World libraries: British library introduces innovative search

The British Library has introduced a host of innovative search and data mining tools designed to help researchers access and exploit millions of research articles and papers held by UK PubMed Central (UKPMC) - a free digital database of full-text scientific literature in biomedical and life sciences.

The initiative has opened up over 1.7 million full-text, peer reviewed biomedical research articles and over 19 million other life science research papers and datasets for information professionals’ use.

Currently in an open beta version, the intuitive interface enables researchers to exploit the scientific literature with features which enrich abstracts and full-text articles by linking scientific terms to other sources of information. They can also access and search content not included in traditional journal literature – including clinical guidelines as well as other hard to find material such as PhD theses.

UK PubMed Central was developed in collaboration with the founders of PubMed Central in the US. According to the library, the consolidation of published research outputs into globally accessible resources such as UKPMC is not only vital for widening access to knowledge and improving the efficiency of desk research, but it will also vastly improve the ability of funding organisations to assess the impact of their research, and help to better inform scientific strategy and policy making.

Richard Boulderstone, British Library’s director of e-strategy, said: “Developed by the British Library through open consultation with a wide range of researchers, the new data mining tools will allow users to really interrogate the collection; informing research, reducing duplication of work, and inspiring new scientific discovery.”