REFERENCE USE OF ONLINE DATABASES: AN ANALYSIS.

An examination is made of statistical information compiled from reference uses of the computer since 1978 in the General Reference Section at Penn State. The authors have identified at least five major categories of questions that are feasible for online reference, at least in a large academic library: 1). directory-type information; 2). literature retrieval on a limited scale; 3). bibliographic verification of specific works; 4). definitions or explanations of concepts or acronyms; 5). book reviews. A detailed statistical study concluded that the actual nature of the question seemed to determine search success or failure.