Evaluating Online Journal Access for Hospitals
Author Information
Author(s): Carter Thomas P, Carter Anne O, Broomes Gwendolyn
Primary Institution: School of Clinical Medicine and Research, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
Hypothesis
How can hospitals identify the value in commercially available online journal products?
Conclusion
The Ovid Brandon/Hill Plus Collection was determined to be the best choice for the hospital library based on cost, benefits, and ease of use.
Supporting Evidence
- The Ovid Brandon/Hill Plus Collection provided higher coverage of ideal journal lists compared to other options.
- Low-cost options like the Biomedical Reference Collection had significant limitations in coverage and usability.
- Ease of use and access to secondary sources were critical factors in the evaluation.
Takeaway
This study looked at different online journal subscriptions to find the best one for a hospital library, and found that one option was the best for their budget and needs.
Methodology
The study compared six commercial journal collections against three reference standards for cost, coverage, and ease of use.
Limitations
The results are valid only for the date they were submitted for evaluation, as journal lists change frequently.
Participant Demographics
The study involved a hospital library and a medical school library in Barbados.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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