Issues in student training and use of electronic bibliographic databases

Abstract

Access to bibliographic databases, online and on CD-ROM, is advantageous for the academic community (East, 1993; Squires, 1993). Developments in communications and information technology mean that students, as well as academic staff, now have direct access to these databases (Tenopir and Ennis, 1998). This permits them to access a wider range of journal articles for research and project work than is usually available in a university library. There is an additional pay-off for business studies students since they have opportunities to develop the database search and retrieval skills they will need when they enter business and the professions (Taylor, 1996; Wisendanger, 1994). In some professions, such as law and public relations, access to specialist databases is essential to undertaking certain types of professional work (Taylor, 1996). Graduates who know where to locate information and how to access, retrieve and use information are valuable assets to employers.