How to Search BIOSIS Previews: Codes

Concept Codes

These are an important part of BIOSIS controlled indexing and are powerful searching tools, you should always consider their use when developing search strategies. It contains five digit numeric codes used to represent BIOSIS Previews indexing categories. e.g. CC03504 (PLANT).  

Based on the author's emphasis, these Concept Codes are assigned at two levels: major and minor;

• Major Concept Codes represent subjects on central importance.
• Minor codes represent peripheral or secondary topics. 

Before you include a Concept Code in a strategy, consult the Concept Code Scope Notes section to confirm that the code is appropriate for your search. A directory of codes can be obtained from BIOSIS Search Guide, a 1997 edition is available at SCREF1 (Z699.5 Lif.BPS). 

The Concept Code Directory lists all Concept Codes in numerical order and can be used as a quick reference to locate Concept Codes and their headings. It also can be used to identify the broad subject areas indexed in the database.

As Concept Codes represent broad subject areas, a large number of references may be retrieved when you use Concept Codes alone. You may narrow your search to retrieve fewer references by any of the following means:

• Add additional terms or phrases to the search strategy, such as synonyms.
• Include other relevant Concept Codes
• Restrict your search to a particular year, language, etc
• Restrict the Concept Codes to the major level

 

Biosystematic code (BC)  

The Biosystematic Code represents the taxonomic categories used to index organisms in BIOSIS Previews. e.g. BC15300 (Basidiomycetes)

A numeric listing of Biosystematic Codes and their headings, taxonomic guides to viruses, bacteria, plants and animals and a list of taxonomic references are included. Use these resources to develop more effective search strategies.

All Biosystematic Headings, together with a representative listing of common and scientific names for plants and animals indexed with these codes, are included in the Biosystematic Code Directory of the BIOSIS Search Guide.  The 1997 edition is available at SCREF1 (Z699.5 Lif.BPS). 

Samples illustrating the use of Biosystematic Codes in search strategies are included in the Searching Fundamentals section