Biomaterial Database

Evaluating CD-ROM versions of the MEDLINE database: a checklist. 1989

N S Hewison

Life Sciences Library, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907.

The emergence of CD-ROM (compact disc/read-only memory) versions of the MEDLINE database requires experienced MEDLINE searchers to examine assumptions about searching MEDLINE, since some expectations may not be fulfilled by this new technology. When applied to a particular CD-ROM MEDLINE product, the evaluation procedure involves testing assumptions concerning database contents; mechanics of searching; display, print, and download capabilities; and user-friendly features. The extent to which a CD-ROM product preserves and exploits important MEDLINE strengths should be assessed, e.g., the MeSH controlled vocabulary, the designation of major and minor MeSH emphasis, and the use of subheadings. Search software characteristics that affect ease of searching and quality of results also need to be examined, e.g., the ability to truncate search terms and the order of precedence in which Boolean operators are evaluated. A checklist to assist in the evaluation process is presented, including search examples for use in testing search functions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008523	MEDLARS	A computerized biomedical bibliographic storage and retrieval system operated by the NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE. MEDLARS stands for Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System, which was first introduced in 1964 and evolved into an online system in 1971 called MEDLINE (MEDLARS Online). As other online databases were developed, MEDLARS became the name of the entire NLM information system while MEDLINE became the name of the premier database. MEDLARS was used to produce the former printed Cumulated Index Medicus, and the printed monthly Index Medicus, until that publication ceased in December 2004.	Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System,MEDLARS-MEDLINE Information System,Information System, MEDLARS-MEDLINE,MEDLARS MEDLINE Information System,System, MEDLARS-MEDLINE Information
D009317	National Library of Medicine (U.S.)	An agency of the NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH concerned with overall planning, promoting, and administering programs pertaining to advancement of medical and related sciences. Major activities of this institute include the collection, dissemination, and exchange of information important to the progress of medicine and health, research in medical informatics and support for medical library development.	United States National Library of Medicine,National Library of Medicine,National Medical Library
D005069	Evaluation Studies as Topic	Works about studies that determine the effectiveness or value of processes, personnel, and equipment, or the material on conducting such studies.	Critique,Evaluation Indexes,Evaluation Methodology,Evaluation Report,Evaluation Research,Methodology, Evaluation,Pre-Post Tests,Qualitative Evaluation,Quantitative Evaluation,Theoretical Effectiveness,Use-Effectiveness,Critiques,Effectiveness, Theoretical,Evaluation Methodologies,Evaluation Reports,Evaluation, Qualitative,Evaluation, Quantitative,Evaluations, Qualitative,Evaluations, Quantitative,Indexes, Evaluation,Methodologies, Evaluation,Pre Post Tests,Pre-Post Test,Qualitative Evaluations,Quantitative Evaluations,Report, Evaluation,Reports, Evaluation,Research, Evaluation,Test, Pre-Post,Tests, Pre-Post,Use Effectiveness
D000043	Abstracting and Indexing	Works about activities performed to identify concepts and aspects of published information and research reports.	Abstracting and Indexing as Topic,Abstracting as Topic,Indexes as Topic,Indexing as Topic,Abstracting,Indexing,Indexing and Abstracting,Indexing and Abstracting as Topic
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D014741	Video Recording	The storing or preserving of video signals to be played back later via a transmitter or receiver.	Audiovisual Recording,Videorecording,Audiovisual Recordings,Recording, Audiovisual,Recording, Video,Recordings, Audiovisual,Recordings, Video,Video Recordings,Videorecordings
D014742	Videodisc Recording	The storing of visual and usually sound signals on discs for later reproduction on a television screen or monitor.	Videodisk Recording,Recording, Videodisc,Recording, Videodisk,Recordings, Videodisc,Recordings, Videodisk,Videodisc Recordings,Videodisk Recordings