ScienceDirect Database News: March/April 2008

Read about the latest on ScienceDirect Database:

* New functionality added to ScienceDirect to meet researchers' needs!

New to ScienceDirect are features that make the platform more user friendly and deliver better, clearer results in fewer clicks.

Preview tabs
Researchers like to quickly evaluate articles before reading them. They will find preview tabs that provide quick access to the important article assessment components: the abstract, figures / tables and references. These tabs are on the results page, the Table of Contents page and the Article page.

Reference information
Before, researchers have to scroll to the foot of articles to view reference information. Now it is possible for researchers to view reference information within the body of a paper when their cursor moves over a reference marker.

Article Toolbox
Once a researcher has evaluated and read an article, they often want to email it. A new article toolbox brings together all of the article-related functionality including "Cited By", "E-mail Article", "Save as Citation Alert", "Citation Feed", "Export Citation", Add to My Quick Links", "Add 2Collab" , etc., into one easy-to-find location. Researchers can now take further action quickly and easily with little extra effort.

New Navigation options
Looking for something specific? A new navigation pane on the left of the screen will make that easier by allowing you to refine results using four filters: “content type”; “source title”, “date” and “topics”. By enabling filtering you will be able to refine your search results without having to return to the search form.

Ratings
Researchers are interested to know how other experts rate articles they read. Due to be launched in phases over the coming months, the integration of article comments and ratings from Elsevier's social collaboration site, 2collab enables researchers to evaluate papers according to colleague-driven comments and ratings of articles right on the article page.

For more information visit the ScienceDirect Info site.

New Major Reference Works available on ScienceDirect
New and available Reference Works visit theScienceDirect Info site.

ScinceDirect database have received a number of new functionality since 2007 and I would like to say that all of them brought an improved look and feel. ScienceDirect has been updated with the latest technological innovation to help researchers find the information quickly and successfully.

Enjoy the latest improved features. Tell us how you feel about them. Make a comment.

Free Databases @ EbscoHost

In a post dated 1st of April (UKSG Serials E-News) I have mentioned that EbscoHost offers a number of free databases. After contacting Ebsco representatives, we are please to announce that these databases have been ADDED to the UJ Library EbscoHost list (find them at the end of the list).

* GreenFile

GreenFILE offers well-researched but accessible information covering all aspects of human impact on the environment. Its collection of scholarly, government and general-interest titles include content on the environmental effects of individuals, corporations and local/national governments, and what can be done on each level to minimize negative impact. Topics covered include global warming, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more. GreenFILE is multidisciplinary by nature and draws on the connections between the environment and a variety of disciplines such as agriculture, education, law, health and technology.The database provides indexing and abstracts for approximately 295,000 records, as well as Open Access full text for more than 4,600 records.

* Teacher Reference Center

Provides indexing and abstracts for more than 270 of the most popular teacher and administrator journals and magazines to assist professional educators.

I have done quick search on "science and research". The top references are:

- Professional development for computer-enhanced learning: a case study with science teachers.Research in Science & Technological Education; May2008, Vol. 26 Issue 1, p3-12

- Virtual teamwork: students studying about ethics in an online environment. Research in Science & Technological Education; May2008, Vol. 26 Issue 1, p13-29

- Teaching chemical bonding through jigsaw cooperative learning. Research in Science & Technological Education; May2008, Vol. 26 Issue 1, p47-57

The above journal is available in print & online - search through A-to-Z list ( the May 2008 issue is not yet available)

* Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA)

Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts,(LISTA) indexes more than 690 periodicals, plus books, research reports and proceedings. Subject coverage includes librarianship, classification, cataloging, bibliometrics, online information retrieval, information management and more. Coverage in the database extends back as far as the mid-1960s. It is EBSCO Publishing’s intention to provide access to LISTA on a continual basis at http://www.libraryresearch.com/.

TIPS for searching:

As these databases provide bibliographic information it could be an added value if you search with some of the full-text databases, such as Academic Search Premier. Some of your results can be available full-text through that database.

DO YOU KNOW!

EbscoHost have added some new options for searching. If you are either in the Basic or Advanced Search Screens, you can select from the option "Specific Databases" a SUBJECT group databases to search:

- General/News databases

- Computer Science/Engineering Databases

- Earth/Environmental Databases

- Health Sciences Databases

- Life Sciences Databases

- EJS E-Journals

To summarise it, you can either search:

- selected individual databases

- selected 2 or more databases or

- the SUBJECT grouping from the individual databases available on EbscoHost.

ISI Web of Knowledge: New Interface

Click on the picture to enlarge

The ISI Web of Knowledge databases have been given a "makeover" - a new interface! For couple of weeks we have been straggling with access and now we know why. So what is NEW? How can you search this new features? I find this interface user-friendly and easy to use and navigate. It does have RSS feeds, which are useful addition to the database. The availability of simultaneous multiple ISI databases will help researchers to have in-depth search results.

The main features of ISI new interface are:

1. You have an option to either search:

>ALL DATABASES

>SELECT A DATABASE ( Science Citation Index, Currents Contents Connect & Journal Citation Report: JCR) or search

>ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ( Web search tools - Thomson Scientific WebPlus; Web sites - ISIHighlyCited.com, Biology Browser, Index to Organism Names, in-cites, ResearcherID.com, Science Watch, Special Topics & Thomson Scientific). These products and Web sites provide a variety of data and analysis relevant to research.

2. Advanced Search Option

> You have three fields where you can type your: TOPIC/KEYWORD, TITLE, AUTHOR, PUBLICATION NAME or YEAR PUBLISHED. These you select from the drop down menu next to the search box. You can add additional fields if you need more.

> To help you find the right TOPIC/KEYWORD next to the search box have an icon "magnifying glass" or TOPIC INDEX. If you CLICK on that it will take you to the next screen where you can use the browse feature to locate terms to add to your query. Instructions are available.

> You can LIMIT your search to specific years requirements - Latest (current) week, all years, latest 5 years, etc.
> On the RIGHT side of the searching screen you can find more information on the available databases, you can CUSTOMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE - once you register you can save and manage your references, save and run searches, create alerts and RSS feeds, choose your start page. My ResearcherID is a website where invited researchers can register for a unique researcher ID number. At this site, users can:
* Update their profile information
* Build their publication list using Web of Science search services or uploading a file
* Select to make their profile public or private.

3. Search Results Screen
>Sort Results option: Publication Date, Relevence, First Author & Source Title >Number of Results per page option (find it at the bottom of the results page): 10, 25, 50 >Refine Results option -If there are too many results you can narrow your search by typing additional keyword. You can also refine your search by: General Categories; Subject Areas, Document Type, Author, Source Title, Publication year & Language. For more REFINE search options use: Analyse Results. The system produces a report showing the values in ranked order. >Print, E-mail, Add to Marked list, Save to EndNote options options >If you Click on the TITLE of the individual record you can read the Abstract; have an interactive links to the Author's works; Cited by option; Related Records; Record References, View Additional Information; You can EXPORT the record to EndNote and other Reference software. Under each record you can see options: Links & Full-text.

4. Search History option

You can view your previous search results. You can combined the with the Boolean Operators (AND & OR) to narrow your results to suit your search query.

5. Marked List option

You can view a list with your MARKED records

6. My Cited Articles Alert

In order to create/access My Cited Articles List, you must sign in or register. Benefits of creating My Cited Articles List:
* You will receive an e-mail alert each time an article on the list is cited in a new article
* You will be able to receive an RSS feed to view new articles that cite articles on the list
* You can add an article to the list from its full record page
* You will be able to access your selected articles from any computer at the institution

7. My Journal List
In order to create My Journal List, you must sign in or register. Benefits of creating My Journal List:
* You can receive e-mail alerts of the latest Table of Contents for your selected journals.
* You will be able to receive RSS feeds of the latest Table of Contents for your selected journals.
* You will be able to access your selected journals from any computer at the institution.
* You can open the latest Table of Contents for your selected journals directly from the ISI Web of Knowledge home page.

8. My Saved Searches

In order to access your Search Histories saved to the ISI Web of Knowledge Server, you must sign in. Benefits of saving search histories on the ISI Web of Knowledge Server:
* E-mail alerts can be created from your saved search histories.
* RSS feeds can be created from your saved search histories.
* You will be able to access your saved histories from any computer at the institution.
* You can open saved histories directly from the ISI Web of Knowledge home page.

9. My EndNote Web (RefWorks is not available)

In order to create and access your EndNote Web Library, you must sign in or register. Benefits of creating an EndNote Web Library:
* You can add references to your EndNote Web Library directly from Web of Science and other ISI Web of Knowledge products.
* You can organize references in folders for access and use at any time--collections are retained between sessions.
* You can create formatted reference lists in a variety of publishing styles.
* You will be able to access your EndNote Web Library from any computer at the institution.

10. Help menu

Every time you need help with searches or any other menu option, click on HELP ( top right on the screen).

Contact the Library for any assistance you need

Dialog (Thomson Scientific) Alerts

Dialog alerts
As a Dialog customer, you’re eligible for our special alert setup service . Utilize our expert search staff – at no charge – to assist with setting up alerts on your most business-critical strategies. You’ll be the first to know of essential information that will keep you at the forefront of your industry and eliminate hours of research time. You can also have teammates included in your distribution, at your specified frequency, so you’re all in the know. Whether you’re short on time, staff or lack expertise in a specific area, your Dialog search team is ready to help. Visit www.scientific.thomson.com/forms/alerts to request a confidential alert setup consultation -- and, make sure you’re one of the first to know.

Electronic Books @ UJ Library

It seems we always pay more attention to the electronic journals available through the Library databases, and forget that we also subscribe to a number of electronic books. The e-books relevant to the Sciences are:

Reference E-Books:

* AccessScience - McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology

* Combined Chemical Dictionary: Search through all these dictionaries: Dictionary of Organic Compounds; Dictionary of Natural Products; Dictionary of Inorganic and Organometallic Compounds; Dictionary of Pharmacological Agents; Dictionary of Analytical Reagents.

* Encyclopedia of Energy: Environmental issues, Global issues, Nuclear power, Renewable & Alternative sources, Sustainable Development, Policy issues, etc.

* Oxford English Dictionary

* Oxford Reference Online

- Biological Sciences: Dictionary of Animal Behaviour, Dictionary of Biology, Dictionary of Genetics, Dictionary of Plant Sciences, Dictionary of Zoology, New Encyclopedia of Birds, Encyclopedia of Underwater Life, Dictionary of Scientists

- Computing: A Dictionary of Computing, A Dictionary of Internet, A Dictionary of Weights, Measures and Units

- Earth and Environmental Sciences: A Dictionary of Earth Sciences, The Oxford Companion to the Earth, A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation, A Dictionary of Geography, The Oxford Companion to the Garden, A Dictionary of Weather

- Natural History: The Encyclopedia of Mammals

- Physical Sciences & Mathematics: A Dictionary of Astronomy, A Dictionary of Chemistry, The Concised Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics, A Dictionary of Physics, A Dictionary of Space Exploration, A Dictionary of Statistics

Electronic books:

* SAFARI Books Online: Full-text subscription to over 300 Computer Science e-books. The books can be re-selected on regular basis. The subjects covered are: Applied Sciences; Artificial Intellegence, Computer Science, Databases, Human-Computer Interaction, Hadware, Software, Programming, Internet/Online, etc.

* REFEREX: The Library subscribes to "Electronics & Electical" and " Mechanical & Material" books. The following topics/books can be useful to Sciences: Applied Mathematics (7); Computer Networks & Communications (34), Communications & Signal Processing (32), Software (26), Atomic and Molecular physics, and Optics (15), Electical Power & Distribution (11), Computer Graphics & Computer-Aided Design (10), Energy Engineering & PowerTechnology (9), Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (7), Information Systems (6), Computer Interfacing (6), Computer Science Applications (5), Computational Applications and Mathematics (5), Environmental Engineering (8), Environmental Sciences (7), Management of Technology & Innovation (5), etc.

* Engineering Digital Library: McGraw-Hill Engineering Online (NEW in 2008). It features 209 titles. Search per Topics, Sections or Keywords. Some of the topics relevant to Sciences are:

- Bio Engineering: Bioinformatics, BioMed Instrumentation & Devices, Bioprocessing, Biotechnology (Bio-Optics, Robotics), Environmental (Erosion Control, Waste Treatment, Water Resource Management)

- Chemical Engineering: Catalyst & Reactions, Chem Plant Engineering & Equipment, Fluid & Particle Dynamics, General Chemical Engineering (Fluid Mechanics, Mathematics, Physical & Chemical data, Thermodynamics), Process Chemistry & Technology, Transport Processes (Energy & Heat transfer, Energy Balance Flows)

- Communication Engineering: Networking and Broadband, Optical Communication, Telephony, VoIP, Wireless.

- Electrical Engineering: Circuits, Electromagnetics, Optics, Power & Electricity (Batteries, Power generation, Renewable Power Sources)

- Engineering Maths & Science: Calculus, Eng. Maths basics, Mathematical Theories, Numerical Methods, Statistical Methods.

- Environmental engineering: Atmospheric Resource Mgmt, Environmental Planning & Mgmt (Bio-monitoring, Impact Analysis, Risk Assessment), Hydrology & Water Resources (Wastewater Mgmt, Water Quality Mgmt, Groundwater modeling), Land Resource Mgmt (Land use, Soil & Water Conservation, Wildlife Monitoring & Preservation), Legislation & Regulation (Air, Solid waste, Water), The Built Environment (Sustainable Development, Impact on Climate & Ecology, Energy in BE), Waste Mgmt (Recycling, Solid Waste disposal, Toxic Waste)

- Material Science & Engineering: Physics/Chemistry of Materials

* CRC EngNetBase: Engineering e- handbooks:

- CivilEngineeringNetBase

- Electrical EngineeringNetBase: Power Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Image Analysis, Computer-aided power systems, Emerging Communication Technologies, MATLAB simulations, MEMS handbook, Optical Imaging, Power transformers, Wireless Internet

- Mechanical EngineeringNetBase: Advanced Mathematics, Air Pollution control technology, Energy Management, Energy Efficiency, Fluid Dynamics, Renewable Resources & Renewable Energy

- TellecomunicationsNetBase: Modern tellecomunications, Internet Security, etc.

It seems a lot of the Engineering collections contained very useful books for the Sciences Departments. Make use of them and advise your students also to read them online. All books are available 24/7.

This blog provides direct access to these e-books.

Databases Subscriptions News

The latest news from the UJ E-resources librarian:

New Databases Subscriptions:
* BlackwellSynergy (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com). Soon available through the databases list
* Gale Virtual Library (Ebooks)
- Advances in Banking Technology and Management
- Encyclopedia of Emerging Industries
- Entrepreneurship and innovations in ebusiness: an integrative perspective
- Web Semantics Ontology
* Who owns Whom – South African Sector
* Travel Technology Update
* International Tables of Crystallography

Databases Cancellations:
* Aquatic Biology, Aquaculture & Fisheries Resources
* Marine, Oceanographic & Freshwater Resources
* Wildlife & Ecology Studies Worldwide.

Databases Upgrades:
* Emerald - Upgrade to EMX150 in 2008. This will allow you to keep step with the growth of our portfolio.
Access to EMX150 will give you access to journals such as:
- International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research
- International Journal of Energy Sector Management
- International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing
- Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy
- Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy

Databases Interface Changes:
* Ovid/Silver platter
* ISI
* Emerald

SciFinder News

The latest on SciFinder solutions:
* New Record for Content Enrichment Set in 2007! During its 100th anniversary year, CAS has set a new record for the largest number of document references added to its databases within a single week: 24,623 records. CAS continues to provide scientists using SciFinder access to the largest and most comprehensive chemical database.
* Search Tips: Exploring Reactions: Functional Groups

Click on the TITLE to read more or click on: http://www.cas.org/support/scifi/sfsolutions/index.html

Landolt-Brnstein collection on SpringerLink platform

Landolt-Brnstein is a unique high-quality physics, chemistry and technology collection. Landolt-Brnstein represents all fields of Physics and boasts the most comprehensive Numerical Data in Science and Technology. H. Landolt and R. Brnstein compiled the first edition over a century ago. Six editions have been published since then; each extended to complement the original content.

Preview the Table of Contents to the most recent volume available on SpringerLink. Today the New Series comprises some 300 volumes dedicated to expanding fields of research and applications. Data seekers find that Landolt-Brnstein, found on SpringerLink platform has an amazing wealth of information that's easily searchable.

Features for Researchers
* Access to raw scientific data.

* More Linked content: Seamless integration of eBooks, online journals and eReference works on one platform.
* Unlimited access to surveys of numeric tables, graphs, data sets, phase diagrams, property tables, tables of special abbreviations and symbols that will aide in ongoing research.
* All of the organizational and research benefits of SpringerLink.com.

Link to Demo: http://216.122.46.36/springer/landolt_solo.html

Link to Landolf-Brnstein page: http://www.springer.com/west/home/laboe?SGWID=4-10113-12-95859-0

Please note: This collection does not form part of the SpringerLink database subscription.

New interactive and intuitive tools encourage wider usage of ScienceDirect

More development-partner-tested features have been added to ScienceDirect. This new functionality, which is mirrored to researchers’ needs, will encourage greater use and exploitation of the wealth of information on ScienceDirect.

* The Related Articles feature automatically displays citation information and the abstract – including a link to the full text – of content relevant to the article being accessed. This improves the discoverability of information and makes it easier for users to find key information. Related Articles is enabled for every article accessed on ScienceDirect.

* To maximize search outcomes and eliminate unwanted results, the Fast Search & Transfer (FAST) spell check function has been integrated into ScienceDirect. The spell checker recognizes spelling errors using a built-in dictionary.

* As an added value to traditional abstracts, ScienceDirect is now indexing Graphical Abstracts of 30 chemistry titles. Important to chemistry researchers, Graphical Abstracts help to summarize the scope of a structure or reaction more succinctly than plain text. Graphical Abstracts will appear as the default display when browsing a table of contents from one of these journals on the journal homepage. On the search results the default display is the Article List with Full Abstracts or Graphical Abstracts as alternative display options.

Copyright permissions enabled through ScienceDirect
Subscribers can order copyright permissions directly through ScienceDirect now that Rightslink® has been selected for online copyright permissions. “Rightslink was the easy choice for improving customer responsiveness and accelerating turn-around times for copyright permissions,” said Helen Gainford, Elsevier’s Director of Global Rights, “Rightslink has a strong track record of success and we’ve been highly impressed with its ease-of-use and its ability to deliver quality customer service directly from our own content.”

New Major Reference Works available on ScienceDirect
Encyclopedia of Stress, Comprehensive Glycoscience and Treatise on Geophysics are now available on ScienceDirect.

Visit ScienceDirect September-October Product newsletter: http://info.sciencedirect.com/news/newsletters/connect/archive/sdconnect0710.html#10

The Librarian comment:

The latest ScienceDirect features will definetely be beneficial to all researchers. I like the "View Related Articles" option, as will give the users access to additional useful articles. The Graphical Abstracts will be beneficials to the Chemistry users. It seems there is no list with all specific titles, but as you do search the articles with show the structure if available. Browse Tetrahedron journal on ScienceDirect, to see an example.

What's New @ RefWorks

The latest enchancements to RefWorks have been just made, to help you with your research and improve service:

* Direct linking from RefWorks to the databases: At the top of your RefWorks page, next to the University of Johannesburg, you will see a blue i displayed. Click on the i will allow you to go directly to the UJ list of databases.

* Updating user information: RefWorks have now added more User Types to this interface. This will help the RefWorks Publisher get better understanding of who are the users. While the new users will have the option of accessing the new user types, if you are an existing user, you need to update your user profile information on RefWorks and choose the type that best suits you. You can click on the Tools option on the menu list and then shoose Update User Information.

* E-mail your Librarian: Have a question on RefWorks? Want to suggest a citation format or maybe even improvements? You can use E-mail your Librarian link, located under the Help function, to e-mail any questions or suggestions regarding RefWorks to your Administrator.

Need Help?

Do you make use of RefWorks for your research? If not, it is never too late to get started. Ask for help or training! Contact your Subject Librarian at your Campus.

ISI Web of Knowledge: The New Face of Research

New version of ISI Web of Science is now available simultaneously with the current. When I logged into Science Citation Index Database, on the top of the screen next to the logo is "access the new virsion" option. It seems the link is not yet activated for UJ users, but definetily will be available soon. Our users can then have an opportunity to explore and get used to the new interface.

What's new? The enhancements have been made to help streamline the research process, to better manage your search results and improve security. One of the most important features is the All Databases search, which replaces CrossSearch. The All Databases search allows you to:
- Search across all ISI Web of Knowledge databases our institution subscribes to;
- Retrieve up to 100,000 results, automatically sorted by the journal cover publication date;
- Easily refine and analyze your search results.

Marked List functionality is now available. Use Marked list to help you manage your search results within ISI Web of Knowledge, to easy print, export, save and download records. New! Every record you mark is automatically submitted to the Marked List when you navigate away from the page. You can also click on the Submit Marks button to create your Marked List. Export your Marked List records to EndNote Web or other reference management tools ( such as RefWorks).

New Web tool is WebPlus from "Further information" option. It will complement your research while searching Science Citation Index and other ISI Web of Knowledge databases, by searching highly focused, high-quality Web content.

For more information visit: http://0-newface.newisiknowledge.com.raulib.rau.ac.za/

You can access the ISI Web of Knowledge databases through the Library webpage. The following databases are useful to the Science community:

* ISI Journal Citation Reports

* ISI Current Contents databases (per subjects)

* ISI Science Citation Index

* ISI Social Science Citation Index

Let us know how useful and advanced is the new interface. Your inputs will be used to make future recomendations to the Publisher.

OvidSP- Now Live!

Ovid Publishers have announced that on 25th of October 2007 a newly designed platform will come live. The new OvidSP is designed for speed, simplicity, and precision. OvidSP takes all the sophisticated search functionallity of both Ovid Gateway and SilverPlatter WebSPIRS features and tools to give you a simplified, streamlined search experience.

Simplified, intuitive interface

- Multiple search modes: It accomodates all types of searchers - from the beginners to the more advanced. The end-users can choose their prefered search style: Basic; Ovid/SilverPlatter Syntax; Find citation; Search tools; Search fields.

- Natural language searching: Available in the Basic search, it allows users to enter any search term or question - no need for special syntax!

- Clean intuitive interface design: The platform's look-and-feel is fresh and contemporary. New features and tools can help you work quickly and easy

Powerful, trusted precision search technology

- Advanced search functionality: OvidSP retains all of the best features and functionality of both Ovid Gateway and SilverPlatter WebSPIRS, including thesauri, subject headings, term mapping, limits, and more.

- Simultaneous searching across all content types: Quickly and easy search book, databases, and journals at the same time.

- Fast, flexible results management: OvidSP is designed to support the way you work. Organize and analyze your search results with simple, time-saving tools.

Enhanced research workflow tools

- Search refinement tools: Easily identifiable in the upper left-hand corner of the screen, the Search Aid section provides greater search transparency and allows you to refine initial searches: Follow the research trail; Narrow or broaden search; Search related authors and journals;

-Inline abstracts: Citation abstracts are now on the same page as your result. Expand or collapse abstracts for easy viewing.

- Annotations: Create, view, and edit search results annotations, marked by yellow icons. Annotations always stay with your results.

- Content updates delivered via RSS or email: Customized alerting mechanisms help you stay current on the latest research: eTOCS – Electronic tables of contents track changes in a specific journal’s table of contents. AutoAlerts - Get saved searches delivered automatically whenever new articles match your search criteria become available.

- Sortable search results: Use a simple pull-down box to re-sort results based on available fields—by database name, unique identifier, and more.
- Search Results Manager feature: Now located in the left-hand side of the screen for easier access as you conduct your searches, this feature lets you save, email, and print your results. Plus, you can change the number of results displayed on each page.
- Find Similar Articles feature: Link to related articles from a search result’s complete reference display.
- De-duplication of multi-file results: Eliminate repetitive results automatically when you’re searching multiple databases.

For more information visit: http://www.ovid.com

Why should you know about these changes:

UJ Library & Information Services subscribes to SilverPlatter WebSPIRS databases. The databases relevant to the Science community are:

* Analytical Abstracts

* Applied Science & Technology

* Parasitology Database