Mathematical Reviews: A Comprehensive History and Overview
In the vast world of academic research, staying current with every new discovery is a monumental task. For mathematicians, Mathematical Reviews serves as a critical tool for navigating the global landscape of research publications, providing a centralized database of summaries and evaluations.
The Origins of Mathematical Reviews
Mathematical Reviews was founded in 1940 by Otto E. Neugebauer. Its creation was born out of necessity and a commitment to academic integrity. Neugebauer had previously founded the German journal Zentralblatt für Mathematik a decade earlier; however, under the Nazi regime, that publication began censoring reviews written by or about Jewish mathematicians. To ensure a space free from such censorship, Neugebauer established Mathematical Reviews as an alternative.
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Scope and Scale of the Database
The primary objective of the journal is to provide reviews for every single mathematical research publication. The scale of this effort is immense; by November 2007, the Mathematical Reviews database had cataloged information on more than 2.2 million articles.
Alongside Zentralblatt für Mathematik, it stands as one of the only two comprehensive resources of its kind globally. While the Mathematics section of Referativny Zhurnal also exists, it is smaller in scale, difficult to access, and available only in Russian.
The Review Process and Guidelines
The content of the database is generated by volunteers. Editors typically select these reviewers based on their specific expertise in the subject area of the article being reviewed.
Content of the Reviews
Most reviews provide detailed summaries of a paper's contents, often including references to related work and critical comments. However, there are specific guidelines regarding the tone of these evaluations:
- Critical Balance: Reviewers are generally discouraged from harsh criticism because the original authors have no formal opportunity to respond to the review.
- Author Summaries: If an independent review is not possible or if the author's own summary is deemed adequate by editors, the author's summary may be quoted.
- Bibliographic Entries: In certain cases—such as when a paper is written in an unusual language, is a brief conference contribution, or falls outside the primary scope of the journal—only the bibliographic information is provided.
Language and Publication Evolution
While the journal originally published reviews in several different languages, it eventually transitioned to an "English only" policy to standardize access. Additionally, the American Mathematical Society (AMS) previously published a selection of "featured reviews" as books, though this specific program has since been discontinued.
Key Facts
- Founder: Otto E. Neugebauer (1940).
- Purpose: To provide a comprehensive, uncensored review of all mathematical research.
- Database Size: Over 2.2 million articles as of November 2007.
- Reviewers: Expert volunteers selected by editors.
- Language: Currently follows an English-only policy.
| Resource | Scope | Accessibility/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Reviews | Comprehensive | English language; founded to avoid censorship. |
| Zentralblatt für Mathematik | Comprehensive | One of the two primary global resources. |
| Referativny Zhurnal | Limited | Russian language only; smaller scale. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Mathematical Reviews created?
It was founded by Otto E. Neugebauer in 1940 as an alternative to Zentralblatt für Mathematik, which had begun censoring Jewish mathematicians under the Nazi regime.
Who writes the reviews for the database?
The reviews are written by volunteers who are chosen by editors based on their expertise in the relevant mathematical field.
Can reviewers openly criticize a paper?
While critical comments are sometimes included, reviewers are not encouraged to be overly critical because the authors of the original papers cannot respond to the review.
What happens if a paper is in an unusual language?
If a work is written in an unusual language, is a brief conference paper, or is outside the primary scope of the journal, only the bibliographic information is listed.
Is the database available in multiple languages?
Although it began with reviews in several languages, the journal later adopted an "English only" policy.