Contents

Database Description

Inspec (The Database for Physics, Electronics and Computing) includes the three Science Abstracts print abstract journal publications: Physics Abstracts, Electrical and Electronics Abstracts, and Computer and Control Abstracts, which began publication in 1898, and two other technology areas: Information Technology for Business, Manufacturing, & Production and Mechanical Engineering. Approximately 10% of the database's source publications are in languages other than English, but all articles are abstracted and indexed in English. Author-prepared abstracts are used when available.

Inspec uses controlled vocabulary from the Inspec Thesaurus. DIALOG's online thesaurus feature is available to assist searchers in determining appropriate subject terms and codes. Beginning in January 1987, Inspec records also include chemical substance indexing and numerical index terms. Beginning in January 1995, Inspec records also included astronomical object indexing terms.

As of March 2005, more than 3,800 journals and serials are scanned of which 750 are abstracted cover-to-cover. These contribute 78% of the database. Other source materials include conference papers and proceedings, books, reports, and dissertations. The database also includes 20,586 U.S. and U.K. patents published between 1968 and 1976.

Subject Coverage

The principal subject areas within each subfile are:

Physics (Subfile A)

Acoustics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Biophysics and Medical Physics, Elementary Particle Physics, Energy Research, Environmental Science, Gases, Fluid Dynamics and Plasmas, Geophysics, Instrumentation and Measurement, Materials Science, Mathematics and Mathematical Physics, Nuclear Physics, Optics (including Lasers), Physical Chemistry, Properties of Matter, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics

Elec. Engineering & Electronics (Subfile B)

Circuits and Components, Electricity Generation and Supply, Electromagnetic Fields and Waves, Electronic Devices and Materials, Electronic Instrumentation, Optics and Electro-optics, Power Systems and Applications, Radar and Radionavigation, Telecommunications

Computers & Control (Subfile C)

Computational Mathematics, Computer Applications, Computer Hardware, Computer Software, Control Applications, Control Systems, Information Science, Systems and Control Theory

Information Technology (Subfile D)

Business and Financial Applications, Communications, Computing and Systems, Engineering and Industry Applications, Management, Office Automation. Not in File 202.

Mechanical and Production Engineering (Subfile E)

Design, Engineering Mechanics, Production Technology, Measurement and Testing, Manufacturing Resources and Products, Materials Handling and Distribution, Industrial Sectors. Not in File 202.

Dialog File Data

Contact

Inspec is provided by The Institution of Engineering and Technology. Questions concerning file content can be directed to:

Terms and Conditions

No special terms and conditions. For Dialog's Redistribution and Archive policy, enter HELP ERA online.