Encyclopedia Britannica Versions Comparison/Evaluation
February 2000


1. To access the KCVL contracted Encyclopedia Britannica:
  1. Access the following URL: http://www.kyvl.org:8000/
  2. Click on Go
  3. Scroll down the screen to see the three non-Z39.50 compliant databases at the bottom of the screen.
  4. Click on Encyclopedia Britannica in the middle

2. To access the KCVL contracted Encyclopedia Britannica Intermediate:

  1. Access the following URL: http://www.kyvl.org:8000/
  2. Click on Go
  3. Scroll down the screen to see the three non-Z39.50 compliant databases at the bottom of the screen.
  4. Click on Encyclopedia Britannica in the middle
  5. Click on the EBI in the upper right hand corner of the screen

3. To access the free version of the Encyclopedia Britannica:

  1. Access the following URL: http://www.kyvl.org
  2. Click on Virtual Reference Desk
  3. Click on Encyclopedias which is beside General Reference
  4. Click on Encyclopaedia Britannica
  5. Or go to directly to: http://www.britannica.com/
Return all data either electronically by clicking on the "submit" button below or mailing a paper copy to
David Horvath
Ekstrom Library
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-7589
[email protected]

By Monday, February 28, 2000


The Form below is to be used to rate three Encyclopedia Britannica versions for comparison purposes. Please do a minimum of three (3) searches within each version and use the identical searches across the three versions:

KCVL EB KCVL Contracted Encyclopedia Britannica as accessed under (1) from above. This version is ad free, obtained through a license fee/ contractual arrangement and is subsequently access protected.
KCVL EBI KCVL Contracted Encyclopedia Britannica Intermediate as accessed under (2) from above. This version is geared toward elementary through high school students, faculty and staff. This version is ad free, obtained through a license fee/contractual arrangement and is subsequently access protected.
FREE EB Free version accessible by anyone from anywhere. For ease of access, it can be accessed by using method (3) from above. It contains ads.

Library Name :
(Optional) My name/Email address:

Please use the following numbers to rate each version under each question:
Strongly Agree (5); Agree (4); No Opinion (3); Disagree (2); Strongly Disagree (1)

  KCVL EB KCVL EBI FREE EB
1. I was able to get into the database quickly
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
2. It was easy to search this database.
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
3. I am satisfied with how quickly I got back information after entering my search
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
4. The results displayed by the database were easy to understand and navigate.
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5. I found the specific information that I was looking for in this version.
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
6. The options/instructions for printing/emailing and downloading met my needs.
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
7. Overall, being able to access this database and the information it provided were of use to me.
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
8. The fact that KCVL Free EB would have advertisements IS an annoyance and detracts from the usefulness of the database.    
5 4 3 2 1

 

9. Tell us about the searches you have done:
  KCVL EB KCVL EBI FREE EB
9.1 Search keys/strategies you used: Also include the date and time That the search was conducted.
9.2 List number and length of articles in the result set:
9.3 Comments:

Please use the following number to rate the article contents:
Very well (5); Well (4); Fair (3); Poorly (2); Very Poorly (1)

  KCVL EB KCVL EBI FREE EB
9.4 Are all aspects of the subject covered?
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
9.5 Is there sufficient level of detail about the subjects covered?
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
9.6 Are all points of view provided?
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
9.7 Are articles sufficiently scholarly?
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
9.8 How frequently is the content updated?
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
9.9 What is the value of the content?
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1

Please give your overall satisfaction rating for:

KCVL EB:

Strongly satisfied
Satisfied
No Opinion
Dissatisfied
Strongly Dissatisfied

KCVL EBI:

Strongly satisfied
Satisfied
No Opinion
Dissatisfied
Strongly Dissatisfied

FREE EB:

Strongly satisfied
Satisfied
No Opinion
Dissatisfied
Strongly Dissatisfied

Return all data either electronically by clicking on the submit button:

By Monday, February 28, 2000

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