Evaluating Sources (click for printer-friendly version)
SUBSCRIPTION DATABASES vs. THE INTERNET
A database is a secure collection of records (articles, books, newspapers,). Databases are part of a library's regular collection of resources-available through a web interface. The World Wide Web is the most common interface for delivery of databases from a source (vendor) to library computers. Libraries pay thousands of dollars for various subscriptions!
A significant difference between what is found in library subscription databases and what is found on the Web is the quality of the information. Licensed subscription databases contain information that has been screened by editorial boards or peer reviewers in a field. They are considered reliable sources of information. Some subscription databases provide links to reputable websites. In other words, they have pre-screened and included links to websites that provide accurate information.
The Internet is not a database but rather a network of computers offering many services, such as access to the World Wide Web and e-mail. The World Wide Web (WWW) is a global Internet service that connects hypertext data and resources. By using a browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape, a person can move swiftly from one website to another looking for information, data, graphics, or images. Websites are moved, updated, added, revised, or unpredictably deleted, and anyone can put up a webpage-that's why websites are usually not the best source of information for college-level research.
When you use an Internet search engine such as Google, Overture, Yahoo, or Alta Vista, you are not searching subscription databases or library catalogs. When you get information from the web, be sure you understand the distinction between library subscription databases that offer quality assurance and freely available websites that do not offer the same guarantee.
Use the same evaluation criteria for subscription databases that you would use for print resources.
Go to: Evaluating Print Rescources
