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Inspec highlights and roadmap

As the go-to database for scientific research across the fields of physics, engineering, computer science and technology IET Inspec is trusted by prestigious research institutions across the globe.

IET Inspec and Inspec Analytics are continuously updated and improved to ensure that we are offering our customers extremely high-quality content, features, and metrics.

Three key areas of focus for IET Inspec include

Enriching Inspec records

To provide our customers with comprehensive records that support enhanced discovery and precision analytics.

Please note: All forthcoming features and product developments are subject to change.

Adding trusted content

As a publisher-neutral database, IET Inspec keeps pace with the latest research by regularly reviewing and updating its list of indexed titles.

For additional information about our content, including a full list of journals indexed by Inspec, please visit our content and coverage webpage.

For additional information about the IET Inspec content and selection policy, view our information for publishers webpage.

2022 Highlights

  • Over 1.1 million records added: In 2022 Inspec added more than 1.1 million records, surpassing 22 million total indexed records.
  • Open Research Europe: In 2022 Inspec was the first database to accept and index content from Open Research Europe.
  • First to index new publications: In 2022 Inspec was the first database to accept content from newly launched titles including: Journal of Communications and Information Networks (IEEE), IEEE Open Journal of Control Systems (IEEE), Photonics Insights (SPIE), Advanced Photonics Nexus (SPIE), The Innovation (Cell Press), BME Frontiers (SPJ), Environmental Research Infrastructure and Sustainability (IOP), Neuromorphic Computing and Engineering (IOP), and Materials Futures (IOP).

What’s coming in 2023?

Inspec is pleased to share that 32 journals have been accepted for indexing beginning in January 2023.

  • First to index new publications: In 2023 Inspec is the first database to accept content from newly launched titles including: APL Energy (AIP), APL Machine Learning (AIP), ASME Open Journal of Engineering (ASME), and ASCE OPEN: Multidisciplinary Journal of Civil Engineering (ASCE).
  • Science Partner Journals: Inspec has accepted 5 additional Science Partner Journals for indexing – expanding our coverage of the SPJ portfolio.
  • SAE Technical Papers: Inspec will now index SAE Technical Papers, significantly expanding coverage of mechanical engineering content.
  • ACS Publications: Inspec has accepted 4 additional titles from the American Chemical Society (ACS).
  • J-STAGE: 14 titles from J-STAGE have been accepted for indexing, expanding our coverage of valuable Japanese research content.
  • AAAS: 2 titles from AAAS, Science Robotics and Science Advances, have been accepted for indexing.
  • F1000 Research: Inspec has accepted and will index content from F1000 Research.

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Enriching Inspec records

IET Inspec’s rigorous indexing process provides comprehensive records that support enhanced discovery and precision analytics.

Each year, the Inspec team conducts an annual assessment and update of the Inspec thesaurus against emerging research trends to reflect the latest scientific advances and keep pace with modern research. For detailed information about the most recent thesaurus updates, please visit our guides and support webpage.

In addition to annual thesaurus updates, the Inspec team also works to add new data fields to enrich Inspec records.

2022 Highlights

  • Thesaurus Update: In 2022 the annual thesaurus assessment resulted in: 11 new subject classification codes, 25 new controlled terms,101 new lead-ins, and 7 promoted controlled terms.
  • Open Access Identification: Identified 3.6+ million items in Inspec as Open Access and enabled Inspec platforms to add this to the Inspec record as a search facet.
  • Funding Data: Added funding data to Inspec records, with Phase 1 of this project providing data from 2013-2019 to be added to the Inspec record.
  • Funding Bodies for Inspec Analytics: Added Funding data to Inspec Analytics, delivering another valuable layer of insight for researchers, faculty and the research or R&D office.
  • Citation Data: Processed 10+ million citations for Inspec Analytics Plus and we created a further 4+ million Inspec accession-cited accession links.

What’s coming in 2023?

  • Thesaurus Update: The 2023 annual thesaurus assessment resulted in: 18 new subject classification codes, 44 new controlled terms, and 91 new lead-ins.
  • Funding Data: In 2023 we will continue adding funding data to Inspec records, with Phase 2 covering Inspec records and Inspec Analytics from 2019-2022.
  • New Document Types: In 2023 there are plans to add new document types to Inspec: preprints and video/multimedia.
  • CPC Codes: In 2023 there are plans to add Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) codes to Inspec records. This will be in addition to the existing International Patent Classification (IPC) codes already included in Inspec.

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Advancing functionality and analytic capability

IET Inspec develops new features based on customer needs and feedback to continue advancing the functionality and analytic capability of our products.

Ongoing work is done to maintain and improve workflows and vendor integrations to continue providing a quality experience for our customers and users.

2022 Highlights

  • Extended Search: In 2022, a new search feature was added to Inspec Analytics to improve search results and help direct users towards potentially relevant entities. This feature automatically appears for any search originating from the main search bar, offering search suggestions in a panel with the title “You might be interested in.”
  • Data Visualisation: In 2022 improvements were made to many charts and graphs throughout Inspec Analytics to improve data visualisation throughout the product.
  • Funding Sources: In 2022 Funding Sources (Bodies) were added to Inspec Analytics Plus across all 10,000+ controlled terms and 3,500+ subject classifications.

What’s coming to Inspec Analytics in 2023?

  • Narrower Controlled Terms: In 2023 there are plans to add ‘Narrower Controlled Terms’ for organisations, making it easier for users to assess an organisation’s specific output areas.
  • Advanced Citation Trends: In 2023 there are plans to incorporate citation trends for co-occurring concepts in Inspec Analytics.
  • Publisher Information: In 2023 there are plans to add additional publisher information for publications in Inspec Analytics.

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