- Email: [email protected]
Toward an ethic of higher education
be improved, focusing first on the technical system and then on administration. The final two chapters look more specifically at academic activities (quality in the curriculum and classroom) and how an institution can implement TQM. Individual chapters include many examples of TQM at colleges and universities, flowcharts, andpoint-by-pointsummaries. A bibliography of over 90 items (current to early 1992) and an index complete the work.-Eds.
Toward an Ethic d Higher Education, by Mortlmer R. Kadish. Stanford, CA: Stanford Univ. Press, 1991.205~. $29.50 ISBN B80471883-O. LC-90-27088.
n Although professors are expected to exemplify sound ethical judgment, they are also “expected to deal in speculative and disinterested ways with ethics,” and have thus had difficulty establishing a “convincing public position on the ethics of practice.” Unlike the many studies of ethics in small areas of academia, this work tackles the whole framework of academic ethics, and “pursues the path of wisdom rather than the narrower trail of knowledge.” Chapters that read like conversations with the author begin byestablishing the intellectual terrain. Especially well developed is the importance of “self-interest” in the educational experience (a concept closer to Emerson’s “self trust” than to selfishness) and the balance among the respective self-interests of students, faculty, and administrators. Using elaborate similes and metaphors, Kadish analyzes the intellectual virtues of the sciences, literature, and professional studies, and suggests “‘opening’ the university to arts, the world of work, and politics in some novel, even exciting ways.” A central conclusion is that “the educational process properly conceived leads to the exercise of ethical judgment.” This serious study offers no “quick fixes or ear-catching terminology,” but does include many delightful and quotable epigrams. Recommendation-Thisdistinctiveandcarefully developed work is well suited for “academics-whether professors or administrators-who are reaching for a better understanding of the larger profession and their own institutions.” Reviewer-William Toombs Journal oftiigher Education, Mar./Apr. 1993, p. 235-36
The Uneasy Publk
Polky Triangle in Higher Education: Quality, Diversity, and Budgetary Ettkkncy, ed. by David H. Flntfter, R.G. Baldwln. and J.R. Thelln. N.Y.: Amerlcan Council on Education and Macmillan, 1991. 198~. $27.95 ISBN &02-897145-O. This volume contains 14 papers that analyze the “dynamics of United States higher education policy with regard to three...often conflicting goals...: quality, diversity, and efficiency.“ThepaperswereoriginaIlypresented
at a 1988 conference on the interaction of public policy and higher education. The first of five sections provides historical context, with an emphasi; on “changes in the interaction of federal and state involvement.” The next three sections focus, respectively, on individual points of the triangle; each notes the difficulty of measurement. All the papers on public policy and quality relate an institution’s performance to its own role and goals. The papers qn diversity reach “divergent conclusions about the extent to which disparities [in access to, participation in, and completion of college education] could be diminished.” Papers on budgetary efficiency and resource allocation call for new and more creative policies. Collectively, these papers present a balanced interpretation, whose potential value lies in depicting the tensions and common ground among the three goals of public policy; unfortunately, the concluding chapters discuss new aspects rather than tying together the preceding sections, leaving readers with three points rather than a true triangle. Recommendation-“National experts of highereducation policy, institutional leaders, and those involved in public as well as private higher education policy should benefit from this selection of thoughtful and enriching discussion papers.” Reviewer-Michaela Martin JournalofHigher Education, Mar./Apr. 1993, p. 237-38 *See also May 1993 p. 115
Indexing and Abstracting Guide to Current Indexing and Abstracting Servkes In the Third World, by G.E. Gorman and J.J. Mills. Sevenoaks, UK: Hans Zell, 1992. 278~. $65 ISBN O-905450 85X. This workprovidesacquisitions librarians with useful information on titles that index and/or abstract literature from developing countries. Comprehensive entries describe each title’s scope, arrangement, and content, and assess its usefulness (or lack thereof) and main audience. The guide’s potential as a reference tool, however, is limited by its organization (b title, rather than geographic region or sut. Ject) and inadequate index. Moreover, the term “Third World” in the title is not only derogatory but also inaccurate (if understood to mean “developing, less developed, or underdeveloped countries”), given that South Africa is covered here. Recommendation-This workaddresses a real need-bibliographic control of the literature of developing countries. Unfortunately, its arrangement and index limit its usefulness. Reviewer-Carol Newton-Smith Australian Academic & Research Libraries, Dec. 1992, p. 226 *See also Jan. 1993 p. 387
Information
Science
Attitkkl Intelligence and Expert Systems: Will They Change the library? Papers Presented at the 1990 Clinic on LlbraryAppllcations of Data Processing, March 2527, 199O.ed.byF.W.LancasterandL.C.Smtth. Champalgn, IL: Univ. of Illlnols,GSLIS, 1992. 291 p, $20 ISBN 0-87845084-X. These 12 papers from the 27th Annual Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing focus on expert systems (a subset of artificial intelligence). Douglas Metzler presents an informative review of theoretical research on knowledge representation, reasoning, understanding, and learning. Three papers serve as introductions to central topics: two methods of knowledge representation (Irene Travis); appltcation of user models in information retrieval (Christine Borgman and Yolanda Plute); and natural language processing (Amy Warner). General applications of expert systems are reviewed by Stuart Weibel (cataloging), James Parrott (reference work, based on his own theoretical model), Samuel Waters (reference work at the National Agricultural Library); and Brian Vickery (intelligent interfaces to online databases). Two papers address management issues: Charles Fenly presents criteria for assessing areas in which an expert system is appropriate, and David Penniman advocates “a new philosophy of information leadership and a need to understand the conditions for successful use of technology.” Several papers report on specific research projects. Writing style and readability of the papers are inconsistent, and some authors make assertions that should be challenged. The references that follow each paper are valuable for those seeking further information. Recommendation-This well-balanced collection provides a good overview of topics, issues, and case studies concerning expert systems in libraries. Reviewer-Ling Hwey Jeng Library Quarterly, Apr. 1993, p. 236-38 *See also May 1993 p. 118; Mar. 1993 p. 44
Conceptions ot library and lntormatlon Science: Historical, Empirkal and Theoretkal Perspectives: Proceedings of the InternatIonal Conference Held for the Celebration of 20th Anniversary of the Department of Information Studies, Unlverslty of Tampere, Finland, 26-28 August, 1991, ed. by Perttl Vakkarl and B. Cronln. London and LosAngeles: Taylor Graham, 1992.3 14~. $46 (paper) ISBN O-947568-522. + “This is a well-balanced and coherent collection of material from what. . . must have been a stimulating and enjoyable conference.” Via a comprehensive range of topics, “the scope and complexity of library and information science are explored, their con-
the Journal of Academic Librarianship,
July 1993
187
Toward an Ethic d Higher Education, by Mortlmer R. Kadish. Stanford, CA: Stanford Univ. Press, 1991.205~. $29.50 ISBN B80471883-O. LC-90-27088.
n Although professors are expected to exemplify sound ethical judgment, they are also “expected to deal in speculative and disinterested ways with ethics,” and have thus had difficulty establishing a “convincing public position on the ethics of practice.” Unlike the many studies of ethics in small areas of academia, this work tackles the whole framework of academic ethics, and “pursues the path of wisdom rather than the narrower trail of knowledge.” Chapters that read like conversations with the author begin byestablishing the intellectual terrain. Especially well developed is the importance of “self-interest” in the educational experience (a concept closer to Emerson’s “self trust” than to selfishness) and the balance among the respective self-interests of students, faculty, and administrators. Using elaborate similes and metaphors, Kadish analyzes the intellectual virtues of the sciences, literature, and professional studies, and suggests “‘opening’ the university to arts, the world of work, and politics in some novel, even exciting ways.” A central conclusion is that “the educational process properly conceived leads to the exercise of ethical judgment.” This serious study offers no “quick fixes or ear-catching terminology,” but does include many delightful and quotable epigrams. Recommendation-Thisdistinctiveandcarefully developed work is well suited for “academics-whether professors or administrators-who are reaching for a better understanding of the larger profession and their own institutions.” Reviewer-William Toombs Journal oftiigher Education, Mar./Apr. 1993, p. 235-36
The Uneasy Publk
Polky Triangle in Higher Education: Quality, Diversity, and Budgetary Ettkkncy, ed. by David H. Flntfter, R.G. Baldwln. and J.R. Thelln. N.Y.: Amerlcan Council on Education and Macmillan, 1991. 198~. $27.95 ISBN &02-897145-O. This volume contains 14 papers that analyze the “dynamics of United States higher education policy with regard to three...often conflicting goals...: quality, diversity, and efficiency.“ThepaperswereoriginaIlypresented
at a 1988 conference on the interaction of public policy and higher education. The first of five sections provides historical context, with an emphasi; on “changes in the interaction of federal and state involvement.” The next three sections focus, respectively, on individual points of the triangle; each notes the difficulty of measurement. All the papers on public policy and quality relate an institution’s performance to its own role and goals. The papers qn diversity reach “divergent conclusions about the extent to which disparities [in access to, participation in, and completion of college education] could be diminished.” Papers on budgetary efficiency and resource allocation call for new and more creative policies. Collectively, these papers present a balanced interpretation, whose potential value lies in depicting the tensions and common ground among the three goals of public policy; unfortunately, the concluding chapters discuss new aspects rather than tying together the preceding sections, leaving readers with three points rather than a true triangle. Recommendation-“National experts of highereducation policy, institutional leaders, and those involved in public as well as private higher education policy should benefit from this selection of thoughtful and enriching discussion papers.” Reviewer-Michaela Martin JournalofHigher Education, Mar./Apr. 1993, p. 237-38 *See also May 1993 p. 115
Indexing and Abstracting Guide to Current Indexing and Abstracting Servkes In the Third World, by G.E. Gorman and J.J. Mills. Sevenoaks, UK: Hans Zell, 1992. 278~. $65 ISBN O-905450 85X. This workprovidesacquisitions librarians with useful information on titles that index and/or abstract literature from developing countries. Comprehensive entries describe each title’s scope, arrangement, and content, and assess its usefulness (or lack thereof) and main audience. The guide’s potential as a reference tool, however, is limited by its organization (b title, rather than geographic region or sut. Ject) and inadequate index. Moreover, the term “Third World” in the title is not only derogatory but also inaccurate (if understood to mean “developing, less developed, or underdeveloped countries”), given that South Africa is covered here. Recommendation-This workaddresses a real need-bibliographic control of the literature of developing countries. Unfortunately, its arrangement and index limit its usefulness. Reviewer-Carol Newton-Smith Australian Academic & Research Libraries, Dec. 1992, p. 226 *See also Jan. 1993 p. 387
Information
Science
Attitkkl Intelligence and Expert Systems: Will They Change the library? Papers Presented at the 1990 Clinic on LlbraryAppllcations of Data Processing, March 2527, 199O.ed.byF.W.LancasterandL.C.Smtth. Champalgn, IL: Univ. of Illlnols,GSLIS, 1992. 291 p, $20 ISBN 0-87845084-X. These 12 papers from the 27th Annual Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing focus on expert systems (a subset of artificial intelligence). Douglas Metzler presents an informative review of theoretical research on knowledge representation, reasoning, understanding, and learning. Three papers serve as introductions to central topics: two methods of knowledge representation (Irene Travis); appltcation of user models in information retrieval (Christine Borgman and Yolanda Plute); and natural language processing (Amy Warner). General applications of expert systems are reviewed by Stuart Weibel (cataloging), James Parrott (reference work, based on his own theoretical model), Samuel Waters (reference work at the National Agricultural Library); and Brian Vickery (intelligent interfaces to online databases). Two papers address management issues: Charles Fenly presents criteria for assessing areas in which an expert system is appropriate, and David Penniman advocates “a new philosophy of information leadership and a need to understand the conditions for successful use of technology.” Several papers report on specific research projects. Writing style and readability of the papers are inconsistent, and some authors make assertions that should be challenged. The references that follow each paper are valuable for those seeking further information. Recommendation-This well-balanced collection provides a good overview of topics, issues, and case studies concerning expert systems in libraries. Reviewer-Ling Hwey Jeng Library Quarterly, Apr. 1993, p. 236-38 *See also May 1993 p. 118; Mar. 1993 p. 44
Conceptions ot library and lntormatlon Science: Historical, Empirkal and Theoretkal Perspectives: Proceedings of the InternatIonal Conference Held for the Celebration of 20th Anniversary of the Department of Information Studies, Unlverslty of Tampere, Finland, 26-28 August, 1991, ed. by Perttl Vakkarl and B. Cronln. London and LosAngeles: Taylor Graham, 1992.3 14~. $46 (paper) ISBN O-947568-522. + “This is a well-balanced and coherent collection of material from what. . . must have been a stimulating and enjoyable conference.” Via a comprehensive range of topics, “the scope and complexity of library and information science are explored, their con-
the Journal of Academic Librarianship,
July 1993
187