Page 131 - DLIS407_INFORMATION AND LITERATURE SURVEY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

Information and Literature Survey in Social Sciences

Notes y Access to Information: IDPAD has initiated funding for networking of 6 ICSSR Regional Centres
and 27 Research Institutes through a special network of computers. From the available funds,
the Project Directors will also be provided with PCs and Internet facility. The networking will
help in setting up of National Information System in Social Sciences (NISSS). The NISSS will
help in coordinating the activities, sharing of the resources and services of the network partners
and in launching collaborative programmes with national and international organisations
engaged in social science information.

14.2.4 Documentation Centre for Asian Studies (DOCAS)

Recognising the importance of India’s foreign, economic and cultural relations with the neighboring
countries and to promote trade, business and industry with the Asian countries, a Documentation
Centre on Asian Studies was set up by ICSSR with financial assistance from Japan. The Centre located in
the Council’s HQs in New Delhi, is building collection on Asian studies and providing documentation
services. The subject areas covered are mostly social sciences including environmental sciences, public
health, etc., to help the policy makers in Asia to evolve new programmes to establish better relations
among the Asian countries for the welfare of the people of the region.

Library

The Centre has a library with about 3000 books and subscribes to 30 periodicals and 11 newspapers.
The Centre performs the following activities:
(i) Dissemination of Information
(ii) Development of Databases
(iii) Exchange of Literature

Dissemination of Information
Centre brings out following two publications at regular intervals: (a) Conference on Asian
Studies—It is a calendar of forthcoming conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. related to Asian
Studies, (b) Select Journals on Asian Studies. Contents-by-Journal for current awareness purposes
and to bring the literature published in the region under bibliographical control.

Database Development
The Centre is developing following two databases:
(i) Bibliography of Indian Literature on Asia: The database covers literature published in India
on Asian Studies. About 2000 records have been computerised.
(ii) Directory of Research Institution on Asian Studies: It is an online database of institutions/
organisations working on Asian Studies in India.

Exchange of Literature

The Centre has established exchange relations with SAARC, International Institute of Asian Studies, The
Netherlands, ESCAPE, etc. and has been regularly receiving their publications on exchange basis.

14.2.5 Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)

ICHR was established by Government of India in 1972 to promote and support historical research in
the country. The Council promotes the study of historical methods to study the social sciences and

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