Page 1 of NTIS Database Search Guide by National Technical Information Service

search guide for the ntis database the ntis database search guide 1 introduction organization of the search guide section i introduction provides a basic introduction to the features of the ntis database how it differs from other government and/or scientific and technical databases and how it supplements other government databases section ii ntis database elements each component field of the bibliographic record is defined with examples presents the record structure and composition of the ntis database changes in the use of a field are discussed ntis names and labels for the fields in the bibliographic citation are identified section iii ­ online searching hints includes online searching hints arranged alphabetically by topic and field points covered are searching accession numbers and specially assigned information product type numbers abbreviations acronyms biological species chemical studies and verbalization of scientific and mathematical symbols distinctions between sponsoring agencies and performing agencies in the corporate author field are shown the ntis subject category codes are interpreted with emphasis on health care and medicine environment and business-related information geographic features and locations are demonstrated as well as discussions of developing country foreign language documents and translations searching for reprints maps patents and environmental impact statements are also covered the placement and meaning of sponsoring agency acronym codes are also noted section iv ­ selected references for assistance in searching the ntis database contains a list of references to the authority files used by ntis and its cooperating agencies at the department of energy nasa and the defense technical information center section v ­ online access presents contact information for the vendors that provide access to the database including the company name address telephone number and fax number each online service s search and display commands are presented an ntis database bibliographic record is furnished in each vendor s format showing the vendor field names and labels for the ntis database vendor system features are listed for additional examples of the search process request individual documentation from each online vendor appendix a ­ ntis subject categories alphabetical listing by major categories appendix b ­ ntis subject categories alphabetical listing of all categories appendix c ­ ntis subject categories alphabetical listing with scope descriptions appendix d ­ ntis subject categories numerical listing of major categories appendix e ­ ntis subject categories numerical listing with scope descriptions purpose of the search guide this guide provides the information necessary for productive and cost-effective search and retrieval use this manual to · minimize false hits which are common to such large and varied databases · clarify the ntis database information derived from multiple government sources · gain an in-depth understanding of the database structure · provide background references and historical perspective and · serve as a reference manual for users or a teaching tool at training seminars audience this publication targets · new online searchers · users who are familiar with online search techniques but not familiar with the ntis database · librarians or instructors who train users of library services and · researchers using online systems 1

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