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Computerized datasearching for the African scholar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 April 2022

Mette Shayne
Mette Shayne*
Affiliation:
Melville Herskovits Library of African Studies, Northwestern University
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Extract

This article will give some insight into problems and advantages of computerized literature searches for the African scholar. I should point out that there are two types of databases, the reference databases which point users to another source, i.e., give the user bibliographic information. Those are the ones I will deal with here. The source databases contain original information or manipulated statistics prepared for specific purposes. I intend to point out areas where a computerized literature search is useful, and areas where there are pitfalls. My experience is that graduate students rarely are familiar with the bibliographic or data sources available to them.

Two different methodologies have been described in the professional literature oh determining the value of certain databases.

Type
Articles
Information
African Research and Documentation , Volume 43 , 1987 , pp. 8 - 15
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1987

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References

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