There are many primary sources of information in chemistry such as journal articles. Indeed the problem is to find just what you want among this mass of information. Fortunately there are tools that make this task easier. Information from primary sources has been collected together and organized under subject headings and authors in reference databases. These can be used directly for online searching or for the production of a searchable compact disk CD-ROM database or for the printing of secondary publications called Abstracts and Indexes . These are published at regular intervals - weekly, monthly or quarterly and are usually brought together, or cumulated, annually or for even longer intervals.
These are available on compact disks - CD-ROM or via online access. Databases may be available over your campus network.
Ask at your library Information Desk if you need help.
One way of accessing online databases is via a
commercial database host system such as:
STN, EINS,
DIALOG, DATASTAR,
QUESTEL-ORBIT.
Note: Access to commercial online information systems
requires a password and will involve costs.
Databases in other subject areas which can also be of interest to chemists and chemical engineers
This section consists of modules in the form of tutorials on online searching prepared by Chemical Abstracts Services - CAS
The following tutorials are available:
Additional teaching material and manuals can be obtained from Chemical Abstracts Services - CAS