Experimental evaluation of selected electronic document delivery systems

Abstract

Reports results of research to test and analyse five different document delivery systems according to request and delivery times, costs, document quality, and coverage. The aim was to evaluate the success of the different systems according to these criteria and to assess their relative value for money. The systems tested were UMI ProQuest Direct, InfoTrac SearchBank, British Library inside, Elsevier Engineering Information EiText and the standard BLDSC service. Two sets of documents were used in the evaluation: one relating to business studies and the other to manufacturing engineering. The full-text database systems provided a more rapid service than e-mailed and faxed delivery options. BLDSC uses the slowest method of delivery. ProQuest Direct and SearchBank were generally reliable. Partial and fragmented delivery of documents was an occasional feature of EiText and British Library inside. The flat rate per document fee charged by BLDSC is at least three times cheaper than either EiText or British Library inside. BLDSC provides the most comprehensive coverage by far in the titles held and the range of subjects. SearchBank and ProQuest Direct offer the least number of titles, across a range of subjects which is broader than EiText but more limited than British Library services. Concludes that the standard BLDSC service still offers extremely good value for money if assessed on document quality, price and coverage. However, if demand for faster document delivery were to increase, then BLDSC would face greater competition albeit in a limited range of material.