Title
Encyclopedia Britanica Online
Rationale for selection:
I am not sure what a ‘good’ reference work would be for my topic, so
I decided to start with a very general source, likely to have at least
some information on my topic.
Evaluation of source
Format/means of access: the textual version of the Encylcopedia Britannica is available in nearly every public library. The on-line version is only available through select gateways. In our case, it is only available when accessed from a UNC IP address and is found at UNC Library’s Electronic Indexes and Databases list, http://unclib.lib.unc.edu/eid/eresources.html
Scope/coverage: Through this service, you can find more than 72,000
articles, updated
and revised by EB editors and contributors; over 10,000 illustrations,
including photographs, drawings, maps, and flags; and more than 75,000
definitions--including pronunciation guides and word histories--from Merriam-Webster's
Collegiate Dictionary. You can also use EB Online to search an Internet
directory that includes more than 130,000 links to Web sites selected,
rated, and reviewed by Britannica editors.*
Intended audience: The intended audience of this reference work is all age-groups, from middle school and elementary school students up to the elderly. It is meant as a source of general reference information.
Authority/source: The Encyclopædia Britannica is the world's most
comprehensive
reference product, a distinction it has held since its first publication
in 1768. Its on-line version is complete. For a list of awards,
see http://www.eb.com:180/about/awards.html
Accuracy / Objectivity: The Encylcopedia is widely recognized as comprehensive, and has been in publication for over 200 years. As a result, I presume it is highly accurate.*
Current/recent: Britannica Online will continue to be updated frequently between official releases.
Arrangement/indexing/access points: The on-line version of Brittanica allows the user to perform a standard search, or brose by either subject or alphabetically. Performing a standard search provides numerous ‘narrow terms’ which can be used to sharpen the search., and it provides ‘broad terms’ which can be used to expand the search. Finally, it also provides ‘related terms’ which can be used to expand or narrow the search. It also provides related internet links.
Scale/detail (for maps only): The site offers numerous maps, which seem to be scaled accurately, with sufficent detail. Although it is not a site designed primarily for the purpose of providing maps, it does an ample job.
Special features: The feature which automatically lists broader, narrower, and related terms is very helpful. It allows the searcher to conduct an all-inclusive search just by typing in one term. It also allows access to Britannica’s past and current Brittannica Books of the Year, in addition to access to past entries written by famous people, for example Yosemite, by John Muir.
Search strategies
I am still using my original search terms, but, given the nature of
this work, I have decided to start with a search for the term ‘running.’
Set 1: ‘running’, yields 2067 articles. I select the entry
titled, “running.” The entry isn’t exactly what I am looking for,
but numerous broad, narrow and related terms are listed. I decide
to explore the related term ‘jogging.’
Set 2: ‘jogging’ yields one article. However, it also gives
the option of searching relevant internet links. I decide to follow
this path.
Set 3: The relevant internet links search yields 4 results.
I browse these results, and select those which are appropriate for my topic.
Evaluation of results
Entering this search, I did not have high expectations for the results
that would be returned. Given the factual nature of the work, I did
not expect many articles debating the pro’s and con’s of running.
My expectations were realized, however, I was able to find a few articles
which uncovered previously unthought of aspects to my question. I
retrieved one result which outlined the crime-related dangers of jogging,
and it outlined steps and precautions to take in order to minimize this
risk. This was an interesting aspect of the question which I had
previously ignored. Thus, I would say my search was useful.
*Information found at the vendor website: http://library.unc.edu/htbin/external_database_auth.com?A=P|F=Y|URL=http://www.eb.com:180/