An '''abstracting service''' is a service that provides abstracts[[abstract]]s of publications, often on a subject or group of related subjects, usually on a subscription basis.<ref>Manzer, B. M. (1977). ''The Abstract Journal, 1790-1920. Origin, Development and Diffusion''. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press.</ref>. An '''indexing service''' is a service that assignassigns descriptors and other kinds of access points to [[document]]s. The word indexing service is today mostly used aboutfor computer programs, but may also cover services providing [[back-of-the-book index]]es, journal indexes, and related kinds of indexes (see [[index (publishing)]]. An '''indexing and abstracting service''' is a service, that provides shortening or summarizing of documents and assigning of descriptors for referencing documents.<ref>Klempner, Irving M. (1968). ''Diffusion of abstracting and indexing services for government-sponsored research''. Metuchen, N.J. Scarecrow Press.</ref>
The product is often an '''abstract journal''' or a [[bibliographic index]], which may be a subject bibliography or a [[bibliographic database]].
Guidelines for indexing and abstracting, including the evaluation of such services, are given in the literature of [[Librarylibrary and information science]].<ref>Lancaster, F. W. (1991/1998/2003). ''Indexing and abstracting in theory and practice''. London: Library Association. (1st ed. 1991; 2nd ed. 1998; 3rd. ed. 2003).</ref>.
Uses of Abstracts
1. It helps to save the researcher's time by grasping the steadily raising tide of the scientific publications.
2. An abstracting service allows search and retrieval of retrospective information
==See also==
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* [[Guide to information sources]]
* [[List of academic databases and search engines]]
