Analyzes data from quarterly surveys of vendors to determine revenues and usage of government databases and identify those receiving high revenues and high usage. It is concluded that the current decline in their market share is due to increasing numbers of databases from the private sector rather than actual usage. (EM)

Describes study that compared the costs of online searching on six databases in four systems. Costs of the search phase and the output phase are analyzed separately; transmission rate and telecommunication costs are examined; and the effects of pricing structures on online searches are discussed. (five references) (LRW)

Describes the availability of databases held on DIALOG, ESA-IRS, and DATA-STAR. Database overlap among the systems, prices, database contents, and data transmission costs are addressed; and results of a search of the ENVIROLINE database on each system are presented. The appendix lists subjects referenced on each system and compares database…

Describes the WHDB (World Trade Database), an Austrian information service that provides worldwide commodity trade statistics. Results of a survey of available data sources that examined contents, user-friendliness, costs, retrieval language, service, and performance are presented; and online and CD-ROM databases are compared. (nine references)…

Describes a survey of database searchers which sought information on the methods they had used to learn search techniques, and methods they felt would be most appropriate for novices. The study methodology is described and a respondent profile and research-based predictions are provided. The questionnaire used is appended. (EM)