Title: A user study of online databases in graduate management education

Authors: Omur Y. Saatcıoglu, Omur Timurcanday Ozmen, Yasemin Arbak

Addresses: School of Maritime Business and Management, Kaynaklar Campus, Dokuz Eylul University, 35160 Buca-IZMIR, Turkey. ' Faculty of Business, Kaynaklar Campus, Dokuz Eylul University, 35160 Buca-IZMIR, Turkey. ' Faculty of Business, Kaynaklar Campus, Dokuz Eylul University, 35160 Buca-IZMIR, Turkey

Abstract: The aim of the study is to perform a user study comparing four online databases (Emerald, Ebscohost, Science Direct and Google Scholar) with respect to certain variables developed for evaluating online databases. After evaluating online databases, the users rated online databases with respect to the utility, total performance and their satisfaction with the database. The findings could be regarded as a basis for a variety of communities. First, the study provides insights for database developers. Second, the study can be used as a tool to understand the failures of search strategies. Third, it is a basis for managers for library budgeting.

Keywords: online databases; user study; database evaluation; management education; graduate education; electronic business; e-business; database development; search strategies; digital libraries; library budgeting; competence development; Turkey; information retrieval.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEB.2007.012975

International Journal of Electronic Business, 2007 Vol.5 No.2, pp.220 - 241

Published online: 02 Apr 2007 *

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