Information Sources In Science And Technology

Information Sources in Science and Technology: A Practical Guide to Traditional and Online Use presents a selection of traditional and online methods of using information sources in science and technology, including people, organizations, literature, hosts, and databases. This text serves as a reference book that helps the reader choose sources of information and their guides, includes a routine for finding and using information, and offers tips on searching and obtaining literature in a usable form. This book is comprised of nine chapters and begins by explaining how to choose type(s) of information source that is likely to be most helpful. The chapters that follow present guides on people, organizations, and literature as sources of information. A chapter on information services focuses on those organizations that supply information or references to information that could be helpful. These services range from answering telephone queries to supplying collections of relevant documents, and from broadcast television information to direct connection with computer databases. The next chapters discuss ways of searching the literature and computer databases, obtaining literature in a usable form, and organizing and presenting information. This book concludes by considering current awareness or keeping up-to-date with information about recent developments. This monograph is intended for librarians and information officers, especially for those working in scientific or industrial environments, practicing scientists and engineers, and students associated with these professions.

Intended to introduce readers to the breadth of information sources in the fields of science and technology as well as to their applications, this book offers in-depth coverage and a clear presentation of the structure of the literature. It covers all types of reference materials-from abstracts, dictionaries, and indexes to biographical directories, dissertations, and government documents. Descriptive and evaluative annotations define the scope of each work, its intended audience, and its special features. Critical comments allow users to compare sources and make choices between similar titles. Two major changes have been made in this edition. First, the range of publications has been updated to cover newer material. Second, myriad electronic-especially WWW-sites have been added. In general, works published before 1991 are not included, making this a current and selective guide. Valuable as a textbook and a guide to the literature, this book is also useful for collection development.

This completely revised edition of Scientific and Technical Information Sources is essentially a new book based on the framework of the 1977 edition and covering material published as recently as 1986.

The aim of each volume of this series Guides to Information Sources is to reduce the time which needs to be spent on patient searching and to recommend the best starting point and sources most likely to yield the desired information. The criteria for selection provide a way into a subject to those new to the field and assists in identifying major new or possibly unexplored sources to those who already have some acquaintance with it. The series attempts to achieve evaluation through a careful selection of sources and through the comments provided on those sources.

Reference and information services are considered an important activity of a modern library. This comprehensive and student-friendly book discusses in detail different types of information and reference sources and services, such as encyclopaedias, directories, yearbooks, dictionaries, geographical sources, biographical sources, statistical sources and handbooks. The book is organised into four parts. Part I deals with various types of information sources such as documentary and non-documentary sources. Part II discusses different types of reference services, organisation of reference section and the role of the librarian in the digital age. Part III describes the wide range of information service such as Current Awareness Service (CAS) and Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI). Part IV provides an overview of important information systems such as National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT) and International System for Agricultural Science and Technology (AGRIS). The book is intended for the undergraduate and postgraduate students of library science. Besides, it will also be very useful for librarians, information scientists, and information professionals. Salient Features Deals with both theoretical and practical aspects of information sources and services. Discusses various types of information sources and services keeping in view the latest trends and developments in the field. Presents the concepts related to information sources and services in a systematic and accessible way.

"This set of books represents a detailed compendium of authoritative, research-based entries that define the contemporary state of knowledge on technology"--Provided by publisher.

The authors describe the special characteristics of sci-tech print and nonprint information sources, and show how these sources can best serve the needs of both novice and experienced researchers. They also provide facts on types of sources, features to look for, relative costs, and intended audience. The range of needs these sources will be called upon to fill, from simple curiosity to professional research are explained. Included is a procedure for answering sci-tech reference questions followed by 12 of the most common information requests and how best to respond to them.

On topics from genetic engineering and mad cow disease to vaccination and climate change, this Handbook draws on the insights of 57 leading science of science communication scholars who explore what social scientists know about how citizens come to understand and act on what is known by science.