Project Staff

The research team for the project consists of the Principal Investigator and four Research Associates (graduate students in the School of Library and Information Sciences). This proposal requests IMLS resources to support the Principal Investigator at between 20% and 50% time (see Appendix B, Project Budget) for work on the project. His regular duties will be reduced commensurate to the level of effort assigned to this project. It also requests IMLS resources to support the four Research Associates through tuition scholarships and wages for work on the project.

The Principal Investigator has extensive experience with Z39.50 and with managing large research and demonstration projects (see Attachment A for Principal Investigators Resume) He has worked on Z39.50 initiatives and implementations for over six years and therefore knowledgeable of current developments and activities relevant to this project. In addition, he has established credibility with the Z39.50 implementation community through his work and contributions. He has written extensively on Z39.50, including his dissertation on a case study of Z39.50 to explore the issues related to standards development. He has worked with Z39.50 profiles since 1993, assisting or managing the development of the GILS Profile, the CIMI Profile, and most recently, the Z Texas and Bath Profiles. He currently serves as editor for the CIMI, Z Texas, and Bath Profiles. He is active in the international Z39.50 Implementors Group (ZIG) and was the local organizer for its January 2000 meeting in San Antonio, TX. In Fall 1999, he taught a seminar, Z39.50 Implementation and Evaluation Strategies.

The four Research Associates will be involved in all aspects of the interoperability testbed project as partners with the Principal Investigator. The Research Associates will be offered tuition scholarships to support 36 credit hours of graduate studies (credits required for masters degree). The Research Associates will be funded to work approximately 15 hours/week during the project.

This project presents a number of research opportunities for Research Associates including:

• Involvement in a national study
  
• Development of research skills
  
• Hands-on experience with networked information, information retrieval systems, and computer-to-computer protocols
  
• Development of evaluation and assessment methodologies
  
• Increased communication skills in digital and analog media
  
• Networking with key stakeholders.

Responsibilities and learning opportunities will include:

• Project design and planning
  
• Project management
  
• Project evaluation
  
• Systems analysis
  
• Project documentation
  
• Research and development of test database(s)
  
• Research and development of test scenarios
  
• Software and hardware installation
  
• Z39.50 development and operation
  
• Management of testbed
  
• Testing analysis
  
• Website development and project communication

As a result of this research study, the Research Associates will be well prepared to take on responsible positions in the library and information science arena because of their enhanced knowledge and skills relating tools and systems for networked information access and retrieval.

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Project Proposal Pages

Contents of Project Proposal - Abstract - Statement of the Problem - Project Goals and Objectives - Background for the Study - Need and Justification- Project Foci and Activities - Impact and Benefits of the Project - Project Deliverables - Project Staff - Addressing IMLS Priorities and Criteria - National Impact - Adaptability - Design - Management Plan - Budget - Personnel - Evaluation - Dissemination - Contributions - Sustainability and Technical Knowledge -Summery- References

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