Business/Economics E-Reference Ratings

The Library Journal recently published an article comparing the various Business/Economic E-resources available.

Each database is rated based on the seven criteria librarians consider the most when making purchasing decisions:

1. Scope - range and breadth of content
2. Writing -quality of the writing; consideration of the audience
3. Design - visual appeal; strengths and weakness of the interface
4. Bells & Whistles - inclusion of multimedia files, interactive maps, blogs, and other features
5. Ease of Use - logic behind the organization; efficiency of the search mechanisms
6. Linking - cross-searchability with other files; ability to integrate with and link to other products
7. Value for money - Value is a relative term, taking into consideration not only cost but myriad related factors. If a product is expensive, does its comprehensiveness and quality warrant the high cost? Are too much time and energy required to find material, given the price?

Below is the results in table format. (Click on image to enlarge)

Of the 14 databases used in the comparison UJ used to subscribe to 3:

1. ABI/Inform - which we've cancelled. In the LJ comparison ABI/Inform did not receive a high rating for value for money, scope or writing. It did slightly better for ease of use.
2. Business Source Complete - the Library subscribes to the Business Source package from Ebsco (the Complete package includes a few more journals). This database was rated as excellent in terms of scope and value for money; it also scored high in the other categories
3. Emerald EMX - Emerald scored quite high for the linking they provide and also managed a good/plentiful rating for the other six criteria

Here is the comments from LJ regarding the two databases we still have (Business Source and Emerald):

1. Visually attractive and easily searchable, this business resource offers everything a user would expect from a native EBSCO product. Searches can be limited to academic journals, trade publications, magazines, newspapers, books/monographs, company profiles, SWOT analysis, country reports, industry profiles, market research reports, and product reviews. With over 4000 titles (3000 full text), the product is well worth the price. If your library can afford only one business resource this year, give this one a try.
2. Emerald has brilliantly combined its web site and online database into a single platform to provide 85,000 full-text articles from 175 peer-reviewed journals as well as web site content. Search results can be limited by clicking on articles, abstracts & reviews, Emerald site, or other content tabs. Current journal issues are easily located from the journal list, which are displayed with cover images, and links to RSS, latest issue, editorial team, and submission guidelines.

Blackwell Synergy is merging into Wiley InterScience from 30 June 2008

1. All journal content on Blackwell Synergyis merging into Wiley InterScience.
   From June 30th 2008 the journal content currently available on Blackwell Synergy will be delivered through Wiley InterScience due to the merger of Wiley-Blackwell's online journal systems.

This is a first step in the development of a next generation online publishing platform, arriving early 2009, which will deliver Wiley-Blackwell journals, online books, reference works, databases, protocols and other electronic resources through one integrated service.

• The benefits will begin immediately after June 30th:

One-stop access to a dramatically expanded range of relevant material:

• approximately 3 million articles
• 1400 journals
• 5000 online books, reference works and databases

Information for Registered Users of Blackwell Synergy

No action is necessary — all active accounts will be migrated automatically. If you already have a Wiley InterScience account your information will be combined. You may be requested to accept new terms and conditions the first time you log in after June 30th.
Blackwell Synergy will close at the end of June 27th. During the transition weekend of June 28th and 29th Wiley InterScience will be unavailable for a period. Look out for notes on this website nearer the time for more details.
Journal content pages will look slightly different but you can still find them if you have bookmarked the page. You will be redirected to the equivalent page where it exists on Wiley InterScience or to the journal issues page. Once in Wiley InterScience we would suggest you re-save your bookmarks for your favourite journals.

Access to articles and most functions will continue uninterrupted, although you will notice small differences in design and terminology. For a short period between 13 June - 1 July it will not be possible to register for new table of contents email alerts or save searches.

The changes ...

• Journal content pages — will look slightly different but still be accessible at their current URL.
• Table of contents email alerts — for your selected journals will continue. The sender will appear as "Wiley InterScience" instead of the journal title.
• My Synergy — your personalized settings such as favorite journals, table of contents email alerts will now be stored in My Profile. Access to My Profile will be using your existing username and password.Search alerts and saved searches — these can not be moved to your new Wiley InterScience My Profile area but if you re-run your searches on Wiley InterScience from 30th June you will get results not from 1400 journals but also over 5000 online books and reference works.
• Online early articles — papers published online in advance of the print version will be available in the Early View section of the journal content page.Searching — searches in Wiley InterScience will be across title, abstract and keywords. Full text searching will be temporarily unavailable until the launch of Wiley-Blackwell's new platform in early 2009.A glossary of changes to terminology (PDF) is available for you to download.