Usabilidad de un sistema de recuperación de información a texto completo: el caso del portal Cybertesis Perú / Usability of a full text information retrieval system: the case of Cybertesis Peru

Se revisaron los programas de recuperación de la información para países en vías de desarrollo; así como las técnicas de evaluación empleadas en el área de la usabilidad, y propias de la interacción humano-computadora, con énfasis en las pruebas empíricas. Se describió la forma de trabajo de un sistema de recuperación de la información a texto completo, distribuido bajo el modelo de software libre, y que ha logrado una importante difusión en el interior de la comunidad académica peruana: la plataforma Cybertesis. Posteriormente, a partir del desempeño logrado por los usuarios que participaron en el estudio, se identificaron los problemas de usabilidad de la interfaz de búsqueda de dicha plataforma. El análisis de los datos revela un exceso de información en la presentación de los resultados y omisiones en los rótulos y etiquetas empleadas; así como la ausencia de opciones necesarias para la búsqueda como, por ejemplo, la búsqueda cronológica. Finalmente, se recomendaron cambios a la interfaz de búsqueda de la plataforma de Cybertesis con vistas a mejorar la efectividad y eficiencia de su sistema de recuperación de la información.

The programs of information retrieval for developing countries were analyzed, as well as the evaluation techniques applied to the usability, and those applied to the human-computer interaction, making emphasis on the empirical tests. A description was made of the work style of a full text information retrieval system distributed as a free software model, which has achieved an important diffusion level within the Peruvian academic community: the Cybertesis site. Subsequently, the usability problems of the search interface of the mentioned site reveals an excess of information in the presentation of the results, as well as omissions in the signs and labels used, and the absence of necessary search options as, for example, chronologic search. Finally, changes to the search interface of Cybertesis were recommended aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of its information recovery system.

Health services research, outcomes, and perinatal information systems.

The progress in information and communication technology, together with the search for the most effective and efficient ways to use the limited resources for health care, are opening new areas for research and development in perinatal care. Information systems and practice oriented by evidence-based medicine are modifying the operation of health services, and the quality of their management is being monitored by the success of their outcomes. As a study case, a Perinatal Information System widely used in Latin America and the Caribbean is discussed in some detail. Future challenges in the compatibility of information systems and databanks, the need for longer follow-up periods and measurement of health-related quality of life as outcomes for perinatal care, and the strategies to integrate all these concepts for the improvement of daily practice are discussed.

PIP: The success in information and communication technology, together with the search for the most effective and efficient ways to use the limited resources for health care, are opening new areas for research and development in perinatal care. The quality of the population-based databanks and individual patient care may benefit from improvements in the design of the clinical records. Information systems and practice oriented by evidence-based medicine are modifying the operation of health services, and the quality of their management is being monitored by the success of their outcomes. This paper discusses in detail the experiences of the two countries--Latin America and the Caribbean--in using the Perinatal Information System. Furthermore, this paper discusses the future challenges in the compatibility of information systems and databanks, the need for longer follow-up periods and measurement of health-related quality of life as outcomes for perinatal care, and the strategies to integrate all these concepts for the improvement of daily practice.

Small-area census data services by microcomputer: applications of REDATAM system in Latin America.

The authors describe a data retrieval system called REDATAM, Retrieval of Data for Small Area by Microcomputer. "The interactive REDATAM system, in English and Spanish versions, was created to solve the problem of providing small-area population and housing information by using an IBM or fully compatible microcomputer to store the microdata of an entire census on a hard disk (or laser disks for larger countries) and to permit any tabulation to be produced rapidly for any area down to city blocks or smaller....REDATAM may play an important role in the 1990 censuses in the Latin American and Caribbean countries since the system will permit the provision of timely small-area services (and at the national level in the Caribbean countries) before, as well as after, the regular data processing and publication of results are ready."

Population information resources.

PIP: This article describes print and computerized services that are dedicated to bibliographic coverage of 1 or more areas of population studies. Major printed bibliographic information resources for population material include: ADOPT, DOCPAL Resumenes sobre Poblacion en America Latina, PIDSA Abstracts, Population Index and Review of Population Reviews. ADOPT is an annotated computer-aided current-awareness bibliographic journal which has been published monthly since January 1975 by the Regional Population Information Center of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). DOCPAL Resumenes is a computer-produced biannual collection of abstracts containing indexes and between 600 and 700 summaries of both published and unpublished population documents. PIDSA is intended to make available documentary information about population matters in sub-Saharan Africa. Population Index, 1 of the oldest and most definitive bibliographies in the demography field, is international in scope and is arranged as a classified and annotated bibliography of monographs, journal articles and 2ndary source material relevant to all aspects of demography. Review of Population Reviews, published 4 times a year, are annotated bibliographies containing summaries of articles that have been published in 83 periodicals in 37 countries. Cited articles are assigned subject-heading descriptors from the Population Multilingual Thesaurus. Major computerized information resources are: DOCPAL, DOCPOP, EBIS/POPFILE, MANPINS, POPLINE and POPULATION BIBLIOGRAPHY. DOCPAL was established to assist Latin Ameran countries in the collection, storage, processing and retrieval of population documents about Latin America. DOCPAL contains over 19,000 bibliographic citations. DOCPOP was established as the 1st Latin American national computerized population documentation system for Brazilian material. POPLINE is a computerized retrieval service cooperatively produced in the US which covers the worldwide literature on population and family planning. POPULATION BIBLIOGRAPHY consists of bibliographic records of the Carolina Population Center Library at the University of North Carolina. EBIS/PROFILE provides computerized literature search services using improved information processing techniques. The system enables interactive information retrieval using a combination of subject descriptors, free text, author names and words in other fields and can be utilized to generate various lists. MANPINS is a cooperative network of 28 population and other libraries in Peninsular Malaysia. Its data bank includes contributions from member libraries in the form of bibliographic information on monographs and journal articles.^ieng

Fundacao Sistema Estadual de Analise de Dados and the DOCPOP system.

PIP: The Fundacao Sistema de Analise de Dados (SEADE) is a non-profit organization related to the Government of the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. It collects, organizes and processes data and information on population, education, health, finance, the economy, and agriculture. It conducts research to evaluate the status of social and economic variables and the effects of governmental action. It publishes a number of periodicals, provides reference services to the public, and operates 2 major computerized data bases. A 3rd computerized documentation system, SEADE/DOC, was created in 1982 for material relating to population matters. Between 1978 and 1981, about 600 population research projects and studies were developed by 14 Brazilian institutions which deal with teaching, research, and consultations in the area of population problems. (A list of these institutions is appended). The main objective of SEADE/DOCPOP is to solve the lack of up-to-date information on population in Brazil in computerized services. Other objectives are to improve the flow of population information among the different regions of Brazil, to participate in international population information systems, and to acquire technology and experience in the development and operation of the DOCPOP system in order to allow SEADE to extend the system to other fields. A description of the scope and volume of the documents to be included in SEADE/DOCPOP are contained in the article as well as a description of system design and development. The system should be in operation by July 1983; brief mention is made of future projects.^ieng