COMPUTER DATABASES:
As would be evident from the foregoing description, literature search is essentially a process of information retrieval. The term "Information Retrieval" was coined by Calvin Mooers in 1950, who described it as "searching and retrieval of information from storage, according to specification by subject". Retrieval of information is the objective in the process of communication between human beings. The process of communication involves the following steps:
i) Collection of information;
ii) Selection of information for inclusion into the system;
iii) Classification and/or indexing;
iv) Dissemination;
v) Storage for future recovery; and
vi) Retrieval.
However, the process of communication of information is increasingly getting difficult due to the following factors