Teaching and Using Chemical Information: Bibliography 1993-1998.
Carol Carr
Chemistry Library, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
PA 19104-6323
Introduction
This bibliography updates the compilation: Carr, Carol. "Teaching
and using chemical information - an updated bibliography"
J. Chem. Educ., 1993, 70 (9), 719-726
The biggest change since the last bibliography is the growing number of resources available on the web. For example, providers of chemical databases now have web pages which contain information on how to use their resources. Instructors also have created web pages to complement their chemical information instruction classes. Web resources are listed in the appropriate subject headings below.
The bibliography follows the format of the previous work and contains
the following sections as well as updated information on sources
that regularly provide information on chemical information.
ACS/SLA Clearinghouse for Chemical Information Instructional Materials (CCIIM)
(accessed Jan 1999)
Contact: Gary Wiggins, Chemistry Library, Indiana University,
Bloomington IN 47405 Phone: 812-8 55-9452, E-mail: wiggins@indiana.edu
Over 200 items contributed by librarians, faculty and others.
Includes instructions on using various resources, course outlines
and exercises. Lists the items and links to the full version of
resources which are available on the web.
Education Committee, Division of Chemical Information, American Chemical Society
The Committee has produced several teaching modules which contain online searches that illustrate typical information problems. Searches are annotated to emphasize searching techniques. Send requests for print copies to: Arleen Somerville, Carlson Library, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627. Email: asomerville@RCL.lib.rochester.edu
Teaching modules available include:
An introduction to Computer Searching of Chemical Abstracts, STN International
(accessed Jan 1999) (also available in print)
An Introduction to Computer Searching of Chemical Abstracts, DIALOG
The Committee also presents a workshop on teaching chemical information
at regional and national ACS meetings, as well as other meetings.
Materials from this workshop
are available on the web. (accessed Jan 1999)
International Chemical Information Conference
The conference is held annually in France and the proceedings
are published. Proceedings from the 1996-97 conferences were published
by Infonortics Ltd; earlier proceedings were published by the
Royal Society of Chemistry (Special Publication 100, 120, 142).
Papers provide an overview of online systems, search and retrieval
software as well as analyses of chemical information issues.
Guides/Sourcebooks/Proceedings
Guides to Chemical/Scientific Information
These works present an overview of major chemical information
sources. Typically content, arrangement, and utility of the sources
are discussed and insights are provided as to how to use them
effectively. These guides could be suitable textbooks or readings
for a chemical information course.
Allan, Barbara C.; Livesey, Brian. How to use Biological abstracts,
Chemical abstracts, and Index Chemicus 2nd
Ed. ; H. W. Wilson Co.: Gower, New York, 1994.
Compares the utility of one index over another using various questions.
The print versions are used for the extensive search examples
. Each source is described and features of the indexes outlined.
Brief descriptions of the online databases are also included.
The figures include copies of the relevant sections from each
source, which is useful for those without in-house access to these
databases. Examples can be useful for a lecture on comparing/evaluating
information sources.
Barcelon-Yang, Cynthia S. et al. "Information Retrieval".
In Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th
ed.; Wiley: New York, 1996; Vol 14, pp 220-276.
Major trends in information retrieval are discussed and online
database resources are described. Several tables provide information
on various types of databases (listing producer, vendor and subject
coverage). Chemical information search methods are discussed such
as structure, and numeric searching and searching for spectra.
Carr, Carol; Somerville, Arleen N. "Coping with the Transformation
of Chemical Information", In Using Computers in Chemistry
and Chemical Education; Zielinski, Theresa A. and Swift, Mary
L. Eds.; American Chemical Society: Washington DC, 1997 pp. 109-131.
Traces the development of the primary types of chemical information
and discusses the transformation of these information sources
into electronic products and services. Information skills needed
by chemists in this new environment are outlined and a brief review
of methods of providing information instruction is presented .
Hurt, Charlie Deuel Information Sources in Science and Technology.
3rd ed.; Libraries Unlimited: Englewood CO, 1998.
An annotated compendium of resources in various disciplines. This
edition includes prices, and emphasizes sources from the 1990's.
An online review of this work is available in: (Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship Fall 1998)
Maizell, Robert E. How to Find Chemical Information: A Guide
for Practicing Chemists, Educators and Students. 3rd
ed.; John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New York, 1998.
Largely rewritten and updated, this work includes all formats
of chemical information; print, electronic, and the Internet.
Not designed as a teaching text but useful as a resource for chemical
information students as well as practicing chemists. Contains
two chapters on Chemical Abstracts: (History and Essentials of
Use) as well as a section on Internet issues and tools. Also includes
chapters on current awareness programs and document delivery.
Emphasizes methods of evaluating and selecting information tools.
Malinowsky, H. Robert Reference Sources in Science, Engineering,
Medicine, and Agriculture, Oryx Press: Phoenix, 1994.
An annotated bibliographic guide to over 2,400 titles. Entries
for each discipline include : Abstracts, Encyclopedias, Guides,
Handbooks, Histories and selected journals. Also contains brief
chapters useful for students which discuss: communication in science,
sources of information (such as databases, electronic journals,
preprints) and types of reference sources (such as abstracts,
dictionaries, handbooks).
Pritchard, Eileen; Scott, Paula R. Literature Searching in
Science, Technology, and Agriculture. Rev. ed.; Greenwood
Press: Westport Connecticut, 1996.
The book is targets the end-user, presenting basic information
for researchers. Describes print and electronic resources in various
scitech disciplines. Most areas are examined, although environmental
coverage is light, and discussion of the geosciences and patent
literature or tools is lacking An online review of this work is
available in: (Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship Summer 1997)
Ridley, Damon D. Online Searching: A Scientist's Perspective
- A Guide for the Chemical and Life Sciences; John Wiley &
Sons, Inc: New York, 1996.
This is primarily a how-to guide for scientists who wish to do
their own searching on STN International, focusing on the chemistry
and life science files. The author is a professor of chemistry
at the University of Sydney. The book has an outline format with
key points highlighted at the beginning and end of chapters. The
book contains many screen captures from searches which could be
used as class examples. An online review of this book is available
in: (Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship Summer 1997)
Warr, Wendy; Suhr, Claus "Information and Documentation"
In Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. 5th
ed.; 1990 Vol B1, chapter 12, pp. 1-107.
A mini-text on chemical information. Contains the typical sections
on the primary literature (including patents), abstracting and
indexing services, reviews/handbooks and encyclopedias. Also includes
information on the gray literature (such as house journals, trade
literature and working papers), business and economic information,
numeric and factual databases, and chemical structure handling.
Discusses online searching and records management. Includes several
sections on information technology (hardware, software, expert
systems, artificial intelligence) Key resources are briefly described.
Extensive references lead to more complete information. A detailed
table of contents is provided.
Seminar Proceedings
These works contain chapters/papers that cover specific aspects of chemical information. The papers can provide a useful overview of a particular topic
Philip, G. "The Montreux 1993 International Chemical Information
Conference, Annecy, France - A View from the Floor"; J.
Infor. Sci. 1994 20(4), 300-303.
An incisive review of the papers given at the Conference. The
author offers his opinions of the state of online chemical databases
and lists several factors that vendors must stress to improve
the utility of chemical databases including: standardizing user
interfaces, lowering the costs, promoting increased awareness
of leading edge systems in the academic community, and encouraging
the inclusion of chemical information systems in the chemical
curriculum. (See the International Chemical Information Conference
entry in the Continuing Sources section above for a description
of this annual conference)
Guides/Comparisons-Specific Areas of Chemistry
Listed here are articles published since the 1993 article which discuss a specific area of chemistry.
Organic Chemistry
Georgia State University. Chemistry Department. Organic Chemistry Resources Worldwide
(accessed Oct 1998) The first section of this web site is devoted
to the literature of organic chemistry and has links in these
categories: Chemical Information, Databases, Articles, Patents
On-line Journals, Reviews, Books, Awareness, Bibliography Managing.
Each of these categories is further subdivided and provides brief
descriptions and links to the specific sources discussed.
Polymers
Bolek, A.D. "Finding that Elusive Polymer Information";
Abs. Papers Am. Chem. Soc. August 22, 1993, 206
(pt. 1)87 CHED.
Presented the types of polymer data needed by researchers and
described sources for that information.
Toxicology
Ludl, H.; Schoepe, K.; Mangelsdorf, I. "Searching for Information
on Toxicological Data of Chemical Substances in Selected Bibliographic
Databases - Selection of Essential Databases for Toxicological
Research"; Chemosphere 1996, 32(5), 867-80.
Using information from printed and online database guides, 18
online databases, which cover toxicology. were selected. A search
for literature on three selected chemicals was carried out with
each of the databases, and the number of documents relevant to
toxicology found in them was compared by computer-assisted analysis.
Databases varied in their coverage of toxicology and contained
numerous duplicates (refs. common to more than one database).
Most of the relevant documents could be obtained using only 8
of the 18 databases selected. These databases are: Biosis Previews
(BIOSIS), Chemical Abstracts. (CA), Chemical Safety Newsbase (CSNB),
Excerpta Medica (EMBASE), National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH), SciSearch, TOXLINE and TOXLIT.
Voigt, Kristina; Bruggemann, Rainer. "Toxicology Databases
in the Metadatabank of Online Databases"; Toxicology 1995
100(1-3), 225-240.
Toxicology clusters of DataStar, DIALOG, DIMDI and STN are listed
and compared. As part of a research project at the German National
Research Centre for Environment and Health approximately 400 online
databases have been evaluated and the results are stored in a
metadatabank of online databases. The project also aims to help
users choose the most appropriate database(s) for a specific query.
The evaluation criteria and measurement techniques are described.
The studies identified Chemical Abstracts as the best databank
for toxicology information. See also Voigt, K., Bruggemann, R.
"Evaluation Criteria for Environmental and Chemical Databases",
Online & CD-Rom Review 1998 22(4), 247-262.
Guides/Comparisons-Specific Information Sources
Beilstein
The Beilstein System: Strategies for Effective Searching,
Heller, Stephen R., Ed; ACS: Washington DC, 1997.
Provides in-depth information on the print and online versions
of Beilstein. Most useful as background for chemical information
instructors. Several chapters discuss the design of the data and
search systems for the database. The chapters by Lawson and Zass
provide search tips and examples on reaction searching useful
in training graduate students. The chapter by Zass compares Beilstein
with other reaction databases. A chapter on Autonom discusses
the difficulties of organic nomenclature and describes various
computer systems for generating chemical names. A review of this
book can be found in (Issues In Science & Technology Librarianship 1998 No. 18, Spring)
Heller, Stephen R. "The Beilstein NetFire system"; TRAC-Trends
in Anal. Chem. 1997, 16 (3),112-115.
Describes NetFire, a bibliographic file integrated into the Beilstein
CrossFire system, which allows searching approximately 140 organic
chemistry journals back to 1980. NetFire is available to CrossFire
subscribers at an additional cost. Search techniques and a comparison
to Chemical Abstracts are included.
Zass, Engelbert "From Handbooks to Databases
on the Net: New Solutions and Old Problems in Information Retrieval
for Chemists"; J. Chem Inf. Comput. Sci. 1996,
36, 942-948.
Pitfalls for searchers of Beilstein and Chemical Abstracts are
discussed, and the producers of these resources are exhorted to
enhance the quality of their data. The user-friendly interfaces
which are now available lull the users into a false sense of security.
Indexing policies such as including only the first ten authors
(a CA policy) and variations in indexing NMR data in both CA and
Beilstein are discussed. The exploration of indexing policies
and their impact is good material for a lecture on quality of
databases. Also a good reading assignment for students to remind
them that they must be aware of the indexing and coverage policies
of a database.
Chemical Abstracts
Buntrock, Robert E ."It's better in Stereo--Searching Stereochemical
Structures. (StereoSearch)"; Database 1994
17 (Oct./Nov.) ,115-118+
Provides a brief introduction to stereochemistry. A search example
provides detailed information for searching stereoforms of absciscic
acid. The command-based non-graphical method of structure searching
in STN's Registry file is used. Perhaps too specialized for an
introductory class but a good example for advanced students.
Buntrock, Robert E. "In the Abstract. (Searching the Abstract
Field in CA files)"; Database 1992 15 (Feb),
94-95.
Provides examples of searches where the search terms appeared
only in the abstract field. The examples could be used to demonstrate
free text versus controlled term searching.
Buntrock, Robert E. "Name Searching of Chemical Compounds:
a Rose by any Other Name"; Database 1993 16
(Feb.); 102-104.
Demonstrates the chemical name searching features in the CA (Chemical
Abstracts) file on STN.
Buntrock, Robert E. "Gold (CASRN=7440-57-5) is Where you
Find it, or Caveats on finding Chemical Substances using CASRN.
(Chemical Abstracts Registry Numbers)"; Database 1995
18 (June/July), 50-52+
Useful insights on using the CAS registry numbers to retrieve
information from Chemical Abstracts. Could provide examples for
an advanced class on Chemical Abstracts.
Buntrock, Robert E. "Playing the Chemical Numbers Game: CAS
Registry Numbers (CASRN) Revealed"; Database 1996
19 (Aug./Sept.), 72-77.
Contains a brief explanation and history of the registry number
system and an introduction to chemical nomenclature useful for
an introductory class on Chemical Abstracts. Describes the difficulties
of using chemical nomenclature to retrieve compounds and gives
examples of when and how to use Registry Numbers in online searches.
Roth, Dana "Inexpensive `Structure' Searching: Expanding
Chemical Names"; Searcher 1998, 6(7), 19-22
Includes a discussion of the difficulties of chemical nomenclature
and attempts to standardize it. Demonstrates that a costly structure
search is not always necessary by describing a search which uses
the Ring Systems Handbook, the CAS Index guide and the complete
name index of the CAS ZREG file on STN. A three ring compound
is identified using these tools rather than a structure search.
Roth, Dana "Caveat Chemicus: Practical Guidance to Searching
Chemical Abstracts"; Searcher 1998, (3), 12,
14, 16-17
A good introduction to the size, scope and source material of
Chemical Abstracts. CA inclusion policies are reviewed. The implication
of indexing policies for comprehensive searching is discussed
in detail with some specific examples. CA is compared with other
sci-tech megabases as to coverage, indexing and abstracting. The
importance of the Index Guide is stressed. An excellent resource
for searchers and students. In a brief article, covers many of
the key points a CA user must take into account in order to use
this resource effectively.
Somerville, Arleen N. "Subject Searching of Chemical Abstracts
Online - Searching in the Basic Index"; J. Chem. Educ.
1993, 70(3), 200-203
Stresses the importance of understanding the indexing policies,
searchable fields, and types of terms in computer records when
planning a computer search. Uses records from Chemical Abstracts
on STN to demonstrate important characteristics of the Chemical
Abstracts database. A sample search is outlined and the types
of terms available in the various fields are explained, along
with the basic steps for planning and executing a search using
various search operators. This example could easily be incorporated
into a class on searching Chemical Abstracts.
Zass, Engelbert "From Handbooks to Databases on the Net:
New Solutions and Old Problems in Information Retrieval for Chemists";
J. Chem Inf. Comput. Sci. 1996, 36, 942-948.
(See Zass in Beilstein Section for Abstract)
Other Chemistry Databases
Buckingham, John "The Chapman & Hall Chemical Database";
IATUL Quarterly 1991 5(2), 108-116
Provides a history of the Dictionary of Organic Compounds
as well as the publisher's other Dictionaries (such as Dictionary
of Natural Products). Traces the products' evolution to electronic
databases. Editorial organization and content are described.
Carr, Carol.; O'Neill, Patricia E. " Adding INSPEC to your
Chemical Search Strategy--Let's Get Physical"; Database 1995 18 (Apr./May), 99-102.
Describes the chemical information and chemical searching features
contained in the online version of INSPEC and compares INSPEC
to Chemical Abstracts. Several searches are discussed which would
be useful for classes comparing these two resources. STN is used
in the examples.
Herrwerth, I.; Bohmer, U. "The Gmelin Factual Databank -
a Modern Information Source in Chemistry and Physics"; Interdisciplinary
Science Reviews 1995 20(1), 66-70.
Describes how the Gmelin database can offer improved search strategies
for the scientific literature in the area of inorganic and organometallic
chemistry. A search question (properties of some superconducting
ceramics) is used to demonstrate the features and capabilities
of the Gmelin database on the STN search system. Scope, size and
field structure of the database are described. Search strategy
and output options are outlined.
Guides-Specific Types of Sources
Copyright
Somerville, A. N.; Torrey, R. P. "What Students Should Know
about Copyright"; Abs. Papers Am. Chem. Soc. March
24 1996, 211 (pt. 1) 62 CHED.
Presented a preliminary version of the instructional material
prepared by the ACS Copyright Committee for classroom use. Also
available from the American Chemical Society: What Every Student
Needs to Know About Copyright; ACS: Washington, DC, in press.
Unpublished work Copyright 1998
Internet/web
The Internet: A Guide for Chemists; Bachrach, S. M., Ed;
ACS Books: Washington DC, 1996.
The chapter on the history of the Internet can provide background
material for instructors. A glossary provides extensive definitions
of Internet terminology. Other chapters contain primarily technical
information on maintaining, configuring and using e-mail, gophers,
e-lists, e-conferences and web browsers. The lists of web resources
provided may be out of date, considering the publication date
of the work.
MurrayRust, P.; Rzepa, H. S.; Whitaker, B. J. "The World-Wide
Web as a Chemical Information Tool"; Chem. Soc. Rev. 1997
26 (1), 1-10.
This review introduces the basic structures that characterize
the Web and how standards and methods for expressing chemical
content by this means have evolved during the last three years.
Outlines the challenges that face the chemical community in adopting
this new medium as an information tool, with a focus on electronic
journals and electronic conferences
Patents
Auger, C.P. Information Sources in Patents; Bowker-Saur:
New York, 1992.
This book can provide background material for instructors designing
a segment on patents for a chemical information class. Chapters
include: overviews of the patenting process in various countries
; descriptions of announcements and abstracting service products;
types of patent searches; and search techniques. Includes chapters
on the importance of patents in engineering, chemistry and life
science. The chapter on chemical patents is devoted primarily
to the pharmaceutical industry. The research and patenting process
in the pharmaceutical industry is described and the problems in
searching for organic compounds in the patent literature are discussed
Hauf, Werner "Patents" . In Ullmann's Encyclopedia
of Industrial Chemistry. 5th ed.; 1990 Vol B1,
chapter 13, pp. 1-23.
Primarily an explanation of the legal procedures for obtaining
patents in the U.S. and Europe. The chapter aims to help inventors
learn how to obtain a patent. Also includes information on what
may be patented and the rights granted by a patent. Most useful
for instructors as background material on the rules and conventions
of patent applications and litigation. Section three: "Examples
for the Wording of Claims" provides actual claims from chemical
and pharmaceutical patents; discusses the specific patentability
situations these represent and describes how the patent applications
were examined and defended.
Kawakami, Alice K. "Patents and Patent Searching" Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship 1998. (No 17, Summer)
(accessed Jan 1999).
Provides basic information on patents. Briefly describes search
tools provided by the US Patent Office and outlines how to search
for patents using the patent classification system. Contains a
brief discussion of patent issues in academe. Also describes and
provides links to some web patent resources and patent information
sites.
Lambert, Nancy; "A Comparative Study Between Patent Resources
on the Internet and Online Patent Databases." Abs. Papers
Am. Chem. Soc. April 2 1996, 215 (pt. 1) 388 CINF
Summarized Internet resources currently available for searching
patents and discussed capabilities unique to both Internet and
commercial online resources.
Simmons, Edlyn S.; Kaback, Stuart M. "Patents (literature)".
In Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th
ed.;Wiley: New York, 1996; Vol 18, pp 102-156.
Provides background information on patents and the patenting process
and discusses advances in patent databases and documentation.
Reviews patent databases and searching methods (including chemical
structure searching) as well as types of patent searches such
as novelty and infringement searching. Tables list patent databases
and patenting countries with their ISO codes and databases which
cover them.
Walker, Richard D. Patents as Scientific and Technical Literature;
Scarecrow Press Inc Metuchen, NJ, 1995.
Despite its title, only the first chapter specifically discusses
patents as an emerging information source. This chapter may provide
some useful lecture material for a class on patents. The chapter
on interpreting patent documents includes a useful section on
how to read a patent, which describes the content/purpose of different
parts of a patent. The "Characteristics of Patents"
chapter discusses biotechnology and computer technology patenting
issues including some specific interesting examples (e.g. Louis
Pasteur was granted a patent in 1873 which may be the first patent
granted for a microorganism). Two lengthy chapters describe patent
databases and patent searching. Databases described include general
services such as Derwent, plus specialized services such as Pharmsearch.
A table summarizes information on 25 databases. Online search
techniques useful for patent searching (Markush, classification
codes, etc) are briefly described along with the various types
of patent searches (prior art, infringement etc). Extensive appendices
include a bibliography, a glossary of patent terms, addresses
of database producers/vendors/hosts, and patent office addresses.
(Unfortunately urls are not included in these lists).