Dr. Carlos Cuadra helped shape the field of library science and information technology in several ways. His research guided the user interface for database programs. His company, Cuadra Associates, produces the STAR database system. This system grew from his research, and according to Database magazine, is known as the "'Cadillac' of information management software systems" (Garman, 35). Most importantly, however, he was the driving force behind the Annual Review of Information Science and Technology for its first decade. This paper will discuss his database research, Cuadra Associates' STAR database, and the importance of the Annual Review of Information Science and Technology to the library science and information technology field.
Cuadra, working with Katter at the System Development Corp. (SDC) in California in the late 1960's, examined the tests given by software developers to discover the effectiveness of search strategies by judging the relevancy of the material retrieved from a database query. This report drew much attention, and was mentioned often by different authors in the Annual Review #3. It showed that these tests created false judgements of relevancy using different search strategies, as these judgements relied heavily on the conditions surrounding the experiment (Rorvig, 170). In addition, Cuadra and Katter discovered about sixty different variables that affect the judging of relevance. Their findings suggest that "it is possible markedly to increase or decrease relevance scores simply by means of differential instructions to the judges about the intended use of documents" (Rees, 78). In "Document Retrieval and Dissemination Systems" by Wesley T. Brandhorst and Philip F. Eckert, one of Cuadra's works from the early 1970's is summarized. Cuadra developed a list of fourteen features that a good database should have. These include selective printing of records and fields, unrestricted search terms and logic, printing on or off-line, a thesaurus on-line, and the ability to search multiple fields easily. However, Cuadra believed in putting the user first in the creation of a database, and the "system designer must understand and make appropriate allowances for present user habits while at the same time helping to move the user's skill level gently, but firmly, forward" (Brandhorst and Eckert, 406).
Cuadra's research also stretched to the government's involvement in information services. Douglas Berninger and Burton Adkinson discussed Cuadra's work in this area. Cuadra did not feel that the government realized its role in competition with the private sector in information services. Due to taxes and regulatory measures, the commercial firms felt the government interfered with their right to "a marketplace that does not have either unfair barriers to participation or a price structure that is distorted by subsidies" (23). Cuadra called for "a set of information policies, principles, and ground rules that would help the government, and the private sector, identify its appropriate roles and contributions" (23). A few years later, an NCLIS Public/Private Task Force was created to discuss the roles that the private and government sectors play in information services. (Evans, 218).
Cuadra also worked toward more government intervention in other areas, requesting in his writings that some type of "national guidance" be provided to prevent more ERIC, MARC, and other types of databases from flooding the market. He felt that the user was bombarded with a new search system for every new database, and hoped the government could stop this (Olson, Shank, and Olsen, 308). He was appointed by three U.S. presidents to the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science as well as serving in the Information Industry Association on the Board of Directors (Cuadra, 48).
In addition, Cuadra had his eye on the future. He was concerned that if the libraries did not keep up with new technologies, then they would lose their role as the main information providers (Holm 363). He called for nationwide databases so that database resources would not be duplicated in individual libraries (Brandhorst and Eckert, 382). According to Ralph Parker in 1970, Cuadra made predictions for the future of libraries that exist in today's library. Some of these predictions were that "digital and analog magnetic data bases . . . will have assumed increased importance. Library techniques for pointing to information will have changed; . . . even terminals for viewing catalog entries via telephone are not beyond imagination" (195).
In 1978, Cuadra began his own information services company, Cuadra Associates. This company's feature program is the STAR database. STAR is a system created to allow the libraries to develop their own databases and other customizations. Without much experience, users of the database can create their own "local online databases" (Garman, 35) which can be indexed with other data. The database is designed to handle text-based material and variable field lengths for bibliographic information. Various departments in a library can customize the database to retrieve the patron and catalog information in a manner helpful to them. It allows customizable access to shared information on-screen or in a report without the need to learn detailed programming skills (Winson, 43).
However, Cuadra's work with the greatest impact on the library science and information technology community is the Annual Review of Information Science Technology. Working with the NSF and the American Documentation Institute, Cuadra put together the first Annual Review in 1966 (Brownson, Forward). This was the first collection of advancements in the field for information technology, and was sorely needed at a time when computers were beginning to blossom into the public eye. In addition, this publication helped to define the role of an "Information Technologist." According to Thomas J. Allen, Cuadra reported the results of a survey given after the first Annual Review. This survey compared those who had used the Annual Review with those that had not. It was found that "while admitting the limitations of survey methods in determining impact, they nevertheless muster some convincing arguments that the Annual Review did modify its users' communication behavior" (Allen, 23).
This work allows newcomers to the field to easily find a record of significant research in the information sciences. It allows for cross-disciplinary exposure, as all facets of information technology are covered. It is an excellent research tool, and valuable in the classroom. Cuadra was the editor for the first ten years, and the Annual Review is his most lasting achievement.
Carlos Cuadra did much for the field of information technology. His research helped structure the on-line databases used today. His company's STAR database is used in many libraries, including the Library of Congress Federal Research Division (Garman, 35). The Annual Review, which he got off the ground, still goes strong today. His practical applications guided system developers to put the needs of the user first in the creation of database programs, while allowing flexibility to library staff in the use of the data. Cuadra's concern with the future serves as a warning to librarians - if the libraries do not keep up with the new technology, "some other type of agency will . . . occupy the central role in the information business - the role once occupied by the library" (Holm, 363).
Allen, Thomas J. "Information Needs and Uses." Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. Vol. 4. Ed. Carlos Cuadra. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1969. 23.
Berninger, Douglas E. and Burton W. Adkinson. "Public-Private Interaction" Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. Vol. 13. Ed. Martha Williams. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1978. 23.
Brandhorst, Wesley T. and Philip F. Eckert. "Document Retrieval and Dissemination Systems." Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. Vol. 7. Ed. Carlos Cuadra. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1972. 382, 407-408.
Brownson. Forward. Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. Vol. 1. Ed. Carlos Cuadra. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1966.
Cuadra, Carlos A. "History Offers Clues to the Future: User Control Returns" Online January 1987: 46-48.
Evans, Glyn T. "Library Networks." Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. Vol. 16. Ed. Martha Williams. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1981. 219.
Garman, Nancy. "Database looks at Cuadra's STAR." Database December 1987: 35.
Holm, Bart. "Library and Information Center Management." Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. Vol. 5. Ed. Carlos Cuadra. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1970. 363.
Olson, Shank, and Olsen. "Library and Information Networks." Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. Vol. 3. Ed. Carlos Cuadra. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1968. 240.
Parker, Ralph H. "Library Automation." Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. Vol 5. Ed. Carlos Cuadra. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1970. 195.
Rees, Alan M. "Evaluation of Information Systems and Services." Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. Vol. 2. Ed. Carlos Cuadra. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1967. 78.
Rorvig, Mark E. "Psychometric Measurement and IR." Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. Vol 23. Ed. Martha Williams. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1988. 170.
Winson, Gail. "Database looks at Cuadra's STAR." Database December 1987:42-44.
Note: Style handbook used is:
Gibaldi, Joseph and Walter S. Achert, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1994.