Google Answers: Reference Works Online

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Q: Reference Works Online ( Answered, 0 Comments )

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Subject: Reference Works Online
Category: Reference, Education and News > General Reference
Asked by: rap2792-ga
List Price: $200.00

Posted: 12 Sep 2003 00:06 PDT
Expires: 12 Oct 2003 00:06 PDT
Question ID: 254916

What are the trends (success and failures) and direction of traditional publishers making their reference works (encyclopedia, dictionaries) online in a database format using a subscription-based model? Only reference works suited for higher education subscribed to by college libraries should be considered. It's expected that disciplines in "hard" sciences and technology and medicine have reference databases but are there also any online reference databases available in the social sciences? I am not interested in learning about reference works available in an e-book format. I am also not interested in products like Encarta, but rather need to learn what traditional "print" publishers have done with their reference content to make it available online. I am aware of Britannica’s struggles and somewhat knowledgeable about Oxford University Press success. An online reference product analysis with details like publisher, discipline, structure of database, type of content, pricing, and frequency of updating is also requested.
Clarification of Question by rap2792-ga on 12 Sep 2003 02:01 PDT Also like to see the price of the print reference title and its corresponding online database subscription version.
Request for Question Clarification by ragingacademic-ga on 12 Sep 2003 09:09 PDT Dear rap2792 - Intrigued and would like to try and tackle your question, but given the handsome fee you have suggested would like to make sure I do so properly - could you please be a little more specific about what a proper reply would include? In other words, what exactly are you expecting as a return on your investment here? thanks much - ragingacademic
Clarification of Question by rap2792-ga on 12 Sep 2003 09:39 PDT An answer to my online reference query should include the following: A review (two to three printed pages) of the online reference market direction/strategy in general culled from existing analysis. Do not hesitate to include personal feedback especially if experienced in using online reference products since I suspect many Google experts might have experience in academia or library sciences. Please provide links to articles/analysis used in the above providing a one sentence summary with URL. The product analysis component can be in simple chart format providing a variety of examples.
Request for Question Clarification by ragingacademic-ga on 13 Sep 2003 09:44 PDT Hi again rap2792 - I'm coming up with quite a lot of information about Grove Art, Grove Music etc. - they are part of Oxford Press - do you have such info or not? Will this qualify as part of what you are looking for? Other works I have identified and working on, with an emphasis on social sciences - American National Biography Encyclopedia of Life Sciences Grolier Online Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy Reference USA EIU Political Risk Yearbook If there are other specific titles you want me to look into, please let me know. Some of the pricing data will likely have to wait for early next week because I will have to call the publishers. Comments welcome! thanks, ragingacademic
Clarification of Question by rap2792-ga on 14 Sep 2003 15:54 PDT ragingacademic - I am not familiar with all the reference works provided but are a few I would like to add: International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences - Elsevier (www.iesbs.com/) Earth Sciences Encyclopedia Online - Kluwer (www.eseo.com) Oxford Reference - Oxford University Press (http://www.oxfordreference.com)

Answer

Subject: Re: Reference Works Online
Answered By: ragingacademic-ga on 15 Sep 2003 20:16 PDT

Dear rap2792, Thanks for your question. First, let me request that if any of the following is unclear or if you require any further research – please don’t hesitate to ask me for a clarification. You requested information about reference works online – specifically, you requested an analysis of trends in the online reference work space, as well as a product comparison among several such works available both in paper as well as online, to include a price comparison as well. First, I will address the online reference work space with an emphasis on trends. Next, you will find a significant amount of data on the various reference works I have analyzed. Finally, you will find a list of references and additional resources which should prove useful. Trends in the online reference work space *************************************** Ken Winter, writing in “American Libraries,” says “a new species of online resource is quietly emerging to supplement or even replace printed reference classics.” In the most basic sense, new online reference books are “intricate text and image databases that harness the power of the Internet to deliver information in profoundly new ways” (Winter, 2000). According to Winter, given these changes, reference works are now beginning to be called databases rather than books; they are accessed and not acquired; they erase some limitations of printed books; they confound traditional pricing models; and, they can be aggregated into mega-resources with deep content. Limitations/disadvantages of printed reference works: ----------------------------------------------------- - limited indexing capabilities - complex distribution networks and logistics (e.g. 30+ volume reference works…) - take up considerable space (ibid) - content a constant; can’t change dynamically - require significant capital outlay upfront - set pricing Advantages of printed reference works: -------------------------------------- + always work… (never “go down…”) + affordable method of providing information for the long term + production costs well-known upfront – and less expensive than producing similar online reference sources Advantages of online references: --------------------------------- + flexible pricing + convenience - remote access (service to remote users anywhere, anytime) + distributed nature facilitates wider reach + meet morphing user expectations + easily updated – updates can be delivered in real-time + richer content + can link to additional resources + can leverage hyperlinks in- and outside of the article Trends with online references: ------------------------------ + moving towards mega-references – one-stop-shopping databases that combine many reference works and allow simultaneous access through a common interface + advance searching and sorting capabilities + references that go online tend to incorporate more than just the paper version – e.g. Gale’s Biography Resource Center includes links from biographies to full-text articles from 250 periodicals, links to 10,000 Web sites, as well as the full-text of Marquis “Who’s Who?” + dissimilar sources of information merging into larger companies – or being acquired by larger companies + significant increase in the number of printed references offered online foreseen + migration of reference works to DVD (not online, but still a trend…see Kousha, 1999) + ORR – Online, Real-time, Reference services provided by librarians – “…synchronous electronic communication that allows a library patron to get assistance from a librarian without having to come to the library physically” (Moyo, 2002) – this is a result of the sharp decline in physical reference desk visits, since so many electronic resources are now available to patrons remotely. + Academics – students want everything to be available online, 24x7 and in full-text Database Marketplace 2003 ********************* Library Journal publishes an analysis of the database marketplace every year in its May 15 issue. Here is some information from the most recent such analysis, published May 15, 2003: Characteristics of Typical 2003 Database ---------------------------------------- + Bibliographic + Includes a large % of full-text information + Available in .html as well as in .pdf + Incorporates direct links to sources of content e.g. Web sites etc. + Spans 25 years of content + Allows capture of content through download or print + Offers training Characteristics of Typical Database Vendor ------------------------------------------ + Creates content + Customer profile – 75% libraries + Focused on servicing academic libraries + Made at least one acquisition or alliance in 2002 + Pricing – concurrent user or flat-fee most popular pricing structures + Offers preferred pricing to consortia + Offers some rights in perpetuity (~50%) + Provide cost per use data (~50%) Database Marketplace 2002 ********************* Some additional information of interest from the 2002 analysis – Most popular database formats, by order of preference: html, pdf, ASCII + image, ASCII, XML, SGML and image only. Most popular access methods for databases: Web, then CD-ROM surprisingly closely followed by Print, then Online, then Tape and finally “Other.” Database Marketplace 2001 ********************* Finally, from the 2001 analysis – most popular formats in which databases were available in early 2001: Web (including HTML) – 88%; Print – 33%; CD-ROM – 31%; Telnet – 19%; Dedicated access – 10% and Tape – 9%. REFERENCE WORK COMPARISON ********************** (Google Answers does not lend itself well to tables, so the following is presented in list format) * Note – will update institutional pricing for Oxford and Grolier online databases when I receive the data from the publishers. Oxford ------ Grove Music (development cost estimated at $30m – Winter, 2000) Publisher: Oxford Updated Quarterly Paper price – $2,300 Online price (Individual) – $295 annual Online price (Institution) – to be updated Grove Art Publisher: Oxford Updated Quarterly Paper price – $1,500 Online price (Individual) – $295 annual Online price (Institution) – to be updated American National Biography Publisher: Oxford Updated Quarterly Paper price – $795 Online price (Individual) – $89 annual Online price (Institution) – to be updated Oxford English Dictionary (development cost estimated at $55m – Winter, 2000) Publisher: Oxford Updated Quarterly Paper price – $895 CD-ROM - $295 Online price (Individual) – $295 annual Online price (Institution) – from $795 annual Oxford Reference Online Publisher: Oxford Updated Quarterly Title list: www.oxfordreference.com/pub/pdfs/oro_list.pdf Paper price – Many thousands, likely >$10,000 Online price (Individual) – NA Online price (Institution) – $375 first user, $895 for 2-5 users, $150 each additional user (concurrent user pricing) Grolier -------- Grolier Online Publisher: Grolier Updated Quarterly Paper price – $3,229 for American, Knowledge + Biographies (but Online includes much more…) Online price (Institution) – to be updated Nature Publishing Group ----------------------- Encyclopedia of Life Sciences Publisher: NPS (Nature Publishing Group) Paper price – $460 Online price (Institution) – to be updated www.els.net Kluwer Online ------------- Encyclopedia of Mathematics Publisher: Kluwer Updated continuously through out the year Paper price – $2,200 hardcover, $761 paperback, $1,891 CD-ROM Online price (Institution) – $3,300 1st year + $330 per year thereafter Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science Publisher: Kluwer Updated continuously through out the year Paper price – $532 hardcover Online price (Institution) – $1,975 1st year + $197.50 per year thereafter Encyclopedia of Production and Manufacturing Management Publisher: Kluwer Updated continuously through out the year Paper price – $495 hardcover Online price (Institution) – $2,250 1st year + $225 per year thereafter Computer Science & Communications Dictionary Publisher: Kluwer Updated continuously through out the year Paper price – $1,180 hardcover Online price (Institution) – $4,595 1st year + $460 per year thereafter The Complete Handbook of the Internet Publisher: Kluwer Updated continuously through out the year Paper price – $495 hardcover Online price (Institution) – $495 1st year + $49.50 per year thereafter Earth and Environmental Sciences Online Publisher: Kluwer Updated continuously through out the year Paper price – $3,000 hardcover, $1,800 paperback Online price (Institution) – $900 1st year + $900 per year thereafter (as you can see Kluwer’s pricing does not follow a consistent model…) I have hard copy data for a couple more sources and will update if I manage to locate pricing and data for the online versions. I hope this response adequately addresses your request. Please let me know if you are in need of additional information concerning this query. Thanks, ragingacademic-ga References: Ken Winter (2000), “From Wood Pulp to the Web: The Online Evolution,” American Libraries, May 2000 p. 70-74 Carol Tenopir, Gayle Baker & William Robinson (2001), “Database Marketplace 2001 – Racing at Full Speed,” Library Journal May 15, 2001 p. 45-50 Carol Tenopir, Gayle Baker & William Robinson (2002), “Database Marketplace 2002 – The Database Universe,” Library Journal May 15, 2002 p. 42-56 Carol Tenopir, Gayle Baker & William Robinson (2003), “Database Marketplace 2003 – The Art of Conjuring eContent,” Library Journal May 15, 2003 p. 38-50 Kayvan Kousha (1999), “DVD: The Next Evolutionary Step for Publishing Multimedia Reference Sources,” Online & CD-ROM Review, V23, 4, p. 203-205 Lesley M. Moyo (2002), “Reference anytime anywhere: Towards virtual reference services at Penn State,” The Electronic Library, V20, 1, p. 22 (8) Additional Links: Kebede Hundie (2002), “A guide to selected and freely searchable bibliographic and full-text databases on the Web,” Collection Building, V21, 1, pp. 13-21 Available online for a small fee: http://gessler.emeraldinsight.com/vl=3164695/cl=30/nw=1/rpsv/cgi-bin/linker?ini=emerald&reqidx=/cw/mcb/01604953/v21n1/s3/p13 Search Strategy: “online databases” web-based subscription services databases AND Internet AND “reference services”
Clarification of Answer by ragingacademic-ga on 16 Sep 2003 09:12 PDT Update on Institutional Pricing ***************************** For Oxford Scholarship Online - -------------------------------- * Unlimited Access Pricing * For the following fully integrated and cross-searchable Subject Collections: Political Science Economics & Finance Philosophy Religion One Subject Collection: $3500 Two Subject Collections: $6300 - a 10% savings Three Subject Collections: $8400 - a 20% savings All Four Collections: $9100 - a 35% savings All rates include remote access. Rates are per year. Authentication is available by IP, referring URL, username and password. * Concurrent User Pricing * 1-5 users 6-10 users 11-15 users One Subject Collection: $1,425 $2,565 $3,420 Two Subject Collections: $2,565 $4,615 $6,155 Three Subject Collections: $3,420 $6,155 $8,210 All Four Collections: $3,705 $6,670 $8,890 All rates include remote access. Rates are per year. Authentication is available by IP, referring URL, username and password. The same concurrent user level must be used for each module licensed. American National Biography --------------------------- For Unlimited access, your rate is calculated using your FTE: $495 for up to 2,500 users Over 2,500 users: $495 + $0.20 per user up to 4,999 $995 + $0.19 per user between 5,000 and 9,999 $2,895 + $0.17 per user between 10,000 and 24,999 $7,145 + $0.14 per user between 25,000 and 49,999 $14,145 + $0.12 per user over 50,000 Concurrent User access is also available: 1 user $450 2-5 users $600 6-10 users $1,125 11-50 users $1,500 Secondary Schools: $250 (K-12) per school Individuals: $89 (Personal use ONLY) All rates include remote access. Rates are per year. Authentication is available by IP, referring URL, username and password. Oxford English Dictionary ------------------------- For Unlimited access, your rate is calculated using your FTE: $795 for up to 2,500 users Over 2,500 users: $795 + $0.29 per user up to 4,999 $2,245 + $0.27 per user between 5,000 and 9,999 $4,945 + $0.25 per user between 10,000 and 24,999 $11,195 + $0.24 per user between 25,000 and 49,999 $23,195 + $0.22 per user over 50,000 Concurrent User access is not available for the OED Online Secondary Schools: $375 (K-12) per school Individuals: $550 (Personal use ONLY) All rates include remote access. Rates are per year. Authentication is available by IP, referring URL or username and password. Oxford Reference Online ----------------------- Unlimited Access Prices Level A $995 University & 4 year colleges up to 1000 enrollment 2 year institutions & colleges up to 10,000 enrollment Public Libraries up to 100,000 population served Government/non-profit institutions up to 500 full time with network access Level B $1,295 University & 4 year colleges 1,001 to 4,000 enrollment 2 year institutions & colleges 10,001+ enrollment Public Libraries 100,001 to 250,000 population served Government/non-profit institutions 501 to 1,500 full time with network access Corporate Libraries up to 1,000 employees with network access Level C $1,895 University & 4 year colleges 4,001 to 10,000 enrollment Public Libraries 250,001 to 500,000 population served Government/non-profit institutions 1,501 to 10,000 full time with network access Corporate Libraries 1,001 to 5,000 employees with network access Level D $2,395 University & 4 year colleges 10,001 to 25,000 enrollment Public Libraries 500,001 to 2,000,000 population served Government/non-profit institutions 10,001 to 20,000 full time with network access Corporate Libraries 5,001 to 10,000 employees with network access Level E $2,995 University & 4 year colleges 25,001+ enrollment Public Libraries 2,000,001+ population served Government/non-profit institutions 20,001+ full time with network access Corporate Libraries 10,001+ employees with network access Concurrent User Prices Single User $375 2-5 concurrent users $895 Each Additional user $150 Secondary Schools (K- 12) per school $250 Individuals For personal use ONLY $89 All rates include remote access. Rates are per year. Authentication is available by IP, referring URL, username and password and/or library card. Oxford Reference Online - Premium Collection -------------------------------------------- Unlimited Access Prices Level A $1,450 University & 4 year colleges up to 1000 enrollment 2 year institutions & colleges up to 10,000 enrollment Public Libraries up to 100,000 population served Government/non-profit institutions up to 500 full time with network access Level B $1,875 University & 4 year colleges 1,001 to 4,000 enrollment 2 year institutions & colleges 10,001+ enrollment Public Libraries 100,001 to 250,000 population served Government/non-profit institutions 501 to 1,500 full time with network access Corporate Libraries up to 1,000 employees with network access Level C $2,675 University & 4 year colleges 4,001 to 10,000 enrollment Public Libraries 250,001 to 500,000 population served Government/non-profit institutions 1,501 to 10,000 full time with network access Corporate Libraries 1,001 to 5,000 employees with network access Level D $3,475 University & 4 year colleges 10,001 to 25,000 enrollment Public Libraries 500,001 to 2,000,000 population served Government/non-profit institutions 10,001 to 20,000 full time with network access Corporate Libraries 5,001 to 10,000 employees with network access Level E $4,300 University & 4 year colleges 25,001+ enrollment Public Libraries 2,000,001+ population served Government/non-profit institutions 20,001+ full time with network access Corporate Libraries 10,001+ employees with network access Concurrent User Prices Single User $550 2-5 concurrent users $1,275 Each Additional user $225 Secondary Schools (K- 12) per school $375 (unlimited access) All rates include remote access. Rates are per year. Authentication is available by IP, referring URL, username and password and/or library card. Grove Art & Music ----------------- Number of Users Annual Subscription Rate 1 User $1,260 2-3 Users $1,575 4-5 Users $1,890 6-8 Users $2,205 9-11 Users $2,730 12-14 Users $3,255 Academic FTE Pricing (see weighting factors to determine FTE) FTE Range Annual Subscription Rate 1-1,249 $1,575 1,250-2,499 $1,890 2,500-4,999 $2,730 5,000-9,999 $3,465 10,000-24,999 $4,093 25,000-49,999 $7,088 50,000-99,999 $9,975 100,000+ $15,750 Secondary School Pricing GroveMusic.com OR GroveArt.com $350 GroveMusic.com AND GroveArt.com $550 Individual subscriptions are $295 a year! Public Library Pricing Population Served Annual Subscription Rate 1-24,999 $1,260 25,000-49,999 $1,575 50,000-99,999 $2,310 100,000-199,999 $3,150 200,000-499,999 $4,305 500,000-799,999 $5,985 800,000-999,999 $7,875 1,000,000-1,499,999 $9,975 1,500,000-1,999,999 $13,125 2,000,000+ $15,750 Wiley **** Will not provide any data without formal sales contact...here's their note, verbatim: Dear Erik, Thank you for your inquiry. In order to access any of the Reference Works available on Wiley InterScience you would need to have an online subscription. At this time the pricing for an online subscription is based on the FTE (Full Time Equivalent) of the institution and access is IP authenticated. The online access is renewable on a yearly basis. Cordially, LaShawn Girtman-Davis John Wiley & Sons, Still waiting on data from NPG. thanks, ragingacademic
Clarification of Answer by ragingacademic-ga on 16 Sep 2003 14:20 PDT Pricing from Nature Publishing Group for Encyclopedia of Life Sciences: An institutional site license can be purchased for the Nature Encyclopedia of Life Sciences for unlimited use based on FTE of the academic institution or on a limited basis. Pricing is as follows: Limited Users 1 -3 $1,500 4-5 $2,000 6-7 $2,500 8-10 $3,000 Unlimited access based on FTE FTE Price 1 - 1,249 $1,800 1,250 - 2,499 $2,300 2,500 - 4,999 $3,100 5,000 - 9,999 $3,800 10,000 - 24,999 $5,800 25,000 - 49,999 $9,800 50,000 - 99,999 $12,300 thanks, ragingacademic
Request for Answer Clarification by rap2792-ga on 16 Sep 2003 18:27 PDT Thanks ragingacademic - One other bit of data would be helpful in the comparative analysis. Is the size of reference database (number of records) readily available?
Clarification of Answer by ragingacademic-ga on 17 Sep 2003 11:29 PDT Rap2792 - Some databases do provide such information - let me look into that, and look for an update within a few days. thanks, ragingacademic

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