TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES FOR SEARCHING CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS ONLINE
Part 2
Bret Heim, MSLIS, Instructional Librarian
This online worksheet is designed to practice
techniques,concepts and other strategies for translating research questions into
search arguments to search Chemical Abstracts online via STN. Your
completed form will be mailed to an instructional librarian for feedback.
NAME:
EMAIL:
A. Truncation
Use right hand
truncation (?) to write a single
search argument that will locate the terms: chromium, chromous, chromate,
and chromatography.
[remember to precede your query with the search command]
Use left-hand
truncation to write a single search
argument that will locate ethylbenzene, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene,
and nitrobenzene.
Use internal
truncation (!) to write a single
search argument that will locate the terms synthesis, and syntheses.
B. Proximity, etc.
Write a search argument using Boolean "and" to locate items
containing all of the terms in this research project :
The use of polarography to find trace elements of organic compounds
Write a search argument using the (W) proximity operator to specify that
the terms ‘trace elements’ be adjacent
in the specified order.
Write a search argument using (5W)
proximity operator to find the terms Raman spectroscope (or spectroscopy)
(hint: you should truncate to find both the noun endings –ope and -opy )
C. Limiters
by field and document type
Write a single search argument to find titles on genetic engineering of
antibiotics. [hint: /TI.
You may also need truncation (?) ]
Write a single search argument to find journal articles with ibuprofen in
the title. (hint: /DT
[document type] and /TI
)
Write a single search argument to find journal articles with titanium
trichloride in the title or index term. (hint: /DT
[document type] and /TI,IT
)
by language
Write a single search argument to find journal articles in english whose
titles contain: (hint: Decide which concept should be in the /TI
field. Also use /DT
and /LA
)
the synthesis of krypton difluoride
by date
Write a single search argument to find review articles on:
(hint: /DT
[document type] and PY)
clomiphene citrate published between 1990 and 1995.
clomiphene citrate published in 1999..
clomiphene citrate published after 1995.
D. Searching by
chemical name and molecular formula
Write a single expand argument to find the chemical
names dimethyldichlorosilane or diethyldichlorisilane. (hint: /CN
and left-hand truncation)
Write an expand argument to find the following molecular
formula ( /MF
)
(ethyl alcohol) CH3CH2OH (hint: you must first arrange the formula in Hill
order. Precede your query with the expand command. )
E. Translating sample questions into search arguments
Write two possible search arguments to find journal articles in English
about:
the Marcus equation and physical organic chemistry
Write two possible search arguments to find review articles in English
about:
Using N-halamines to create antimicrobial textiles for use in sportswear,
towels, hospital gowns, bandages, etc.
Write two possible search arguments to find journal articles or review
articles in English about:
Using simple sugars and glycerin-based compounds to make deicing compounds
that prevent ice buildup on an airplane's wings and in its fuel system.