Retrieval of Corrosion Information: Literature Report of EFC ‘Committee on Information and Documentation in the Field of Corrosion’

Abstract

On behalf of the European Federation of Corrosion a committee on information and documentation has investigated existing information services in the field of corrosion. In the present paper available bibliographic services (i.e., reference retrieval services) are reviewed. A glossary of basic information retrieval terms is included, and the search principles, technical equipment, and organisation of computerbased information handling are briefly outlined as a background to a survey of individual retrieval sources. Important data bases and abstract journals are briefly characterised with respect to, i.a., coverage of document types and subject areas, annual number of references on corrosion, delay in reporting, and indexing terms and/or classification systems used for corrosion references. Costs to users, and back-up services such as locating and providing original documents, are also considered. Some major reference collections, based on cardfiles are included. Points for potential users to consider in choosing between different services are finally discussed.