Evaluation of Five Persian Bibliographic Databases: Irandoc, IranMedex, Magiran, ParsMedline and Scientific Information Database (SID) Using Gulliver Online Database Evaluation Tool

Since the design of bibliographic databases affects their usefulness in medical subjects and how they can be utilized by the users, and also considering the necessity of adherence to international standards in designing, this study aimed to assess five Persian bibliographic databases, including IranMedex, Irandoc, Magiran, ParsMedline and Scientific Information Database (SID), using the Gulliver online database evaluation tool. This survey was conducted in 2009 using a checklist, the validity of which was confirmed. The data was collected through an evaluation tool named "Gulliver online database evaluation tool". All descriptive analyses were performed using SPSS 15. The checklist included 12 criteria: entry page, searching, limiting, record viewing and manipulating, graphics, record retrieval, selective dissemination of information services, general design, terminology, icon design and placement, help and advanced features. In general, IranMedex and Irandoc achieved the highest scores (45.8% and 45% of the total score, respectively). ParsMedline, SID and Magiran scored 40%, 38.3% and 37.5%, respectively. Since the highest score among the studied databases was lower than 50% of the total score defined by the evaluation tool, it is concluded that Persian bibliographic databases are not designed properly. Therefore, it is necessary to supervise database designing and their adherence to international standards.