Databases – Specific to the Subject, or Encourage Broadening Out?
Posted by: Sara Rofofsky Marcus
As I sit at the Reference Desk, I start to wonder, is a database geared to a specific subject only good for that subject, or can it broaden out? For example, an engineering student finding information on ArtStor – is this possible? In theory, yes; in reality, would the title of the database, or it’s location on the page deter such a student from even considering such a resource? How do you deal?
April 21st, 2010 at 9:13 am
I think this falls under the law of diminishing returns. Yes, there may be some material of interest, but most users will start with the databases that have the highest number of relevant results. The likelihood of finding something that is useful and not duplicated in other databases is very low, so most people do not search in this manner.
On the other hand, some of the metasearch tools will help. If they search all the databases, they can bring out some of the hidden gems that might not be found otherwise.