Science.gov 3.0 Launched; Offers Increased Precision Searches of Federal Science Database

Offers Increased Precision Searches of Federal Science Database
November 15, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC – The latest version of Science.gov was launched today allowing more refined queries for searches of federal science databases. While Science.gov 3.0 is available to everyone, these improvements will be especially helpful to scientists and information specialists in their searches.

“In these wonderful times for science, the tools by which we share science information must be extraordinary,” said Dr. Raymond Orbach, Director of DOE’s Office of Science. “Science progresses when knowledge is shared and Science.gov 3.0 provides researchers with a tool to hone their queries, resulting in more precise results.”

Science.gov 3.0 introduces “MetaRank” which uses a sophisticated method for ranking science queries by searching “metadata,” or bibliographic information such as title, author, date, abstract or other keyword identifiers. This technology complements the relevancy ranking capabilities of QuickRank, which was introduced in version 2.0 and is still deployed on every search.

Science.gov 3.0 also offers enhanced Boolean search capability, improved fielded searching, intuitive site navigation and early viewing of results while the database and Web site searches continue in real time. By fine-tuning search terms and speeding access to the information needed, these features will help make search results more useful than ever.

Science.gov is the gateway to reliable science and technology information from 17 organizations within 12 federal science agencies. A single query searches across 30 databases and 1,800 Web sites. Science.gov allows users to search the surface Web as well as the deep Web, where traditional search engines cannot go. The information is free and no registration is required.

Deep Web Technologies (DWT), a small business located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, performed the research and development of MetaRank, in part through a competitive grant award for infrastructure research from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.

In addition to the SBIR grant, DWT’s efforts to prototype and implement MetaRank on Science.gov were supported by contributing members of the Science.gov Alliance: the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, and the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Government Printing Office.

Other science agencies participating in Science.gov are the Departments of Commerce and Education, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Science Foundation, with support from the National Archives and Records Administration. Science.gov is hosted by DOE’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information.

Media contact(s):
Jeff Sherwood (DOE), 202/586-5806
Cathey Daniels (OSTI), 865/576-9539