CD-ROM Research Collections

The idea for this book came from Meckler Publishing, which appreciated the need for an evaluative reference book about research-oriented CD-ROMs. Although numerous reviews are scattered throughout the CD-ROM periodical literature, there are almost no books that provide selected, evaluative CD-ROM listings, and none that focus on the kinds of databases needed by research organizations. This book attempts to remedy that lack of information. CD-ROM Research Collections lists 114 CD-ROM databases chosen by the editor for their usefulness for bibliographic research. Although numeric, directory and other types of CD-ROM databases may certainly be used for research, for the purposes of this book, only bibliographic or full-text databases that are updated periodically are included. Beyond that, the primary judgement for inclusion was made based on database scope and coverage; search interface was a secondary consideration, although it was considered as it promoted or hindered research.
Each entry gives; title, publishers, scope and content, reviews (where applicable), equipment and software requirements, price, arrangement and control, search software and capabilities, print / online counterparts, and network licensing arrangements. The evaluation for each database considers geographic coverage of the database, the time period covered, variety of material formats covered, and breadth of subject area included. Reviews are quoted and listed when they are available.
 
The idea for this book came from Meckler Publishing, which appreciated the need for an evaluative reference book about research-oriented CD-ROMs. Although numerous reviews are scattered throughout the CD-ROM periodical literature, there are almost no books that provide selected, evaluative CD-ROM listings, and none that focus on the kinds of databases needed by research organizations. This book attempts to remedy that lack of information. CD-ROM Research Collections lists 114 CD-ROM databases chosen by the editor for their usefulness for bibliographic research. Although numeric, directory and other types of CD-ROM databases may certainly be used for research, for the purposes of this book, only bibliographic or full-text databases that are updated periodically are included. Beyond that, the primary judgement for inclusion was made based on database scope and coverage; search interface was a secondary consideration, although it was considered as it promoted or hindered research.
Each entry gives; title, publishers, scope and content, reviews (where applicable), equipment and software requirements, price, arrangement and control, search software and capabilities, print / online counterparts, and network licensing arrangements. The evaluation for each database considers geographic coverage of the database, the time period covered, variety of material formats covered, and breadth of subject area included. Reviews are quoted and listed when they are available.