Background: The U.S. health care system has been under immense scrutiny for ever-increasing costs and poor health outcomes for its patients. Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) has emerged as a generally accepted practice by providers, policy makers, and scientists as an approach to identify the most clinical- and cost-effective interventions…

Three computer-based scientific bibliographic retrieval systems were evaluated for cleanness (consistency and internal duplication), comprehensiveness, timeliness, and costs. The appropriateness of using one or more of these data bases was found to depend upon the objectives of the end-user. (MA)

Reviews the development of technological innovations in information delivery, including microforms, electronic processing, online distribution, full-text abstracts online, floppy disks, downloading, vertical integration, electronic publishing, and optical disks. The impact of technology on the information industry and the need to use technology…