InfoSci‐Online provides online access to a multitude of information science publications from the six imprints which comprise Idea Group, Inc. The large number of resources available includes articles from 12 journals, such as Information Resources Management Journal, Journal of Database Management, and Journal of End‐User Computing, as well as individual chapters from books such as Building a Virtual Library, Architectural Issues of Web‐Enabled Electronic Business, Challenges of Teaching with Technology Across the Curriculum: Issues and Solutions, and Development and Management of Virtual Schools: Issues and Trends. Teaching case studies and conference proceedings are also included. As Idea Group is a leading publisher in the information science field, the resources are authoritative. Monthly updates ensure that the most recent publications are often available before their print counterparts. One slight drawback is that duplicates are sometimes found in the search results when a journal article or conference proceeding is reprinted in a book.
Searching InfoSci‐Online is generally intuitive. The expected “Basic search” and “Advanced search” options are provided, which offer the use of wildcards, truncation, and Boolean operators. These search options also allow users to limit searches to a particular publication type. Two additional search options, “Topic search” and “Keywords”, are offered, which allows for increased usability. “Topic search” enables users to browse one of 23 broad subject areas, including distance learning, end‐user computing, information resource management, IT education, and knowledge management. When utilizing “Topic search”, selecting more than one broad subject area performs a search similar to a Boolean OR. A useful addition would be the option to select either one of the Boolean operators. Keywords provide a list of terms similar to subject headings, divided into the fields of business management, computer science, education, electronic commerce, environmental IS, healthcare, information systems, library science, multimedia IS, public administration, and social science. “Keywords” does not offer the option of selecting multiple search terms.
Search results are displayed according to publication type. Users may easily choose to view the abstract or proceed straight to the full text in PDF format. The PDF format easily allows users to print and save documents, but it is cumbersome to e‐mail them. In addition to a copyright statement at the bottom of each page, every page is emblazoned with the statement “Copyright Idea Group, Inc.” four times. This statement interferes with reading ease. InfoSci‐Online looks and feels more like a Web site than a database, facilitating ease of use. The search options available in the menu box and the information links at the bottom of each page are not distracting. The small graphic at the top and bottom of the page is appropriate. “Search tips” and a “FAQ” are easily accessible from each page, although most users will find help largely unnecessary.
As the InfoSci‐Online database provides an alternate access point to the print publications available from Idea Group, any library that subscribes to or purchases these publications will benefit from this database. Academic libraries supporting programmes in computer science, information technology, or library and information science will find this a much‐needed resource. In addition, institutions with a strong IT department will find this a useful resource for remaining current in a rapidly changing field.
