Frequently asked questions

China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), launched in 1988, is an electronic platform created to integrate significant Chinese knowledge-based information resources. As a result, CNKI is the most authoritative, comprehensive, and largest source of China-based information resources in the world, reflecting the latest developments in Chinese politics, economics, humanity and social science, science and technology.

2. Who developed CNKI?

The Beijing-based Tsinghua Tongfang Knowledge Network Technology Company (TTKN), an information technology company founded by Tsinghua University, is the sole developer and owner of the CNKI databases. TTKN takes the lead in constructing and developing the network of information collection, integration, spread and utilization in China.

3. Is there a list of journals available in CNKI?

See our title lists page here[http://online.eastview.com/titles/index.jsp] for more information.

4. What is China Academic Journals (CAJ)?

The largest of CNKI databases, the CAJ database offers full-text and full-image access to over 9,000,000 articles from almost 7,000 academic journals published in China since 1994 on physical sciences and engineering, humanities and social sciences, medicine, and agriculture. The archive is growing, due to retrospective conversion of most titles back to their first issue. You may have access to one or more series depending on your institution’s subscription.

5. What is China Academic Journals Bibliographic Database?

The Bibliographic Database of CAJ provides article citations in the above disciplinary areas. Access to the CAJ Bibliographic Database is free.

6. What is China Core Newspapers (CCND)?

The newspaper database, known as CCND, covers subscription-based access to more than 400 newspapers from every province and region of China. While its archive dates from 2000, it already has nearly 3,000,000 articles, with about 800,000 news items added annually. With the dynamic changes affecting all aspects of life in modern China, this database is destined to become a unique and essential resource for almost anyone interested in this part of the world.

7. What is China Doctor/Master’s Dissertations (CDMD)?

CDMD is a collection of over 90,000 master’s and doctoral dissertations for degrees from 250 universities and academies in China. Dissertations are available from 2000.

8. What is the China Proceedings of Conferences (CPCD)?

CPCD offers access to more than 100,000 articles from over 1,000 conference proceedings published since 1999 by as many as 350 academic associations and societies in China. As proceedings better reflect the latest advancements in science and technology, it is an ideal choice to keep up-to-date on the trends.

9. What are the technical requirements for CNKI databases?

· To access the database: Windows 9X, Windows NT Workstation, Windows 2000, or Windows XP with Internet Explorer or Netscape Browser are required.

· For Windows 9X English edition or Windows NT Workstation English edition, a Chinese processing program is necessary to display Chinese characters.

· As Windows 2000 English edition and XP English edition have the function of displaying in Chinese and Chinese inputting, it is not necessary to obtain another Chinese processor. You may download free Microsoft Global Input Method Editor (for input Chinese) or NJStar Communicator 2.23 (for both view and input Chinese) for your browser if you need a Chinese tool on your PC.

· Chinese SimSun font may be downloaded here[http://online.eastview.com/help/simsun.zip].

· Viewing full-text articles with CNKI. There are two ways: “download CAJ” or
”download PDF”. You may choose either method:

i. “download CAJ” means viewing with CAJViewer. This is proprietary software from TTKN that allows you to view the full-text article. It acts similar to Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the zip file here[http://online.eastview.com/help/cajviewer.zip] to access the software.

ii. ”download PDF” means viewing with Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you already have Acrobat Reader on your computer, take a look at an article to check if you need to download another version of this program. If you are not able to open the article, or fonts are garbled, download the Acrobat Reader program here[http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/alternate.html#51wSearch]. Chinese Simplified font packs may be found here[http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/acrrasianfontpack.html]

10. I have installed the CAJ Viewer but it does not display the Chinese text properly.

If there is a Chinese font library on your computer, you should click “option” in the CAJ Viewer Menu and select “Default Font”. In the Font screen, please select “MS Hei” or “MS Song”, and click “OK”. If you do not see these fonts, you should install a Chinese font library on your computer. If you also want to input Chinese characters, you should install a Chinese tool. See answers to question 8 for links and other instructions”.

11. Where is china.eastview.com server physically located?

The server is located at East View’s headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota to ensure reliable instantaneous access for North American users.

12. Do you have to know Chinese to use the database?

No. The database has an English language interface and over 400 academic journals in English covering major social sciences and science & technology areas.

13. Which language/script should I use to type a search query?

To get the best results, type a query in simplified Chinese. A query in English will return some results, but not as many. A query in traditional Chinese will generate an error.

14. Can I search in CAJ even if I am not proficient in Chinese?

Yes, you can. The database has an English language interface and over 400 academic journals in English covering major social science and technology areas (more journals have English abstracts). So you should be able to find articles related to your topic. However, you will get many more search results if you search in Chinese.

15. Can I search in Chinese when I am using the English language interface?

Yes, you can. All of CNKI databases have search interface in three language/scripts (English, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese). The search interface is independent of the search query. You can input queries in simplified Chinese when the interface is in English.

16. Some articles are displayed with strange characters in the CAJ viewer. What can I do to correct it?

For Windows 2000 users, please do the following:

- in the CAJ viewer go to Menu "Option”;

- choose "Select Default Font”;

- select "SimSun” in the Font window;

- select "CHINESE_GB2312” for the Script setting in the right bottom box.

- click OK button.

Chinese characters should be displayed correctly now.

17. What should I do if the pages are illegible?

Please follow these steps:

- check if there is any Chinese font library on your computer;

- If there is, click View in Menu and select Chinese Simplified (GB2312) or Chinese Simplified(HZ) in Font;

- If there is not, please add a Chinese font library into the Fonts in Control Panel of your computer.

18. Can I save the articles on my computer or print them out?

Yes, you can. Please refer to the User’s Guide[http://online.eastview.com/help/User_Guide.pdf]

19. Can I view articles by a specific journal?

Sorry, you can't. But you can search Chinese articles by a specific journal.

20. Can I search articles by a specific journal?

Yes, you can. Please refer to the User’s Guide[http://online.eastview.com/help/User_Guide.pdf]

21. Can I access the database from Mac computers or SUN workstations?

Sorry, not at this time.

22. Who do I contact to find out more?

In North America and Europe contact:

East View Information Services, Inc.
10601 Wayzata Boulevard.
Minneapolis, MN 55305 USA
Tel.: (952) 252-1201
Fax: (952) 252-1202
US Toll-free: (800) 477-1005
china@eastview.com

23. How can I get access?

There is a free trial period available to help you familiarize yourself with the database and learn its features. We can program campus-wide trials according to Internet Protocol addresses. Please contact our customer service or send an e-mail to sales@eastview.com for a free trial.