Databases are a complement (not a replacement) to core print and electronic journal collections. If publishers experience cancellations of current (print or online) journal subscriptions due to the inclusion of their content in aggregated databases, they are likely to remove their content from these databases or increase their royalty requirements.

Additional Reading on the Topic:

                   
Databases Complement Journal Subscriptions

Full-Text Databases, Print Journals, and Electronic Journals...Distinctly Different Products

EBSCO's leading online full-text databases include access to full-text articles from peer-reviewed journals published by the world's most prestigious academic publishers. This content supplements existing library journal subscriptions, expanding access to important publications already in the library's print or e-journal collection. It also provides new access to many highly-valuable full-text resources previously unavailable to users. 

  • Online journals (e-journals) provide access to articles from current journal issues
  • Many full-text journals in aggregated databases have embargo periods (delay of availability of full-text articles imposed by publishers), and some journals that don't now have embargoes may have them in the future
  • As the publishers own the content and control the availability of the full text through databases, there is no guarantee that a full-text journal currently available via a database will continue to be available in the future
  • These are important distinctions between aggregated databases and online journals. For these reasons, full-text databases are not a practical, long-term substitute for print or e-journal subscriptions purchased or licensed directly from the publisher.

For further information covering this and other topics in greater detail, please see additional published articles.

Share |