Background: The purpose of this study is to analyse the trends in scientific research on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies by applying bibliometric tools to the scientific literature published between 1973 and 2002.

The processes involved in accessing information are essential to the continuous acquisition of knowledge in university environments. Hence the vital importance of studies on the use of the information resources available in academic institutions to enable them to reach their objectives, thereby contributing to the ongoing enhancement of the quality of higher education. A number of statistical techniques, including mapping techniques with multivariate analyses, are used in this paper to identify and highlight the features that characterise the use of the Carlos III University of Madrid Library's Database Access Services on the campus network from 1997 to 2000. Trends in the use of databases are evaluated and the indicators that typify tendencies and patterns by kind of user are analysed. Certain criteria on the interaction between users, new technologies and electronic information services in the academic networked environment are likewise discussed.

This paper presents a platform outline for bibliometric research. Conceived as a modular system it is based on proprietary software. This proposal intends to show a low complexity framework software which is reasonably widely available including artificial neural networking software. This approach works smoothly with small and medium size corpora and may be very useful for both research and educational purposes. This document may be circulated freely with the following statement included in its entirety:

No abstract