• Databases: Collection of electronically-stored descriptive records or content units (including facts, full texts, pictures and sound) with a common user interface and software for information retrieval or data manipulation.
• Electronic books (e-Books): Digitized documents, licensed or not, where searchable text is prevalent and can be seen in analogy to a print book (monograph).
• Electronic serials: These are serials published in electronic form only or in both electronic and another format. They comprise serials held locally and remote resources for which access rights have been acquired, at least for a certain period of time. Open-access journals (free Internet resources) are excluded.
For the purpose of statistical reporting, please count the number of educational institutions with repositories of their own scientific electronic collections; regular subscriptions (paid or free of charge); or purchased licenses to scientific electronic journals, databases and other digital documents.
Statistical unit of the Ministry of Education or, alternatively, national statistical office.
Adapted from ISO 2789: Information and Documentation – International Library Statistics, 4th ed.