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CHEM 313: Synthetic Applications in Chem: SciFinder Discovery

What is a database?

Before we dive into discovery in SciFinder, we will discuss what exactly makes it so special by zooming out. Databases are repositories of information that are structurally organized by an index. Unlike the wide web, where information is organically spread out and accessible by search engines using opaque algorithms, databases are specifically designed to find and retrieve relevant information for the user.

A Database Structure

Created by I. Tournas using Lucidchart. lucidchart.com.

Database Characteristics:

  • Information is organized for ease of access and management
  • Pool of information is narrower than on the web
  • Filters assist with limiting search results
  • All information is pre-vetted and relevant to discipline
  • Often accessed by paying a subscription
  • Often require the use of precise language for searching

An Internet Map

Enikeev, Ruslan. “The Internet Map.” https://internet-map.net/, 2011. https://internet-map.net/.

Internet Characteristics:

  • Information is not organized in any particular scheme
  • Pool of information is vast and not always reliable (requires extra evaluation)
  • Some scholarly publications will be behind paywalls
  • Searches yield duplicate and irrelevant results
  • Ranking algorithms can be opaque
  • Wider and more diverse variety of sources 

Learning how to use SciFinder

SciFinder is a powerful database and research tool for chemists. We will be focusing on three interconnected databases available through SciFinder:

  • References
  • Substances
  • Reactions

There are other functions through SciFinder, like the suppliers registry, or the retrosynthetic analysis tool, which we will cover as well. Hover your mouse over the SciFinder Discovery tab in this libguide to navigate to pages instructing on the use of each module or tool.