International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1. International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The acronym INIS represents the International Nuclear Information System, initiated and overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, beginning its operations in 1970. This system functions as a collaborative and decentralised computerised abstracting and indexing platform, globally encompassing literature focused on the peaceful utilisation of nuclear energy. It amalgamates and processes contributions from its members, redistributing this information in machine-readable and print formats.
Designed primarily for individuals seeking insights into the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, INIS operates as an international cooperative information system in partnership with 132 members, comprising 114 Member States and 19 International Organizations, boasting more than 30 years of operational expertise.
Covering a significant portion of the world's scientific and technical literature within its thematic scope, INIS manages a bibliographic database currently housing over 2.5 million abstracted and indexed records. Additionally, it maintains a vast collection of over 600,000 full-text publications pertinent to INIS's domain, which are not easily accessible through commercial channels. This compilation establishes INIS as the foremost and most comprehensive source globally for information on the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology.

2. Subject Scope

The INIS subject coverage has been meticulously designed to cater to the information requirements of the global user community, particularly those whose interests align with the International Atomic Energy Agency's activities, specifically focusing on the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. The primary subject areas encompass atomic reactors, reactor safety, nuclear fusion, and the diverse applications of radiation and radioisotopes in fields such as medicine, agriculture, industry, and pest control. Additionally, it extends to related disciplines such as nuclear chemistry, nuclear physics, and materials science.

3. Literature Coverage

The INIS Database offers an extensive array of literature, comprising bibliographic citations and abstracts sourced from scholarly journal articles, research and development (R&D) reports, papers presented at seminars and conferences, books, patents, theses, as well as laws, regulations, and standards pertinent to the field. Moreover, the network of INIS inputting centres across the globe regularly scans through over 2,400 periodicals to identify articles relevant to nuclear science. A noteworthy feature distinguishing INIS is the predominance of abstracts in English, serving as the primary language. This attribute significantly contributes to its widespread international popularity.
Furthermore, the INIS Database includes bibliographic references encompassing various literature types, such as journal articles, books, reports, patents, etc. Access to the INIS Database is available to individual users and institutions within the Member States of INIS and other collaborating institutions associated with INIS.

4. Input processing for the INIS database

• Collection and Submission: A designated national inputting centre gathers literature from each INIS member state. This centre then submits the compiled input to the INIS Secretariat in a pre-prepared machine-readable format, commonly through email or on diskette or magnetic media. The standardised format aligns with the guidelines provided in the INIS Reference Series. Most inputting centres utilise 'FIBRE' (Friendly Inputting of Bibliographic Records), a specialised PC-based input preparation package developed by INIS. FIBRE streamlines input preparation, ensuring higher data quality and consistency, reducing correction efforts and enhancing processing efficiency.
• Initial Processing: Upon receipt at the INIS Secretariat, bibliographic records undergo comprehensive processing using checking programs to detect errors and omissions. Specialised personnel at the Secretariat rectify these issues. The input is then converted into an internal working format via computer programs in preparation for final processing.
• Quality Control: Before final processing, inputs undergo scrutiny for indexing and abstracting. A continual quality control mechanism, facilitated by an Expert System, identifies records with potential errors. Subject specialists at the INIS Secretariat review and address these flagged records.
• Output Creation: After each processing cycle, a consolidated output file is generated. This file serves as the input for subsequent programs responsible for creating the INIS output files in the INIS exchange format (ISO-2709). These files are the basis for establishing the INIS Database and facilitating online and CD-ROM retrieval.

In addition to the outlined procedure, the INIS Secretariat also handles the processing of Non-Conventional Literature (NCL) submitted by INIS members. This involves receiving the full text of such literature in electronic or hard copy format, which is then processed for distribution via microfiche, CD-ROMs, or electronic mail.

5. Key products and services

INIS offers a range of products and services tailored to end users across different INIS member countries. The offerings vary from nation to nation, with each country's designated National Liaison Officer responsible for disseminating detailed information about the available INIS products and services within their jurisdiction. Essential products and services provided by INIS include:

• INIS Database: The INIS Database is a premier information source encompassing globally published scientific literature focused on the peaceful applications of nuclear science and related fields. This database spans from 1970 to today, featuring over 2.5 million scientific and technical bibliographic references. These references are meticulously indexed and abstracted in English, adhering to agreed-upon rules and standards. Notably, the INIS Database includes coverage of economic and environmental aspects related to non-nuclear energy sources since 1992. It prides itself not only on validated and high-quality references but also on its comprehensive international coverage.
• INIS Non-Conventional Literature (NCL): Easy access to non-conventional literature remains a crucial facet of INIS. The literature housed in the INIS Database falls into two primary categories: conventional and non-conventional. Traditional literature, available commercially through regular distribution channels like books and journals, contrasts with non-conventional literature. The latter category encompasses scientific and technical reports, patent documents, conference papers, and theses, typically not easily accessible through commercial avenues.
• Reference Series: The INIS Reference Series comprises manuals published since 1969 that serve as a foundation for the International Nuclear Information System. These manuals provide rules, standards, formats, codes, and authoritative lists used within the system. They are indispensable tools for cataloguers, indexers, abstractors, or searchers and undergo continual revision. The IAEA-INIS-13 (Rev 38) 1999 - INIS: Thesaurus is widely used among these manuals. Details of other manuals are available on the INIS website.
• INIS Web Services: This includes maintaining links to websites related to nuclear science and technology and any work connected to the IAEA. Additionally, INIS offers subject access to the contents of the IAEA website and sites of related international and multinational organisations in the nuclear science and technology field.
• Marketing and Promotion: INIS conducts extensive marketing and promotion of its products and services, managed by the INIS Secretariat in Vienna and individual member states. The Secretariat utilises online/CD-ROM demonstrations, advertisements, articles in professional journals, and distribution of promotional materials like demo CDs, video films, and other tools. Member states are also responsible for promoting INIS within their respective regions, aided by the INIS Secretariat providing general promotional materials.
• Training: INIS conducts various training activities aimed at achieving multiple objectives. These include establishing and enhancing national information infrastructures, transferring modern information technology, facilitating the exchange of scientific and technical information, ensuring high quality and coverage of the INIS Database, and enabling maximum utilisation of INIS output products to meet the specific needs of each country.
• Alert Services: INIS offers alert services primarily in the form of Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) services. These services cater to users seeking current information within the field of nuclear science and technology. Typically facilitated through the National INIS Liaison Officer of individual INIS member states, these alert services involve customised searches conducted against specific subject interest profiles of users.
• Document Delivery Service: INIS has collaborated with national document delivery centres. These centres make full texts of INIS non-conventional literature available exclusively to users within their respective INIS member states. However, this service is limited to users within specific member states. For countries lacking such facilities, requests are accommodated by referring to the Knowledge Preservation Group of INIS.
• Services in India: India has been actively engaged with INIS since its inception. BARC's Library and Information Services Division (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) is India's National Centre for INIS activities. This centre collects subject-specific information, processes it through the Centre Processing Unit, and disseminates the output to users. Access to the INIS database in India is available online via the Internet and through CDs distributed by the IAEA. INIS non-conventional literature is accessible in the form of CDs and microforms. Additionally, each member state provides individualised services based on INIS products received from the INIS Secretariat. The National INIS Liaison Officer can obtain specific details regarding the availability of INIS-related services in a particular country.
• Contact Details in India: INIS Liaison Officer, Head, Scientific Information Resource Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, Bombay 400085.