A Brief lntroduction to the Chemical Literature with a Bibliography and Exercises John D. Hostettlerl and Michele B. Wolfe University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Over the vears we have observed far too often the heloless condition uf students when they are first cont'runted with the need to find chemical information in the librarv. Their helolessness appears to he hut a symptom of a deeper affliction: thev are irnorant of the structure of the chemical literature and unpr&ticed in its use. The question which then arises is how to correct this condition. The traditional cure is a chemical literature course. There are, however, some problems with this approach. Not all departments can offer nor do all students need to take an entire course on chemical literature. If the course is offered as an elective, students may not enroll and thus may graduate without sufficient library skill. If the course is required, students may resent the requirementwhich presents problems for the instructor. What is needed is a brief but stimulating introduction to the chemical literature. We have developed a set of materials titled Chemical Literature Exercises and Resources (CLEAR) which we believe serves this purpose. This article describes the overall desien. content. and use of the CLEAR materials. are available from the Educational ReCopies of C L E ~ R sources Information Center (ERIC).2 Design - of CLEAR The design of CLEAR includes a users'note and five main parts: an introduction to the chemical literature, a chemical bibliography, and three exercises. The users' note outlines the purposes, design, subiect matter, and use of CLEAR. The . . introdurtiun t" the chemical literature provides a rationale ior library research, some remarks on literature guides 11-8i , ilnd yenerill information on hvth thestructure and the use uf chemiwl literature. The bibliography gives bpecific reierences t u t hv rtlrtinrv rhwniral literature rruuoed " . by.woe .. of reference (see Table 1).Exercise 1poses specific chemical questions for students to answer using tertiary sources. In Exercise 2 students build a bibliography on a chemical topic starting with tertiarv sources and nroeressine to secondarv materials. Finally, '~xercise 3 g:ves-stude& some practice in using Chemical Abstracts and the primary literature. Detailed descriptions of each of the major parts appear below. Parf I. An Introduction to the Chemical Literature Rationale. The introduction begins with the question "Why should practicing scientists concern themselves with scientific literature?" The answers offered are I, ?r
that l i l w d r ~,killr w e as rsarntinl tbr scirntific mmprtmrr nr expwimwtal mad tl~wrctienik i l l . ; , and th.u thei? +klili are nu^ mtutnaric but must br .earned and practiced like any others
The first point is made by arguing that one's personal ohservations and reflections alone are insufficient for scientific oroeress. Some auotations from famous scientists are used to &&rate the selond point and lend it credibility. I t is sugrested that librarv skills are based on a knowledge of the structure of the literature and experience in using CLEAR and Literature Guides. The purpose and overall design of CLEAR is explained after the rationale. Guides (1-8) to the chemical literature are brought t o the student's attention. CLEAR is described as a brief but effective introduction and the guides as more comprehensive and sophisticated treatments. The Structure of the Chemical Literature. The structure he.. of the chemical literature is outlined (see . . oreanization) Table I). The primary literature is characterized as a first recording of an original research-for example a conference paper, a dissertation, a government report, or a journal article. Secondary literature is described as a summary of a first recording in the form of a review or monograph. The tertiary literature is reoresented as either a summary of summaries or a listing of s&maries and/or first recordings. The summary of summaries category is further divided into sources presenting fairly specific information such as definition~and data and those offering more general information such as that found in encyclopedias, texts, and treatises (see Table 1). Searches. Two types of searches are distinguished: ~
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I t is noted that specific chemical information can often he found in the tertiarv literature: ex.. " . definitions in a dictionarv. .. compositions in a formulary, syntheses and analyses in a methodology, and data in a table or handbook. On the other Table 1. Structure of the Chemlcal Literature Primary Diaries Personal journals or
Secondary Review journals Annual reviews
notebooks News releases
Monographs
Conference abstracts or proceedings Reports Dissertations or theses
Tertiary Specific
Dictionaries Nomenclature Formularies Biographie~ Methodologies Tables and handbooks General encyclopedia^ and atlases
Textbooks Treatises
Patents Lists
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Journal articles
Present address: DC San Jose State University, One Washington Square, San Jose. CA 95192-0101. Copies of CLEAR may be ordered from ERlC Document Reproduction Service, P.O. Box 190, Arlington, VA 22210. The access number is ED219266, the orice code for microfiche is M F 0 1,and the price code for paper cop; is PC 0 2. The latest prices for each price code are listed on the back cover of the most recent ERlC index, Resources in Education. Current shipping charges (additional)may also be found in the index.
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FIRST RECORDING
SUMMARY OF FiRST RECORDING
Literature guides Card catalogs indexes and abstracts Directories Bibliographies SUMMARY OF SUMMARY LISTING OF SUMMARY1 FiRST RECORDING
hand, searches for general information on a chemical topic usually start in thetertiary literature with dictionaries and encyclopedias, work into the secondary literature (often with the aid of a card cataloe) and finallv enter the orimam literature (often via Chegical ~bstra-ctsor ~ c i e n c ecitation Index). Chemical Abstracts is described as one of the most imoortant and freauentlv used resources in the search for the specialized and specific information contained in the primary literature. This information mav be sought to obtain answers to a specific (but rather specialized) question or to complete research on a chemical topic. 'I'hc connections hetwee" the different types of searches and the rxrrcises which follow are made explicit. Students are told that Exercise 3 gives practice with chemical Abstracts, Exercise 2 with a search for general information on a chemical topic, and Exercise 1with a search for specific information in the tertiary literature.
Encyclopedia of Science and Technology" were examined next. Chapters on electrochemistry furnished references to treatises and monographs, and these in their turn referenced treatises, monographs, reviews, and journal articles. Selected texts and treatises were put on reserve to facilitate this part of the search. The card catalog was also used to locate treatises and monoeraohs. Auxiliarv exercises teach the students how to read cards and use theiC~ubject Headings (13)list (our librarv uses the Lihrarv of Coneress svstem of classification). ~ u b j k c headings t from the ~6list related to "electrode tentials" are then searched in the card catalog. In the last step in Exercise 2, recent library holdings of review journals and serials in physical chemistry are checked for reviews on "electrode potentials." More steps could be added to include a full search of the primary literature, but in our judgment such an extension was inappropriate in a brief introduction to the chemical literature.
Part 11. A Chemical Bibliography The bihlioeraohv in CLEAR is not in anv sense an official b i b l i o g r a p h ~ l t ' h ahowever, ~, been culled from thestandard euides to the chemical literature and is believed LO hea useful " and fairly complete representation of tertiary sources. The oreanization of the biblioeraohv - . -follows that shown in Table 1.i l l references are to the tertiary literature-the more soecific information sources first, then the more eeneral. and finally the lists of sources of information. Texts and treatises are categorized as general, analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, historical, geochemical, and environmental.
Part V. Exercise 3. Using Chemical Abstracts Exercise 3 on Chemical Abstracts (CAI is in four parts. In the first, students must locate abstracts in CA and provide full references for three recent articles given only author and title. In the second part, CA is used to find answers to specific questions likely to he addressed in the primary literature. These questions are unlike those in Exercise 1in that these are more specialized and less standard: e.g., "What is a simple and quick method to assess qualitatively used frying fats?" (see CA, 90:4511y). In the third part, a journal abbreviation (e.g.,Bull. At. Sci.) is given and students find the full title (e.g., Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists), the publisher, and two holding libraries in the 1907-1979 cumulative edition of Chemical Abstracts Service Source Index (14).In the fourth and find part, students select a current primary journal article and prepare a CA abstract entry from it.3
Part Ill. Exercise 1. Searching for Specific Chemical lnformation in the Tertiary Literature Exercise 1poses specific chemical questions for students to research using tertiary sources. The questions are grouped under ten categories (see Table 2). Table 2 lists several example questions for each category. In the CLEAR exercise, 5-12 questions appear under each category. These questions have been selected to demonstrate the variety of questions that can be researched within that category. For example, the 12 questions under the category "definitions"ask for definitions of chemical materials. instruments. ~rocedures.named effects, mathematical techniques, chemiial concept's, equations. and theories. Students choose two questions from each category. They are not asked to answe; the question, but rather they are asked to cite complete references which will provide the answers. Part IV. Exercise 2. Searching for General lnformation on a Chemical Topic In this exercise students huild n hihliography on an assigned chemical topic. "electrode potentials."'l'he search utilizes a dictionary. an encyclopedia, texts, treatises, the card ci~wlog, and review serials and journals. Additional information o n ('hernlcal Abstracts 191. . , Scrvncr Cilalion Indrx ill~l.('urrznt Contents ( I I ) , and computer searches is provided so that the search may he carried further into the primary literature if desired. The exercise starts in the tertiary literature by directing students to define the topic "electrode potentials" with the aid of a dictionarv. In the next stem students consult the "McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of science and Technology" (12) for information relevant to their topics. The general article on physical chemistry references other articles in the encyclopedia (including one on electrochemistry) and cites standard texts. The index of the encyclopedia is used to locate tonics narrower than . ohvsical or electrochemistrv relevutt to "electrode potentials." Phvsical chemistrv texts referenced in the "McGraw-Hill Guidelines for composing and deciphering a CA entry are in the introduction to Vol. 96, issue # I of CA, pp. ix-xiii. ?
Table 2. Categories and Example Questionsfrom Exercise 1 Definitions What s the detlnotoon 01' natural gas, a pycnometer. d alysls, Ihe Kerr effect. a monograph, d sproponlonatm the uir al eq.ation. plate t ~ c t o n ~ ~ s theory? Composition What is the composition of: hydrarine, Glauber's salt. ruby, feldspars, skunk oil. stainless steel. Fehling solution, Portland cement? Existen~-Occurrom~So~rc~-Reco~e'y Wnat 1s the crustal aobndance of Ti? Wnere may a nalural source of pnorphate tor tCrtil zer be founa? HOWmay Br* be recovered from seawater? Synthesis andtdanuhcture HOWmay the following be synthesized or manufactured:electrically conducting solids. OMSO. HN03, Paper? Physicaland Chemical Propedies What are the propenies of: Pu. UOn, hematite? What is me 0-0 bond length in 0 3 1 What is K, for picric acid at 2SPC?
Uses What are the uses of: nihoglycerin. NaSO,.lOH~O. BF, as an organic reagent, lasers in chemistry? identiiication-Testing-Analysis-Measurement-Lab Techniques HOWmay the amount of DOT in milk be analyzed? HOWare vapor pressure measurements made? Haw is glassware cleaned?
meow How may hydrogen bonding be distinguished from other kinds of bonding? What is kinetic molecular t h e w ? Bibliography and History Where was Marie Curie educated? How was phosphorus discovered? Mi~cellaneo~s What is the address of PrenticeHall publishing company? What are the current texts in physical chemistry? What companies supply ganiometers?
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Use of the CLEAR Materials The subject matter chosen for Exercises 1-3 reflect the interests of the authors and the context in which the Exercises were developed. Usen may wish to modify the subject matter, but the format of the Exercises should he suitable for anv chemistry course. Students starting an indepeudent study proiert may use CI.IGlH to acauire the librarv research skills heeded fo; their project. CLEAR could also-serve as an introduction within a chemical literature course. Our use of the CLEAR materials was in the first week of a 3-credit undergraduate physical chemistry lab course in the spring of 1982. The introduction and bibliography were presented in a lah lecture (1%b). Exercises 1 and 3 were assigned as homework (3-6 h each). Exercise 2 was done as a part of a walking tour of our library (3 h). Some problems were encountered. In the students' opinion, Exercises 1 and 3 were too long, and Exercise 3 was too hioloeical. Some of the students comnlained that thev were too rushed in Exercise 2, the walkingtour, and that ~ x e r c i s e 2 should he done inde~endentlvrather than as a eroun. We concluded CLEAR w d d be &proved by abbreviating portions of the Exercises and hv desienine more chemical ouestions for Exercise 3. An excellent sueeestion for further imorovement of the CLEAR materials &s made by a reviewer of this manuscript. The reviewer suggested that short exercises be added to CLEAR and used throughout the semester to reinforce the concepts and skills in the introductory exercises. As thereviewer noted, no great extra effort should he required to generate and use these supplemental exercises on a regular basis. Overall, student evaluations of the CLEAR materials were very positive. They expressed amazement at the variety and extent of information available, and they iudaed the Exercises to be very worthwhile. In a research project, and indeed throughout the physical chemistry lab course, students did
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not appear to be helpless or lost, hut seemed to make independent and intelligent use of the library. In our opinion, the purposes of CLEAR were achieved. Acknowledgment We wish to thank Elizabeth Frick, Head of User Services a t the UCCS library, for a very stimulating and excellent w o r k s h o ~on librarv resources and use. This workshoo (SUDported b; the council on Library Resources and held in 0;tobrr of 1977) provided the ins~irationandmotivation which made the CLEAR project possible. We also wish to acknowledge Becky J. Butler for authoring an earlier version of Exercise 2. Literature Cited (11 Mellon, Melvin G.. "Chemical Publications. Their Nature and Use: 4th ed., McGraw-Hill, NY. 1965. 12) Anton".Arthur. "Guide ta Ba~ielnformationSources in Chemistry." J. Nono" Publihars. NY. 1979. (3) Msizcll, Robtrt E.. "How to Find Chemicd Information: A Guide for Practicing Chemists, Tesehen,snd Students: Wiley. NY. 1979. (41 Wodhurn, Henry M., "Using the Chemical Literature: A Prsetiesl Guide: Marcel Dekker, NY. 1974. (51 Bottle, R. T., (Edktor)."Useof ChmicalLiterature," 3rdcd.. Butterworth., London, 1979. ( 6 ) Reid.Ebenaer.E.."lnvitationtoChemicalResesreh."FranklinPublishingCompany.
Palisade, NJ, 1961. Lonmans,Grmn. (TI Dyson. Geoqe MM'A Short GuidetoChmical Literatun." 2nd d.,
...,.""", W"
,a=*
(81 Crane. Evan J.. Pattem~,AuatinM., and Mar, Eleanor B. "A Guide toTheLiterature of Chemistry: 2nd ad., Wiley, NY, 1957. (91 "Chemical Abstracts." Chemical Ahtracts Service, American Chemical Saiety, Columbus. OH 1907. (10) "Science Ciuttion Index: Institute for Scientific Information, Philadelphia, PA,
(IS) "Library of Congrm Subject Hesdings: 9th ed.. Subject Catalog Division. United S a f e s Library of Congress, Washington. DC. 1980. (I41 "Chemical Abstracts Service Source Index: American Chemical Satiety, Columbus, OH. 1980.
