SYBWorld is the electronic version of The Statesman’s Yearbook (Palgrave Macmillan) that is a standard reference resource in most libraries, especially academic libraries. For those not familiar with the print volume, The Statesman’s Yearbook is an annual publication of country descriptions covering the geographic, demographic, social, economic, political, and other aspects of 192 countries. It is compiled using a host of publications originating from organizations such as the United Nations and other international agencies, as well as internal documentation from the individual countries covered. It is considered by many to be the foremost publication of its kind.
The database is accessible via either IP authentication or username and password, depending on the license desired. The pricing schedule is based either on full‐time equivalency (FTE) or on the number of concurrent users (CU) with off‐campus access included at no extra charge. FTE pricing ranges from $750 for below 1,250 to $2,500 for above 100,000. CU pricing is in bands for up to 15 users starting at $650 for one to three. Above 15 concurrent users pricing is negotiable.
SYBWorld is simple to use, and in that respect is very much like its print counterpart. The database also includes some features that are unique to an electronic resource. A country can be accessed easily by searching its name or by clicking on the interactive maps provided. The information for each country includes news reports or current events, depending on the impact or importance. This section is updated almost daily, with an archive that goes back a sufficient period. An ever‐present converter allows users to translate the units of measurement given into a system with which they are familiar. The most valuable interactive capability available is the comparison function. Users can compare two or more countries across a number of variables and generate a chart for viewing. Its search engine allows for keyword, Boolean, and “concept” searching, which operates quickly, and results are accompanied by relevance percentage rankings. There is no indication that the search engine allows for truncation, wildcards, or nested searches.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks present in the database. The simplest is the lack of a printer‐friendly output function. Users must print out their search results along with the sidebars and extraneous graphics. The results of the comparison function cannot be downloaded or exported in a convenient format, such as a spreadsheet. In addition, there is no indication that previous editions will be available online or that the current edition will remain accessible when the next edition is published. The most problematic omission is the lack of any function that would allow users to search for countries that have specific characteristics. For example, users cannot search for a country or groups of countries that have a certain geographic and population size or a similar level of GDP. This functionality would make the database a more robust resource.
In conclusion, I find SYBWorld to be just as fine a resource as its print counterpart. It is easy to use, and its online interface has some very nice features. Unfortunately, the publisher seems to be following the current trend of many electronic resource providers in believing that, simply because a print resource is offered in electronic format, it can be priced at a much higher level. There are four things that SYBWorld would have to change in order to make its price worthwhile. The first is a better printing option. Second, the publisher should increase the power of the search engine by adding truncation and/or wildcard functionality to address spelling issues or to broaden the search criteria. Third, the database should allow for searching using the logical variables present in each country’s entry. Simply comparing random countries limits its value as a research tool to ready reference questions. Finally, with newer editions becoming available in the future, some kind of diachronic search function should be included. Without these changes, I would steer users instead to the CIA World Factbook (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/). It may not have the few conveniences offered by SYBWorld, but the information is comparable and free. With these recommended changes, however, not only would SYBWorld be worth the money, but it would also evolve into a formidable research tool.
