Searching Techniques in the Literature of the Sciences

THERE ARE MANY points to consider in making an effective science literature search. Initially, it is assumed that one must attempt to locate all available in formation relevant to a subject at the level required by the requester. ·with patents, all available information is re quired in order to establish priority in the recording of ideas and inventions. With the volume of literature now grow ing at an accelerating and unprece dented rate, retrieval is made more dif ficult by the sheer volume of information available. An effort to retrieve specific information concerning a specific sub ject or an effort to retrieve general in formation concerning a general subject must be carefully planned. Efficiency in literature searching can be gained only by experience, but certain principles which may be modified to suit the con ditions of almost any particular situation can be set forth. In order to perform a comprehensive examination of literature, the following steps should be taken: l. Determine the subject scope 2. Determine the temporal scope 3. Determine the depth 4. Determine the literature to be used, e.g . ~