Before you zero in on a particular book or database, you may want to consider the following sources as guides or supplementary material which can flesh out your research or make more sense of it:
The Subjects site on the Science Library homepage has information on specific science subject areas. There are 8 subject areas to choose from:
Good sources of background information, in both print and online versions, that are often overlooked are:
They can supplement information from other sources, such as articles and books. They are not necessarily as current as journal articles, but can often provide background information or offer definitions, descriptions.and illustrations. For this reason, they are considered reference materials, and the latest editions are usually kept near the reference desk. For the Science Library, that’s on the 3rd floor. These materials are room use only.
Source Type |
Description |
|---|---|
Encyclopedias |
Encyclopedias offer a listing of articles, either of a multi-disciplinary nature, or on a specific subject. They are usually arranged in alphabetical order, with descriptions ranging from brief to extensive. Encyclopedias can be single-volumed, or multi-volumed. Entries often include bibliographies, maps, timelines, and other helpful material. Eg. Encyclopedia of Birds, The Water Encylopedia. |
Textbooks |
These are used as standard sources of information on a particular subject area, intended for use in formal study of that subject. Eg. Textbook of Dendrology, Biochemistry (Stryer) |
Handbooks, Yearbooks, Manuals |
Handbooks and Manuals are sometimes used interchangeably. A handbook/manual provides specific, factual information on a subject. Their content and arrangement vary widely. Yearbooks, as the name suggests, are published annually, and present facts relevant for that one year. Eg. Handbook of Edible Weeds, CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, The Merck Manual, Manual of Cultivated Plants, Statistical Yearbook. |
Directories |
A listing of specific information, such as names, addresses, types of groups, organizations, affiliations... The information is sometimes arranged by geographic area, depending on its scope. Eg. World Environmental Directory, National Faculty Directory. |
Dictionaries |
An alphabetical listing of terms with definitions or explanations of what those terms mean. Language dictionaries typically include a pronunciation guide, and in some editions, an etymological history of the words. Can be subject-specific or general purpose. Eg. Webster's, Dictionary of Inorganic Chemistry. |
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