Inspec Direct
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About Inspec Direct

What is Inspec?

IET Inspec is a scientific and technical database for subject-specific and interdisciplinary research in the global fields of engineering, physics, electronics and computer science. It contains over 20 million records of research literature, and for over 50 years it’s been an invaluable resource for researchers, engineers and information professionals.

Find out more about Inspec’s unique indexing and why Inspec is the database of choice for numerous prestigious research institutions around the world.

Using Inspec Direct

Inspec Direct combines the relevance and accuracy of the Inspec database with the simplicity of a search engine interface, making your research journey as efficient as possible so that you can:

  • keep pace with developments in the fast-moving world of science, engineering and technology
  • pinpoint the latest global research in your field
  • access quality data quickly
  • avoid research duplication and “reinventing the wheel”
  • track your competitor movements to stay one step ahead
  • accelerate your R&D activities by saving time and money.

Inspec Direct provides direct access to query the Inspec database (1969 - present) and the Inspec Archive (1898 - 1968).

Find out more about the full list of features and searching Inspec Direct in our Knowledge Base.

IET Inspec

The Inspec database contains over 20 million records from more than 4,500 global physics and engineering journals, patent documents, conference proceedings and videos, dating back to 1969. A full list of indexed journals can be found on the IET’s website.

Inspec focuses on four main subject areas:

  • Physics
  • Electrical engineering and electronics
  • Computers and control
  • Mechanical and production engineering

Each of these main subjects contains numerous sub-sections within the same genre. Our detailed subject classification hierarchy contains more than 3,500 unique codes.

Inspec Archive

The Inspec Archive within Inspec Direct represents the digitised version of the original Science Abstracts series, extending coverage back from 1898 -1968.

Find out more about the Inspec Archive.

We’re upgrading our systems, and this includes changes to our customer and member account log in, MyIET. It’s part of our big picture plan to deliver a great experience for you and our wider engineering community.

Whilst most of our websites remain available for browsing, it will not be possible to log in to purchase products or access services from Thursday, 17 April to Wednesday, 30 April 2025. Our Member Relations team is here to help and for many of our services, including processing payments or orders, we’ll be able to support you over the phone on +44 (0)1438 765678 or email via membership@theiet.org.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

For further information related to specific products and services, please visit our FAQs webpage.

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