Reflections on information problems in chsmistry
Abstract
In the field of chemistry information dissemination has a long past: the first abstract journal - the Chemisches Zentralblatt - started publication already in 1830. Nowadays the most comprehensive world-wide information coverage is published in Chemical Abstracts. Due to the exponential growth of literature, however, it will be shortly unable to carry on its activities wíth today's means. Difficulties are increased by the unmethodical character of published literature. Needs of users are to be considered in two alternative ways: in addition to documentation services used for solving concrete problems there would be an information need also to help the recognition of problems and to stimulate the forming of new associations of ideas.
Parallel with the more and more urgent need for solving information problems different EDP devices were developed. Techanical data processing in chemistry is facilltated by the international language of formula, the processing is, however, very laboursome. The use of subject headings is easier but not ao efficient. In the field of chemistry; both ways are used by mechanized information systems primarily for IR.
Information services, stimulating the summing up of new problems are difficult to handle by mechanical devices. For this purpose comprehensive surveys are needed according to subject fields. Without jeopardizing the deepness, this goal is served by handbooks, e.g. the Gmelins Handbuch der anorganischen Chemie started in 1817. The preparation of its 8th edition started in 1922, but not yet finished. Its aim is to give information basis for chemistry on actual as well as on neglected areas. In the same time it has to take into consideration the scale of uneven development as to the various fields. It means that everything has to be done for processing the most up-to-date literature into the new volumes, while - due to slower development - the same is not so urgent in other subject fields.
Subject indexes of the handbook are also in preparation. Their efficiency would be increased if storage would be made possible by EDP devices.
Parallel with the more and more urgent need for solving information problems different EDP devices were developed. Techanical data processing in chemistry is facilltated by the international language of formula, the processing is, however, very laboursome. The use of subject headings is easier but not ao efficient. In the field of chemistry; both ways are used by mechanized information systems primarily for IR.
Information services, stimulating the summing up of new problems are difficult to handle by mechanical devices. For this purpose comprehensive surveys are needed according to subject fields. Without jeopardizing the deepness, this goal is served by handbooks, e.g. the Gmelins Handbuch der anorganischen Chemie started in 1817. The preparation of its 8th edition started in 1922, but not yet finished. Its aim is to give information basis for chemistry on actual as well as on neglected areas. In the same time it has to take into consideration the scale of uneven development as to the various fields. It means that everything has to be done for processing the most up-to-date literature into the new volumes, while - due to slower development - the same is not so urgent in other subject fields.
Subject indexes of the handbook are also in preparation. Their efficiency would be increased if storage would be made possible by EDP devices.
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Published
2018-12-01
How to Cite
Becke, M. Reflections on information problems in chsmistry, Scientific and Technical Information, 20(7), p. 465–478, 2018.
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