JISC launches abstracts database benchmark service

The Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) has released the Academic Database Assessment Tool (ADAT) to detail what information databases offer, including the journal titles covered, the date range included and editorial policies.

Lorraine Estelle, CEO of JISC Collections , said ADAT had been launched in response to requests by librarians for an easily accessible way of comparing what each package offered before committing to an expensive investment.

“What librarians were telling us is that it is not always easy to see what is available and where – it is incredibly time-consuming,” she said. “This is a really important resource for librarians, publishers and others, giving information not available elsewhere.”

JISC is inviting librarians to comment on the tool.

“We would welcome any feedback on how it can be improved, such as what information to include and how it should be presented,” said Estelle.

ADAT covers academia’s most popular citation databases, including Web of Science and Scopus. It is expected to be fully launched early next year with its own website.

At present the tool is accessible at www.andrews-consultancy.com/jisc_database_assessment through the Andrews Consultancy website, an Oxford-based e-business consultancy recruited by JISC for the project.

Estelle said feedback so far had been positive.

“Every step of its development has been – and will continue to be – guided by the needs of librarians and information professionals,” she said.

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