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ANSWERING REFERENCE QUESTIONS USING DIALOG (II)

 

 

Question #1; Locate articles in the food sciences that discuss the labeling concerns of genetically altered foods.

 

Search Strategy:  The concept that the articles should be in the food sciences can be handled by the database search tool.  The other three concepts are [labeling], [concerns], and [genetically altered foods].  The following table lists some possible synonyms, with truncation included to cover various forms of the words.  It is my thought that the terms within the last concept will not necessarily appear adjacently and in that order, but that they will be close.  One sample possibility would be: “foods in which alterations have been made in genetic structures,” therefore I choose to use (5n) between them.

 

label?

concern?

gene?(5n)alter?(5n)food? or product?)

packag?

problem?

gene?(5n)change?(5n)(food? or product?)

 

issue?

 

 

Search Statement: In this case I choose to use a simple [and] between the terms rather than an (s) to insist that they be in the same paragraph, partly because the search statement will already be quite complicated.  If too many results are returned, I can always refine it by changing the [and] to an (s).  If two few are returned, I can simplify by breaking the statement into various parts.  Combining all the terms I create the following search statement:

 

s (label? or package?) and (concern? or problem? or issue?) and gene(5n)(alter? or change?)(5n)(food? or product?)

 

Database Selection:  I started by running a simple search [food(s)label?] across the science and technology super-category to get an idea of databases that would cover this kind of topic.  The results indicate numerous possibilities.  The best ones from bluesheet descriptions seem to be the ones that focus on food science and ones that focus on biotechnology in business.  However, when I run the complete search statement over the super-category I actually get only a few results in these particular databases.  The largest returns are in news-oriented databases and one magazine database, leading me to believe the concerns are largest outside the industry.


·        20 Dialog Global Reporter – 86

·        16 Gale Group Promt – 46

·        47 Gale Group Magazine Index – 36

·        15 ABI/INFORM – 15

·        9 Business and Industry – 8

·        18 Gale Group F&S Index – 2

·        53 Foodline Food Sci&Tech – 2

·        34 SciSearch 1990-present – 2

·        51 Food Sci&Tech Abstracts -1

(plus two more single result databases)


 

Database Specific Commands:  Because the question specifically asks for information in the good sciences, I decide to include files 53 and 51 in my search, but I will also need to search others to get a better overview.  I choose file 9 to get more busness-oriented items, file 16 for news and file 47 for articles. According to the bluesheets, there are multiple database specific commands that could be very helpful for those who use the databases constantly.  Searches could be focused on a particular industry, subject or concept without including the terms in the search phrase.  I could use them in the same way to simplify my search statement within a particular database.  However I wish to search across all five databases at the same time so I choose to leave my statement as is.

 

Narrowing Results By Date:  Specifying the date range to be searched is handled when one opens the files desired.  To specify results in the current year plus the last five years I use the BEGIN command  

 

b 53,51,9,16,47 current5

 

Relevant Results:  The narrowing of the date range has reduced the total results to 55 and eliminated File 51.  A survey of titles indicates several things.  First, other terms are uncovered that should perhaps be added to the search phrase: the hyphenated [gene-alter?], [modif?], and [engineer?]   There is a fairly large problem with irrelevance with File 47, although some results are good.  The results also reveal that for manufacturers, labeling concerns of genetically modified foods arise in the areas of consumer or stockholder or customer(store or country) input as well as local regulations. The US, Japan, Austrailia, New Zealand, and Europe are identified in result titles.

    Leaning toward the most recent articles, I chose 12 articles to expand in abstract form.  The abstracts and fulltext indicate that in the U.S., there is regulation of genetically engineered products, but no labeling requirements, so any pressure brought to bare comes from consumer groups and stockholders, or stores who are responding to their concerns.  There are, however, labeling restrictions in other countries that will affect exported products.  The question itself does not indicate the user’s specific need.  They may be looking for the issues and evidence behind the concerns about labeling, or for specifics about regulations, or for problems this issue creates for manufacturers, or for some other focus.  Without this information, I choose to offer two overview articles, and let the user know that there is more specific information if it is needed.

 

Answer:  There are an abundance of articles on your topic.  I have given you the citations and an abstracts for two general overviews found in the Gale Group Magazine Database and the Gale Group PROMPT index. Any text in brackets is my own summary.  The one written in 2000 is fairly even-handed.  The one written in 2002 is highly biased toward labeling.  If you need more specific information about actions in support of labeling, about specific companies or products, about regulations in the United States or other countries, or any other angle, I can provide additional citations.

 

Reade, Catherine (2003) Genteically engineered foods. IDEA Health & Fitness Source, 18(9), 55.

 

The following is one is a combination of text and my own composition [in brackets].)

Do these new products present the answer to world food shortages or pose a monstrous danger to an unsuspecting public?  In Europe, there has been a vociferous uproar against these so-called "Frankenfoods," resulting in a virtual ban of bioengineered food imports by the European Union. [The authors explain how gm foods are created, and outline current DNA theory about important gene interactions.  The provide examples of engineered foods. They outline the] potential promise: increased and heartier crop yields, reduced pesticide and herbicide use, more nutritious food, and better tasting foods with longer shelf life.  Potential pitfalls [are] unknown short and long-term affects on the human body, creation of new allergens, more plant toxins, gene pollution, creation of Superweeds and Ssuperbugs, antibiotic resistance, economic hardship for farmers, and detriment to the environment.  [The article goes on to discuss current U.S. Government regulations, a study of consumer views, and actions of consumer groups. Citations for evidence presented in the article are included.]
 
Margulis, Charles (2002) Playing with our food: a massive food experiment already underway. (genetically engineered foods)
Earth Island Journal, 17(4), S2+.
 
“Already thousands of [U.S.] products, including many of the best-known brand name foods found in millions of households, contain ingredients from genetically engineered (GE) crops. Yet since none of these products are labeled as "genetically engineered," consumers don't even know about--and can not avoid--these genetic experiments in their shopping cart. Greenpeace is working to stop this massive food experiment, which poses unknown risks to human health and the global environment. Estimates routinely note that 60-70 percent of the foods in supermarkets are made with gene-altered ingredients. This reflects the massive amount of processed foods that include ingredients from soy and corn.  While industry promotes genetic engineering as reducing pesticide spraying, independent researchers have shown that farmers who grow Monsanto's "Roundup Ready"(RR) soy actually use two to five times more chemicals than farmers who grow natural soy. There is already evidence of environmental problems from GE crops. [Consumer action has been successful in causing Gerber, Heinz, McDonalds, Frito Lay, McCain, and Monsanto to withdraw products from the marketplace.] In Europe, this kind of consumer action forced nearly the entire food industry away from GE food.”
 
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Question #2:  What are some of students’ frustrations with web based or distance Education programs?  
 
Search Strategy:  The key concepts here are [students], [frustrations,] [web based or distance] and [Education or programs].  The following table lists some possible synonyms, with truncation included to cover various forms of the words.  
 
student?
frustrat?
web-based
educat?
 
problem?
web(w)based
program?
 
aggravat?
distance
class?
 
irritat?
online
course?
 
defect?
 
learn?
 
Search Statement:
 
It is my thought that simply using [problem] for the second concept would bring up most of the results, but to make sure I create a very complex search statement.  I want all the terms in fairly close proximity to avoid numerous education articles that could include all terms, but not in conjunction.  It would perhaps be best to demand that all terms occur very closely, perhaps with no more than five words between them, but I decide to link only the first two terms with (5n), and only insist the others be in the same paragraph (s). The entire search statement is as follows:
 
s student?(5n)(frustrat? or problem? or aggravat? or irritat? or defect?)(s)(web-based or web(w)based or distance)(s)(educat? or program? or class? or course? or learn?)
 
Database Selection:  It is fairly certain that an education database will yield the best results on this topic.  That subcategory lists 11 resources.  However, I can’t really rule out the databases in the “Other Sources” subcategory, so I decide to run the search phrase across the entire super-category, “Social Sciences and Humanities.”  As expected, ERIC has the most results. Of 18 databases with results, these are the top 8:

·        1 ERIC – 225
·        2 INSPEC – 118
·        88 Gale Group Business A.R.T.S. – 96
·        35 Dissertation Abstracts Online – 59
·        47 Gale Group Magazine Index – 57
·        8 Ei Compendex – 47
·        11 PsycINFO - 37
·        7 SocialSciSearch - 27

 
Any of these databases might yield good results, but I do want to see what is in File 1 because it is specifically an education database. ERIC may in fact have gathered many of the results that also appear in the other databases.  If I do not find enough information there, File 88 with its partial fulltext will provide a good backup.  Narrowing the search to 5 years will hopefully reduce the results to a reasonable number to scan. 
 
Narrowing Results By Date:  When I try to begin the two files with a [current5] designation, I receive a message that ERIC does not support this feature.  I decide to run the two separately.
 
b 1                         (used for ERIC which does not support CURRENT)
b 88 current5         (used with File 88 which does support CURRENT)
 
Relevant Results: The results make me realize that I probably should have included [online] as a synonym for the third concept.  However, testing the statement with that term added, I find that the results are, for some reason, less relevant overall. Therefore I proceed with the original search statement. The date restriction has reduced the number of results in File 88 to 51.  All results after #72 in the File 1 search are before 1998, and can be discarded. I retrieve titles of all 123 articles. Scanning the titles retrieved from ERIC, I choose 14 that look most promising.  Many of them look like they would be worth reading in their entirety for information on this topic.  I print abstract/fulltext from 7 of the File 88 results, but none of them are particularly good.  This search has also taught me that a search sentence this complex, at least in these databases, tends to create result sets that do not repeat exactly.  Since this causes problems if one logs off to examine titles, I don’t think I will run anything this complex again.  I will separate it into parts instead.
 
Answer:  A search of the ERIC database revealed many articles that at least touch on your topic.  Here is a printout of eight citations with abstracts.  I have highlighted the abstract contents that seem important.  You can actually pull multiple student frustrations with distance education programs from the abstracts alone.  If you would like me to obtain any of the complete articles for you, let me know.  I can also continue the search in other databases to see if there are even more comprehensive articles available.
 

Question #2:  What are some of students’ frustrations with web based or distance

education programs. 

 

Search Strategy:  The key concepts here are [students], [frustrations,] [web based or distance] and [Education or programs].  The following table lists some possible synonyms, with truncation included to cover various forms of the words. 

 

student?

frustrat?

web-based

educat?

 

problem?

web(w)based

program?

 

aggravat?

distance

class?

 

irritat?

online

course?

 

defect?

 

learn?

 

Search Statement:

 

It is my thought that simply using [problem] for the second concept would bring up most of the results, but to make sure I create a very complex search statement.  I want all the terms in fairly close proximity to avoid numerous education articles that could include all terms, but not in conjunction.  It would perhaps be best to demand that all terms occur very closely, perhaps with no more than five words between them, but I decide to link only the first two terms with (5n), and only insist the others be in the same paragraph (s). The entire search statement is as follows:

 

s student?(5n)(frustrat? or problem? or aggravat? or irritat? or defect?)(s)(web-based or web(w)based or distance)(s)(educat? or program? or class? or course? or learn?)

 

Database Selection:  It is fairly certain that an education database will yield the best results on this topic.  That subcategory lists 11 resources.  However, I can’t really rule out the databases in the “Other Sources” subcategory, so I decide to run the search phrase across the entire super-category, “Social Sciences and Humanities.”  As expected, ERIC has the most results. Of 18 databases with results, these are the top 8:


·              1 ERIC – 225

·              2 INSPEC – 118

·              88 Gale Group Business A.R.T.S. – 96

·              35 Dissertation Abstracts Online – 59

·              47 Gale Group Magazine Index – 57

·              8 Ei Compendex – 47

·              11 PsycINFO - 37

·              7 SocialSciSearch - 27


 

Any of these databases might yield good results, but I do want to see what is in File 1 because it is specifically an education database. ERIC may in fact have gathered many of the results that also appear in the other databases.  If I do not find enough information there, File 88 with its partial fulltext will provide a good backup.  Narrowing the search to 5 years will hopefully reduce the results to a reasonable number to scan.

 

Narrowing Results By Date:  When I try to begin the two files with a [current5] designation, I receive a message that ERIC does not support this feature.  I decide to run the two separately.

 

b 1                         (used for ERIC which does not support CURRENT)

b 88 current5         (used with File 88 which does support CURRENT)

 

Relevant Results: The results make me realize that I probably should have included [online] as a synonym for the third concept.  However, testing the statement with that term added, I find that the results are, for some reason, less relevant overall. Therefore I proceed with the original search statement. The date restriction has reduced the number of results in File 88 to 51.  All results after #72 in the File 1 search are before 1998, and can be discarded. I retrieve titles of all 123 articles. Scanning the titles retrieved from ERIC, I choose 14 that look most promising.  Many of them look like they would be worth reading in their entirety for information on this topic.  I print abstract/fulltext from 7 of the File 88 results, but none of them are particularly good.  This search has also taught me that a search sentence this complex, at least in these databases, tends to create result sets that do not repeat exactly.  Since this causes problems if one logs off to examine titles, I don’t think I will run anything this complex again.  I will separate it into parts instead.

 

Answer:  A search of the ERIC database revealed many articles that at least touch on your topic.  Here is a printout of eight citations with abstracts.  I have highlighted the abstract contents that seem important.  You can actually pull multiple student frustrations with distance education programs from the abstracts alone.  If you would like me to obtain any of the complete articles for you, let me know.  I can also continue the search in other databases to see if there are even more comprehensive articles available.

 

Serwatka, Judy A. (2002). Improving Student Performance in Distance Learning

     Courses. T.H.E. Journal, April 2002, 29(9), p. 46, 48-51.

  .

    Discusses how to improve student performance in distance learning courses, based on experiences at Purdue University, Calumet. Highlights include preventing student withdrawals;  enrollments by discipline; course  comparisons; course assessment; student evaluations of courses; testing; alleviating problems; e-mail; feedback; course management software; and eliminating student frustration. (LRW)

 

Rendon, Marie Egbert (2001). Pitfalls and success of distance learning. Paper

     presented at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development

    (NISOD) Conference (Austin, TX, May 27-30,   2001).

 

  This report discusses the pitfalls and success of distance learning programs. The report covers instructional alternatives of telecourse, linked courses, computer-aided learning, correspondence courses, and audio/video instruction. Sixteen concerns for distance learning programs are identified; for example: (1) registration procedures for distance learning courses; (2) student isolation; (3) student procrastination; (4) students may not have necessary educational resources in or near their home; (5) mailed in work may get lost or delayed; (6) audio/video equipment problems; and (7) providing students effective and timely feedback. Distance learning instructors have to make sure that students have the right materials for the course, which is hard because students are not seen. Distance learning courses also have to secure computer lab hours on campus for students without necessary equipment at home. E-mails and phone

calls are viewed solely as options to improve communication between students and teachers. Overall, distance learning programs provide a viable alternative to in-class instruction and skill development. They can help educate students with different learning styles; however, these programs also require extra work and time on the part of the instructor. (MKF)

 

Schramm, Robert M. & Wagner, Richard J. & Werner, Jon M. (2000). Student

     perceptions of the effectiveness of web-based courses. Distance Education

     Report, Sept. 15, 2000, 4(18), p.1,3.

 

  Describes results of a survey of 206 students in the University of Wisconsin Whitewater’s online MBA program that investigated sufficiency of training, problems in accessing the course, client servers versus Internet browsers, employment status, and part-time versus full-time student status. Concludes that further research is needed concerning online course effectiveness. (LRW)

 

Sharrock, Guy (2000). The changing face of distance learning.  Staff and

     Educational Development International, May 2000, 4(1), p. 29-36.

 

  Highlights problems associated with postgraduate teaching by distance learning and notes the changing environment of higher education, with a greater emphasis on part-time study. Outlines two approaches to change based on experiences at the University of London: an Integrated Networked Learning System, and a Networked Learner Support Environment. (Contains 5 references.)

 

Lamb, Annette C. & Smith, William L. (2000) Ten facts of life for distance

     learning courses. TechTrends, 44(1), p. 12-15.

 

  Presents ideas for distance learning courses on the Web. Topics include students’ individual characteristics; technology changes and problems; instructional design; deadlines for student assignments; monitoring student progress; giving students appropriate and timely feedback; time factors for students and teachers; active learning; and student leadership. 

 

 

Burford, Vicki Niemants & Gross, Daniel D. (2001) Caring on-line: On-line

     empathy, self-disclosure, emotional expression, and nurturing. Paper presented

     at the Annual Meeting of the National Communication Association (86th,

     Seattle, WA, November 9-12, 2000).

 

    The purpose of this study was to analyze, categorize, and critique actual responses to expressed student confusion and frustration with online courses. Samplings of actual student messages from two courses were used to frame instructor responses, as well as a focus group survey of current college students. The focus of the study was the instructor’s responses to these student messages. The researchers utilized a narrative perspective for categorizing the instructor’s responses. This approach allowed for a broad perspective for categorizing and critiquing the rhetorical prudence of the instructor’s responses. The researchers added to the credibility of the categories of responses by asking non-class members what they thought of the instructor’s responses. Finally, suggestions for communicating instructor care and concern online are included. Contains 10 references. An appendix contains the survey for the focus group.

 

Cohen, LeoNora M .  Correlation between level of dissatisfaction and dropout of

     distance learners: A case study. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the

    American  Educational   Research Association (New Orleans, LA, April 24-28,

     2000)

 

  This paper discusses four assumptions and four concerns regarding instruction using the World Wide Web. The assumptions address: the novice status of the Web course developer; the developer’s appreciation for various aspects of the Web; her high expectations for doing it right; and her commitment to not incurring more costs for distance learners. In discussing the first concern, issues of pedagogy, the paper examines dilemmas of Web course creation, concluding that the Web is a highly verbal medium that limits student responses and demands a pedagogy that is inconsistent with meeting individual needs. The second concern emphasizes skills students need to succeed on the Web. Students who are not visual learners or who have visual difficulties, and students who do not have access, are problematic. The third concern is student retention. Only 8 of the 28 students who originally signed up actually completed the course that term. Traditional classes typically have a much higher completion rate. Finally, personal costs of using a Web based course include: significant amounts of time involved; tremendous stress in trying to complete the course within unrealistic time limits; expenditure of personal funds; and serious health problems that arise from overuse of the computer.

 

 Selvam, M. (1999) Are we ready to abandon the classroom? The dark

     side of web instruction. Indian Journal of Open Learning, 8(3), p. 265-71.

 

  Examines problems encountered by Distance Education System (DES) learners at the Center of Distance Education, Bharathidasan University, India, with a focus on identifying reasons for student dropout. Establishes the correlation between the level of student dissatisfaction and dropout of distance learners.

 

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Question #3:  What are some of the issues facing Kraft Foods Inc. and its taco shells product? 

 

Search Strategy:  In researching question #1, I actually already found reference to one problem in an article that focused mostly on Monsanto and genetically modified foods.  I will keep that in mind in the unlikely event that searching from scratch does not turn up this information.  The key concepts here are [issues], [Kraft] which, because of the spelling, should be sufficient without including Foods, and [taco shells].  Below are the concepts with synonyms and truncation. (The last three synonyms were actually added after getting relatively few results over three different super-categories with only the first three.)

issue?

Kraft

taco(w)shell?

problem?

 

 

concern?

 

 

recall?

 

 

withdraw?

 

 

pull?

 

 

  

Search Statement: I believe it will be most effective to have the concepts occur very close together.  I decide to try (n8).  The search statement is as follows:

 

s (issue? or problem? or concern? or recall? or withdraw? or pull?)(n8)Kraft(n8)taco(w)shell

 

Database Selection:  From my experience with the first question I would predict that general or business news-oriented databases would be most effective for this question.  Running the question across the business super-category creates a set of 5 databases with one result each.  Running it across the news super-category, adds two databases but they all still have only 1 result.  The Science and Technology database is worse.  In an attempt to create more results, I decide to add three synonyms to the first concept, [recall], [withdraw], and [pull]. This statement is indeed more successful, producing a set of 23 databases with up to 22 results each when tested over the business super-category.  The following are the eight databases with the most results:


·              609 Bridge World Market News – 22

·              16 GG PROMPT(1990-present) – 9

·              148 Gale Group Trade & Industry - 7

·              20 Dialog Global Reporter – 6

·              649 GG Newswire ASAP - 4

·              621 GG New Prodt Announcement – 4

·              494 St. Louis Post Dispatch – 3

·              9 Business and Industry - 3


I decide to search the two databases with the most results, File 609 and File 16.

 

Narrowing the Results By Date:  To pull only results in the current year and five years back I used:

b 609,16 current5.

 

Relevant Results:  The results list has multiple duplicates.  Of the unique results, I chose 15 to print in KWIC format.  From these I choose 10 to print in format 9, which in these databases seems to be fulltext.  Four seem significant enough to present to the user.

 

Answer:  I have made a list of five articles taken from the Gale Group PROMPT and  Bridge World News databases.  They report that Kraft voluntarily recalled its Taco Bell brand taco shells from supermarket shelves in September 2000 (article #1) because they were found to contain StarLink, a genetically engineered corn that contains a bacterial toxin that resists insects.  This product is FDA approved for animal feed, but not for human consumption.  The recall spread to Safeway brand taco shells, which are produced by Mission Foods. (article #2)  Taco Bell decided to begin using only white shells in their restaurants “as a precautionary measure,” despite the fact that they are from a different supplier and use a different recipe.  “A scientific panel that advises the Environmental Protection Agency could not decide earlier this summer whether U.S. regulators should approve the protein in StarLink for food consumption. The protein, Cry9C, has shown restistance to digestive juices and heat in some tests, signs that it could produce allergic reactions.” (article #3) In October Tim Todd wrote and article explaining how it might have happened, and how incidents like this hurt those who promote GM foods.  Since he himself is a proponent, it seems an objective article. (article #4) Finally, the most recent article in the Bridge World Market News database on this topic is an announcement that Tricon, the owner of Taco Bell, has received partial compensation of $60 million for losses caused by the recall, and is still seeking damages, so this problem is still a potential drain on Kraft’s resources.

 

Grocery manufacturers of America statement on Kraft Foods, Inc. Voluntary taco shell recall. PR Newswire p.5204,

Sept. 23, 2000.

 

Springer, Jon (2000) Altered corn forces recall of Safeway taco shells. Supermarket News, October 16, 2000, p. 1.

 

Niedens, Lyle ( 2001) Tricon doesn’t see added costs arising from Taco Bell shell case. BridgeNews, 21(34).

 

Todd, Tim  (2000) Todd on agribusiness: GMO seed firms hurting their own cause. BridgeNews, 20(37).

 

Tricon Global’s Taco Bells to get $60mln from shell suppliers. BridgeNews, 13(12).

 

-----------------------------------------

 

 

Question #4:  What is the latest information on ENRON?

 

Search Stategy:  There is really only a single concept in this question that needs to be in a search statement, and that is [ENRON].  The question asks for the most recent information on the company.  Finding databases that contain company news, and narrowing the search to a recent time period will provide this focus.

 

Search Statement:  It would have been appropriate to ascertain in a reference interview, just what type of information is desired, but without that capability, the search statement, as noted above, will simply be:

 

s ENRON

 

Database Selection:  Searching the company name across the Regional Business News U.S. sub-category under the Business super-category, or the News By Region-Americas and the Other News subcategories in the News super-category, I am faced with a multitude of results.  However, at least one database that has a relatively reasonable number of results will probably give a good overview of current news.  The New York Times –Fulltext(90 days), File 471, has just 168 results as opposed to AP News (January 2000 to present), which lists over 42,000!

 

Narrowing the Results By Date:  It is not possible to cover the last five years in this database because it scope is just the past 90 days.  I could search some other database for that time period, but in a question of this type, particulary with no specifics about just what kind of information is needed, searching the current plus five years is just not feasible.  So in this case I will use just:

 

b 471

 

Relevant Results: I elect to ask for all 168 results in KWIC form.  I would think 20 of the results might be of interest to the user, without knowing more about the information sought.  In the interests of space, for this answer, I will include the citation and a part of the abstract, or a brief quote from the text.  If the summary is my own, it is enclosed in brackets.

 

Answer:  Without knowing exactly what you wanted to know, I scanned articles suggested by a database that covers articles in the New York Times in the past 90 days.  Of 168 articles in which ENRON is mentioned, I thought you might be interested in 20.  I’ve provided citation information and a small amount of text from the abstract or body of the work.  Overall, they will give you an idea of the latest information about ENRON.  From the most recent, they are as follows:

 

Berenson, Alex (2003) A U.S. push on accounting fraud. New York Times, April

     9, 2003, late edition, col. 4, p. 1.

 

Nine months after Pres Bush ordered formation of federal task force to prosecute corporate fraud,

former chief executives of Enron and WorldCom have not been charged, and may never be; federal prosecutors are moving aggressively in other cases to bring criminal charges for accounting gimmickry or securities fraud that in past might not have been pursued

 

Two former Enron employees plead not guilty to fraud. (2003)  New York Times,

     April 3 2003, late edition, col. 4, p. 5.

 

ABSTRACT:

    Former midlevel Enron Corp executives Kevin Howard and Michael Krautz plead not guilty to charges they participated in scheme to generate $111 million in fake earnings from company's failed move to start Internet movie-on-demand service with Blockbuster; US Magistrate Judge Marcia Crone schedules pretrial hearing for May 27 and trial to begin June 2

 

 

Glater, Jonathan D. (2003) Added value; A whistle-blower's all-too-familiar story

     New York Times, March, 23, 2003, late edition, col. 4, p. 5.

 

A new book has been published.  It is called Power Failure: The Inside Story of the Collapse of ENRON, by Mimi Schwartz and Sherron S. Watkins.  Ms. Watkins is one person inside the company who expressed concern early.

 

Oppel, Richard A. Jr. (2003) Panel finds manipulation by energy companies.  New 

     York Times, March 27, 2003, late edition, col. 5, p. 14

 

ABSTRACT:

    Federal regulators say California electricity and natural gas prices were driven higher because of  misconduct by Enron and more than 30 other energy companies during 2000-2001 energy crisis.

 

2 from Enron are indicted in video case. (2003) New York Times, March 27, 2003,

     late edition, col. 4, p. 2.

 

ABSTRACT:

    Federal grand jury indicts former Enron Corp executives Kevin Howard and Michael Krautz, accusing them of creating $111 million in fake revenue from short-lived video-on-demand business.

 

Eichenwald, Kurt (2003) Judge says Enron's staff must cover pension fees

     New York Times, March 24, 2003, late edition, col. 4. p. 2.

 

ABSTRACT:

    Judge Arthur J Gonzalez rules that Enron cannot pay fees to independent overseer of three retirement plans for current and former employees and that participants in plans must pick up costs themselves; Enron's creditors have strongly opposed such payments.

 

Eichenwald, Kurt (2003) In shift, Enron will retain interests in some pipelines

     New York Times, March 20. 2003, late edition, col. 1. p. 5.

 

ABSTRACT:

    Enron Corp intends to retain interests in certain North American pipelines and form company tentatively called Pipeco to own and operate them; Enron has been trying to determine which assets to sell to raise money to bring its bankruptcy case to end; says bids and expressions of interest in pipelines received were not enough to justify sale; Pipeco will have its own independent directors and will be protected from any of Enron's liabilities.

 

Eichenwald, Kurt (2003) 4 at Merrill accused of an Enron fraud, New York Times,    

     March 18, 2003, late edition, col. 2. p. 1.

 

ABSTRACT:

    Securities and Exchange Commission accuses Merrill Lynch executives Thomas W Davis, Daniel H Bayly, Schuyler M Tilney and Robert S Furst of helping Enron Corp fraudulently inflate its annual profits in 1999 through two bogus transactions.

 

Business digest (2003) New York Times, March 14, 2003, late edition, col. 1, p. 1

 

“Judge Dismisses Enron Accusations A federal judge has dismissed fraud and insider trading accusations brought by investors against the outside directors of Enron, but allowed plaintiffs to pursue cases that charge the directors with negligence.”

 

Citigroup paid executive more than C.E.O. (2003) New York Times, March 12,  

     2003, late edition, col. 3. p. 22.

 

“Shares of Citigroup have slumped 25 percent amid investigations into accusations of biased research and claims in shareholder lawsuits that the bank helped Enron hide loans. Citigroup agreed to pay $400 million in a $1.4 billion settlement between regulators and the largest securities firms over the research claims.”

 

Oppel, Richard A. Jr. (2003) No violations found in hiring of G.O.P. consultant by

     Enron.  New York Times, March 11, 2003, late edition, col. 1. p. 16.

 

ABSTRACT:

    Federal Election Commission concludes that Enron Corp's decision to hire Ralph Reed, Republican consultant, was not sham 'in-kind' contribution designed to help George W Bush's 2000 presidential campaign.

 

Eichenwald, Kurt (2003) Report details Enron's moves to shift assets. New York 

     Times,  March 6 2000, late edition, col. 5, p. 1.

 

 “In the most complete analysis to date of Enron's collapse, a bankruptcy examiner has concluded that the company violated accounting rules in a wide array of transactions that misrepresented its true financial performance and shifted billions of dollars in assets off the books.”

 

Company news; Inquiry urged into Bankers Trust deals with Enron. (2003)  New

     York Times, March 5,2003, late edition, col. 1, p. 3.

 

ABSTRACT:

    Reps Richard E Neal and Edward J Markey ask Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate tax shelters devised by Bankers Trust that helped Enron Corp inflate earnings by $446 million; lawmakers say role played by Bankers Trust and its parent Deutsche Bank in helping Enron create artificial earnings far overshadowed that of Merrill Lynch (S)

 

Enron shareholders' move against banks is rebuffed by judge. (2003) New York

     Times, February 28, 2003, late edition, col. 1. p. 5.

 

TEXT:

    A federal bankruptcy judge in New York rejected an attempt yesterday by shareholders of Enron to increase the possible liability of Citigroup, J. P. Morgan Chase and other banks sued over the collapse of the energy company.

 

 

Company news; Judge gives Enron more time on reorganization plan. (2003)

     New York Times, February 21, 2003, late edition, col 1. p. 3.

 

ABSTRACT:

    US Bankruptcy Court Judge Arthur J Gonzalez, who is overseeing Enron Corp's bankruptcy case, gives company more time to file reorganization plan

 

Merrill to pay $80 million to settle Enron inquiry. (2003)  New York Times, February 21 2003, late edition, col. 1, p. 12.

 

ABSTRACT:

    Merrill Lynch & Co agrees to pay $80 million to settle regulatory probe into two transactions with Enron Corp.

 

Johnston, David Cay (2003) Wall St. firms are faulted in report on Enron's taxes.

      New York Times, February 14, 2003, late edition, col. 2. p. 1.

 

ABSTRACT:

    Senate Finance Committee is told Wall Street banks, acting on advice of leading lawyers and accounting firms, helped Enron devise tax shelters that let company operate tax-free for years while exaggerating its reported profits by billions.

 

TAX CONSULTING FEES COLLECTED FROM ENRON

Figures in millions

 

Bankers Trust: $40.2

Deloitte & Touche: $16.3

Chase: $12.7

Akin Gump: $2.0

Vinson & Elkins: $1.3

King & Spaulding: $1.0

Arthur Andersen: $0.5

Others: $6.8

 

Former Enron executive's trial delayed. (2003). New York Times, February 11,   

     2003. lLate edition, col. 5, p. 4.

 

TEXT:

    HOUSTON, Feb. 10 - A federal judge granted a 90-day delay today in the case of the former chief financial officer for the Enron Corporation, Andrew S. Fastow, because of the huge amount of paperwork that has been generated.

 

Eichenwald, Kurt (2003) Company man to the end, after all. New York Times,

     February 9, 2003, late edition, col 3. p. 2

 

[An extensive review of Kenneth Lay’s part in the ENRON collapse.]

 

Enron to seek approval for new bonuses (2003) New York Times, January 24, 2003,   

     late edition, col. 5, p. 20.

 

ABSTRACT:

    Enron Corp will ask bankruptcy court Judge Arthur J Gonzalez in February to approval additional $29 million in pay for hundreds of employees needed to assist in company's reorganization and possible

liquidation; up to 900 crucial employees will be asked to stay until February 2004; request comes after retention bonuses awarded in 2002 that were intended to keep employees through end of February 2003.


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