Finding Journal Impact Factors

We recently created a short (2:49min) video showing the steps involved in finding an impact factor for a specific journal using the Journal Citation Reports database (JCR). http://www.mclibrary.duke.edu/training/jcr/impact_factors

What are impact factors and how could you use them?
JCR provides quantitative tools for evaluating journals. The impact factor is a measure of the frequency with which the "average article" in a journal has been cited in a given period of time. It attempts to measure the relative impact, or importance, of a journal within its specific field. Impact factors are useful in applying for tenure, grants, or in deciding where to publish.

Business Services Available at the Library

Need to send a fax? Need color copies or a document notarized? We can help!

The Library can assist in sending faxes (locally, nationally, and internationally). Receive a fax at the Library for only $1/page. Send a fax to a local or 800 number for a $1/page. Send a fax long distance for $2/page for the first page ($1.50/each additional page). International faxing is also available! You can also get a color copies done for $1/page.

Finally, several people on our staff are commissioned to notarize documents. This is a free service! Just call or stop by to see if a notary is available. Scheduling an appointment ahead of time is preferable. (Please note that our staff will not notarize car title changes.)

Any questions? Just contact the Library at 660-1100.

Science Blogging Conference in RTP

Science Blogging Conference
Saturday January 19, 2008 in Research Triangle Park
http://scienceblogging.com/

Register now to reserve your place to discuss the future of science communication. The conference addresses a variety of issues and perspectives on science communication, including science literacy, the popularization of science, science in classrooms and in homes, debunking pseudoscience, using blogs as tools for presenting scientific research, writing about science, and health and medicine.

E-Journals & E-Books page changes

If you have ever tried to access a resource while off-campus and not logged into the VPN, then you know what happens. Access Restricted. But many times you aren't given an explanation.

Now our Web server will check on the location (i.e. IP address) of visitors to our e-book or e-journal pages. So if you are coming from a non-Duke IP address, a message will display at the top. The message will explain that access will be limited and will offer a link to our Remote Access information page. For more information on the VPN and how to get access to Duke resources while off-campus, see our Remote Access page. Note: This script is not actually controlling access to any resources - it is merely informative for users with non-Duke IP addresses. After all, you'd want to know why you can't see a journal wouldn't you?

Journal Abbreviation Search
Also in the picture you will see a new search box for journal abbreviations. Looking to see what Rev Med Chil stands for? Don't guess! Now you can enter your search query, press the Go button, and a new window will open containing the search results from NCBI. If you have JavaScript turned off, the search results will open in the same window, replacing the e-journals page, but the Back button will return you to our site.

Hope this helps clear up why you can't access a resource and how to find out journal abbreviations. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions!