Comparison of features of online journals and databases

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine and make a comparison of the features of online journals and databases available at the Library, University of Moratuwa during the year 2006. A total of nineteen online resources including nine online databases and ten online journals were examined. The systems were assessed under two criteria, the user friendliness and the functionality. The user friendliness features were assessed under the design of the web pages and the type of the interface, personalisation and database selection. Access and retrieval of information, results manipulation and availability of help menu were considered under the functionality features. Boolean operators, phrase searching, field specific searching, wildcard and truncation were observed as common retrieval features. The interpretation and implementation of these features were different among the systems. The greatest differences were found in the area of query formulation. Lateral searching, reference links and searching with table of contents were identified as the unique features.