Deciding which databases will bring the most value, benefit and unique content into a library collection is not always easy. One of the most important steps in evaluating different full-text journal databases for purchase is choosing the proper comparison service.

In order to assist librarians in making educated collection development decisions, a comparison service must take into account a number of important factors including: the variety of ways in which database providers reflect full-text content information (title name, ISSN, etc.) in their published title lists, the value of knowing "actual" as well as "intended" content, the importance of "active" over "halted" coverage, the availability of unique content in each resource under consideration, and the importance of human interaction/oversight at every level of the comparison process.