Selective Dissemination of Information (Sdi): Analysis of Experimental and Operational Sdi Services, 1967

摘要

The objective of this study is to learn more about the options available for the application of the Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) concept prior to decisions about its possible use in Air Force research and development activities. The data collection and verification tools consist of structured questionnaires, phone interviews and published literature on specific SDI systems. The findings and conclusions of the report were drawn from forty-one of some fifty known SDI systems in operation as of August 1967, and therefore represent a fair sample of the total population. The findings support the contention that SDI concepts and methodologies can be made to work for any number of users with any volume of document input; however, none of the systems are even close to their capacity--only a small portion of eligible users depend on SDI services. All surveyed systems managers believe that SDI serves a real and important need of screening the literature for specialized users and they intend to continue some form of current awareness. The SDI concept has been successfully applied to primary distribution of laboratory reports and is likely to effect the future pattern of technical journal production and distribution. (Author)