Looking for information

Abstract

As a result of more medical device designers taking an interest in the biocompatibility of materials, information about biomaterials is in demand. One of the most effective methods of finding biomaterials information is to run a literature search by using an abstract-searching firm. One effective method to use at the beginning of a biomaterials literature search is to start with one or two papers on the subject and use these as a basis for the search. If the goal is to produce a retrospective summary, papers written 10 years ago may be useful. If not, then perhaps confine the search to the past 5 years. If this is a first-time search in a new field, review some of the landmark literature contributions from the early 1960s and 1970s because they provide an excellent perspective on the goals of biomaterials research. The benefits of attending scientific meetings are described.