The first abstracting periodical was published in the field of _______
Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
Understanding the First Abstracting Periodical
An abstracting periodical is a publication that provides summaries (abstracts) of articles, books, patents, and other forms of literature published in a specific field or across multiple fields. Its main purpose is to help researchers and scholars stay updated on new developments without having to read every single original publication. These periodicals serve as crucial indexing and summary tools, making information retrieval more efficient.
Identifying the Field of the First Abstracting Periodical
The question asks about the specific academic or scientific field where the very first abstracting periodical was published. Tracing the history of scientific literature reveals that early abstracting services emerged in various disciplines as the volume of publications began to grow significantly, particularly in the 19th century.
Historically, the field of chemistry and related areas, such as pharmaceutical chemistry, were among the first to see a large increase in published research. To manage this influx of information, tools like abstracting journals became necessary. One of the earliest and most notable abstracting periodicals is often cited as the Pharmaceutisches Centralblatt, which later became known as Chemisches Zentralblatt. This publication began in 1830 and focused on pharmaceutical and chemical literature, providing abstracts of articles published in various journals from different countries.
Let's consider the options provided:
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry: This field is strongly associated with the early development of abstracting services, specifically with the publication of periodicals like Pharmaceutisches Centralblatt.
- Mathematical Sciences: While mathematics has a long history, the formal abstracting of mathematical literature in dedicated periodicals came later compared to chemistry and pharmaceuticals.
- Astrophysics and Atmospheric Services: These fields developed significantly later as distinct disciplines requiring widespread abstracting services.
- Legal Sciences: Legal literature is vast, but dedicated abstracting periodicals in the modern sense emerged in a different timeline compared to the early scientific abstracting journals.
Based on historical accounts of scientific literature and the emergence of systematic abstracting services, the field most commonly associated with the first abstracting periodical is Pharmaceutical Chemistry, which directly relates to the early scope of publications like Pharmaceutisches Centralblatt.
Conclusion
The first abstracting periodical is widely considered to have been published in the field closely related to Pharmaceutical Chemistry. This development marked a significant step in managing the ever-increasing volume of scientific information and making research more accessible.
| Field | Historical Context | Relevance to First Abstracting Periodical |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry | Early 19th Century expansion in chemical and pharmaceutical research. | Directly associated with early abstracting journals like Pharmaceutisches Centralblatt (started 1830). |
| Mathematical Sciences | Literature grew, but widespread abstracting periodicals developed later. | Not typically cited as the field for the *very* first abstracting periodical. |
| Astrophysics and Atmospheric Services | Fields solidified and expanded later than chemistry/pharmaceuticals. | Abstracting services in these areas are more recent. |
| Legal Sciences | Different history and structure of literature publishing and abstracting compared to sciences. | Not the field of the first *scientific* abstracting periodical. |
Revision Table: Key Facts on Abstracting Periodicals
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Abstracting Periodical | A publication providing summaries (abstracts) of literature. |
| Purpose | To help researchers find and understand published work quickly. |
| Early Example | Pharmaceutisches Centralblatt (later Chemisches Zentralblatt). |
| Field of Origin | Pharmaceutical Chemistry / Chemistry. |
| Significance | Crucial tool for managing information overload in growing fields. |
Additional Information on Abstracting Services
Abstracting services are a vital part of the scholarly communication ecosystem. They range from subject-specific journals providing abstracts and indexes to large, multidisciplinary databases available electronically. The evolution of abstracting services reflects the growth of research and the development of information technology.
- Evolution: Started as print periodicals, evolved into large print volumes, and now are predominantly electronic databases accessible online.
- Types: Can be comprehensive (covering a whole field) or selective (focusing on specific topics or journals).
- Content: Include abstracts (summaries), bibliographic details (author, title, source), and keywords or index terms.
- Importance Today: Essential for literature searches, systematic reviews, and staying current in one's field. Examples include Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science.
Understanding the history of abstracting services helps appreciate how scholarly information has been organized and disseminated over time.
Important Questions from Reference Sources & Types
The term 'Webliography' was coined by
Which of the following is not a documentation list?
In LISA database, what is the exact nomenclature used for the field representing the label 'NOFT'.
Which one of the following is the special feature in the evaluation criteria of maps and atlases?
Which of the following can be treated as a documentation list?
A. Book review
B. News index
C. Current contents
D. Treatise
E. News digest
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
