Chapter 10. Self Assessment Questions

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The Into Info courses are designed so that they can be used for individual and distance learning. A number of Self-Assisment Questions (SAQ's) are included as an aid to students wishing to check learning. You should try to answer the questions in your own words - where appropriate, links are included for you to be able to check your answers.

Chapter 1

  1. There are three important areas where information can play a decisive role in R&ampD. What are these?

    2. Answer
  2. Describe the importance of information handling for engineers.

    3. Answer
Chapter 2
  1. What do you mean by (a)data? (b)information? and (c) knowledge?

    2. Answer
  2. How rapidly does the rate of scientific information in science and technology, and how do you describe this increase?

    3. Answer
Chapter 3
  1. What are the main channels for the spread of information in science and technology?

    2. Answer
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of oral channels of communication?

    3. Answer
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of printed channels of communication?

    4. Answer
  4. Give examples of three different types of secondary publications that are available in your university library.

    5. Answer
  5. Which type of secondary publication would you choose if you were just starting work on a new research project? Give examples that are available in your university library.

    6. Answer
  6. Which publication would you choose if you wanted to study the influence of a certain author on later developments?

    7. Answer
  7. Describe some of the services that are available on the academic networks. Which of these do you have access to at your university or college

    8. Answer
Chapter 4
  1. What are the main types of information searches?

    2. Answer
  2. Describe how your would keep up-to-date with new information in your subject area (what tools does your university library provide?)

    3. Answer
  3. Describe the information search process in your own words.

    4. Answer
Chapter 5
  1. What are the main types of database?

    2. Answer
  2. Does your library have an OPAC?

    3. Answer
  3. Which European online systems are available in your university library?

    4. Answer
  4. What are the advantages of online information retrieval?

    5. Answer
  5. What CD-ROM databases are available in your university library?

    6. Answer
  6. Which of these CD-ROM databases cover your main subject of studies?
Chapter 6
  1. If you carry out a search and find a reference to an article that is not in your university library, how can you obtain that article?

    2. Answer
  2. What do interlibrary loans cost at your university?
  3. What factors are important when choosing a method for arranging your document collection?

    4. Answer
  4. Does your university recommend (and perhaps give discount on) personal bibiliographic software?

    5. Answer
  5. Write an abstract of Communication in Science and Technology - an Introduction.