiar with the directory to ask them how they used the print directory, and try to determine their searching requirements for an on-line version of the directory. A questionnaire was used to gather this information. This instrument was chosen to define and standardize the information that would be gathered. This standardization served to increase reliability and facilitate analysis of the results.