Question

Searching the "free web" or regular internet and searching the library databases are different activities in many ways. In 200 words, discuss these differences.

Answer 1

Regular internet and library databases, both provide secondary information and data. But there are many differences. The first difference is the degree of authenticity of the information provided by these two sources. Library databases provide information that is more authentic, peer reviewed and credible in nature. Such quality and credibility are lacking in content provided by regular internet. It is the reason that researchers rely more on library database. The second difference is the level of access provided to the people who want to search and find relevant information. Regular internet can be accessed by everyone without any limitation from any place, but library databases are accessed by subscribers with different level of authorization to access the content. In other words, access to library databases are paid to read the premium content after a certain level and it is subscription based. But, such issues are not there when regular internet is concerned. The third difference is the organization of content. Regular internet has the access, but the content is unorganized, whereas library databases are structured, well organized and theme based. It makes it easier to find the information in library databases due to its organization. Such exclusivity is missing from the regular internet.
Online searches bring the online library database in the internet search results, but access to these online database, depends upon the authority to access.