Discusses methods of evaluating commercial online databases and provides examples that illustrate their hidden dimensions. Topics addressed include size, including the number of records or the number of titles; the number of years covered; and the frequency of updates. Comparisons of Readers' Guide Abstracts and Magazine Article Summaries are…

Examines the effectiveness of online searching for embedded stories, poems, essays, and other literary works in the Magazine Index and Modern Language Association Bibliography databases. Strategies and results of 16 test searches set up to test the access capabilities of the two databases are profiled. (SW)

This article concentrates on the use of online searching to provide information needed by business for strategy formulation. The following steps are explained: environment analysis (structural analysis, trend analysis); business analysis; strategy formulation; strategic anticipation; strategic plan formalization; and implementation and control.…

Presents a guide to assessing optical data disks based on descriptive evaluation (facts about the product), comparative evaluation (whether the content is available in another form) and use evaluation (who will use it, why, and how). A checklist of evaluation criteria is provided. (CLB)

Identifies and describes databases which cover business practice, policy, and principle; government activity; popular interest; and scientific, scholarly, or technical developments and specific information on products, services, and business lines, industries, companies, individuals, and geographic places. Nineteen figures illustrate sample…

Examines the impact of online systems designed to be searched by end users on the process of database and product evaluation. Two testing methods, beta tests and user surveys, are evaluated, and possible solutions to testing problems are suggested. (CLB)