Citation searches in on-line databases: possibilities and pitfalls

Until recently the main source of scientific journal citations was the science citation index, which is now available in print and electronic formats. Searches in the electronic format were performed mainly by information professionals, but with the introduction of citations in the chemical abstracts service bibliographic database and the acceptance of the Web of Science as a means to access citations, many scientists and managers are searching directly for citation data. For comprehensive results the most reliable method is to use search terms based on first-listed authors of each publication, but this may be very time consuming. Electronic sources provide search algorithms which fast-track the process, but it is important that users understand the issues and how these algorithms work if reasonably reliable data are to be obtained. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.