Science
The aim of this guide is threefold:
- To outline the traditional research pathway beginning with dictionaries, encyclopedias, yearbooks, handbooks, etc.
- To develop a familiarity and vocabulary of definitions, concepts and reference sources.
- To serve as a resource for reference desk staff in leading users to appropriate library services, resources, and collections.
A final note, library guides provide a passive approach to reference services for undergraduate research inquiries. Consult the reference desk staff as appropriate.
Need help finding journal articles? View Locating Journals at IUPUI.
Exploring general science research and need assistance? Contact Ed Gonzalez, General Science Liaison.
GUIDES TO THE LITERATURE
These specialized guides and bibliographies aid students and reference staff in identifying specific sources as well as navigating the literature. Some examples are:
| TITLE | CALL NUMBER |
| Reference Sources in Science, Engineering, Medicine, and Agriculture. | Ref Q158.5 .M355 1994 (2nd floor) |
| Information Sources in Science and Technology | Ref Q158.5 .H87 1998 (2nd floor) |
| Information Sources in Science and Technology | Electronic resource |
DICTIONARIES
Use specialized dictionaries to identify terms, clarify jargon and otherwise become familiar with the language of science. Some examples are listed below:
| Oxford Dictionaries of Science | Online |
| Scientifically Speaking: A Dictionary of Quotations | Online |
ENCYCLOPEDIAS
Specialized subject encyclopedias provide an overview of a topic, familiarize the user with issues names and dates associated with it, and identify additional materials published on the topic, such as, journal articles. Some examples are listed below:
| Britannica | Online |
| Encyclopedia of Human Biology | Ref QP11 .E53 1997 (2nd floor) |
| Encyclopedia of Life Sciences | Online |
| McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology | Ref Q121 .M3 2002 (2nd floor) |
| Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia | Ref Q121 .V3 2002 (2nd floor) |
| MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia | Online |
| Encyclopedia of Ethics in Science and Technology | Ref Q175.35 .B37 2002 (2nd floor) |
| Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology | Ref Q123 .E497 2002 (2nd floor) |
| Encyclopedia of the Scientific Revolution: From Copernicus to Newton | Ref Q125 .E53 2000 (2nd floor) |
| Science & Technology Encyclopedia (University of Chicago Press) | Ref Q121 . S34 2000 (2nd floor) |
| The Scientific Revolution: An Encyclopedia | Ref Q127 .E8 B87 2001 (2nd floor) & Electronic |
YEARBOOKS AND ALMANACS
These references are annual up-dates and compilations of general or specialized information. Below are some examples:
| The Nature Yearbook of Science and Technology | Ref QG .N38 2002 (2nd floor) |
| World Almanac & Book of Facts | Ref AY67 .N5 W7 (2nd floor) |
| The nature yearbook of science and technology | Ref Q9 .N38 2002 (2nd floor) |
| Science & Technology Almanac | Ref Q173 .S395 2000 (2nd floor) |
HANDBOOKS OR MANUALS
Use this material to locate information on one or more topics conveniently arranged. Handbooks are comprehensive in scope, condensed in treatment, and provide charts, tables, graphs and glossaries. Most handbooks are compiled by subject experts and may be intended for the amateur or professional. Some examples are listed below:
| Handbook of Biological Data | Ref QH310 .S6 (2nd floor) |
| CRC handbook of chemistry and physics | Ref Desk QD65 .H3 2006/07 (2nd floor) |
| Merck index; an encyclopedia of chemicals and drugs. | RS51 .M4 (4th floor) |
| How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper | T11 .D33 1998 (4th floor) |
HISTORIES
Histories for most research inquires can be obtained in the aforementioned reference books. However, histories on a give subject discuss the main facts and individuals in its development, and contain bibliographic references. Some examples are:
| Oxford companion to the history of modern science | Ref Q125 .O86 2003 |
| Asimov's chronology of science and discovery | Q125 .A765 1989 (4th floor) |
| Dictionary of the history of science | Q125 .B98 (4th floor) |
BIOGRAPHIES
This reference source is used to locate brief information on an individual scientist. Biographies generally include vital statistics and significant contributions. For lengthier biographies, such as books or biographical encyclopedias, consult the online card catalog. Some examples are:
| Notable Women in the Life Sciences | Ref QH26 .N68 1996 (2nd floor) |
| The Biographical Dictionary of Scientists - Biologists | Ref QH26 .B54 1984 (2nd floor) |
| Dictionary of Scientific Biography | Ref Q141 .D5 (2nd floor) |
| American Men & Women of Science | Q141 .A472 2005 (4th floor) |
| African American Firsts in Science & Technology | Ref Q141 .W43 1999 (2nd floor) |
| Biographical Dictionary of Scientists | Ref Q141 .B528 2000 (2nd floor) |
| Distinguished African American Scientists of the 20th Century | Ref Q141 .D535 1996 (2nd floor) & Electronic |
| Who's Who in Science and Engineering | Q141 .W576 2005/2006 (4th floor) |
ATLASES
This reference is designed to present illustrations, photographs, and plates on one subject. One example is:
| Grants Atlas of Anatomy | Ref QM25 .A38 1999 (2nd floor) |
| Hammond Nature Atlas of America | QH102 .C57 (4th floor) |
| Montgomery College Library - Atlases | Online |
CLASSIFICATION SOURCES
This specialized reference addresses the taxonomic classification of organisms. Some examples are:
| Classification of Mammals | Ref QL708 .M38 1997 (2nd floor) |
| Synopsis and Classification of Living Organisms | Ref QH83 .S89 (2nd floor) |
| The Diversity of Living Organisms | Ref QH 83 .D58 1998 (2nd floor) |
| Montgomery College Library - Taxonomy | Online |
MISCELLANEA
These references contain a collection of miscellaneous facts on various subjects. Some examples are:
| Science and Technology Desk Reference | Ref Q173 .S397 1996 (2nd floor) |
| New York Times second book of science questions and answers: 225 new, intriguing, and just plain bizarre inquiries into everyday scientific mysteries. | Electronic resource |
| Scientific American Science Desk Reference | Ref Q173 .S427 1999 (2nd floor) and Electronic |
REVIEW JOURNALS
These specialized journals provide access current news, developments and trends in the field. Some examples are:
Annual review of ecology, evolution, and systematics QH540 .A53 (4th floor) & Electronic Annual review of plant biology QK1 .A48 (4th floor) & Electronic Trends in cell biology QH573 .T73 (4th floor) Faculty of 1000 BiologyOnlineINDEXES AND ABSTRACTS
These references are considered secondary sources. Their aim is to provide access to the primary literature – journal publications. They include journal citation information as well as abstracts. Some examples are:
| Expanded Academic ASAP | Online |
| Biological Abstracts | QH301 .B37 (4th floor) |
| General Science Index | Q1 .A3 G4 (4th floor) |
CITATION INDEX
Use this unique index to identify scholarly journal articles referenced by other researchers.
| Science Citation Index | Online |
CURRENT AWARENESS
These sources provide the table of contents to numerous journal titles on a weekly basis. They are published in seven editions covering the life sciences, biology, chemistry, medicine, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. One example is:
| Life Sciences Edition | Ref R. L. Med. Library |
