Langsdale Library, University of Baltimore

BIOL 101
Kathleen Rousche
Spring 2008

Individual course index /sp08/ BIOL101_rousche__sp08

Introduction | Research Tips |Science databases | Book catalogs | Suggested Websites | Additional Websites | General Reference Tools | Other helpful information

Introduction:
This guide provides information on finding scientific research through resources from Langsdale Library.

For questions,email us at langref@ubalt.edu or phone us at (410) 837-4274.


Research Tips:

  • Try to focus your search with the use of subject terms or special limiters in a database
  • The more terms in your search, the fewer hits you will get, but if the search is constructed correctly, you will retrieve more material that is relevant. Do not use full sentences. Separate key concepts with AND or OR.
  • If necessary, expand your search by switching from a subject search to a keyword search (aka any words, default fields, etc.)
  • Don't be concerned if your first search retrieves few records. Often one key item with references will lead you to much more material.
  • Be critical. Evaluate your sources. Ask yourself:
    • Who wrote this? What are his/her credentials? (e.g. Ph.D from Harvard vs. AA degree from community college)
    • Is this opinion or analysis supported by facts and research?
    • Where was it published, e.g. a news publication or a peer-reviewed journal?
  • Many of the databases allow you to limit your search to peer-reviewed journals. **Not everything published in a peer-reviewed
    • journal is a peer-reviewed article. Think about letters to the editor, commentary, editorials, etc.**
  • Some characteristics of scholarly articles:

    • Signed
    • Credentials
    • Abstract
    • References

Science databases (this only includes selected databases based on topics; for more, see full list of Electronic Databases):

Academic Search Premier  [on-campus] [help]
Coverage: 1990 - present. Provides full-text for over 3,400 scholarly journals covering the social sciences, humanities, education, sciences, and more. Funded by the Maryland Digital Library (MDL).

AccessScience [on-campus] [help]
Coverage: 8th edition plus. Search 7,000 articles, 115,000 definitions, and biographies of more than 1,200 key scientists in the online version the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology.

Medline [on-campus] [help]
Coverage: 1966 – present. Indexes/abstracts more than 3,200 journals from the biomedical field.

Science Resource Center (Gale) [on-campus]
Part of Thomson Gale's growing science product line, Science Resource Center is an in-depth, curriculum-oriented science database that provides a one-stop resource for all science-related research needs. This 24/7 resource reflects curriculum trends and focuses on key concepts taught in school classrooms including biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, math, environmental science, life science, medicine, space science, computer science, technology, history of science, science and society, science as inquiry, science-related biographies and more.

Book catalogs:
Use these to locate books, journals (not individual articles), videos, and government documents.

Catalog USMAI [help]
Books, journals, government documents and other materials in the University System of Maryland, including UB. You may search up to six individual locations or the entire system.

Digital Dissertations (Dissertation Abstracts from Proquest) [on-campus]
Coverage 1861 - present. Indexes U.S., Canadian, British, and other European dissertations and theses; dissertations abstracted since 1980, theses abstracted since 1988. A 24 page preview of dissertations published since 1997 is available. The full text of dissertations may be obtained by clicking the free download button.

NetLibrary [on-campus] [help]
Coverage: Varies. A collection of E-texts covering specifically chosen by Maryland Academic Libraries. Funded by the Maryland Digital Library (MDL).

WorldCat [on-campus] [help]
Coverage: Varies. International database of collections (including books, journals , dissertations, documents, and other materials) held by libraries worldwide. Maryland libraries that own copies of the items display at the top of the list of libraries so you can easily determine if local libraries own the material needed. Records of any type of material cataloged by OCLC member libraries. Includes manuscripts written as early as the 12th century.

Suggested websites:
These may provide useful information or agencies or organizations who may be sources of information.

Langsdale's Science web resources

Additional websites by subject:

Langsdale web resources
A listing of valuable internet sites by subject area.

General reference tools:
These may assist you in your search for material or in evaluating and citing material found.

APA Citation Style

Citation Styles
Guides to MLA, APA, and other citation styles

Evaluating Web Resources
Guide to evaluating material obtained via the Internet

 

Other helpful information:

Library barcodes and UB computer accounts

For more information email langref@ubalt.edu, call 410-837-4274 or Chat with a Librarian at http://langsdale.ubalt.edu/info_services/contact.htm