Cited Reference Searching

Science Citation Index (SCI) published by the Institute for Scientific Information covers approximately 3,500 of the world's leading scholarly journals in more than 150 science disciplines. SCI not only indexes by keyword, author and publisher address, but is unique in that it also indexes by the references listed in each article's bibliography. This allows you to look up a reference and find journal articles that have later cited it. These cited references lead to other relevant research; the searching method is called "cited reference searching".

For a more extensive explanation of citation indexes, go to the ISI's web page entitled "Citation Reference Searching: an Introduction" at http://www.isinet.com/training/jobaids/citrefpr/prim1.html

Since 1996 the NDSU Libraries have received Science Citation Index on CD-Rom. The years prior to 1996 are available in the paper edition (REFERENCE Q158 .S365). Following is a quick guide to searching SCI on CD-Rom at the NDSU Libraries. For more complete instructions, ask for the ISI Quick Reference Guide at the Reference Desk, or check the ISI help screens on the CD-Rom disks, or go to the ISI's web page entitled "Sample Cited Reference Search" at http://www.isinet.com/training/jobaids/citrefpr/sci_cd/mars1.html

Brief Guide to Cited Reference Searching

1. Check out the SCI disks from the Reserves desk at the Main Library.
   
   
2. Find a computer with the ISI icon on the desktop screen.
   
   Load one of the disks into the CD drive, then open the ISI search software by clicking on the ISI icon.
   
   NOTE: If the disk does not load, click on FILE, then click on Open ISI Database.
   
   
3. Change the FIELD to Cited Author/Reference. Type in the author's last name followed by a hyphen and up to four initials. Use no spaces.
   
   Example: RICHARDSON-JL
   
   NOTE: only the first author of a cited work is indexed-you must use the name of the first author in order for your search to be successful.
   
   
4. Click on the DICTIONARY box. Find the exact reference you want by scrolling through the listings until you find the correct date, journal and page number of the article you are searching for. Highlight the appropriate entry(s).
   
   
5. Click on the ADD TO QUERRY box. The ISI program will correctly format the reference(s) that you want searched, and add the correct search statement to the querry box.
   
   
6. Click on the SEARCH box. The search will be processed, and the Search Status menu will appear.
   
   
7. Click on Results to see the articles citing the article your are researching
   To see the complete record, change the VIEW BOX at the top of the ISI screen.
   To move from one record the next, click on the single arrow at the bottom of the Results screen.
   
   
8. To Print, click on FILE and highlight Print Records (or click on the printer icon). The print menu will appear. The ISI System will default to current record only. You can change this to ALL, or specify pages to print by changing the Records to Print box.
   
   
9. To change to another disk, click on FILE, then click Change Compact Disc.
   
   
10. To exit, click on FILE, then exit. Remove disk and return all discs to the Reserves desk.