The CRISP system: an untapped resource for biomedical research project information

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Informatics
• Health Services Research
• Scientific Information Management

Background:

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) maintains the Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects (CRISP) database.
• CRISP contains extensive scientific and administrative data on U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) research.
• It serves as a resource for identifying emerging research trends and methodologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the utility of the CRISP database for health information professionals.
• To discuss the indexing, retrieval, and search services offered by CRISP.
• To demonstrate how medical information users can leverage CRISP for insights.

Main Methods:

• CRISP utilizes a controlled vocabulary for indexing new and active research areas.
• Queries can integrate subject headings with administrative data, such as research category or principal investigator.
• Information professionals can access CRISP data indirectly through merged records in FEDRIP or TOXLINE.

Main Results:

• CRISP provides early access to scientific trends, methods, and techniques, often predating published literature.
• The database's structure allows for flexible searching combining subject and administrative data.
• Abridged CRISP records are available in the publicly accessible FEDRIP database via DIALOG.

Conclusions:

• The CRISP database is an underutilized resource for health information professionals.
• Effective use of CRISP can provide a competitive advantage in identifying research trends.
• Understanding CRISP's search capabilities and data access points is crucial for maximizing its benefits.