International Information Systems and Networks
Introduction:
International information systems and networks are systems that
collect, organize, store and provide information to users.
They are especially useful for students, researchers, scientists,
teachers, professionals and libraries.
```
1. INIS – International Nuclear Information System
Established: 1969 | First Output: 1970
Full Form: International Nuclear Information System
Organization: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Subject: Nuclear Science and Technology
INIS is an international information system for nuclear science
and technology. It was established by the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1969.
Its first output was distributed in 1970.
It provides information about nuclear energy, nuclear engineering,
radiation protection, nuclear safety, nuclear physics and related
areas.
Main Features:
- Provides information about nuclear science and technology.
- Contains journal articles, reports, conference papers and books.
- Includes information on nuclear safety and radiation protection.
- Useful for scientists, engineers and researchers.
- Provides international access to nuclear information.
Remember: INIS = Nuclear Science and Technology.
```
```
2. AGRIS – International System for Agricultural Science and Technology
Started: 1974 | Operational: 1975
Full Form: International System for Agricultural Science and Technology
Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Subject: Agriculture and Food
AGRIS is an international information system for agricultural
science and technology. It is supported and managed by the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
AGRIS provides access to scientific information related to
agriculture, food, forestry, fisheries, animal science and
other related subjects.
Main Features:
- Provides agricultural research information.
- Covers food and agricultural sciences.
- Includes forestry and fisheries information.
- Provides multilingual bibliographic information.
- Useful for agricultural researchers and students.
Remember: AGRIS = Agriculture and Food.
```
```
3. INSPEC – Information Service in Physics, Electrotechnology and Control
Launched: 1967
Organization: Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Subject: Physics, Electronics, Engineering and Computing
INSPEC is a major bibliographic information service covering
science and technology. It was launched in
January 1967.
It developed from the publications known as
Science Abstracts. INSPEC provides information
mainly in physics, electrical engineering, electronics,
computer science and related subjects.
Main Features:
- Covers physics and related sciences.
- Covers electronics and electrical engineering.
- Includes computer science and information technology.
- Provides references to journal articles and conference papers.
- Useful for scientists, engineers and researchers.
Remember: INSPEC = Physics, Electronics and Computing.
```
```
4. MEDLARS – Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System
Introduced: 1964 | MEDLINE: 1971
Full Form: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System
Organization: U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM)
Subject: Medicine and Biomedical Science
MEDLARS was a computerized information storage and retrieval
system developed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
It was introduced in 1964.
It was designed to help users search medical and biomedical
literature. In 1971, it evolved into an online system called
MEDLINE.
Main Features:
- Provides information about medical literature.
- Supports biomedical information searching.
- Useful for doctors and medical researchers.
- Supports bibliographic searching.
- Played an important role in the development of MEDLINE.
Remember: MEDLARS = Medical Literature.
```
```
5. BIOSIS – BioSciences Information Service
Biological Abstracts: 1926 | BIOSIS name: 1964
Full Form: BioSciences Information Service of Biological Abstracts
Subject: Biology and Life Sciences
BIOSIS is an important information service in the field of
biological and life sciences.
The history of BIOSIS goes back to
1926, when Biological Abstracts was started.
In 1964, the organization changed its name to
BioSciences Information Service of Biological Abstracts (BIOSIS).
Main Features:
- Covers biological and life sciences literature.
- Provides bibliographic information and abstracts.
- Covers botany and zoology.
- Includes biotechnology and related subjects.
- Useful for life science researchers and students.
Remember: BIOSIS = Biology and Life Sciences.
```
```
6. ERIC – Education Resources Information Center
Established: 1966
Full Form: Education Resources Information Center
Organization: U.S. Department of Education
Subject: Education
ERIC is a major information system for education and educational
research. It was established in 1966.
ERIC provides access to educational research, journal articles,
research reports, conference papers and other educational resources.
Main Features:
- Covers educational research.
- Provides information about education and teaching.
- Includes journal articles and research reports.
- Contains conference papers and educational documents.
- Useful for teachers, students and researchers.
Remember: ERIC = Education.
```
```
7. PIS – Patent Information System
Established in India: 1980
Full Form: Patent Information System
Place: Nagpur, India
Subject: Patents and Inventions
The Patent Information System (PIS) was established by the
Government of India in Nagpur in 1980.
PIS provides information related to patents, inventions and
technologies. Patent information is useful for researchers,
inventors, industries and students.
Main Features:
- Provides patent information.
- Helps users search patent documents.
- Provides information about inventions and technologies.
- Useful for researchers and inventors.
- Helps in finding existing technologies and inventions.
Remember: PIS = Patents and Inventions.
```
```
8. BIS / BTISNet – Biotechnology Information System Network
Established: 1986 | Launched: 1986–87
Full Form: Biotechnology Information System Network (BTISNet)
Organization: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India
Subject: Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
The Biotechnology Information System Network
(BTISNet) is an Indian network developed to
support information, research and infrastructure in biotechnology
and bioinformatics.
The programme was launched during 1986–87.
The Department of Biotechnology describes BTISNet as established
in 1986.
Main Features:
- Supports biotechnology and bioinformatics research.
- Connects bioinformatics and biotechnology centres.
- Provides scientific information and computational resources.
- Supports researchers, students and scientists.
- Helps in development of databases and bioinformatics tools.
Remember: BTISNet = Biotechnology and Bioinformatics.
```
```
Quick Revision – Important Years
| System |
Year |
Main Subject |
| INIS |
1969 / 1970 |
Nuclear Science |
| AGRIS |
1974 / 1975 |
Agriculture |
| INSPEC |
1967 |
Physics, Electronics & Computing |
| MEDLARS |
1964 |
Medicine |
| BIOSIS |
1926 / 1964 |
Biology & Life Sciences |
| ERIC |
1966 |
Education |
| PIS |
1980 |
Patents |
| BTISNet / BIS |
1986 / 1986–87 |
Biotechnology & Bioinformatics |
```
Easy Memory Trick:
```
INIS → Nuclear
AGRIS → Agriculture
INSPEC → Physics & Engineering
MEDLARS → Medicine
BIOSIS → Biology
ERIC → Education
PIS → Patents
BTISNet → Biotechnology
```