The evolution of electronic reference sources

To provide a historical look at the development of web versions of reference materials and discuss what makes an easy‐to‐use and useful electronic handbook.

Electronic reference materials were limited to handbooks available on the web. Observations and assumptions about usability are tested with an information retrieval test for specific tasks in print and online editions of the same texts.

Recommended adoption of those elements which create a well‐designed book in combination with robust search capabilities and online presentation result in an easy‐to‐use and useful electronic reference source.

The small sample size that was used for testing limits the ability to draw conclusions, and is used only as an indication of the differences between models. A more thorough look at difference between electronic book aggregates, such as ENGnetBASE, Knovel^® and Referex would highlight the best features for electronic reference materials.

Advantages to particular models for electronic reference publishing are discussed, raising awareness for product evaluation. Areas of development for electronic reference book publishers or providers are identified. Work in these areas would help ensure maximum efficiency through cross title searching via meta‐searching and data manipulation.

The paper presents results from some human computer interaction studies about electronic books which have been implemented in a web interface, and the positive effects achieved.