ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the advantages and disadvantages of using online databases as opposed to print sources and the search techniques which optimize efficient information retrieval. The diversity of ready reference queries - questions which require fact or data retrieval - and the proliferation of databases present searchers with a maze of information needs and sources. The outlay for using online resources includes calculating the cost for items such as computer equipment, telecommunications charges, documentation, online training, and online connect time costs. Bibliographic databases contain citations leading to other literary sources such as books or journals. Source databases contain complete representations of information sources and are divided into two classes; full-text and textual-numeric. Online access to full-text news databases allows the searcher to filter through a vast quantity of information in a much speedier and more sophisticated fashion than is possible with print equivalents.
