Expansion Begins: Microsoft Academic Search Adds Physics Material to Database

Last week we posted news that Microsoft Academic Search was about to expand their database of academic material (often scholarly material) into new domains (disciplines) after providing access to only computer science material for about 18 months.

Today, physics material became accessible to MS Academic Search users.

So, users can search the entire database at one time or limit their search to one or more domains of knowledge by either limiting from the search box or beginning their search on domain specific pages.

Direct to Computer Science Page

Direct to Physics Page

When searching for physics material users have access to the same layout and tools that are available to computer science searchers.

Here Are Three (of Many) Features You Might Find Useful:

1. On the physics domain homepage you’ll see lists showing the “Top Publications in Physics” and “Most Downloaded Publications in Physics.” You should also see a box labeled “more.” Clicking it takes you to a page where you can also Top Authors, Top Journals, Top Keywords, and more. These rankings are based on the universe of documents in the MS Academic Search database.

2. Take a Look at an Author Homepage
Note the visualization tools, ability to quickly identify co-authors, a picture and a link to the authors homepage. We could go one.

3. Each journal in the database also has an info page. Again, a visualization, word cloud, and an option to be notified via RSS when new articles from the publication hit the MS Academic Search database.

Like we said last week that this is a very powerful yet easy to use search tool that has features you usually don’t see in web-based (and free) databases.

You can learn much more about MS Academic Search by taking a look at this INFOdocket post.

Finally, two more domains are schedule to go live next week. Look for mathematics and engineering.

Filed under: News, Patrons and Users