Biology 2011: Environmental Issues

Kathleen Baril

Librarian

What we will cover:

Types of scientific literatureHow to evaluate websitesMain databases to use for

environmental topics

Science Research

Three Main Types:TertiarySecondaryPrimary

Science Research - Tertiary

Very broad topics.Useful place for finding background

information on a topic.Usually contains well-established facts

in science.Examples: encyclopedias, textbooks,

handbooks. Adapted from Marian Koshland Bioscience and Natural Resources Library: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/BIOS/bio1bscholcomm.html

Science Research - Secondary

Summaries of primary literature/research.

Broader and less current.Helpful because of long bibliographies

on a subject.Examples include: books, literature

review articles.Adapted from Marian Koshland Bioscience and Natural Resources Library: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/BIOS/bio1bscholcomm.html

Science Research - Primary

Write-ups of results of research.Current and specialized. Often analyzes data collected in the

field or laboratory. Examples: articles in peer-reviewed

journals, dissertations, technical reports, etc

Adapted from Marian Koshland Bioscience and Natural Resources Library: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/BIOS/bio1bscholcomm.html

Evaluating Online Sources

What? is the page/site about Who? created and maintains this site Where? Is the information coming from Why? Is the information presented on the web When? Was the page created or last updated How? Accurate or credible is the page

From the University of Wisconsin Library, worksheet for evaluating web sites

Use the domains from the URLs to determine whether the web source will have useful and authoritative information.

.edu = educational institution

.org = organization or association

.gov = government site

.com = commercial site

.museum = museum

.net = personal or other site

Evaluating Online Sources

Tertiary Information

Find this information in the library catalog: POLAR.

Scholarly versus Popular Periodicals

Magazines or Popular Periodicals• Glossy pages and lots of pictures• Edited by magazine editors• Articles usually written by staff

journalists• Short articles• Targeted to general audiences

Scholarly Journals/Periodicals• Peer-reviewed• Longer • Citations/Bibliography• Written by scholars, experts in the field

of study• Targeted to scholars, students in a

particular field of study

Secondary and Primary Information:Databases

Environment Complete and Greenfile

Use limiters to refine results.

Environment Complete and GreenFile

To find literature reviews, combine your search term with literature reviews. Literature reviews often cite primary research and provide good overviews of topics.

Environment Complete and GreenFile:

Literature Review – Secondary Research

Look for clues in the citation, look for data tables and scan the abstract for a description of the methods or materials used, hypotheses, etc.

Environment Complete and GreenFile:

Primary Research

When looking at the full –text article for primary research look for components such as: Methods or Materials and Methods Results Discussion Conclusions References

Environment Complete and GreenFile:

Primary Research

Results Page: Look for full-text PDF or HTML article at the bottom of the citation.

Environment Complete and GreenFile

Click on the Find It @ ONU link if there is not a PDF or HTML full text article available.

Environment Complete and GreenFile

After clicking on the Find It @ ONU link, click the link provided to access the full-text article.

Environment Complete and GreenFile

If the article is not available, request it through Interlibrary Loan. The article should be delivered electronically in 2-3 days.

Environment Complete and GreenFile

Science Citation Index Expanded

Refine Results using : Web of Science

Categories Document Types Research Areas

Science Citation Index Expanded :Refine Results

Click on the abstract link to read a summary of the article.

Science Citation Index Expanded Results

Viewing Abstract

Click on the LS icon to connect to full-text articles.

Science Citation Index ExpandedResults

Citing SourcesRefworks

Use RefWorks to keep track of citations, store full-text articles and create bibliographies.

Review

Use the library catalog and internet to find background information.

Internet - - evaluate sources carefully. Primary sources - - look for clues like data tables,

article laid out with methods/materials, results, discussion and references.

Need Further Assistance?

Contact the Reference Desk at 419-772-2185. Contact the Reference Desk via email at

reference@onu.edu. Contact me directly k-baril@onu.edu or 419-772-

2188 to set up an appointment. Reference Desk hours:

Monday-Thursday 8AM-12PM, 1PM-4:30PM, 6PM-9PM

Friday 8AM-4:30PM