Advanced Chemistry (CHEM-580)
From PhillipsWiki
Contents |
Research Process
For guidance in the research process, look to the menu on the left hand side.
Your Assignment
Remember the important aspects of your assignment (length, requirements, etc...)
Gaining an overview with Reference Sources
Reference Sources are a great way to get broad information on a subject or idea. These books can help inform you on putting your ideas into a larger context.
- ACCESS Science - The complete text of the Mcgraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology online.
- Encyclopedia of Chemistry
- The Science of Everyday Things
- MacMillan Encyclopedia of Chemistry
- Lange's handbook of Chemistry (2005)
- Vocabulary and concepts of Organic Chemistry
Delving deeper with Books
Because your topics range through the entire discipline of Chemistry, it is hard to predict which books or subjects will be helpful for you. Instead of searching general chemistry books, I recommend searching your topic directly for more information (i.e. Ozone Layer, Fuel Cells, etc...).
Finding books and more at the OWHL
Most people start with a keyword searchof the library catalog. The computer will look for your words in the book "record" The record contains an item's title, author, subject, and table of contents or item summary.
Choose your keywords carefully!
If you are researching an everyday object or phenomenon, you may want to try the following:
- Chemistry Connections: The Chemical Basis of Everyday Phenomena
- The Extraordinary Chemistry of Everyday Things
- Basic Concepts of Environmental Chemistry
- Vanity, Vitality, and Virility: the Science Behind the Products you Love to Buy
Subject Searches'' are an even more powerful way to search the catalog. They will focus your search using the exact terminology employed by librarians to describe the book. Subjects can be found at the bottom of an items record. Simply click to execute the search. Some subjects you might find helpful are:
- Chemistry - The General Chemistry Subject Search. Look through the subtopics as well as the related subjects.
- Chemistry-Popular Works -- This search reveals the books on the concepts of Chemistry found in everyday things.]
Getting Materials from other Libraries
You may also acquire items from libraries other than the OWHL.
- At anytime when you are searching the catalog, simply change the drop down box from Phillips Academy to "View Entire Collection" or All College Libraries".
- From an individual book's record, you can request the book by clicking on "REQUEST" on the top menu of the screen.
- You must have a Pin Number in order to do this. Pin Numbers are given out at the Circulation Desk.
- If you are not finding what you need / want, please contact a librarian for help with this service.
Finding Articles using Databases
Article databases contain thousands of articles organized and searchable using keywords, specific journal titles, publishing dates, etc... Information contained in articles can be more specific than book information as well as more up to date. The primary method to access articles from magazines and journals is through databases. You can access these databases both on and off campus. If you're off campus, you may be prompted for your "library card number". This is simply your PA ID number, which is on your ID card.
Below is a chart of some databases that you may find helpful in this assignment. To see a listing of all the databases to which the library subscribes, visit the Databases A-Z Page.
| Title of Database Click on to go to database | About the Database |
|---|---|
| ACCESS Science | The complete text of the Mcgraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology a premier encyclopedia of science . In addition to entries and explanations, there are a lot of diagrams, images, and pictures. An excellent way to get an introduction to your topic. This is an Encyclopedia and should be treated as such in your bibliography. LEARN MORE |
| Scientific American Online | The complete collection of Scientific American -- a journal dedicated to bringing insights and developments of science and technology to lay readers for over 100 years. Learn More |
| SCIENCE DIRECT | This is the Library's most intensive scientific database. Many of the articles will require prior knowledge of the subject as well as some scientific expertise.(i.e. know what you are searching for). Please note that we only receive the full-text of Science Direct articles for the past 5 years. |
| Highwire Press Database | This free database, sponsored by Stanford University offers access to over 1 million full text articles from peer-reviewed journals in all branches of the Sciences. |
Exploring Internet Sources
You will probably find websites helpful for this project. Always remember to evaluate your sources when you are looking at websites. Below is a list f some sites you should find worthwhile for your project.
| Website | What is it? | |
|---|---|---|
| Union of Concerned Scientists | An environmental science group that has some great explanatory articles on suubjects of an environmental matter (nuclear energy and weapons, clean energy, climate change, etc...). | |
| SCIRUS | A science specific search engine, Scirus allows you to focus your web searches beyond the usual search engines. | |
| American Chemical Society | Include some helpful links to publications and other information. | |
| Top Ten Amazing Chemistry Videos | Take a look at chemistry in action. Don't try this at home. |
Citations and Documentation
The menu on the left hand side includes a link to the citation section of the OWHL Website.
