ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

NEW COMPUTER SERVICE

A new computer-based information retrieval system for locating doctoral dissertations for researchers is called DATRIX, for Direct Access To Reference Information. Its microfilm file contains some one hundred and twenty-six thousand doctoral dissertations from more than one hundred and ninety United States and Canadian universities, and some eighteen thousand new dissertations are added annually. The DATRIX system uses a key-word list that is actually a comprehensive computer vocabulary derived from the titles and subject classifications of doctoral dissertations.

By using one of three key-word lists, which are divided into major academic fields, the searcher formulates his own inquiry. The computer recognizes each selected key-word combination, or alternate, and makes its search, supplying the inquirer with a bibliography or list of doctoral dissertations pertinent to his query. He may then select titles of interest and order the complete dissertations from University Microfilms as a xerographic reproduction on paper or as positive 35mm microfilm. The three key-word lists are: “Chemistry/Life Sciences,” “Engineering/Physical Sciences,” and “Humanities/Social Sciences.”

For a $5 charge the inquiry is processed by DATRIX, and the searcher receives a list of the first ten references produced by the computer. For the 11th and succeeding references on his bibliography, the charge will be 10 cents for each reference.

The key-word list also shows an “occurrence number” indicating how many dissertations are represented by that key-word. By using this count for each of the key-words selected, a searcher will have a good estimate of how many references will turn up. ■ ■