The Web of Science is a database with information dating back to 1987 covering topics across all branches of the sciences, arts and humanities, and social science. It enables faculty, students, and other researchers access to more than 8,000 journals. Researchers can search for articles using parameters such as author, title, subject heading, abstract, citation, Boolean logic, or other search strategies. The program offers users the ability to follow references cited in an article to other articles on the same topic. For example, after finding an article of interest, a user could quickly determine how often it had been referenced in later publications, and by whom.
Users navigate their search by clicking on links related to the item of interest.
Previously, users were limited to a CD-ROM or print version of Science Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index, and to only a print version of the Arts and Humanities Citation Index. The web version permits patrons to access the Web of Science from departmental and personal computers used at home. However, license restrictions require the UI Libraries provide access only to UI faculty, students, and staff. The UI Libraries received assistance in funding the Web of Science from the Colleges of Business, Dentistry, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Medicine, and Nursing.