PROBLEMS IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING IN BIOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS

Problems in the use of electronic data processing (EDP) in biological collections are explored. To accomplish this, the uses of EDP, actual and potential, are first set forth. The uses are divided into three groups, depending on the source from which the relevant information is obtained. The problems themselves are then grouped into nine mutually exclusive categories. Each problem is discussed in detail. The concept of a decision context is introduced. Its use in making the overall decision as to whether or not EDP should be used in a particular situation is explained. A questionnaire on the problems of EDP in biological collections was returned by 22 curators. Their comments are incorporated into the appropriate places of the text.

[1]  J. Beaman.  The Present Status and Operational Aspects of University Herbaria , 1965 .

[2]  Louise Schultz,et al.  Direct User Access to the Biological Literature Through Abstracts: A Cooperative Experiment in Customized Service , 1966 .

[3]  Martin M. Cummings,et al.  Computerized Bibliographic Services for Biomedicine , 1965, Science.

[4]  Phyllis V. Parkins,et al.  BioSciences Information Service of Biological Abstracts , 1966 .

[5]  H A DENMARK,et al.  Taxonomic codification of biological entities; a system is proposed for taxonomic codification of biological entities adaptable to machine handling. , 1958, Science.

[6]  F. Perring,et al.  DATA PROCESSING IN THE HERBARIUM AND MUSEUM , 1967 .

[7]  P C Silva.  Machine data processing and plant taxonomy. , 1966, Science.

[8]  C. Michener.  Some Future Developments in Taxonomy , 1963 .

[9]  S. Gould.  PUNCHED CARDS, BINOMIAL NAMES AND NUMBERS , 1958 .

[10]  J. G. Skellam,et al.  Multivariate Statistical Analysis for Biologists , 1965 .

[11]  E L Yochelson,et al.  Nomenclature in the machine age. , 1966, Systematic Zoology.

[12]  R. Sokal.  VARIATION AND COVARIATION OF CHARACTERS OF ALATE PEMPHIGUS POPULI‐TRANSVERSUS IN EASTERN NORTH AMERICA , , 1962 .

[13]  H. Oldroyd.  The Future of Taxonomic Entomology , 1966 .

[14]  Albert C. Smith.  Advice to Administrators of Systematic Collections , 1966 .

[15]  F. A. Stafleu,et al.  Authors, Taxa, Names, and Computers@@@Authors of Plant Genera , 1966 .

[16]  C. E. Wood,et al.  BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE, PUNCHED CARDS, AND MACHINES , 1963 .

[17]  Antony Santiago.  COORDINATING, SYSTEMATISING AND NUMBERING DEVICES FOR INFORMATION RECORDING, STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL AND FOR ANALYSIS, SYNTHESIS AND INSIGHT OF VIEWS ON CLASSIFIED MATERIALS , 1965 .

[18]  R. Sokal.  STATISTICAL METHODS IN SYSTEMATICS* , 1965, Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society.

[19]  R. D. MacDonald,et al.  Electronic Data Processing Methods for Botanical Garden and Arboretum Records , 1966 .

[20]  J. H. Soper.  MAPPING THE DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS BY MACHINE , 1964 .

[21]  J. H. Soper.  MACHINE‐PLOTTING OF PHYTOGEOGRAPHICAL DATA , 1966 .

[22]  Robert R. Sokal,et al.  EFFICIENCY IN TAXONOMY , 1966 .

[23]  Donald F. Squires,et al.  Data Processing and Museum Collections: A Problem for the Present , 1966 .

[24]  F. Perring,et al.  Data-Processing for the Atlas of the British Flora , 1963 .