Sabine Manning 
Research Forum WIFO, Berlin 

Contribution for the IuK99 Conference on Dynamic Documents, 22.-24.3.1999, Jena, Germany 

ABSTRACT 

A wealth of reports has been produced by European research projects for instance in vocational education and training (VET). How can potential users get easy access to the major results? How can they keep up-to-date with current evidence? How can they focus on specific areas of interest? A solutions to these requirements may be found in the online 'Survey' currently developed by the Research Forum WIFO, Berlin, and supported by CEDEFOP via its Electronic Training Village and by a network of VET researchers. 

The Survey is focused on key issues of innovation in VET within and across European countries. Major project results are presented in a modular structure (hypertext) with a systematic framework. The Survey is designed in such a way that it allows for continuing extension, revision and up-dating of information. It is based on a conceptual framework with three dimensions: (1) the essential themes relevant for the selected investigation of VET; (2) the general aspects of information on the themes; and (3) the countries covered by the themes. Within this framework information is provided in the form of interlinked text units (info units). This is achieved by reproducing major evidence from sources in the form of quotations, summaries or edited passages - in each case approved by the authors or experts. 

A trial version of the Survey is available on the WIFO site <http://www.b.shuttle.de/wifo/vet/!survey.htm>. 

Another Survey presenting results of a comparative study on qualifications in Europe can be viewed under the following URL:
<http://www.b.shuttle.de/wifo/duoqual/=survey.htm>.

Colleagues are welcome to give advice and contribute to the improvement of this dynamic document.