Author Archives: Carolin Zapke

E-media, Innovation & Technology, Science

Use of AI technologies in databases

AI technologies are increasingly being integrated in scientific databases. We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of AI technologies in databases and explain, how this option can be used effectively.

In addition to content summaries and the in-depth exploration of documents, the use of AI in scientific databases also involves a Natural Language Search (NLS). This search mode is an (optional) component of the Simple or Advanced Search and allows search queries to be formulated in everyday language.

The NLS mode uses Natural Language Understanding (NLU) to understand the intent and contextual clues in a query. This function is particularly beneficial for less experienced database users.

As an example, we have tested the use of Natural Language Search in the Ebsco database Academic Search Premier. In addition to the usual search modes, you can also select NLS in the simple search.

The query entered is displayed above the result list as a search string with linked search terms (show refined query). However, the search is only carried out within simple search mode, which means that important search results could be overlooked. An advanced search provides a more detailed overview.

Due to the simple search mode, formal search criteria or filters are not recognized at the moment. Here are two examples of NLS search queries and their counterparts.

Example 1: “Show all articles from 2020 that contain the keyword automation in the abstract”. This is transformed into a search string as follows: automation AND (abstract) AND (2020).

Example 2: “I need articles on climate change that were published between 2020 and today for a research paper I am writing” is transformed into the search string: ((climate change OR global warming) AND (article OR research) AND (2020 OR 2021 OR 2022 OR 2023)).

Filters such as “Source Type” or “Publication Date” are not recognized. Furthermore, in example 2, the time period is not set to include 2024 or 2025, although the keyword “today” was used. It could be due to the status of the training data for the AI. This can also lead to important search results being overlooked.

The NLS search finds a maximum of two alternative search terms for one search aspect. Deeper filtering, e.g. to limit results to articles from a specific journal (publication), is not possible in the NLS.

Of course, AI technologies in databases are constantly evolving, so this information can quickly become outdated.

Another database that uses AI technology to support the research process is Statista. Here, the “Research AI” tab offers the option to search in natural language (except for the content of Consumer Insights and Company Insights). There are examples of prompts that can help you to interact effectively with the AI. In Statista, the results found are summarized by the Large Language Model (LLM) Claude 3 Sonnet and the sources used are indicated below the summary.

Unfortunately, this database does not provide the search terms to track how and where searches were carried out. Possible follow-up questions are suggested to users for further exploration of the topic.

Other databases that already use AI to support searches are Web of Science (Smart Search: free of charge & already available; Web of Science Research Assistant: fee-based, not yet included in the license), ScienceDirect (ScienceDirect AI: fee-based, not yet included in the license) and Scopus (Scopus AI, fee-based, not yet included in the license).

The rules of prompting (entering a query) can also be helpful for database searches. In particular, the query should be formulated clearly and precisely and avoid unnecessary filler words.

As this topic is highly discussed and very much evolving, information can quickly become outdated. Please also check the websites of the providers mentioned and contact our information desk if you have any questions.

Further information can be found here:

https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/ub/kurse-und-e-learning/elearning/studierende/mika/darstellen_mit_ki-tools.html#anwendung

https://www.ub.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/recherchieren/rechercheleitfaden/wissenschaftliches-recherchieren-mit-ki-tools

E-media, Service

New: Access to DIN-VDE standards campus-wide possible

The DIN VDE standards are regulations for various areas of electrical engineering. These include, for example, power systems, power conductors and insulating materials, measuring, controlling & testing, as well as machines, converters, installation material, switchgear, consumer appliances, work equipment and information technology.

Until now, the standards of the VDE (Verband der Elektrotechnik | Elektronik | Informationstechnik e. V.) could only be offered on one computer in the library as a single-user licence. This has now changed.

Den Beitrag weiterlesen New: Access to DIN-VDE standards campus-wide possible →

E-media, Nicht kategorisiert

Nautos – the new standards database

As we have received a number of enquiries, we have compiled and illustrated the most important information on using the Nautos standards database in this blog post.

The previous blog post on switching from Perinorm to Nautos remains valid, of course.

Nautos, like Perinorm before it, can be accessed via our website. The databases are listed there under the menu item “Search & Find”.

The next click on “databases” takes you to DBIS, our database information system. All our licensed databases are listed there, sorted by subject. Nautos can be found in the category General/Interdisciplinary as well as in the subject areas Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering and some more. You can also search for the name of the database in the menu on the left.

Then there is a detailed description of Nautos as well as the “Link to the search” which, after a short info on the licence conditions, leads to the database. Nautos provides access to all standards with a DIN classification as well as the VDI standards.

In the database, the dashboard is displayed first. Here you will find current notes, version peculiarities (as Nautos is still in development) and useful tips for searching. On the left of the menu is the icon that leads to the search.

A special feature of this database is the Intelligent Search – Nautos can therefore provide useful results with the document number as well as with search terms. Below the search bar there are further search fields, for example to search only for currently valid standards or to link different search terms via the dynamic search.

Unfortunately, errors can still occur in the database – for example, documents that should be available in full text (visible by a blue puzzle symbol in the “Document” column) are not accessible or are not displayed at all. If you notice this, please let us know so that we can bring it to the attention of the Beuth publishers.

 

E-media, Nicht kategorisiert

Perinorm becomes Nautos

The new standards platform Nautos is now available to all TUC members. It is the successor product to the Perinorm database and will completely replace it, starting in January. Nautos and Perinorm are products of Beuth publishers. More information on Nautos can be found on their website (https://www.beuth.de/de/normen-management/nautos). Nautos contains the same contents as Perinorm did.

Searchable contents

  • DIN standardsNo
  • DIN EN Standards (European standard adopted into the German body of standards)
  • DIN EN ISO Standards (German standard based on a European standard which is based on an international standard of ISO)
  • DIN ISO Standards (German standard based on an ISO international standard)
  • DIN ETS standards (German standard based on a European telecommunications standard)
  • DIN IEC standards (International electrotechnical standard adopted into the German body of standards)
  • VDI guidelines (Association of German Engineers)
  • PAS (Publicly Available Specification)

The complete current DIN standards (e.g. also ISO standards but ONLY with DIN classification) as well as the VDI guidelines are available to all library users for consultation in full text. According to §53 of the Copyright Act, the collection of standards may not be used for commercial purposes.

Exception: DIN standards with VDE classification can only be accessed at one specific workstation in the library (1st floor, east wing) on the „jahnsdorf“ computer via the “DIN-VDE standards” database.

Your online access

TUC members can access Nautos on the campus network or via VPN. Please log in with your URZ ID.

Training courses

If required, we also offer training courses on Nautos in cooperation with Beuth Verlag. We cannot provide online materials at the moment, but these will be available in the future.

E-media

Oxford Bibliographies & Oxford Research Encyclopedias – two new databases for trial

The University Library has licensed two databases from Oxford University Press as trial access. Both are available until January 31st, 2023, after which a decision will be made on further licensing depending on usage.

Oxford Bibliographies contains commented collections of literature on 43 fields of knowledge such as “British and Irish Literature”, “Cinema and Media Studies”, “Sociology” or “Urban Studies”, to name but a few. The bibliographies contain title data on monographs, handbooks, edited volumes as well as articles from journals, but also links to websites and other databases for an introduction to the respective subject area. It is not a full-text database, but an extensive collection of literature references on specific topics.

With the Oxford Research Encyclopedias, the publisher is building dynamic online encyclopaedias for currently 25 fields of knowledge, such as “Criminology and Criminal Justice”, “Psychology”, “Anthropology” or “Communication”. The subject encyclopaedias are curated by renowned scientists.

Open Science

How does Open Access influence science and how do I find the perfect journal or book?

The first question has been answered by a literature study conducted by the TIB Leibniz Information Centre for Technology and Natural Sciences on empirical papers 2010-2021. The following fields of impact were examined:

Attention in science, quality of scientific publications, knowledge transfer, productivity, use of publications, diversity and economic effects.

The results confirm the known advantages of OA in six areas of impact. Only the often-mentioned citation advantage of OA could not be clearly confirmed empirically – but neither could it be refuted.
At the same time, it was recognised that there is a need for further research, e.g. on the influence of OA on the career opportunities of researchers.

Den Beitrag weiterlesen How does Open Access influence science and how do I find the perfect journal or book? →