GEOSCIENCE DATABASES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Many bibliographic indexes are available for research in the geosciences, including general indexes such as Academic Search and InfoTrac; science databases, such as Web of Science; and subject specific geosciences databases, such as GeoBase, GeoRef, Meteorological & Geoastrophysical Abstracts, Oceanic Abstracts, and Water Resources Abstracts. As library budgets are reduced by inflation and other cuts, libraries are increasingly looking at all possible savings, including reducing database subscriptions.

A comparison of six major geoscience and science databases, including GeoBase, GeoRef, Meteorological & Geoastrophysical Abstracts, Oceanic Abstracts, Water Resources Abstracts and Web of Science, reveals that each index contains unique content and search capabilities. Examining the coverage of these databases to identify the number and nature of unique and duplicate titles and assessing the needs of the local user population enables librarians and their users to make an informed decision regarding possible database cancellations. Based on the results of these comparisons, librarians will be able to hold informed discussions with their users regarding potential database cancellations.