This text aims to alert students and information practitioners to the breadth of information available in CD-ROM and online format and provide them with the skills to make optimum use of these sources. Its evaluative approach covers a range of electronic sources and corresponding search and retrieval techniques which should prove useful to anyone battling with the growing maze of electronic information sources available. Rather than treating the search process as a seperate discipline, this text includes search techniques as an integral part of the electronic reference and infoemation sources outlined. User interfaces and search skills vary between different databases and, while gerneral priniples are given suitable prominence, these differences are recognized and discussed. Making use of practical examples and sample searches, the guide also includes a model of basic steps for acquiring a familiarity with a new subject area, material on retrospective search services, a chapter on searching OPACs and a range of chapters concentrating on information sources available in the following fields: science and technology; social science and the humanities; business information; legal information; health information; and patent information. Web-based information services are covered where appropriate, although a companion volume deals with information sources and searching on the World Wide Web.