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How the Information System Works

The SRDIS is organized into 5 parts (Indicators, Country Profiles, Searchable Catalogs, Sourcebooks, and Case Studies) which are explained on the home page. Each part is, or soon will be, searchable. Some of the searches are simple free-text searches, while others take the user through a series of steps in order to hone in on specific information. Each is designed to help the user obtain needed information through the quickest means possible.

Search Routines

There are a number of search routines in the SRDIS. Some search publications while others search databases or metadata (descriptions of data or relevant information). All are rather user friendly, guiding users through the search options one step at a time. Following are the search routines currently available to users.

    Indicators--The NRM Indicator Datasets

    These datasets are available to World Bank staff only. Once the password is entered, users can select any of 9 themes, and then choose a country or region. When data are displayed, users have the option to re-sort the data by any of the fields.

    Indicators--Annotated Bibliography Search Session

    The Annotated Bibliography is a searchable part of a World Bank publication, Indicators of Land Quality and Sustainable Management.

    This routine helps users to quickly find a bibliographic entry by searching for free-text in any one of the following fields: author, title, abstract, keywords, location names, indicator, description, or any of five pillars and five scopes. All options are selected from one page, and results are displayed in a list with links to the bibliographic entries that match the search term.

    Country Profiles

    Country or regional data about treaties are available to users. From the first page, users select a region from an interactive map. Then they select a country, and then one of the following:

    • Participation in major global environmental treaties
    • Profile Population
    • Profile Deforestation
    • Profile Conservation of Biodiversity
    • Profile Desertification and Drought
    • Profile Trade and Environment

    Finally, users choose one or more variables of interest and then attributes for each variable. Data are displayed by the fields State (country), Year, and Value.

    Search the Gateway

    Searching for metadata employs a tool called "Gateway," web-based software developed by CIESIN.

    Users can search one or more selected metadata catalogs to obtain information on data and resources related to resource development. The metadata catalogs reside on servers (computers acting as information providers) configured with software allowing field-specific searches. Gateway scans these servers simultaneously and displays reliable results.

    From the search page, users select criteria by which to search and then click on a rectangular "Begin" button to start searching the metadata catalogs of their choosing. The options include Keywords, Location, or Date.

    The Keyword search is fairly simple. Users type in a word or phrase on which to search in one or two places and select fields in which to search:

    • Any Part of the Record
    • Title
    • Abstract
    • Keywords
    • Location Names
    • Distributor/Data Center

    Users then select the "Begin Search" button to start the search, or they can select the "Clear All Settings" button to change selections.

    Search results are presented on the next page in a few seconds (if they do not appear, wait a few seconds and press the "Refresh" button). Then users can select the number of metadata titles to be displayed per page (10, 20, 30, 50, or 100 are valid) and click on "Retrieve" to view the list of matched metadata records.

    The matched records are listed by Title, Keywords, and Abstract to help users decide which metadata they want to view. Clicking on a Title will present the user with a full record display. Or users can select multiple matches and then click on the button "Retrieve Selected Records" to view them.

    The metadata records are displayed in full format with subtitles outlining pertinent information. Where available, metadata records have links to the data or information that is described in the metadata record.

    Users can select the browser's "Back" button to return to previous pages. If many minutes pass before returning to the search interface, the information system may lose track of the search session and return a page with the words "Data Missing" at the top. Clicking on the browser's "Reload" button and then on the "Re-post Data" button will bring the user back to the search page.

    Users have the option to begin another search or refine their search by choosing "New Search." If users want to refine their search, they can add more keywords, or select either "Location" or "Date"

    The Location search page includes a world map on which users can delineate an area of interest. The non-map interfaces should be used by those who have browsers that do not support Java software, those who do not require the map, and those who may not have satisfactory internet connectivity. Otherwise, click on "Switch to Java Maplet Interface." Go to Spatial Selection Refinement for instructions on how to use the Maplet.

    Users have to select one or both of the following options:

      Require records to satisfy
      geographic criteria?
        no    yes

      Exclude datasets having
      global coverage?
        no    yes

    Then the user selects the coordinates and clicks on the button "Begin Search."

    The Date search page lists options to restrict the search to a time period. Once a date or range of dates are entered, users click on "Begin Search" to get new results.

    Spatial Selection Refinement

    The Java-enhanced search interfaces include a world map on which users can delineate an area of interest. This works only with browsers that support the Java software (currently Netscape). The non-Java interfaces do not provide a map, but users may still enter coordinates if they so choose.

    Users select an area on the map by holding the mouse button down and dragging the mouse across the map. The outlined area is delineated by a red rectangle and corresponding coordinates appear in their respective boxes.

    Users have to select one or both of the following options:

      Require records to satisfy
      geographic criteria?
        no    yes

      Exclude datasets having
      global coverage?
        no    yes

    Note: Not all metadata catalogs use geographic coordinates. If users choose to restrict their search using this option, the search will only return those metadata records containing coordinates. Those without will not be displayed.

    A number of map options are available to help users find their area of interest. A scroll bar and arrow buttons move the map to the right or left. Topographic or political base maps may be selected, grid lines may be added, and previous selections may be cleared.

    Search Case Studies using Free-text Words or Terms

    Users may find it more convenient to search the World Bank Case Studies to find those of interest. Users enter a word and select "Full-Text Search" or "Search Only Titles" and then click on "Begin Search."

    Search results are presented on the next page in a few seconds (if they do not appear, wait a few seconds and press the "Refresh" button). Then users can select the number of case studies to be displayed per page (10, 20, 30, 50, or 100 are valid) and click on "Retrieve" to view the list of matched cases.

Page Layout

The SRDIS has been designed for ease of use and efficient access. The number of images has been limited, and a simple layout with access to various information resources has been implemented.

Buttons

Users click on buttons in certain parts of the SRDIS to ease access to data or information from certain databases or countries. For instance, users can select specific country profiles by clicking on a "radio" button next to a country before clicking the button "Access Data for Selected Country." Also a rectangular "Begin" button initiates a Gateway search of metadata records.

Buttons are sometimes used on initial search session pages, allowing users to restrict a search to Full-Text searches or only Titles.

Logos

Logos of various SRDIS Sponsor Organizations can be found on the Sponsors page. Each of these logos is linked to the web site or homepage of the supporting organization, facilitating access to that site.