Instruction in Chemical Literature
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A SYMPOSIUM
The Indiana University Chemical lnformation Center Program of Chemical Literature lnstruction Gary Wigglns Chemistry Library/Chemical lnformation Center, lndiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405 Chemical lnforrnatlon Sclence There are three courses offered hy the Indiana University Department of Chemistry in the area of chemical information science. The first course in the sequence is C400, a one-semester credit-hour course, which concentrates on the traditional printed literature. C401 is a relatively new 2-hr course in which computer-based information storage and retrieval techniques are emphasized. The final course in the sequence is C402, Research in Chemical Documentation. Unlike many academic chemistry departments, the IU Department of Chemistry has a long history of chemical literature instruction by librarians instead of teaching faculty. This tradition led in 1969 to the establishment of a joint program of the Chemistry Department and the Graduate Library School (now the School of Library and Information Science) which culminates in the Master of Library Science degree with specialization in chemical information science. The present School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) course requirements for the special MLS program are heavily oriented toward information science and special librarianshi~.Three information science courses. as well as " ~ i t r r a t u r eof Science and Technology," " ~ ~ e c iLibraries al and lnformation Centers." and four other SLlS courses are required for a total of 28 credits. The remainder of the 36 hours needed for the degree are directed by the Chemistry Department and must include C400, C401, and C402. Although the minimum requirement for certification is a 25-hr B. A, in chemistry, all graduates to date have had substantially more rigorous training in chemistry, with 2 PhDs among them. Those who completed the program now work in places like Dow, Union Carbide, Nalco, Eli Lilly, Bell Labo-
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Journal of Chemical Education
ratories, and other chemically-related f&s, a s well as in two academic libraries. However. most of the students who take the Chemistrv Department courses are undergraduates. Class enrollment in C4OU has grown from 33 in the spring 1976 semester to 39 in thr spring 1981 semester. During that interval, a total of575 students completed the course. The course rontent ~f C400 is slanted toward the traditional printed chemical literature. Throughout the course one of the objectives is to impart w the students a knowledge of thr communication procesieu which underhe the creation of the chemical litrrature. We belie\,e that it is important to give them a time frame which illustrates where the various secondary reference materials fit with respect to the appearance of the current primary literature. Kobelski and Reichel discuss other conceptual frameworks suitable for bibliographic instruction ( I ) . Beginning in the fall of 1981, the C400 course outline follows the sequence of chapters in Maizell's "How to Find Chemical Information" (2). Two sessions a t the end of the course concentrate on specialized printed reference tools in each major area of chemistry. A total of ten problem sets and two examinations are required in the course. The supplemental bibliography for C400 is included as Appendix 1 of this paper. One lecture on computer-assisted techniques is presented in C400, but the bulk of the material on that topic is covered in the second course in the sequence, C401 "Chemical Information Storage and Retrieval Methods and Techniques." A revised version of a paper presented at the Special Llbraries Associat~onChem stry Diwsion program. Atlanta. JJne 17. 1981.
C401. in its oresent 2 semester-hour format. has heen offered only since the fall of 1979. The course is inkxtricahly tied to the onerations of the Chemistrv Deoartment's Chemical Information Center (CIC), so a thknh&d sketch of the CIC will he given.
CIC The Chemical Information Center was created in 1973, originallyto implement online searching of chemical databases and to assume the operation of the IU selective dissemination of information (SDI) service based on the CA Condensates (later, CA Search) tapes. The goals of the Chemical Information Center are to maintain awareness of current research and developmentsin scientificinformation handling, especially in chemistry; toadant and avvlv new technioues and services to the infarmatim'nrrds bi;hr 11' ~rpartmentof Chemiimy, to eduratr and train user%oisrientiiiu infvrmatiun, a, well aa iniormation specialisls and search intermediaries; to aim for full cost recovery; and to engage in research in scientific information handling. The information specialist who constructs SDI profiles for internal customers at IU and performs online searching of SDC and Lockheed databases and the data hanks of the NIH-EPA Chemical Information System teaches those parts of C401. Thus, instruction on these topics is provided hv an expert information specialist whose skills a r e honed continuously through day-to-day use of the various systems. One of the basic reouirernents of C401 is that the students master the techniques of SDI profiling and learn the structure of the CA Search datahase. We decided recentlv'that the students should not have carte hlanche in selecting the topics for the SDI project. Consequently, we now guide the students toward topics chosen to elucidate the main aspectsof the CA Search datahase. They are later given the option of working on a topic of their own choice or of writing a paper. Also presented are other wssihilities for SDI and current awareness. amone them options available from vendors of online bibliographicdatabases and standard interest profiles produced and marketed primarily hy the creators of the databases. With respect to the latter option, the CIC maintains the onlv current printed guide tdstandard interest profiles in science and technology (3).Thus, the students are made aware of the breadth of subject categories covered by such inexpensive publications as "ASCATOPICS: Glucose kinetics, insulin" and our own "Current Awareness Profile on Chemical Information" and others. Online searchine receives a ereat deal of attention in C401. In our program, we make no claim to turning out experienced online chemical datahase searchers. However, students do get some hands-on experience. Particularly now that good printed exercises are available for online searching of Chemical Abstracts, such as CA Search for Beginners, and practice files of CA are accessible throueh the maior vendors, it is relativelv simple for any program tooffer some training (4). In addition to this type of online bibliographic searching, students also search online one of the components of the NIH-EPA Chemical Information System, the Cambridge Crystalloeranhic Data Centre file. which is available in a local adaoi t i o n of the ~ambridyeiearchprogram. Since mu, h of t i e aunlication of online searchine of nonbihliouraohir dautbnses h% been to problems associacd with the t o k k y of chemical substances, those systems receive much attention in the numeric datahase section of C401. The final segment of C401, structure coding, concentrates on linear notation systems, especially Wiswesser, with an overview of other twes of structure svstems (fragment coding and connectivity table systems). students learn to decode Wiswesser Line Notation and to encode in that svstem to the ~~~
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extent that they use it to access the few printed reference tools which include WLN indexes. Unfortunately, there is no one textbook which is suitable for all of the topics covered in this course. A copy of the 2 to this readine list for C401 is included as Aovendix .. paper. C402. the research course. is the final course in our sequence.Since a student may drct to take C402 without taking C401, oroiects involvine horh manual and corn~urer-assisted researLh i r e undertaken. We take an applied research approach in the course, believing that information science research should be aimed primarily at increasing the accessihility to information. If an information problem is defined, and the proposed solution deals with the prohlem in a nontrivial way and results in significantly increased accessibility t o the recorded information, then we consider that a valid research project. Thus, the production of KWIC indexes covering areas or topics that are difficult to access is a valid activity in this course. One example of a recent KWIC index is a subject guide to the chapter titles for most of the chemical literature guide books listed in Appendix 1. Others have worked on pathfinders and guides to certain areas of the collection, such as spectral data, synthetic organic chemistry, thin-laver chromatoeraohv. - . .. etc. Students also have the ooportunity to explore microform as a medium of communication through the comnlete microform production facilities of the ~ h e m & alnform&ion l Center. ~ n k x a m p l eof our microform products is ChemZnforMicrofiche. a new nroduct designed to make more wid& availa1;lesomeof th~guidvsand use aids produced by this and uther chemistry lihraries. A great deal has been writcen on rhtsmical literature instruction (5). At Indiana University, an attempt is briny made t o combine instruction in both traditional-and ~ o ~ ~ u t e r assisted methods into a complete program. Literature Cited i l l Kobelski, Pamela. and Reichel, Mary, J Aeod. Librorionahip, 7.73 119811. (21 M a i d RobenE.,"How toFindChemieal 1nformation:John Wil~y&Sons,New ~ o r k . ,o,o
.oto.
(3) Bonham, Miriam, '"Anl ~ d e x t oStandard Interest Profi11 in Science a i d T ~ ~ h n o l ~ g y , ' ' Chemical Information Center, Blaomingtoo, IN, 1981. ( 0 "CA Search for Beginners; An lntmduefion to Online Access toCASearch," Chemical Abstrscfs Service. Columbus, OH, 1980. Nots that separate versions are available for Lackheed, System Development corporation, ar Bibliogrsphic Retrieval service. (51 Malley, Ian. Petta, Judith,and Smith. awer M., "Eduestiun in the Uaeaf Lihrariesand Information in Chemistry: An Annotated Bihliogrsphy," Louehborough University ofTeehnolugv, Loughhoraugh. Eng. 1979. (INFUSE Supplement, No. 6).
Appendix 1. C400 Chemical Documentation Bibliography Anfony, Arthur, "Guide toBasic Information Sources in Chemistry," Wilay. NY, 1979. Bottle, R. T., (Edilor), "Use of Chemical Literature." 3rd Ed., Buttenuorths, London, 1979. Campbell. Malmlm, '"Referenceand Informstion Sources in C h e m i s ~ yand Biachemistry: Griffith University Library, Nathan, Queensland, 1977. (Griffith Library Guides, no. ">
"Chemicsl Literature and the Library," in "Chemical Technolak/ Handbwk: American Chemical Society, Washington, OC, 1975,179-196. Crane. E. J., Psttersan. Austin M., and Marr, Eleanor B., "A Guide to the Literature of Chemistry:2nd Ed., John Wiloy &Sons,NY, 1957. , Bertrsnd. "Chemical Abstracts: An Dickman, John T., O'Hars, Michael P., and R d s ~ y0. lntrdunion to ita ~ f f e c t i v cuse," American Chemical Societv. .. warhinmn. " . DC.. 1979. (203 pp. manual plus 2 audiotape cassettes). Maizell, Robert E.,"How to Find Chemical Information: A Guide far Practicing Chemists Teachers, and Students," John Wiley & Sons, NY, 1979. Mellon, M. G., "Chemicsl Puhlieatianr: Their Nature and Use:5th Ed.,MeGraw-Hill. NY. # a*" .zsa.
Peck. Theodore P.,"ChemicalIndustrinlnformstionSour~s: GaleResesrchCa.. Delroil. 1979. (Management lnformafion Guide, no. 29). 'ik 1181 Hcrman.'Tnr l.#!rrnlwr \Id,.% I IChrmiilry "Wok\ New Y nk. IYhl. H e.uharn.Oskar."TheRr~.ae~nT...ir AMatt#dfar ,he 1.1 .fMr,l*!r~n.Il.andl,~;hdcr 0r:an.. hsr c h e m . e . " s ~ , r . n w !r..,~, ~ nrrilnsndU\ 1976. ~ . ~ t . . r h aa.tmp.,r t .rlpl,,d,. ha..,13j k.em p m h h e d " 1 1 t"~ u,e & . t c m ' ,h -.,I1 a, 'lwl..t?#nIh!.,,,, ,," lner. m m E,,#l..h' R.tha,ce,a,lah.cfrrr r,,n.i,lr,ngrr-\.,.aL
Volume 59 Number 12 December 1982
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Wile", Samuel H., "Use ofthe ChemicalLitsratm: An Inkduetion to Cbemid l n f o m t i t i Retrieval." Ameriieao ChemiealSoeiety, Washington, DC, 1978.(292 pp. manualplua75 pp. workbook plus8 audiotape cansetteal. Wmdbum, Henry M.. 'Thing the Chemical Literature: A Practical Guide," M a r d Dekker. Inc., NY, 1974. (Books in Library and Information Seicnce,~.111.
Appendlx 2.
(41 DIALOG Commands. "Online retrieval viaDlALOG Information Retrieval Service."in "CA Search far
Dstabsses. *"tho"". Arthur."Searehine the Chemratn.files for wntheticaraanic chemiatri," ~D O ~ O ~ I~ti). S ~szss , (19781. Rawden, Dauid."Chemicsl torimlow searching," Dotoboas,Z l2l.11-18 (1979). Bswden, D. and Jackson, F. T. "Online searching for the torimlogy af ehcmieal substances," in "2nd lntemationsl Online Information Meeting," London. 5-7 December 1978. Oxford. NY: Lesrned Information. n.d. Rawden, D, and Devon, T. K.,"RINGDOC; thedstobsse of pharmaceutical literature?Dnfobose, 3 l31.2P19 119801. Beach, A. J., Dabek. Jr.,H.F..snd Hosansky,N.L.;'ChemiealroaNbnsinformstion retrieval from Chemical AbetractsServiee publicatiun.sndservices," J. Chem. In/ Comput.Sci., 19. I49156 (19791. searching s chemical mmwund: mmparineLackhwd, Blair. John. "C-database SDC. BRS, snd NLM." Online I Wedon. CTI, 5 (21,4661 (19811. Blair, h.,John C.,"Enzyma searchins easing the'ASE' out of compounds." Dotobase, 4 (21.4847 (19811. Blair. Jr., Jahn C., "Online drug literature searching: Exnrpta Medics," Online (Weston. CTI. 4 (41.13-23 (1980). ~
C401 Chemical lntormatlon Storage and Retrieval Methods and Techniques Reading List I. General
In: '"24th lnu washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences. 1978. Rowland, Fytton, "How will chemical information develop? Cham. 67.. 14,312,344 ,I(,-* n u u m ~ dJ. F 8.. "lnfurmatm ~renrferend uae m cncm.sfo. Fmal repon of the ('h~mlrallnfurmst#lmR w r w I'ummaLr." landon. HMSO 1978.1Brllmh l.bhrdry RAII IlepnrraScrw nl 51r5)
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EAE.:peter pewrinua, L~A..1974. no low..^ stevenage, "NFAISNNESCO indexing in persprtiw education *it"Everett H. B m e r , I E d i t ~ ~ l . PhiladelphiaiParis: NFAIS, UNESCO, 1979. (C) Chemical Nomenelsture. ~ g ~H,n and , Godly, E. W., "Organizstion and chaos in the world of nomendsture," Chrm. R r . IS, 1 6 2 5 119801. Sehaenfeld, R,"Hasnomendaturegonctopot?"d. Chem. Inf. Camput. Sci, 20,6548
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regulareolumnapp~aredin Online (w&~.cTI. kkginningin March 1979with v. 2. no. I of Dolobme. the column amears in that iournal. .. ~a easy even a scientist ~arfield,Eugene, "1SL.s inline system makes do it: intmducine METADEX autumatic indexing and ISIfBIOMED SEARCH. Cwmnt cm&. 5-8 (January 26. 19811. ~ " l e a t t ,~ i c h a r dS., "Online use of Chemical ~ b s t r a c ws primer far beginning chemical searchers." Dotobase, 2 141. 11-21 (19791. ~ ~ h a estvart k , M.,"R&rieving patent information online," Online (Weston, CTI.
y
119791.
McCarn,DavisB.,"MEDLINF.: anintroduction toonlinesearching," J. A m l Soc. In/. Sri.,31.181-192 (19801. Oppenheim. Charles, "Methods for ehemicsl substance searching online: 1. The Basics." Online Reuiou. 3.381-387 119791. P ~ t h i rPatricia . E.. "Substructure searchina in CHEMLINE." Online (Weston, c n , i ~21.23-25ii9771. Simkins. M. A.."Cam~arisonof databasesfor retrievingreferene~stotheliterature
,7onn,
. . CA Search). "chemical Abshseta Service Computer-Readable Fdea: An Overview." Calumbu$ OH: Chemieal Ahstraeta Service, 1978. "Chemical Abstract. Service Information Twls!'(Istnt eatdog.)
11. Computer-Based Searches for Current Awareness (A) Current Awareneaa Searchh Ill Batch versus msnuslsemhing. Park. Margaret K., "Beteh computer aystama for retrieving chemical information from text files."PuroAppi. Chm.. 49,1633-1844 (1977). 121 CA Search and the Chemieal Information Center's SDI Service. RoboM, Anita B.. et d..'"Developmentof s computerized current a m m e s . sewice vaing Chemical Abefraets Condensates.''J. Chem Doe., 12.221-223 (19721. IU Chemieal Information Center, "Search Manual: s wide to preparing profile search strategies." 4th Ed. Rloomingtan, IN: Chemieal Information Center, 1980. Chemical Abstracts Service. "CAS Today; faeteand figurea about Chemical AbstractaServiee," Washin@m, DC: American Chemical Saiety, 1980. (Bl Standard Interest ~ r o f i l e s ~ Barker. Frances H.. "A study of computer-baaed current awareness bulletinsUKClS Macroprofiles," J . Cham. In/. Comput. Sci., 18.91-93 (19781. Blake, J. E.. Mathi-. V. J.. and Patton. J., "CA Selee~--a specialized current awareness service." J . Chsm Inf. Comp. Sci.. 18,187-190 (19781. Banham,Miriam, "Index to Standard Interet Pmfila in Science and Technology." Bloomington. IN: Chemieal Information Center. 1979. Hunter. Paul S., "The computer-produced standard-intereat pmfi1e; a recent development in scientific bibliography." Chem. Ind. (London) 151, 20%204 (1974).
111. Online Systems
(A) Online Bibliographic Search Systems. (1) General Considerations: The Major vendom. Boume.Charles P., "Onlincsystems: bistory,technalw,and emnomics!'J. Amer. Soe. In/.Sci., 31,155-160 11960). Girard. Anncand Moureau, Magdeleine,"An examination ofthe roleafthe intermediary in the onlinesearchinqofehemical literature." Oniinr Re".. 5,217-225 (19811. Krentz, David M., "Onlinesearching-spffialistrequired." J. Chom. In/ Comput. S e i , 18, &9 119781: (2) The Data Bases. Regazzi, John J., Bennion. B. and Roberts. Susan, "Online systems of disciplines and sp~dsltyarpklinseienceand technalw." J,Amer Soc. In[ Sei.,31.161-170 (19801. "Thedaul k s , " i n : Meadow,CharlesT, andCahrane.Pavline (Atherton1,"Bruia of OnlineSearching." NY: John Wiley 61 Sons, 1981,SR-70. 131 Taehniquesof Online Searching. "Online information retrieval." in: "CASEARCH far Beginnera: An Introduction t o Online Access to CA SEARCH via the Lackheed DIALOG Information Retrievsi Service," Cnlumhur. OH: Chemical Ahntracts Service. 1980, 1-8. Note that theresre slaovenions of this manual for RRS and SDC. Meadow and Coehrane, passim.
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Journal of Chemical Education
W;'CASIAthep& (Wrsfun.CTl, 1 (1),52-56 (1977).
way tosearch CACondensats," Online
(B) Structure Codes: The Basis of Online Nonbibliographic Chemical Information Retrieval Systems (11 General. "The role of structure searching in large online chemical information F ~ k i nDiane, , smtems."in:"2ndlnternsfionalOnline Information Meeting. London, b 7 December 1978." Oxford and New York: Learned Informatian. nd.. 187-194. Lynch. Miehsel R., "Computer Handling of Chemical Structure Information," London: McDonald, NY: American Elaevier. 1971. MeNulty. P., '"Substructure Searching of Large Chemieal Files." Washington, DC: . Manufacturing C h e m i s t 8 ' A ~ i a t i o n 1977. Rnuiand. J. F.B.."Chsmical structure retrieval," in Batten. W. E., (Editor), "Handbook uf Spacial Librarianship and Information Work," 4th Ed.. London, Adib, 1975. Ruah. JamesE.,"Handlingchomicalstructure idmation."Ann. RPU.In/. Sci. Tmhnoi., 13,209-262 11978). Ra-h, James E., "Status ofnotation and topical syatema and wtentia1 future trends,.. J . Chem. In/. Comput. Sei., 16.202-210 119761. (2) Systems Created in Collaboration with Chemical Abetrseta Sewice: CAS Online, DARC, NLM's CHEMLINE, NIH-EPA Chemical Information System's SANSS. Dub&, J. E.. "Analysind data bank implemenlirfion and computer-aided design in chemistry," in Dreyfus, Benrand, lEditor),"Pra. Int. CODATA Cunf., 5th. 1976: Oxford: Pergsmm Press, 1977.501514. Farmer, Nick A, and Michael P. O'Hars."CASOnline: ANewSourc~ofSuhstaneeInformation from Chemical Abstracts Seruice," Datoboss, 3 l4l.10-25 119601. Heller. Stephen R, and Milno, George W. A,, "The NIH-EPA Chemical Information System in support of structure elucidation." A n d Chem. A r t o , 122. 117-138 lL9Nl. Spann, Melvin L., et el., "CHEMLINE: a chemieal structure search key to biulogieal information," in H o w , W. Jeffrey, Milne, Margaret M.. and Pennell. Ann F., "Betrieval of Medicinal Chemieal Information." Washington, DC, American Chemical Lvietv. 1978 ~.IACS Svmo Spy., no. 84/.5&72. I31 Linear Nutetions. "Chemical Structure Representation: Linear Notetian," in Davia,Chsrles H, and Ruah, James E., "Information Retrieval and Daumentetion in Chemistry," Westport. CT. Lunden. Enelsnd: Greenwwd Press, 1974,143-229. 141 Wisvesser Line Notation. Smith. Elbert G., "The Wiswosser Line-Formula Notofion IWLNI," 3rd Ed.. Cherry Hill, NJ: Chemical Infarmation Management. Inc.. 1975. Gibson. Gerald W. and Granito, Charles E., "Wiswesser Chemieal Link Notation-An Infruduction,"in Msrek Index.9thEd.. MlSC 110-115. Grmito. Chsrles E, and Ronenberg. Murray D.. "Chemical Subetructure Index ICSII: A newreaaarchtml,"J. Chem. IJoc.. 11,251-256.
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(C) Nonbibliographic Databases
Hilaenrath, Jaseph,"SummaryafOnline or Interactive Physieo-Chemical Numerical Data Systems." Washington, DC: USGPO. 1980 (National Bureau of Standards Technical Note,no.11221. Luedke, Jam- A,, Kovacs, Gahor J., and Fried. John B., "Numeric Data Bases and Systems,"Ann. Rau. I n / Sei. Teehnol., 12,119-181 (1977). W a d , B a r h a L.. "RpuiewofS"entiflcand Technical Numeric Data Base Activities." Roekville, MD: King Research. Ine., 1917. I21 INDIRS (Indians Information Retrieval System) Manual (1979). (3) Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry Deta B s m . (a1 The NIH-EPA Chemical Information System. Hellar, StephenR.andMilne,Geor~eW.A.,"TheNlKEPA Chemical Informstion System: Enuiron. Sei. Technol., 31.79&803 (19791. Heller, Stephen R. and Milne, Gwrge, W. A.,"Chemmmer," Dotebase, 2 (3). 69-79 (19791. M a r q u a R. Gary, ct aL."The MHiEPA Federal Register Notices S e m h System? Online (Weston, CT). 4 (2). 4 5 4 9 (19801. (b) CrystallographicDatsbsses " C w t s l cleardata: Chem. Br., 11.213-216 (19751. Kennard, 0.. Kennard, 0.."Computer-based syatem for the retrieval af date: uystallogrsphy" Pure Appl Chem., 49.1807-1816 (1977).
(cl Chemiesl Subetanees Information Network and Others. "Chemical information network trial near," Chem E n 8 Nelus. 33. (Ma), 18, 1981). Levium, K., d sl.. "Chemical Information Resources Directory: Descriptive and Subject Catalogi?MeLaan, VA: The Mitre Corporation, 1979,2v. (Available from NTIS: PB 80~105208:v.2istheactual directory, mntainingeharscterizalionsand indoring of 53 information rosources.1 Town,William G., Powell, John and Huitson. Peter R.. "Recent experienced tho applicatian of a commercial data base management nystem (ADABASI to a x i entific data bank: In1 fmress. Manog. 16,91-108 (19801. (4) The Future. ~~ d~ . 4~ (31, " ~ c ~J~~~ ~ ~ the ~ ~ ~ h~ ~ ~~ ~t t o .~ natabose, 12-29(19811. Dessy, R. E. and Starling, M. K., "lnfolmstion retrlevsl and laboratory data management." Anal. Cham., 51.924A-930A: 936A-946A; 918A (19791. Doszkocs, Tamas E., Rapp, Barbara A,, and Schmlmsn, Harold M., "Automated information retrieval in ~cieneeand technalak/." Scienrs, 208,2530 (4 April 1980). Laneaster. F. W.,"Mission possible-a future inlormafionsystem."Co~dionLibrory Journol, 36,339-342 (19791. Settle. Jr.. Frank A , and Pleva, Michael A.. "A mmpvter infarmstion network for users of chemical instrumentation: J . CHEM.EDUC.. 57. A225-A256: A258 (1980).
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