This document summarizes a library instruction session for a CHEM 401 class. The session covered evaluating information sources, databases for chemistry research including ACS, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed, and citation styles. Students worked in groups to analyze a database, then presented their findings to the class. The session aimed to teach students how to effectively search for and evaluate scholarly sources for their chemistry research. Contact information was provided for the librarian and a feedback form for the session.

1. CHEM 401 – LIBRARY
INSTRUCTION SESSION
Laksamee Putnam
Research & Instruction Librarian
lputnam@towson.edu
Slides: http://bit.ly/CHEM401slides12

2. FIRST…
 Laksamee Putnam
 lputnam@towson.edu
 Cook Library Reference:
 410.704.2462.
 IM/email
 Phone: 410.704.3746.
 Twitter: @CookLibraryofTU
 Albert S. Cook facebook profile!
 Slides: http://bit.ly/CHEM401slides12

3. AGENDA
 Article/Video
Discussion
 The Information Cycle
 Evaluating Resources
 Databases and how to
use them
 Find articles/books on
your own
 Citation Guides

4. IT’S OUT THERE, WHY NOT REUSE IT?
 What does intellectual
property mean to you?
Is it an important idea,
why or why not?
 With so much
information out there, is
there such a thing as an
original idea? Does that
mean you have to credit
Gabriel, T. (2010, August 1) Plagiarism
Lines Blur for Students in the Digital
every single person?
Age. The New York Times. Retrieved
from
 How does plagiarism
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/02/educ affect
ation/02cheat.html academia/chemistry?

5. WIKIPEDIA WOES
 What are some
benefits and
drawbacks of finding
information online?
 How do you evaluate
the information you
find while
researching?
Appelbaum, Y. (2012). How the professor
who fooled Wikipedia got caught by  Why is it important to
Reddit. The Atlantic. May 15.
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/ar
support your
chive/2012/05/how-the-professor-who- argument with valid
fooled-wikipedia-got-caught-by-
reddit/257134/# sources?

6. WHERE ARE YOUR EUREKA! MOMENTS?
Johnson, S. (2010) Where
good ideas come from. TED:
Ideas worth spreading.
http://www.ted.com/talks/st
even_johnson_where_good_i
deas_come_from.html
 How is this video connected to the library session on learning
how to research? Is it connected to the other two articles on
plagiarism and information sources? Why or why not?
 If ideas come from multiple people working together and building
off of each other, when you try to give credit, who do you give it
to?
 How can you stay connected while doing your research?

7. THE INFORMATION CYCLE
 Why is the sky blue?  What is the best
alternative energy
source?
Image by roebedo

8. EVALUATE
 Check for CRAP  Examples
 Pacific Northwest
Tree Octopus
 Currency
 Reliability  ReptileEvolution.com
 Authority
 Purpose/Point of
View

9. DATABASES
 Find a list on the Course Gateway
 Choose one to start but do not stop there!
 Make it simple for the computer
 Specific keywords
 Try to think of different combinations
 AND, OR, NOT

10. FIND A PARTNER!
 Each group choose a different database to
analyze:
 ACS
 Science Direct
 Scopus
 Web of Science
 PubMed

11. TOPIC: NANOTECHNOLOGY
 Which words seemed to find the best results?
Synonyms?
 Is there an advanced search?
 Can you access full text?
 What features of the database were useful? (time
limit, peer reviewed option, citations etc.)
 Problems?

12. PRESENT YOUR DATABASE
 ACS
 Science Direct
 Scopus
 Web of Science
 PubMed

13. FEATURES TO REMEMBER
 Use the database to find synonyms
 Check the abstract
 Limitation tools – Time frame, Information type
 References Cited/Times Cited
 Citation creation
 Compose lists
 Import to RefWorks
 Interlibrary Loan - Illiad

14. CITATION GUIDES
 CSE Style Guide from Cook Library
 Diane Hacker website

15. QUESTIONS?
 Laksamee Putnam
 lputnam@towson.edu
 Cook Library Reference:
 410.704.2462.
 IM/email
 Phone: 410.704.3746.
 Please provide feedback on this session:
 http://bit.ly/CHEM401feedback12