Dialog

What Is It?

Dialog is a computerized search service that provides access to over 450 databases. "Contained in the DIALOG information collection are millions of documents drawn from more sources than any other online service--from scientific and technical literature--from full-text trade journals, newspapers, and newswires... DIALOG is particularly noted for its collections of business, science and technology, and intellectual property. Other major areas of focus are:

  • Agriculture, food, and nutrition
  • Biosciences and chemistry
  • Business news and industry analysis
  • Company information and financial data
  • Computers, software, and engineering
  • Energy and environment
  • Government, public affairs and law
  • Medicine, health care, and drug information
  • News and full-text publications
  • Patents, trademarks, and copyrights
  • People, books, consumer news, and travel
  • Physical science and technology
  • Social sciences and humanties"

(DIALOG Database Catalog, 1995)

What Will You Receive?

A list, or bibliography of citations on your research topic. It will look like this:

 
File 647:Magazine ASAP 83-00/AUG
 

Set Items Description
 

S1 6767 jn=Science News
S2 13992 py=1995:py=2000
S3 4592 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
S4 563 Blood Supply
S5 45 S1 and S2 and S3 and S4
 

06623191 DIALOG File 647:MAGAZINE ASAP *Use Format 9 for FULL TEXT*
Doubts about the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and the Blood Supply
 Peterson, Ivars
 Science News v13 p230(1) April 9, 1999
 SOURCE FILE: MI File 47
 AVAILABILITY: FULL TEXT Online LINE COUNT: 00039
 

06519267 DIALOG File 647:MAGAZINE ASAP *Use Format 9 for FULL TEXT*
Etiology of the AIDS Virus--Effect on the Nation's Blood Supply 
 Thomsen, Darren
 Science News v 127 p217(2) August 15, 1999
 SOURCE FILE: MI File 47
 AVAILABILITY: FULL TEXT Online LINE COUNT: 00065

Advantages

  • Permits the combination of two or more concepts
  • Saves time
  • Provides information on very current topics

Requesting a DIALOG Search

You MUST visit the Reference Desk and speak with a Reference Librarian. There is no cost to you for the searches. Dialog searches are completed the same day as they are requested (if not, we will ask you if you can wait until the next day). Completed Dialog searches may be picked up at the reference desk, or may be emailed to you.
Before requesting a Dialog search, do some preliminary research first. Check indexes and thesauri. This will help you focus your topic more clearly, and will result in a better Dialog search.