What's Your Chil Factor?
Test your knowledge of chemical information!
- 1.
"Chemical Abstracts" is:
- A.
Modern art by prominent chemists
- B.
The primary index for the world's chemical literature
- C.
Summaries of presentations at American Chemical Society meetings
- D.
Something chemists used to use in the old days
Correct Answer
B. The primary index for the world's chemical literatureExplanation
"Chemical Abstracts" was the world's largest literature index, covering chemistry and related sciences more or less comprehensively since 1907. It's now available online within SciFinder.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Almost all old scientific books are now available as e-books.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The vast bulk of older books can be read only in hardcopy. Many newly published books are available in e-book format from the publishers, although libraries don't always buy them that way. The printed scholarly book is not a dinosaur. Yet.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which statement about scientific journals is most accurate?
- A.
Most journals are now available online for free for everyone.
- B.
Most journals are now available online to persons whose libraries are able to subscribe to them.
- C.
Most libraries still receive print copies of journals as well as the online versions.
- D.
Only recent years of most journals have been digitized.
Correct Answer
B. Most journals are now available online to persons whose libraries are able to subscribe to them.Explanation
We wish it was A! But it's B. Most reputable journals in the sciences are extremely expensive and access is highly restricted. Most journals have digitized their archives, but access depends on local subscription parameters. Few libraries get many printed scientific journals anymore.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which of these can be used in searching the chemical literature?
- A.
Author names
- B.
Chemical structures
- C.
Chemical name/synonyms
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
When you use a chemical indexing database like SciFinder you can search for literature using all of these options and more.Rate this question:
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- 5.
SciFinder is:
- A.
A specialized web search engine
- B.
The best and most advanced tool for searching the chemical literature
- C.
Available in Google Scholar
- D.
A ranking of science graduate programs
Correct Answer
B. The best and most advanced tool for searching the chemical literatureExplanation
SciFinder is the the tool of choice for advanced researchers in all chemical fields.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Reaxys is a database that provides properties and reactions for what kinds of substances?
- A.
Peptides and proteins
- B.
Polymers and plastics
- C.
Organic and inorganic compounds
- D.
Enzymes
Correct Answer
C. Organic and inorganic compoundsExplanation
Reaxys is the online incarnation of the old Beilstein and Gmelin handbooks, and covers discrete organic, inorganic, and organometallic molecules but not polymers or biochemicals.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Which of these is NOT a great place to look for the heat of combustion of naphthalene?
- A.
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
- B.
DIPPR
- C.
Google
- D.
NIST Chemistry WebBook
- E.
Reaxys
Correct Answer
C. GoogleExplanation
As the old adage goes, you can spend an hour on Google to save 30 seconds in the library. Using the right tools will save you lots of time.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which of these is not considered part of the chemical literature?
- A.
Patents
- B.
Research group web pages
- C.
Conference proceedings
- D.
Reviews
- E.
Dissertations
Correct Answer
B. Research group web pagesExplanation
Web pages are not "published" in the traditional sense and should not be given the same weight as other forms of information.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Printed book collections in most libraries are arranged by:
- A.
Subject
- B.
Title
- C.
Author
- D.
Year of publication
- E.
Size
Correct Answer
A. SubjectExplanation
Call number classification systems, such as the Library of Congress system used by the UT Libraries, are based on subject.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which of the following would you not want to use to locate a journal article that you already know about?
- A.
The Library Catalog
- B.
An index database
- C.
Google Scholar
- D.
The CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
Correct Answer
D. The CRC Handbook of Chemistry and PhysicsExplanation
The CRC Handbook contains data tables.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which statement is most accurate about a library's collection of print journals?
- A.
They're useless because they're all online now.
- B.
There's no way to know what's in them.
- C.
They are important when an digital version isn't available.
- D.
None are printed anymore, so it's all just old stuff.
Correct Answer
C. They are important when an digital version isn't available.Explanation
A scientist neglects analog paper-based information at his/her peril!Rate this question:
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- 12.
The MOST accurate way to describe a chemical compound for searching in a database is to use its:
- A.
IUPAC name
- B.
Molecular formula
- C.
Most common name
- D.
Chemical structure
- E.
Molecular weight
Correct Answer
D. Chemical structureExplanation
The chemical structure is the least ambiguous way to indicate exactly what compound you're looking for. Most chemical search engines, including SciFinder and Reaxys, allow you to draw a structure and search it against a database of structures.Rate this question:
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- 13.
A CAS Registry Number is:
- A.
The phone number of Chemical Abstracts Service
- B.
A unique identifer for a specific chemical substance as assigned by Chemical Abstracts Service
- C.
An excellent substitute for a chemical name in database searching
- D.
Both B and C
Correct Answer
D. Both B and CExplanation
The CAS RN is a good surrogate when searching for specific compounds, because it avoids name ambiguity, is easier to save, and saves you the time of drawing a structure.Rate this question:
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- 14.
"Peer Review" in journals is best described as:
- A.
Reviews by critics after an article is published
- B.
Discussion of an article in the British House of Lords
- C.
Passing around a draft article for comments before submitting it to a journal
- D.
Evaluation of a submitted article by experts before it's accepted for publication
- E.
A foolproof way to prevent fraud in the scientific literature
Correct Answer
D. Evaluation of a submitted article by experts before it's accepted for publicationExplanation
Peer review is a gatekeeping function in the scientific literature where a journal asks experts to assess a submitted article and suggest changes before recommending it for publication. It is not foolproof nor is it intended to detect fraud.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 19, 2022Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Jun 04, 2009Quiz Created by
Malletchem
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