Dissertation Information for Hilary de Pace Burton NAME: - Hilary de Pace Burton
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- University of California, Berkeley (USA) (1972)
ADVISORS: - Patrick Wilson
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - Robert D. Harlan - Donald H. Coombs
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: Personal documentation methods and practices with analysis of their relation to formal bibliographic systems and theory
Abstract: Thirteen personal documentation systems within the area of natural resources research were studied to determine their structure and composition and their relationship to other information services. The systems were developed and are maintained by scientists working singly or in pairs or larger groups. The systems are based on bibliographic files structured according to the individual's (or group's) preference. Several of the files include personally written abstracts, and most include personally selected and assigned keywords or descriptors.
Patterns common to all files include well-defined systems of input sources relying heavily on informal channels, concentration of the bulk of the file literature in core sources, emphasis on post-1957 literature, and use of personalized control vocabulary which had little overlap with secondary service subject control. Considerable variation was found among the files as to size, structure, growth rate, subject control methodology, input source, etc.
A five percent sample of each file was searched for in each of the relevant major secondary and tertiary sources, such as Biological Abstracts or Science Citation Index, to determine the degree to which and manner in which the files are covered by other services.
Additionally, citations retrieved from one selected personal system search were searched in the secondary sources to determine: (1) if they were covered by a secondary source, and (2) if they were covered in such a way that the individual's original search logic would have retrieved them. Less than fifty percent of the citations were located, indicating that of the located citations, there was limited overlap or commonality of index terms, and considerable manual search time was required.
An attempt was made to define an approach for determining costs/benefits of personal systems, viewing the personal system as just one of the series of interrelated information systems. Determining actual costs becomes nearly impossible due to the multi-system effects of many of the information gathering and processing activities. General questions to be considered in the multi-system framework are suggested.
Personal documentation systems were found to be valuable components of the general information transfer environment both as they relate to other system components and as they reflect natural information processing behavior. Since they do effect the individual's participation in other information systems, recommendations are made to both librarians and designers of secondary and tertiary services regarding ways to develop a complimentary interface between systems.
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MPACT Scores for Hilary de Pace Burton A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-06-15 14:21:11
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