Retrieval Systems Training - ESRC Data Archive ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + ESRC Data Archive + + + + Information Technology Training Initiative (ITTI) project + + + + Training for the use of the Archive's Information Retrieval Systems + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ESRC Data Archive ----------------- The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Data Archive at the University of Essex is a national resource centre for computer- readable data in the social sciences and humanities. Founded in 1967, the Archive exists to preserve the data in its collection and to make them available for secondary analysis and teaching. The collection consists of the data from approximately 3,500 studies and is growing rapidly. A substantial proportion of the data is received from either central government or archives in Europe and North America. BIRON ----- BIRON - an acronym of Bibliographic Information Retrieval Online - is the Archive's online public access catalogue (OPAC). It contains a record of each study deposited with the Archive. By carrying out various types of search, records are retrieved and can be viewed on screen; if desired, a part of each record retrieved may be sent to an e-mail address. Each record contains a large amount of descriptive detail about the study it relates to. This includes background information in what we call the study description: the names of principal investigators, data collectors, sponsors and depositors; an abstract detailing the purposes of the research and main variables; information about populations sampled and data collection methodologies. Each record also contains a list of descriptive terms, known as a list of keywords. The list consists of all the topics, place names and years covered by the data, and sometimes also the source from which the data were drawn. BIRON is on the National Information Services and Systems (NISS) Gateway menu: [ telnet niss.ac.uk or call uk.ac.niss from a PAD terminal ] At the Gateway main menu select V) Archive Services then D) BIRON - ESRC Data Archive To connect your terminal directly using the Internet [ telnet biron.essex.ac.uk ] [ login: biron ] [ Password: norib ] ITTI project ------------ The aim of the project has been to disseminate knowledge of BIRON within the academic research community and to promote its use by those outside the Archive. Work has concentrated on (1) making BIRON easier to use; (2) providing training through workshops; and (3) producing written material. BIRON Version 3.0 was implemented in January 1994. It includes a number of enhancements which we believe make it easier to use, including help screens. Workshops and presentations have been given at gatherings of social scientists, information librarians and computing service user support personnel. Material produced ----------------- A 58-page self-help guide - BIRON Version 3.0 User Guide - containing worked examples is now available. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Chapter headings: General Information (about the ESRC Data Archive) Basic Concepts and Methods (of BIRON) How to Begin Sample Searches (18 worked examples) When Records are Retrieved Combining Searches Thesaurus Explained Menu Options Reference Index Price 6.50 pounds in the UKHE sector. Postage + packing will be added only to orders from overseas. Order from: Mrs Jean Burgan CVCP/USDU Level 6 University House tel: 0742 725248 Sheffield intern'l: +44 742 725248 S10 2TN e-mail: j.burgan@sheffield.ac.uk _____________________________________________________________________________ In addition, the following publications about BIRON may be obtained from: ESRC Data Archive University of Essex Wivenhoe Park Colchester tel: 0206 872001 Essex intern'l: +44 206 872001 CO4 3SQ e-mail: archive@essex.ac.uk BIRON Version 3.0 (*) } [ leaflets describing ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ } the main features BIRON: the Archive's Online Catalogue and Topic Index } of BIRON ] ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ BIRON Version 3.0: sample searches [ a 13-page booklet containing seven ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ worked examples and exercises to try ] (*) To receive this leaflet via e-mail join the mailbase discussion list essex-biron. It will be sent to you automatically. ESRC Data Archive June 1994 From: Brian ShieldsDate: Thu, 30 Mar 1995 _______________________________________________________________________ | | | 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. | |_______________________________________________________________________|