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A comparison of two microcomputer-based programs for bibliographic retrieval and formatting.
J M Garfield1, H Flanagan, J Fox
1Anesthesia Department, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Journal of Clinical Monitoring
|July 1, 1989
Summary
Two microcomputer programs effectively organize biomedical literature and format references. While both require significant learning, they prove competent for managing reprints and citations once mastered.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Informatics
- Scientific Literature Management
Background:
- Effective organization of biomedical literature is crucial for researchers.
- Microcomputer-based programs offer potential solutions for managing extensive reference collections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the speed and accuracy of two microcomputer programs for organizing biomedical literature.
- To assess the searching, sorting, and formatting capabilities of these reference management tools.
Main Methods:
- A bibliography of 100 anesthetic references was used.
- Benchmark tests were developed to measure program performance on typical tasks.
- Two representative microcomputer-based literature filing programs were assessed.
Main Results:
- Both programs accurately performed searching tasks at similar speeds.
- One program sorted references without errors under specific conditions.
- Both programs formatted various reference types but required post-processing refinement.
- Customization of 'punctuation files' for specific journal styles demanded considerable time.
Conclusions:
- Microcomputer programs are competent tools for organizing biomedical reprints and formatting references.
- Mastery of these programs, including customization, is essential for optimal utilization.
- Users should anticipate a significant time investment for learning and customization.