Which bibliographic database is not produced by a federal government agency or federally-supported institution?

Which bibliographic database is not produced by a federal government agency or federally-supported institution?

• A. ERIC
• B. INSPEC
• C. COMPENDEX
• D. MEDLINE

Answer: (C)

The key idea is who actually produces and maintains the bibliographic database. ERIC is run by the U.S. Department of Education, and MEDLINE is produced by the National Library of Medicine, a federal agency. Those are clearly tied to the federal government. COMPENDEX, on the other hand, is created and managed by a private information company (not a government entity). Because it isn’t produced by a federal government agency or a federally-supported institution, it fits the criterion of not being government-produced. Therefore, COMPENDEX is the best choice.

The key idea is who actually produces and maintains the bibliographic database. ERIC is run by the U.S. Department of Education, and MEDLINE is produced by the National Library of Medicine, a federal agency. Those are clearly tied to the federal government. COMPENDEX, on the other hand, is created and managed by a private information company (not a government entity). Because it isn’t produced by a federal government agency or a federally-supported institution, it fits the criterion of not being government-produced. Therefore, COMPENDEX is the best choice.