Browse:
| Criteria | Library Database | Website |
| Example | EBSCO/GALE/ProQuest | Google/Yahoo/Bing |
| Authority | Content written by academics or industry professionals | Anyone can add content. Author does not have to be an expert in the field to contribute information. |
| Reliability/Accuracy | Information must submit to a peer review process or get publisher approval. | Variable reliability. There is no quality control of the information provided. |
| Content | Database are arranged by subject and contain academic research studies, government reports, newspaper articles, industry/trade reports and articles. Content typically includes citations and/or bibliographies. Libraries purchase database content, which is copyrighted and licensed for use. | Websites are not organized by subject. The Internet contains an amalgamation of information. Fact checking of information is limited. No quality control process is required. |
| Currency/Frequency of Update | Database content updated regularly. Depending upon the publisher, updates can be daily, weekly, monthly, etc. | Unknown/sporadic. Updates among websites is variable. |
| Cost to Access | Subscriptions are chosen and paid by the Library/Institution | Websites are usually freely available, but sometimes site content requires user accounts/fees |
| Purpose/Use | Scholarly/academic research | General interest |
Be sure to take a look at the links below for more information!
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