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Comparative evaluation of the performance of online databases in answering toxicology queries

Robinson, L., McIlwaine, I., Copestake, P. (2000). Comparative evaluation of the performance of online databases in answering toxicology queries. International Journal of Information Management, 20(1), pp. 79-87. doi: 10.1016/s0268-4012(99)00056-0

Abstract

An evaluation of toxicology information resources is reported, comparing commercial online databases and a specialised in-house database. A mixed qualitative/quantitative approach, using ten test queries and detailed failure analysis was used. The main conclusions are: the in-house database is superior to any ‘general’ database in recall and precision; commercial databases are a useful complement, usually providing unique material; a range of databases should be used for good recall; for the commercial databases, complex search strategies are necessary, using the specific access points of each database; retrieval failures are due primarily to coverage, secondly to poor indexing of specific toxic effect. Detailed discussion is given of indexing policies and search strategies.

Publication Type: Article
Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry
Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > Z665 Library Science. Information Science
Departments: School of Science & Technology > Computer Science
SWORD Depositor:
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