Comparative evaluation of the performance of online databases in answering toxicology queries
Robinson, L., McIlwaine, I., Copestake, P. & Anderson, C. (2000). Comparative evaluation of the performance of online databases in answering toxicology queries. International Journal of Information Management, 20(1), pp. 79-88. 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 |
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