ERIC Number: EJ1057375
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-May
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0010-0870
EISSN: N/A
Complementary Value of Databases for Discovery of Scholarly Literature: A User Survey of Online Searching for Publications in Art History
Nemeth, Erik
College & Research Libraries, v71 n3 p223-235 May 2010
Discovery of academic literature through Web search engines challenges the traditional role of specialized research databases. Creation of literature outside academic presses and peer-reviewed publications expands the content for scholarly research within a particular field. The resulting body of literature raises the question of whether scholars prefer the perceived broader access of Web search engines or opt for the precision of field-specific research databases. Surveys of art historians indicate a complementary use of online search tools with a reliance on field-specific research databases to discover authoritative content. Active use of Web search engines and initiatives for open access suggest that research databases will integrate into an evolving Web-based infrastructure that supports discovery and access of scholarly literature.
Descriptors: Online Searching, Art History, Publications, Databases, Search Engines, Surveys, Use Studies, Age Differences, College Students, College Faculty, Librarians, Historians, Museums, Professional Personnel
Association of College and Research Libraries. 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. e-mail: acrl@ala.org; Web site: http://crl.acrl.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A