From: Xiaotian Chen <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2012 08:02:29 -0500 I did two empirical studies comparing Google Scholar and subscription-based databases. My findings/conclusions are that there are virtually no journals GS does not cover, and that traditional indexes and abstracts have lost their value. Here are the citations of the 2 studies: Chen, Xiaotian. (2010). Google Scholar’s Dramatic Coverage Improvement Five Years after Debut. Serials Review. 36 (4), 221-226. Chen, Xiaotian. (2010). The Declining Value of Subscription-Based Abstracting and Indexing Services in the New Knowledge Dissemination Era. Serials Review. 36 (2), 79-85. --- Xiaotian Chen Bradley University Peoria, Illinois, USA http://hilltop.bradley.edu/~chen/ On Wed, Sep 12, 2012 at 5:48 AM, LIBLICENSE <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > From: Ken Masters <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2012 14:13:00 +0400 > > Hi All > > When conducting literature reviews, especially systematic literature > reviews, academic researchers usually consult a number of data bases > (Medline, EBSCO, etc.). Given that Google Scholar indexes so much, is > there any reason to use these other data bases at all, rather than to > simply go to Google Scholar? > > I am aware that some of these data bases allow for a more detailed > type of search (e.g. terms found in abstract only, etc), but if I were > doing a search for all articles that have, for example, "mobile > learning" in the their text, would it not make more sense to simply > perform that initial search in Google Scholar, and ignore the other > academic databases? What reference could they offer me that Google > Scholar doesn't? > > (And yes, I'm aware, that Google Scholar will pull up far more grey > literature, but that is part of the manual sifting process that I > would have to perform anyway.). > > Does anyone know of a comparison study that has been performed? > > Thanks. > > Regards > > Ken > > Dr. Ken Masters > Asst. Professor: Medical Informatics > Medical Education Unit > College of Medicine & Health Sciences > Sultan Qaboos University > Sultanate of Oman > E-i-C: The Internet Journal of Medical Education