Training Support for the ISI Data Service Bath Terry Morrow BIDS is a service intended to be used directly by academics, research staff and students. This is in contrast to the commercial services based on the ISI Data (such as Dialog and DataStar) which are generally only used by library staff on behalf of researchers, and it raises two new problems: 1. how best to give instruction and guidance on the mechanics of using the data service (using the menus, constructing search terms, refining searches, recovering and printing results) 2. how to give advice on making the best use of the data with the tools provided, on constructing successful search strategies, and on the nature of the data itself - its strengths and its limitations. The purpose of this project is to develop and produce to professional standards a package of Training Support Material to enable Library and Computer Centre staff to carry out effective training in the use of BIDS. The pack will consist of support material for formal presentations to groups, at three different levels: 1) general overview 2) detailed introduction for basic use 3) use of the more advanced facilities This material will include course notes, OHP masters, lecturers notes, and exercise sheets. It is also planned to develop some self-paced material designed to explain how to use the service for specific objectives, such as using it as a "current awareness" service. Finally, a PC disk will be created and distributed that will contain sample sessions and other material that could be used in support of training. It is a major objective of the project to complete, print and distribute as much of the material as possible in time for the start of the next academic year (October 1991). _______________________________________________________________________ | | | In general the copyright for material on the NISS Bulletin Board | | is held by the CHEST & NISS Centre (University of Bath) or by the | | authors. | | | | Copying or reproduction of the material is permitted provided that | | | | (a) the source is acknowledged | | and (b) the material is not used for commercial gain. | | | | However, material must not be made available outside the academic | | community without prior consent. | |_______________________________________________________________________|