standards

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	Standards "An accepted reference sample which is used for establishing a unit for the measurement of physical quantities." Dudley Williams, "Standard (physical measurement)", in AccessScience@McGraw-Hill, http://www.accessscience.com "Standards provide technical definitions and guidelines for designers and manufacturers." American Association of Engineering Societies

Introduction	Many organizations issue standards. The type of standards they develop is related to the kind of work that they do. For example, ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) -- Standards for materials, products, systems, and services, such as ASTM E422 Test Method for Measuring Heat Flux Using a Water-Cooled Calorimeter. IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) -- Standards in electrical engineering and electronics, such as "Standard test specifications for gas-tube surge-protective devices." Note: IEEE Xplore does NOT include any draft standards; it only includes approved standards.

ASTM Standards	This set of standards is in the Science Reference section at *TA401 .A525. Here's the easiest way to use them: Look at the online ASTM home page From the left column, choose STANDARDS Enter keyword in search box; e.g., "knee" Click on the standard you'd like to see; e.g., "ASTM F1814-97a(2003) Standard Guide for Evaluating Modular Hip and Knee Joint Components." [Make sure to notice the difference between "active" standards vs. "historical" or "withdrawn."] ASTM standards are grouped by broad subject areas in each volume, and then numerically by number within the volume. On the online page, note the number after "Book of Standards Volume." In this case, it's 13.01. Go to the print edition and choose Volume 13.01, and then follow the headings at the tops of the pages until you get to F1814 etc. The full standard includes figures and tables.* The library buys a new set every three years. If the online page says that there a later standard than the print, you can probably get it through interlibrary loan.

Finding Standards in Databases	Some databases allow you to limit your search to just "standards." For example, in Compendex you can limit your search to standards by searching for "standard" as an EI Control term. In IEEE Xplore, you can search their entire database of standards. You can also go to the Web site of the organization that produced the standard and see whether they have a catalog of their standards. One of the largest databases of standards is IHS, an engineering information supply company. Use their database to search for standards. Always try to get a standard through Interlibrary Services before buying it.

Finding Standards in the JHU Libraries catalog	Unless you have the ISSN or ISBN of the standard, do an ADVANCED KEYWORD search in the JHU Libraries catalog. Put in as much information as you can and include the word "standard" as a subject keyword If you are sure that a word is in the standard's title, use the TITLE field and try limiting by the date.