Bibliographic Databases in Tribology

Abstract

It is important that the modern-day researcher and engineer stay abreast of technology in his field, but this task is made very difficult by the recent flood of scientific and technical information. Coping with the information explosion requires the use of computerized information systems. This paper reviews computer-based information retrieval systems in engineering and focuses specifically on databases of literature and information relevant to tribologists and lubrication engineers. These databases are listed and their characteristics are discussed. Results of a sample computer-based literature search are included. It is shown that no single database has complete coverage of all aspects of tribology and that several databases should be searched to get all available information on a subject.