Microsoft has launched a rival to Google's Scholar service, which searches academic information to help students and researchers.

The initial beta release of Windows Live Academic Search focuses on computer science, electrical engineering and physics and is available in seven countries.

The available content includes peer-reviewed articles from scholarly societies such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Association for Computing Machinery, and publishers Elsevier and John Wiley & Sons, with more than 10 publishers involved overall.

The search system is a cooperative effort between the publishers, Windows Live Search and industry association CrossRef.

Amy Brand, director of business development at the not-for-profit publishers' reference organisation CrossRef, said the new service would benefit both academics and publishers.

“This academic search tool is designed both to improve the online research experience and to respect the concerns of the publishing industry,” said Amy Brand, director of Business Development at CrossRef.

“We look forward to helping bring even more content into Microsoft Academic Search as the initiative develops.”

Like Google Scholar, Microsoft's academic search tool is currently in the beta testing stage. No date has been given for it moving out of beta.

“We are looking forward to hearing from our customers during this beta period, which will help us improve upon what is available today,” said Danielle Tiedt, general manager of Windows Live Premium Search.

Microsoft said it was working with multiple organizations to expand the service and bring new subjects online in the near future.

The current service offers English versions in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Australia.