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CHM337
Organic Chemistry Laboratory - Majors I
Finding Synthesis and Other Information

Web of Science

Instructions for Finding:
Publication and Research Trends (Citation Analysis)

 

Citation analysis provides a means of examining trends in publication and/or research.  As research leads to new discoveries, the uses of a compound may change over time, advancing into fields never considered by the original scientist.  A synthetic route can lose popularity (or never gain it).  Maybe a compound or synthesis stays in vogue and with some "tweaking" creates better yields.  Whatever path a subject takes over the years, citation analysis can follow it.

 













 

 

 

 

 Search Strategy:
  1. Select a book or journal article to trace; the item should have some signifigance (it was the "first", "most famous", the one your instructor assigned, etc.)

  2. Click on the Web of Science link above, and then click on the underlined title.

  3. Next to the words "Web of Science", click on the "GO" button.

  4. On the left side, click on the "Cited Reference Search" button.

  5. In the "Cited Author" box, enter in the author's last name, a space, and the first initial with an asterisk (Smith, J*)

    If the author's name is common or if the author is prolific, type the date of the book or journal article in the "Cited Year" box.

  6. Click on the "Search" button.

  7. Examine the results to find the entries for the book or journal article in question - look for variations, as sometimes the same item is cited slightly differently.

  8. Click in (mark) the check box to the left of each applicable item and click on the "Finish Search" button at the top of the results.

  9. Click on the "Analyze" button on the right side of the screen.

  10. Set the options, especially the left column --"Select field to rank by"
    • Author (to find out "who" is doing the research)
    • Country (to find out "where" the research is being done)
    • Institution (to find out "what" companies/universities are doing the research)
    • Publication Year (to find out "when" the research has been done)
    • Subject Category (to find out "how" the research is being used)

 

Need help tracking down the references from the Web of Science?
See: How To Find Your References in the ASU Libraries

 

Need More Help?

Having trouble using a library or internet resource?
Having trouble finding a journal article, book or patent?

Contact the Noble Library reference staff:
In Person:
Noble Science and Engineering Library
Information/Reference Desk
By Phone: 480/965-7607
By E-mail or Chat: http://www.asu.edu/lib/help/

Have a question about the assignment?
Having trouble deciphering the content of a journal article, book or patent?

See your Instructor/TA.

 

Page last modified: October 26, 2007