NAME OF SYSTEM: ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) ORIGINATOR: National Center for Educational Research and Development Office of Education Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Washington, D.C. 20202

that serves as the basis for the monthly catalog. The contents of the catalog include a list of article titles, the identification numbers, indexes, and a numerical listing of abstract identifications. This comprehensive collection of referenced accessions is then distributed to the many subscribers throughout the country. A copy of any report listed in the catalog may be purchased for a nominal cost from the E R I C Document Reproduction Service, which is operated by a private contractor. At the contractor facility, the monthly accessions are reduced to the C O S A T I (Committee on Scientific and Technical Information) microfiche format using a special step and repeat camera. The first 4 x 6 inch microfiche of any individual document may contain up to 60 page images and the second and subsequent microfiche, 72 page images. The form has space reserved at the top for essential identifying data in normal size print. The subscribing users of the service identify desired research reports by looking through the catalog. Those subscribers wishing to order complete copies of research papers have the choice of two formats: an inexpensive microfiche for those who have access to a microfiche reader or a 6 x 8 inch enlarged paper copy, available at a higher cost. R E M A R K S . The E R I C system is a most economical method for storing, retrieving, and disseminating full-page reproductions. This is especially true in instances where the documents to be distributed are already in print when received and where there is a very large user base, since copy reproduction costs are less expensive than other methods. The economy of storage at the user location is also apparent. Further, copies can be readily reproduced on demand by either the central or the user facility, making it unnecessary to maintain any stock. Last, packaging and shipment costs are held to a minimum. The E R I C program is currently reaching an estimated 477,000 educators each month, and during 1969 about 10 million microfiche were sold by the E R I C Document Reproduction Service.

OBJECTIVE. To make current educational research and related information available promptly and inexpensively to teachers, administrators, researchers, and public officials, and business and industry groups. B A C K G R O U N D . The overall responsibility of the Office of Education is to collect and disseminate such statistics and facts as shall promote the cause of education within the United States. W i t h i n this framework, the Bureau of Research collects and distributes educational research documents to interested educational personnel. To administer this activity, the Office of Education established the Educational Resources Information Center— E R I C . The field of potential information users is broadly based and includes local school districts, colleges, State governments, boards of education, and others involved in educational activities. THE NEW METHOD. The task of acquiring the significant research material is performed by 20 regional educational information clearing houses that are generally located at universities and regional educational laboratories. All acquired research reports that have catalog listing potential are screened by the clearing houses to insure that all subject matter meets established standards. Selected reports are documented on a special resume or abstract form containing information on specific indexing terms and document identifications. At Washington, D . C , computer programs permit the monthly field submissions in paper tape format to be quickly machine processed. The resultant product is a computer printout
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ERIC (EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER)
I N P U T PROCESSING STORAGE SEARCH AND R E T R I E V A L

Research Reports

Search Request

Reference Information

Microfilm Camera

Document List

Code Form

Microfiche File Microfilm File

Specific Document Request

Microfiche Copier

1. R e g i o n a l c l e a r i n g h o u s e s s e l e c t and a c c e s s i o n p r o p e r reports. 2. C l e r k c o n v e r t s a p p r o p r i a t e i n f o r m a t i o n into code f o r m . 3. O p e r a t o r t r a n s f o r m s i n f o r m a tion into punched p a p e r tape format. 4. S p e c i a l c o m p u t e r p r o g r a m c o n v e r t s i n f o r m a t i o n into p r i n t out l i s t i n g of r e f e r e n c e s . 5. O r i g i n a l r e p o r t s a r e f o r w a r d e d to B e t h e s d a , M a r y l a n d and c o n v e r t e d into m i c r o f i l m and m i c r o fiche with s t e p and r e p e a t c a m e r a .

1. R e s e a r c h i n f o r m a t i o n is s t o r e d on m i c r o f i l m and m i c r o fiche at the B e t h e s d a , M a r y l a n d facility. 2. The facility f o r w a r d s s u b s c r i b e r s information requested in e i t h e r m i c r o f i c h e o r p a p e r copy f o r m a t .

1. S u b s c r i b e r s s e a r c h d o c u m e n t l i s t for d e s i r e d a r t i c l e s . 2. S u b s c r i b e r s o r d e r i t e m s f r o m B e t h e s d a facility by r e f e r e n c e n u m b e r and f o r m a t . 3. I n f o r m a t i o n is r e c e i v e d in desired format.

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