Information Retrieval Scifinder and Scifinder Scholar

Information retrieval is arguably one of the most important skills a scientist needs in the 21st century. The SciFinder interface to the world's scientific literature is both unique and innovative. While it is intuitive and has a very user-friendly interface which requires minimum training, nevertheless searches will be performed more effectively and efficiently with an understanding of the databases involved and the search processes. This text is thus a 'behind the scenes' look at SciFinder, complementary to the proprietary websites and manuals. SciFinder is rapidly becoming the preferred means to access scientific information in industry and universities worldwide. It accesses databases which span the chemical, engineering, life, medical and physical sciences, including the Chemical Abstracts Service databases and the National Library of Medicine database. No other single information access tool has such breadth of coverage for scientific journal and patent documents. I have done a search.... but why did I get this answer? This text explains why, and more importantly, discusses how you may best use the 40+ options in SciFinder, such as topic, bibliographic and chemical substance explore options, to get the best answers possible. Key features: * Summarises the databases and explains how to take advantage of the unique search and analyse options * Explains selected algorithms behind the operation of SciFinder and why it helps to understand them * Discusses why it is important, and how to apply scientific method to information retrieval * Includes problems at the end of each chapter designed for teaching purposes Are you a researcher in the chemical, life, medical or physical sciences? If so, this text will help you use SciFinder in a way which will increase your research creativity and productivity. Written by a scientist for scientists Information Retrieval: SciFinder and SciFinder Scholar will be an essential resource for scientists in industry as well as an important component of science teaching and research programs, for academics, students as well as library staff in universities worldwide.Ridley, Damon D. is the author of 'Information Retrieval Scifinder and Scifinder Scholar', published 2002 under ISBN 9780470843505 and ISBN 0470843500.