Introduction to SciFinder Scholar

Intro | Web | Client | Client Off-Campus Access

SciFinder Scholar provides integrated access to the following chemistry resources:

SciFinder Scholar use is restricted to current OSU faculty, students and staff. Use of the SciFinder Scholar web version requires registration, and use of the SciFinder Scholar client version requires installation of client-searching software (not necessary when using library computers). Off-campus client version users must also install OSU's VPN (Virtual Private Network) client software. SciFinder is not available Saturdays 7-10pm PST. On the 1st Saturday of each month, SciFinder is not available 2-10pm PST.

Access to the SciFinder Scholar client and web versions is restricted to 2 simultaneous users each. If you are unable to connect, please try again later. Also, please remember to exit from SciFinder when you have finished so it is available to other users.

Searching

From the SciFinder Scholar "new task" menu (or in SciFinder Web in the left-hand column and along the top of the page), you can search the database in the following ways:

Explore By:

Locate By:

Browse By:

Research Topic (client how to) (web how to)

Enter a phrase or sentence in English to search by topic. You will see relevancy ranked results based on various combinations of word inclusion and proximity. Check the boxes that most closely represent your research topic, then click on the "Get References" button.

You may limit your search by publication year, document type, language, author and/or company name by clicking on the "Additional Options" button.

Return to list of search options

Chemical Substance/Reaction

Using the tool provided in SciFinder Scholar, you may search for chemical substances and reactions by drawing their structures. You may also search for a substance using the molecular formula or substance identifier(s).

Search by drawing:

Search using:

Your results will include basic identifying information for all possible matches to your search request. Click on the microscope icon to see complete identification information. Additional icons link to:

  • References
  • Commercial Sources information
  • Regulated Chemicals listing data
  • Reaction information

Search results often include more that one substance. Click in the boxes for all the compounds of interest and click on the Get References button at the bottom of the screen to pull up bibliographic references related to all the selected compounds. If desired, you may limit the references to those related to particular areas of study.

Return to list of search options

Locate Literature (client how to) (web how to)

You can locate references from journals and patents by using specific citation information or document identifiers (such as patent number or Chemical Abstract number). To search on topic, use the research topic feature, described above.

Return to list of search options

Author Name (client how to) (web how to)

Searches through all listed authors. You can search by author's name with the option to look for alternative spellings of the last name.

Return to list of search options

Company/Organization Name (client how to) (web how to)

This search is based on the affiliation of the senior author. You may search broadly, e.g. Oregon State University or more narrowly, e.g. Department of Chemistry Oregon State University. The search is treated as a keyword search in the author affiliation field.

Return to list of search options

Journal Tables of Contents (client how to)

Journals that are part of the CAS database are included (Medline journals are not). Journal titles are listed alphabetically. Scroll through the list and then select the journal of interest. After clicking on the radio button in front of the journal title, click on the "View" button. The table of contents for the most recent issue will be shown. You may browse through issues by using the "Previous Issue," "Next Issue," and "Current Issue" buttons.

Return to list of search options

Accessing Full Text

After searching, full text options are displayed in the Client version by clicking the full text icon just below the microscope icon and in the web version by clickin the Get Full Text link in the Reference Detail pane. You will then be taken to the OSU Libraries website (for bibliographic references) where you will be prompted to check if OSU Libraries owns the material or to order via ILL if not owned.

From patent search results, the full text icon will take you to the corresponding patent office (USPTO and EPO).

Return to list of search options

Marking & Exporting Records

As you go through your results, you may mark those records of interest. To view only those records you have marked, go to Tools and click on Keep References. Be sure to save these records (client how to web how to) before starting a new search (task). All results from a previous "task" are lost when you begin a new one.

If you would like to export SciFinder data into another program (such as EndNote, ProCite, or Reference Manager), details on setting this up can be found here.

If further assistance is needed, please contact Laurel Kristick to arrange an appointment: 737-7276 or