BIOSIS Previews®

 

Select the question to show its corresponding answer.

  • Where can I get a list of BasicBIOSIS® journals?

    A list of journals currently monitored for the BasicBIOSIS database is available here.

  • Where can I get a list of Zoological Record journals?

    A list of journals currently monitored for inclusion in Zoological Record is available on this website.

  • Why should I use BIOSIS Previews?

    Researchers release thousands of new reports each week in any number of publications. When you need to cut through the information overload, turn to BIOSIS Previews. BIOSIS Previews is the most comprehensive life science database in terms of its subject coverage and source material. In 2000, BIOSIS Previews will cover nearly 560,000 records from over 5,000 sources including:

    • Nearly 350,000 records from journals that focus on vital biological and medical research
    • Nearly 160,000 references to items from over 1,500 meetings, symposia, and workshops
    • Approximately 20,000 references to review articles
    • Over 13,000 references to books, book chapters, and software
    • Approximately 16,000 references to U.S. patents related to the life sciences

    By the end of 2000, the BIOSIS Previews database will include nearly 12.5 million records dating from 1969 to the present. BIOSIS Previews also has specialized indexing that is context-sensitive, making search and retrieval more effective.

     

     

  • How far back is Relational Indexing available?

    Relational Indexing format is available for all products from 1993 to the present.

     

  • What are the benefits and features of Relational Indexing?

    Relational Indexing is a standard format for all products, which includes a detailed record structure. Syntax preserves relational context among the terms. That is, the terms or key terms within the sentences are found with further descriptive information such as variants, classifiers, and modifiers, which further describe the relationships among the terms. The fields include controlled vocabulary from the Authority File, as well as free text added by biological indexers.

    Further information

     

  • What is Relational Indexing?

    Relational Indexing was introduced in 1998 and is a natural-language indexing method developed to allow researchers to retrieve records while using the same familiar terms used by the authors. This indexing methodology provides an organized way of collecting biological information, which allows the preservation of the meaningful relationships among the descriptive terms.

  • What is the Authority File?

    The Authority File builds on the strengths of natural language and is a list of controlled vocabulary used by BIOSIS to provide consistent indexing.

  • What can I download from the BIOSIS databases?

    Our Downloading policy details the amount of information you are entitled to download for each subscription type.

  • What does BIOSIS mean by 'Key Terms', 'Variants', 'Classifiers', and 'Modifiers'?

    The indexer's task is to represent the central concepts and content of each article, book, or other source item as an indexing record built of a set of Key Terms, each of which may have associated with it Variant Terms, one or two Classifiers, and Modifier. These structural elements may constitute a sentence. The Key Term is the subject or focus of the indexing sentence and a Variant captures synonyms of the Key Term. If the Key Term has no synonyms, the sentence has no Variant Term(s) in it. Classifiers are sets of controlled terms that provide some important "world view" of the Key Term that has particular relevance for life scientists. Finally, Modifiers are logical terms that extend the meaning of the Key Terms. While BIOSIS has some controlled-term lists for Modifiers, many Modifiers are natural-language terms indexed directly from the source documents.

     

  • What is the difference between BIOSIS Previews, Medline and EMBASE

    Coverage analysis indicates that BIOSIS Previews, Medline, and EMBASE are complementary databases, partially due to differences in their selection policies. The primary focus of BIOSIS Previews is pre-clinical research information in biology and biomedicine; the primary focus of Medline is biomedicine, including clinical medicine; the primary focus of EMBASE is drug research and pharmacology. What makes BIOSIS Previews unique is its international meeting coverage, its specialized indexing, and its multidisciplinary subject coverage. You can download a full comparison analysis of these database (Word document) or download/view the comparison as it appeared in BIOSIS Evolutions newsletter Vol. 6 No. 3 (PDF document).

     

  • What is the difference between word-indexed versus phrase-indexed?

    When searching it is important to be aware of which fields are word-indexed versus phrase-indexed. When searching for a term in a word-indexed field, individual words and groups of words may be searched anywhere in the field. On the other hand, when searching for a term in a phrase-indexed field, the entire contents of a phrase-indexed field are searched as a whole, although truncation may be applied in a search. Individual words cannot be searched.

  • Where do I send publications with new animal names for inclusion in Zoological Record?

    For taxonomists who wish to send their publications of new animal names for inclusion in Zoological Record, submit to:

    BIOSIS UK
    Garforth House
    54 Micklegate
    York
    YO1 6WF
    United Kingdom
    Email: zoorec@york.biosis.org

  • How can I access BIOSIS Previews?

    BIOSIS Previews is an electronic database available through online, CD-ROM, and Web vendors. Subscribers can also purchase data files directly from BIOSIS through our MultiSite and Consortia Program. For details contact the BIOSIS Help Desk. BIOSIS Previews is also available with transactional-fee pricing or subscription-based pricing through many vendors.

  • When do I use controlled terminology in searching for BIOSIS records?

    BIOSIS Previews is largely a natural language database. Natural language indexing means that you can search by the familiar terms that the authors originally used. When searching for specific subjects, search using natural language, considering the use of synonyms and British/US spelling, making liberal use of free-text, truncation, and abbreviations. When searching for broader subjects, consider the use of controlled vocabulary in BIOSIS databases. The controlled vocabulary can be found in the BIOSIS Authority File. For example, if searching for a very specific subject, (e.g., lung cancer or canus lupus) use natural language. When searching for a broader subject {e.g. organism at the family level or higher/canidae or a class of diseases (neoplastic disease)}, use controlled terminology. To maximize the precision of your search, qualify your search terms to the title and descriptor fields and consult the Vocabulary Guide and the Authority File and Other Controlled Terms sections of the BIOSIS Search Guide.

    Regardless of whether your search terms are controlled terms or natural language, an ideal place to start your search is the Vocabulary Guide section of the BIOSIS Search Guide. It contains a list of approximately 20,000 key terms (important words or phrases) derived from life science and biomedical research literatures and describes how these terms are searchable in BIOSIS products. These key terms are selected based on how frequently they occur in the database and on their relevancy for searching. Also consider looking for your terms in the Authority File and Other Controlled Terms section of the BIOSIS Search Guide or online using the BIOSIS website. This section contains a list of broader controlled terminology to support your search. It includes a list of controlled terms, which are words or phrases consistently used by BIOSIS to identify important subjects discussed in the source document. These controlled terms are indexed regardless of whether or not the author specifically uses them.

     

     

  • What type of training is available?

    BIOSIS offers a broad range of training options. Trained BIOSIS instructors who have biology backgrounds and extensive online searching experience present BIOSIS' educational seminars worldwide. To speak with one of our instructors on the possibility of arranging a visit in your area, please visit the customer support center. BIOSIS has produced a wide range of training materials to make your searching easier. These materials are available for download from the Thomson Reuters website. We hope you will find the wide variety of search aids (ranging from PowerPoint presentations to Quick Reference Cards (QRCs) to more detailed workbooks) useful.

  • Where can I get a list of BIOSIS journal abbreviations?

    The BIOSIS Serial Sources is an alphabetical listing by serial title of the 5,200 current life science titles indexed, as well as 12,000 archival titles reviewed by BIOSIS. In addition to this, history notes, ISSNs, CODENs (journal abbreviations), the frequencies, and the publisher addresses are also provided. Published at the end of the year, BIOSIS Serial Sources is an annual print publication which can be purchased by contacting BIOSIS Sales.

  • Are all the indexing fields available since 1969?

    Below is a table displaying the field availability for the BIOSIS indexing fields:

    1969-1992 1993-1997 1998-present
    Words in the title
    Added Keywords
        Descriptor field
    Concept Codes
    Biosystematic Codes
    Super Tax    		 Major Concepts
    Organism Names
    Super Taxa
    Biosystematic Codes
    Taxa Notes
    Concept Codes
    Geographical Name
    Miscellaneous Descriptors
    Registry Numbers
    Chemical Names
    Sequence Data
    Industry Name
    Time    		 Major Concepts
    Organism Names
    Super Taxa
    Biosystematic Codes
    Taxa Notes
    Concept Codes
    Geographical Name
    Miscellaneous Descriptors
    Registry Numbers
    Chemical Names
    Sequence Data
    Industry Name
    Time
    Parts, structures & systems
    Diseases
    Methods & Equipment
    Organizations
    Named Person

     

  • Who is BIOSIS?

    In the early 1920s, a group of biologists recognized the need for a centralized source of life science information that would provide accurate, indexed references and abstracts to the published literature. That small group of biologists created the organization now known worldwide as BIOSIS. BIOSIS is a not-for-profit publisher of Biological Abstracts and Zoological Record and the world's largest abstracting and indexing service for the life sciences. BIOSIS has offices in Philadelphia, USA and York, UK.

  • How should I submit a journal for coverage by BIOSIS

    In order for a journal to be considered for inclusion , submit the journal to the BIOSIS Information Authority and Distribution Department. Candidates are evaluated for possible inclusion based on a variety of criteria which include subject, geographical scope, peer-review, productivity, and other factors. Evaluation does not guarantee acceptance for inclusion in the BIOSIS database. Additional factors, including space limitations will play a role in this decision-making process. Items should be mailed to:

    BIOSIS
    Information Authority and Distribution Department
    2001 Market Street, Suite 700
    Philadelphia
    PA 19103-7095
    USA

  • Why did BIOSIS develop Relational Indexing?

    BIOSIS felt the need to improve the relevancy, precision, and consistency of retrieved references and to establish a program to build a life science knowledge base that would allow for future growth. By producing a more consistent way of indexing, BIOSIS was able to respond to customers' needs in developing new ways to make its line of products easier to use.

    Further information

     

  • What is the best way to construct a search strategy

    The best way to construct a search strategy is to follow these simple steps:

    1. Pose the question: formulate a simple statement summarizing the search question
    2. Identify the main topics: determine what words or phrases are essential to the search
    3. Determine how to search the main topics: locate a controlled term for each search topic making use of the Authority File or the BIOSIS Search Guide. Once the appropriate controlled term is located, consider narrowing or broadening the search. If a controlled term is not found, use free text (including synonyms and variants, etc.)
    4. Carry out the search: once you have determined how to search, carry out the search
    5. Review results and modify if necessary: if your results contain irrelevancies, consider limiting the search to a particular field or by linking terms using the appropriate operator. Another option is to select a broader term from the Authority File hierarchy and/or to include synonyms and spelling variants to increase retrieval.

    SAMPLE SEARCH STRATEGY: Once widespread across Europe and Asia, the European beaver has declined dramatically over the past few hundred years. Within the next three years, a project will begin to reintroduce the European beaver to Scotland. This is the first serious attempt to restore a mammal species to the fauna of the British Isles.

    1. Pose the question: Find studies on the reintroduction of the European beaver back into Europe.
    2. Identify the Main Subjects:
      1. EUROPEAN BEAVER
      2. REINTRODUCTION
      3. EUROPE
    3. Determine how to search the main subjects: Begin your search by looking up the main subjects in the Vocabulary Guide.
      1. Although the term "European beaver" does not appear as an entry in the Vocabulary Guide, it can still be used in your strategy. In addition, since it is the name of an organism, it is recommended that you include the scientific name. To determine an organism's scientific name, consult a taxonomic reference. In this case, the scientific name is Castor fiber.

        Selected Search Terms:
          ORGANISM=(CASTOR ADJ FIBER OR EUROPEAN ADJ BEAVER)
      2. While the term "reintroduction" is in the Vocabulary Guide, this Main Subject has a broader focus. Consider the many synonyms we may need to include and consider the context in which the question is posed. Now consider scanning the list of Major Concepts. Major Concepts are controlled terms that represent broad subject areas within the life sciences. The list of Major Concepts can be found in the Authority File and Other Controlled Terms section of the BIOSIS Search Guide or view the online listing. Scanning this list and reading its Scope Notes, the term "conservation" seems most appropriate for this study.

        Selected Search Terms:
           MAJOR CONCEPTS=CONSERVATION
      3. The Vocabulary Guide lists the term "Europe" and indicates the best way to search is to include it in the Geopolitical Locations field.

        Selected Search Terms:
           GEOPOLITICAL LOCATIONS=EUROPE

    NOTE: If searching prior to 1993:
    Search for CASTOR FIBER, EUROPEAN BEAVER, and EUROPE in the Descriptors or Added Keywords field. Include the Concept Code for Conservation — CC00512 in your search. If you are unfamiliar with Concept Codes, see the Concept Code Guide of the BIOSIS Search Guide for tips on searching using Concept Codes. It is important to read the Scope Notes for both Major Concepts and Concept Codes to verify that this is the best choice for your search.

    New Search Strategy (1969-present):
    TITLE, DESCRIPTORS=(CASTOR ADJ FIBER OF EUROPEAN ADJ BEAVER) AND EUROPE AND CONCEPT CODE=CC00512 AND MAJOR CONCEPTS=CONSERVATION.

     

     

  • Where does the source material come from?

    Europe and the Middle East contribute the biggest portion of the source material with 52%. North America contributes the second highest with 31%. Asia & Australasia and Central & South America comprise 14% and 2%, respectively, and Africa contributes 1%.

  • What is the difference between Biological Abstracts and BIOSIS Previews?

    BIOSIS' Biological Abstracts is the most comprehensive collection of bibliographic references to life science journal literature published internationally. BIOSIS issues print versions of Biological Abstracts twice each month. Compact discs are issued quarterly, with the final discs cumulating an entire year's worth of information. The Web version of Biological Abstracts is also updated quarterly. Biological Abstracts includes:

    • Annually approximately 350,000 new references to important life science articles indexed from 5,200 biological and medical research journals.
    • Nearly 90% of the records include informative abstracts written by the author.

    BIOSIS Previews combines the above mentioned journal references from Biological Abstracts with references to meetings, reviews, books, and monographs from Biological Abstracts/RRM (Reports, Reviews, Meetings). Online and web versions are updated weekly, making BIOSIS Previews the ultimate compendium for current life science information. The compact disc version is updated monthly. BIOSIS Previews covers nearly 560,000 records from over 5,000 sources including:

    • Nearly 350,000 records from journals that focus on vital biological and medical research
    • Nearly 160,000 references to items from over 1,500 meetings, symposia, and workshops
    • Approximately 20,000 references to review articles
    • Over 13,000 references to books, book chapters, and software
    • Approximately 16,000 references to U.S. patents related to the life sciences

    By the end of 2000, the BIOSIS Previews database will include nearly 12.5 million records dating from 1969 to the present.

     

     

  • How do I use BIOSIS Previews?

    BIOSIS Training staff have created many search aids to make your searching easier. Whether you are a novice or an advanced searcher, we hope you will find helpful the wide variety of search aids, ranging from PowerPoint presentations to Quick Reference Cards (QRCs) to more detailed workbooks useful. Please refer to the links below to find the tool most appropriate for you.

     

  • What is the turnaround time for BIOSIS Previews?

    The average processing time for items in BIOSIS Previews (from receipt in the mail until ready for product) is 45 days.

  • Is a particular journal title covered by BIOSIS?

    To check if BIOSIS covers a particular journal title, consult the BIOSIS Serial Sources annual publication.

  • Where can I get a full-text copy of a record?

    Full-text copies of virtually any document, including those indexed in BIOSIS Previews, Biological Abstracts, Biological Abstracts/RRM (Reports, Reviews, Meetings), BasicBIOSIS, Zoological Record, Abstracts of Entomology and Abstracts of Mycology, may be acquired via the British Library's Document Supply Centre. Contact The British Library Document Supply Centre

    Customer Services
    The British Library Document Supply Centre
    Boston Spa
    Wetherby
    West Yorkshire
    LS23 7BQ
    United Kingdom
    Tel: + 44 (0) 1937 546060
    Fax: + 44 (0) 1937 546333
    Email:dsc-customer-services@bl.uk