Citation Help in Databases: Helpful or Harmful?

Authors

Jane G. Kessler, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Mary K. Van Ullen, University at Albany, State University of New York

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2006

Abstract

A review of the help files in several major databases revealed that database vendors have begun including information on citing sources, which has the potential to be very useful to students. Surprisingly, 94% of the citation examples in the databases reviewed had errors. The average number of errors per example was 4.3. The citation help appears to have been put together quickly, with little thought and no proofreading. Librarians must insist that vendors correct or remove this information.

Recommended Citation

Kessler, Jane G. and Van Ullen, Mary K., "Citation Help in Databases: Helpful or Harmful?" (2006). University Libraries Faculty Scholarship. 49.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/ulib_fac_scholar/49