All Search Platforms are Created Equal … Myth or Reality Presented by Matt Dunie President, CSA

Presentation Will Cover... CSA background New developments at CSA Key elements for a successful database search platform Future projections

Who is CSA? CSA is the most comprehensive producer of abstracting & indexing databases in the world… 18 major databases in 5 subject categories –Life Sciences, Social Sciences, High Technology & Engineering, Humanities, and Library Science 700,000 Unique Records (annual production) 3.5 million logons, 38 million searches

What’s New at CSA? New databases acquired from Bowker –LISA, ANTE, ASSIA, BHI New engineering files in development –Civil engineering –Mechanical transportation engineering –Industrial and manufacturing engineering –Power and plant engineering –With cited references!

Key Elements to a Successful Search Platform Multiple search capabilities - Quick & Advanced Accessible search tools (thesauri, browsable indexes) Results that are easy to review Multiple viewing options (full record vs. citation only) Ability to easily revise/save search strategies Fast access to full text Ability to download into bibliographic management software (RefWorks)

Quick Search or Advanced Search Options

Results are easy to review

Easy access to full text maximizes library resources

RefWorks What is bibliographic management software? –Specialized database management software designed for bibliographic references –Importing of references from online database –Storage and searching of personalized data –Formatting of bibliographies AND manuscripts in different styles RefWorks is the first Web-based bibliographic management software

RefWorks Features Import data using saved text files Manually enter references to eliminate paper files Use Edit to add personal notes or keywords Sort the Reference List by Author, Year, Title, etc. Export all or selected data to a file Groups can work on projects- remotely!

Each RefWorks user will have a unique Name and Password to ensure data security. Everyone on campus will have access if you have a subscription.

What will the future hold? Links to specific data elements: charts, graphs, tables, dynamic documents Closely integrated document acquisition More comprehensive updating More combined content: full text, abstracts, indexed active content

For more information: CSA Asia Office Alan Lui 18 A Lucky Plaza, 321 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (phone), CSA Headquarters Office Matt Dunie, President 7200 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA (phone),