In a research context, webpages and databases differ significantly across several key aspects:
1. Responsible Authority:
● Webpages: The responsibility for a webpage's content can vary widely. It could be an
individual, an organization (commercial, educational, governmental, or non-profit), or even
an anonymous entity. Determining the credibility and expertise of the responsible authority
can be challenging and requires careful evaluation.
● Databases: Databases, especially those used for research, typically have a clearly
identifiable responsible authority, such as academic institutions, professional
organizations, reputable publishers, or government agencies. This authority often has
editorial oversight and quality control processes in place, lending more credibility to the
information.
2. Hits (Search Results):
● Webpages: Searching the web often yields a vast number of "hits," which can range from
highly relevant to completely irrelevant. The sheer volume can make it time-consuming to
sift through the results and identify credible sources. Duplication and repackaging of
information are also common.
● Databases: Databases, with their focused scope and controlled vocabulary, generally
produce a more manageable number of highly relevant hits. Many databases offer
features to filter out duplicates, allowing researchers to focus on unique and pertinent
information.
3. Relevance:
● Webpages: The relevance of information found on webpages can be inconsistent. Search
engine algorithms strive for relevance, but the open nature of the web means that search
terms can pull up a wide array of content, including opinions, advertisements, and
non-scholarly material.
● Databases: Research databases are designed for subject-specific information retrieval.
They often employ controlled vocabularies, subject headings, and advanced search filters
that allow researchers to precisely target their queries, leading to more relevant and
focused results.
4. Search Feature:
● Webpages: Webpage search features are usually basic, often relying on keyword
matching. While powerful search engines like Google offer advanced operators, the
underlying data structure of the web is less organized for precise retrieval.
● Databases: Databases offer sophisticated search functionalities tailored for research.
These often include Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), proximity searching,
field-specific searching (e.g., author, title, abstract), date range limitations, and the ability
to search using controlled vocabulary or subject headings.
5. Published Materials:
● Webpages: While webpages can host published materials (e.g., journal articles, books),
they also contain a significant amount of unpublished content, including blogs, personal
opinions, forums, and preliminary findings that haven't undergone peer review. The quality
and reliability of "published" material found on the open web can vary greatly.
● Databases: Research databases primarily index and provide access to published
materials such as peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, books, reports,
and dissertations. These materials have typically undergone a review process, ensuring a
higher level of quality and credibility. Libraries and institutions often curate these
databases, selecting resources relevant to specific academic disciplines.
In summary, from a research perspective:
● Databases are generally preferred for finding credible, relevant, and peer-reviewed
published materials due to their responsible authority, focused content, sophisticated
search features, and quality control.
● Webpages can be useful for preliminary research, finding diverse perspectives,
accessing very current information, or locating grey literature. However, they require more
critical evaluation regarding the responsible authority, relevance, and reliability of the
information.
Researchers often utilize both webpages and databases but understand their fundamental
differences to conduct thorough and credible research.
