Data Elements of the NTIS Database7Definition: Identifiers are single or multiword subject termsused to express concepts for which there are currently noadequate descriptors. As new concepts and technologies arise,new subject terms not found in existing thesauri are placed inthe Identifier field.Identifiers preceded by an asterisk have the same significance asDescriptors preceded by an asterisk. Identifiers include namesof chemical compounds, cities, biological species, computerprograms, research projects, scientific instruments, and more.Field Name: AbstractExample: Electron spectroscopy has become one of our mostimportant tools for the study of electronic structure of solidsand surfaces. Under this contract, we studied the passivationand inhibition of corrosion, utilizing the spectroscopictechniques of x-ray photoelectron absorption fine structure(NEXAFS).7
Online Searching HintsSection III8Definition: Abstracts in the NTIS Database may be eitherindicative or informative, based on the type of document.Informative abstracts identify the methods, results,applications, and conclusions. Indicative abstracts describecontent or scope, i.e., a handbook of chemical formulas,chapter titles, or table of contents of a textbook.Abstracts are usually limited to 200 words. The NTIS Databasecontains a mixture of author and NTIS-written abstracts. Manyof the author abstracts are modified by NTIS.AbbreviationsAbstracts and other fields often contain abbreviations. However,all subject terms are spelled out in the descriptor or identifierfields.Accession Numbers (also known asNTIS Order Numbers)NTIS order numbers consist of this pattern: alpha character-4digit year-six digits-three letter code.Example: PBYYYY-123456/XAB may be truncated asPBYYYY-123456 plus truncation symbol number, orPBYYYY123456.When searching, truncate the number after the sixth digit. Whensearching for an NTIS order number there are two options: (1)to display a list of the neighboring order numbers to select thecorrect number and closing 3-letter code or; (2) to truncate theorder number after the sixth digit following the year number.NTIS produces PB numbers with a first digit or first two-digitnumber series designating a type of information product:Example:Subscription productsStanding order productsComputer ProductsComputer Product SubscriptionsSUBPB2010-9PB2010-5PB2010-59(Each example should be followed by a truncation symbol,which varies by online vendor.)Some agencies that maintain their own number series are notedin the accession number field description. The NTIS accession/order number is not always the same as the host vendor’s.Searchers should review the record format and field qualifiersof the vendor(s) of their choice. Similarly, vendor Field Namesmay vary.Searching for report numbers in the NTIS Database requires skillbecause of the punctuation used between letters and numbers.The above examples are specific to certain product types.Hint: To limit a search to computer products, in addition tousing descriptor or identifier terms such as “data file” and“software,” combine the set with PBYYYY-5 plus truncationsymbol.unnecessary to do so, e.g., DNA for Deoxyribonucleic Acid.Within the abstract, the phrase explaining the acronym is placedfirst, followed by the acronym in parenthesis. In the identifierfield, both the complete phrase and acronym are provided forsearching.Biological SpeciesPlants, animals, and microorganisms are indexed with their genusand species names and/or the family name. The common nameis also indexed if the author has used it and/or if it is known. If abiological subject term is in one of the recommended thesauri, itis posted in the descriptor field.Examples:Descriptors: Parasite diseasesIdentifiers: Liriodendron tulipiferaand also Tulip tree.Descriptors: Mammals; Carnivora; Taxonomy; LaboratoryanimalsIdentifiers: Hyaena; Hyaena Brisson; Striped Hyaena,Felidae; Panthera leo persicaSubject Category Codes/ClassificationWhat they areNTIS classifies citations into 39 subject categories. Each of thesesubject categories is divided into subcategories. This methodprovides sorting categories for both hard and soft sciences.All subject categories consist of three character codes: twonumerics and one alpha character. The numeric codes represententire categories such as chemistry, environmental pollutionand control, civil engineering, et al. The alpha codes are used todesignate subcategories within these broad categories. The numberof NTIS subcategories posted to an information product averagefrom one to five, although there are some reports with more.What they doAlthough most online searching is conducted using subject indexterms (keywords), subject categories are also very important.Subject categories can be combined with keywords to eliminatefalse retrievals (“hits”).Example: Combining “Lead” with the NTIS subject category57Y (Toxicology), retrieves report citations about the toxicityof lead, rather than lead use as an additive in iron alloys.Example: Citations for “Geothermal energy” reports can beretrieved by searching the NTIS category 97P because thiscategory is specific to geothermal energy.Note: Subject categories may be designated as Category Codes orSubject Headings by the online vendor. Always review field designationsin the vendor(s) documentation.AcronymsNTIS spells out each acronym used in a citation if the authorhas supplied it, unless it is so common that it would be8
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