Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) is defined as the system in which selectively and automatically compiled information about new documents is disseminated to researchers, scientists, and others who need these documents or information or supplying each user or group of users with a reference to documents or abstracts relating to their predefined areas of interest. It involves notifying the material that matches the interests of the client.
SDI is a type of current awareness service meant to keep the user abreast with the latest developments in the field of his interest. It is a personalized service meant for the individual or a group of users having identical information needs. It is a quick service that provides pinpointed and exhaustive information to the users. SDI involves the screening of the document and selecting the information according to the specific information needs of each user or group of users (homogeneous). The main objective is to keep the user well-informed and up-to-date in his area of interest.
The following are the characteristics of SDI service:
One of the important things in SDI service is that only current and selective information that is highly relevant to the user’s interest is to be selected by the computer for dissemination.
Some of the objectives of selective dissemination of information (SDI) services are as follows:
No irrelevant documents should be brought to the notice of the user. Only the selective and relevant documents should be brought to the notice of the user.