Is Google enough? Comparison of an internet search engine with academic library resources

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of the study was to compare an internet search engine, Google, with appropriate library databases and systems, in order to assess the relative value, strengths and weaknesses of the two sorts of system. Design/methodology/approach -A case study approach was used, with detailed analysis and failure checking of results. The performance of the two systems was assessed in terms of coverage, unique records, precision, and quality and accessibility of results. A novel form of relevance assessment, based on the work of Saracevic and others was devised. Findings -Google is superior for coverage and accessibility. Library systems are superior for quality of results. Precision is similar for both systems. Good coverage requires use of both, as both have many unique items. Improving the skills of the searcher is likely to give better results from the library systems, but not from Google. Research limitations/implications -Only four case studies were included. These were limited to the kind of queries likely to be searched by university students. Library resources were limited to those in two UK academic libraries. Only the basic Google web search functionality was used, and only the top ten records examined. Practical implications -The results offer guidance for those providing support and training for use of these retrieval systems, and also provide evidence for debates on the "Google phenomenon". Originality/value -This is one of the few studies which provide evidence on the relative performance of internet search engines and library databases, and the only one to conduct such in-depth case studies. The method for the assessment of relevance is novel.

The dark side of information: overload, anxiety and other paradoxes and pathologies

“…The context changes greatly, as does the "mind set" of those involved. Of particular relevance to the situation in the first decade of the new millennium is the rise of the "Google generation": used to immediate and easy access to information, and with consequent expectations that may be difficult for 'traditional' information services to meet [9][10][11].…”

Mecanismos de busca acadêmica: uma análise quantitativa

“…Brophy and Bawden [5] compararam o mecanismo de busca (convencional) do Google com as bibliotecas universitárias. A metodologia utilizada foi quantitativa nos aspectos de revisão de documentos encontrados, precisão e sobreposição dos resultados, e qualitativa durante a verificação dos resultados encontrados.…”

AltaVista, Google and least effort: a requiem

“…And crucially, it was quick to learn and easy to use. While it took several days of study and practice to get best use out of complex search engines, like AltaVista, and similar databases and catalogues, for Google, it took only a few hours (see, for example, Brophy and Bawden 2005). And, crucially, improving searching expertise was essential for getting acceptably good results from sources with more complex interfaces and search facilities, but not from Google.…”