Discovery Search Tools: A Comparative Study

Mandi Goodsett

doi:10.1108/RR-12-2013-0312

Discovery Search Tools: A Comparative Study

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

<p> This review allows librarians to compare three of the major discovery services–EBSCO Discovery Service, Ex Libris’ Primo and Serials Solutions’ Summon–on the basis of price, content, user experience, features and functionality and back-end configuration to make informed decisions about the best tool for their institutions. <h5> Design/methodology/approach </h5></p><p> The comparisons were made through a literature review, study of the vendors’ websites, several interviews and personal usability testing of each tool. <h5> Findings </h5></p><p> The tools each have their strengths and weaknesses, and a decision of which tool is most appropriate for an institution varies depending on the institution’s needs and current situation. <h5> Originality/value </h5></p><p> A literature review shows that no study has yet been conducted comparing these three discovery tools, and few comparative studies of discovery tools have been published recently.</p>

Original language	American English
Journal	Reference Reviews
Volume	28
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1108/RR-12-2013-0312
State	Published - Jan 1 2014

Keywords

reference
online resources
discovery
search tools

Disciplines

Library and Information Science
Social and Behavioral Sciences

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10.1108/RR-12-2013-0312License: CC BY

Discovery Search Tools A Comparative StudyFinal published version, 3.09 MBLicense: CC BY

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title = "Discovery Search Tools: A Comparative Study",

abstract = " This review allows librarians to compare three of the major discovery services\–EBSCO Discovery Service, Ex Libris\’ Primo and Serials Solutions\’ Summon\–on the basis of price, content, user experience, features and functionality and back-end configuration to make informed decisions about the best tool for their institutions. Design/methodology/approach The comparisons were made through a literature review, study of the vendors\’ websites, several interviews and personal usability testing of each tool. Findings The tools each have their strengths and weaknesses, and a decision of which tool is most appropriate for an institution varies depending on the institution\’s needs and current situation. Originality/value A literature review shows that no study has yet been conducted comparing these three discovery tools, and few comparative studies of discovery tools have been published recently.",

keywords = "reference, online resources, discovery, search tools",

author = "Mandi Goodsett",

note = "Discovery Search Tools: A Comparative Study. Reference Reviews. 28:6 (2014).",

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doi = "10.1108/RR-12-2013-0312",

language = "American English",

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AB - This review allows librarians to compare three of the major discovery services–EBSCO Discovery Service, Ex Libris’ Primo and Serials Solutions’ Summon–on the basis of price, content, user experience, features and functionality and back-end configuration to make informed decisions about the best tool for their institutions. Design/methodology/approach The comparisons were made through a literature review, study of the vendors’ websites, several interviews and personal usability testing of each tool. Findings The tools each have their strengths and weaknesses, and a decision of which tool is most appropriate for an institution varies depending on the institution’s needs and current situation. Originality/value A literature review shows that no study has yet been conducted comparing these three discovery tools, and few comparative studies of discovery tools have been published recently.

KW - reference

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KW - discovery

KW - search tools

UR - https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/msl_facpub/112

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DO - 10.1108/RR-12-2013-0312

M3 - Article

VL - 28

JO - Reference Reviews

JF - Reference Reviews

ER -

Discovery Search Tools: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Keywords

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