alexander mack memorial library

Instruction Session- Trevitte ENG 101

Page history last edited by Cori Biddle 2 mos ago

Useful eResources

Find links to these under the eResources 2.0 page

Remember that you can access all the eResources off campus!

Academic Search Complete*

Wiley InterScience (Listed under Blackwell Synergy)*

Health Source: Consumer Edition*

Health Source: Health/Academic Edition

Medline

Nature*

PsycARTICLES

Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

*best databases to look for secondary sources

Useful Reference Resources (Print)

The Blackwell Dictionary of Cognitive Psychology R 153.03 B632 1991

The Blackwell Dictionary of Neuropsychology R 612.8 B632 1996

The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science R 150.3 C826e 2001

Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, & Addictive Behavior R 362.29 E567 2001

Encyclopedia of Mental Health R 616.89 E56m 1998

The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine R 610.3 G151 2002

The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences R 153.03 M679 1999

Searching ALEX

To find materials in our collection use both the Subject Terms Neurology and Neuroscience.

Tips to Keep in mind while Searching

Databases

§ Use the Advanced Search option as ways to narrow or limit your results.

§ After finding a useful article check the subjects or keywords attached to it. This can lead you to more efficient search terms.

§ Remember that Periodical Locator can find the full text of articles in varying databases.

§ When you come across materials you need but we don’t have full text access, fill out an Interlibrary Loan request (just remember to allow 1-2 days for delivery).

Search Tips that Span the Information Universe

§ Remember to use Boolean Operators

o AND will produce results containing BOTH terms (e.g. birds AND bees)

o OR generates results that contain EITHER term (e.g. dogs OR canines)

o NOT results will include the first term, but not the second (cats NOT musical)

§ Quotation marks will isolate that phrase: “natural selection” lists results containing only that specific phrase, but results for natural selection would contain natural AND selection somewhere, not necessarily side by side.

§ Truncation allows you to search for variances of terms. Astro* gives you results which can include the terms: astronomer, astronomy, astrology, astronaut, etc. Some database’s use different symbols, so check their help features.

Popular VS Scholarly Periodicals

Usually you can look at the following areas to make your decision.

§ Publisher

Is the publisher a professional organization or association? Is the publisher affiliated with an academic institution?

§ Masthead (first few pages)

Do they outline the submission procedure? Does it say that the periodical is peer reviewed or refereed?

§ Graphics

Are the graphics tables, diagrams or other illustrations which support the articles? Or are they glossy photos/illustrations that enhance the text?

§ Language

Is the terminology used in the titles or abstracts particular to that specific discipline? Or is the subject explained in common terms appropriate for general readers?

§ Authors

Does the periodical list the authors’ credentials and affiliations with the profession? Or are the authors professional/ freelance journalists?

§ Citations

Is there a list of cited works at the end of each article?

§ Advertisements

Are there advertisements related only to that discipline or do they refer to national products? (e.g. a national conference or Michelin tires?)

Useful Websites

Some examples to get you started

Duke University- Neurobiology: http://www.neuro.duke.edu/

Howard Florey Institute: http://www.florey.edu.au/

PubMed: http://www.pubmed.gov

PubMed Central Archive: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/