CD‐ROM database quality: Some observations based on experience at Sultan Qaboos University library Available to Purchase

Over the past four years Sultan Qaboos University Library in Oman has increased its CD‐ROM collection to 10 databases. It quickly became apparent to both staff and end users that discs varied in quality. This paper provides examples of inconsistencies in thesaural control, indexing policies, spelling mistakes, mistyping and hyphenation in various CD‐ROM databases. Differences between some CD‐ROM databases and their printed and online counterparts are also given. Also the limitations of the search software on some CD‐ROM products are highlighted. Few product reviews include comments on all these shortcomings although their effects can have significant impact on search results.