Key databases for Biological Sciences
(http://www.library.usyd.edu.au/databases/biologicalsciences.html)
Key multi-discipline databases for biological sciences
Web of Science
Coverage
Strengths
1900 - present. Over 12,000 journals, with over 9,000 science journals indexed
in Science Citation Index
Good depth of coverage with a strong US focus; covers science and
arts/humanities; range of search options including cited reference searching,
and measuring research impact, for example, the h-index.
Scopus
1996 – present. Over 19,000 journals indexed
Good breadth of coverage, with a more European focus than WoS; focus on physical
sciences, health sciences, life sciences; range of search options including cited reference
searching, checking journal impact and measuring research impact, for example, h-index;
access to “articles-in-press” from more than 3,000 journal titles; from 2009, provides
citation information for the ERA initiative
Weaknesses Often not as up-to-date as some databases, eg Scopus gives access to “articles-
Journal impact measures based on different calculations to those used in Web of Science
Use to
Locate claimable publications for HERDC and to calculate research impact; search for
primary research
in-press” from more than 3,000 journal titles (see Strengths for Scopus)
Locate claimable publications for HERDC and to calculate research impact;
search for primary research
Key subject databases for biological sciences
BIOSIS Previews
Zoological Records
CAB Abstracts
Aquatic Sciences & Fisheries
Abstracts (ASFA)
History
1926 - Abstracts of Bacteriology
merge with Botanical Abstracts
to create Biological Abstracts.
1964 - name change: BioSciences
Information Service of Biological
Abstracts (BIOSIS)
2004 – Bought by Thomson
Reuters.
1926-present
Focus on life sciences and
biomedical research. Disciplines
include general biology,
agronomy; biochemistry &
biophysics, cell biology, genetics,
invertebrate biology, zoology,
multidisciplinary life & medical
sciences, earth & environmental
sciences, microbiology,
developmental biology, plant
sciences, embryology, histology,
molecular biology, marine biology
Updated weekly
1910 -Developed by CABI, a not-forprofit organization, which began as an
entomological research committee.
Developed into an international
service in agricultural information,
pest identification and biological
control. Scientific research, publishing
and international development form
its core.
1910-present
Applied life sciences, including
aquaculture, climate change,
entomology, environmental science,
genetics, invasive species,
microbiology, mycology, natural
resources management, nematology,
plant pathology, and soil science
ASFA is a component of the Aquatic
Sciences and Fisheries Information System
(ASFIS)
(http://www.fao.org/fi/asfa/partners.asp),
formed by four United Nations agency
sponsors of ASFA and a network of
international and national partners.
Content
1864 – The Record of Zoological
Literature, published by the
Zoological Society of London.
Became Zoological Record in
1870.
1980 – 2004 - published by
BIOSIS
2004 - published by Thomson
Reuters
1864-present
All aspects of animal biology,
palaeobiology, and zoology,
focusing on the natural biology
of animals (fossil, recent, whole
animal, behavioural,
environmental, and cellular
studies; emphasis on
biodiversity & taxonomy
Updated monthly
Updated monthly
Updated monthly
The World's oldest continuing
database of animal biology;
considered the world's leading
taxonomic reference, and has
long acted as the world's
unofficial register of animal
names.
Comprehensive subject indexing using
a controlled vocabulary - the CAB
Thesaurus – providing more precise
access to relevant research
Input to ASFA is provided by an
international network of information
centres monitoring over 5,000 serial
publications, books, reports, conference
proceedings, translations and limited
distribution literature. The Proquest
interface also allows users to limit searches
to tables, figures, graphs, charts and other
illustrations
Currency
Strengths
One of the leading databases
focusing on the literature of the
biological sciences
1971-present
Science, technology and management of
marine, freshwater and brackish water
environments and organisms. Subjects
covered include: aquaculture, aquatic
organisms, aquatic pollution, brackish water
environments, conservation, environmental
quality, fisheries, freshwater environments,
inland water environment, marine
biotechnology, marine environments,
meteorology, oceanography, policy and
legislation, wildlife management
Numbers in bold indicate unique titles in CAB, BIOSIS & Web of Science
From: http://www.cabi.org/Uploads/CABI/publishing/promotional-materials/insert/cab-abstracts-4pp-flyer.pdf Feb 2013
For more information contact:
JOY WEARNE | Faculty Liaison Librarian
School of Biological Sciences | University Library
THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Ground Floor, Badham Building, A16
T +61 2 9036 9511
E joy.wearne@sydney.edu.au