Guide to the Institute for Research in Information and Scholarship records , circa 1985-1992

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2022

Collection Overview

Title:	Institute for Research in Information and Scholarship (IRIS) Records
Date range:	circa 1985-1992
Creator:	Brown University. Institute for Research in Information and Scholarship
Extent:	10.5 Linear Feet 25 document boxes
Abstract:	The IRIS records document exploratory work at Brown University in the development and implementation of computing technology in research, teaching and learning. Materials include research documentation and published and unpublished reports, papers, and presentations.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	OF.1ZCO.1

Scope & content

The records of the Institute for Research in Information and Scholarship (IRIS) comprise reports and papers produced by IRIS and IRIS affiliates, as well as research documentation produced in the scope of the Annenberg/CPB funded intermedia project. Series I consists of various published and unpublished reports, papers, presentations, and collected articles that document the work of IRIS. Series II contains documentation produced through the Annenberg/CPB project including testing in Brown University undergraduate courses Biology 106, English 32, and Music 40. Documentation includes student and instructor interviews, questionnaires, and diaries; classroom observations; project analysis; and various administrative forms.

Access Points

Subject Topics

• Computer-assisted instruction
• Multimedia systems
• Hypertext systems
• Computer-assisted instruction -- Rhode Island -- Providence

Document Types

• Diaries
• Grey literature
• Reports
• Printouts
• Interviews
• Questionnaires

Arrangement

This collection is organized in three series:

• I. Reports and papers
• II. Annenberg/CPB project
• III. Office of Program Analysis

Administrative History

Brown University established the Institute for Research in Information and Scholarship (IRIS), to explore new uses of computing technology in research, teaching and learning. To address the needs of today's "idea workers," IRIS worked to develop a rich set of experimental tools that provide people with new ways to create, retrieve and organize information.

The Institute's most important accomplishment was the creation of Intermedia, an advanced hypertext system. The work of the project was funded by a grant from Annenberg/CPB. The project's main purpose was to design a set of computer-based tools that would enable instructors to create software for teaching and research, and then have students use these tools as a supplement to their other coursework. The project was tested and assessed in three undergraduate courses at Brown University: Biology 106, English 32, and Music 40.

IRIS was founded by Andries van Dam, William S. Shipp, and Norman Meyrowitz in August 1983 and closed its doors in June 1994. Shipp, the founding director, retired in 1990, and between 1990 and 1992 Meyrowitz and Martin J. Michel served as co-directors. From 1992 to its close, Paul Kahn directed the Institute.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access for non-digital materials, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested. Advance notice is required to view born-digital records. Born-digital materials in this collection have not been reformatted yet. Researchers may request access to copies by contacting the John Hay Library with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. Access to original physical digital media is restricted.
Use of the materials:	Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Brown University Library. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Institute for Research in Information and Scholarship records, OF-1ZCO-1, Brown University Archives.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Brown University Library staff.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-10-25.
Descriptive rules:	Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Sponsor:	Processing funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Additional Information

Inventory

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