This document provides an overview of resources for finding scientific information using Cook Library at Towson University. It introduces Laksamee Putnam as the research and instruction librarian and describes getting started resources like encyclopedias and taxonomic databases. It then discusses search tips like using keywords, Boolean operators, truncation and phrase searching. The document outlines finding books through the library catalog and articles through databases like ScienceDirect and Scopus. It also mentions interlibrary loan and government information resources before closing with information on the bibliographic management software RefWorks.

1. ENVS 604 :
Finding Scientific
Information Using
Cook Library
Laksamee Putnam
lputnam@towson.edu
Research & Instruction Librarian
http://bit.ly/envs604fall2014

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!

3. Take away …
 Getting Started
 Search Tips
 Finding Books/Articles
 Keeping track of your information

4. Getting started
 Background information
 Encyclopedias
 The Encyclopedia of Mammals
 General books on ecosystem ecology
 Ecosystem Ecology: a new synthesis
 Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology
 Taxonomic database websites
 The Encyclopedia of Life (EoL)

5. Search tips
 Keywords
 Topic : Monarch butterfly OR Danaus plexippus
 Habitat, Predators, Environmental effects?
 Synonyms/alternative spellings
 electronic, electric, digital, computer, cell phone
 waste, trash, debris, litter
 effects, consequence, impact
 environmental, environment, ecology
 policy, law, bill, act, plan

6. Search tips
 Boolean search connectors
 nanotechnology AND environment
 Combining more than 1 topic
 Personal care products and pharmaceuticals OR PCPP
 Combining synonymous terms

7. Search Tips
 Truncation
technolog* finds…
technolog
technolog
technolog
technolog
technolog
y
ies
ists
ical
ically
…etc!

8. Search Tips
 Phrase searching
 “Endangered species act”

9. Finding books
 Cook Library Website
 Catalog
 Library Catalogs
 Cook OneSearch
 Remember!!
 You can request books from other USMAI libraries

10. Finding articles
 Home base:
 ENVS 604 Course Gateway
 Journal List
 Research databases

11. Finding articles
 ScienceDirect
 “Refine Results” on the left
 RSS
 References
 Related Articles
 All Fields – Abstract, Title, Keywords
 Search history
 Export Citation – Ref Works

12. Finding articles
 Scopus
 Add Search Field
 Refine Results
 Save search alert
 View “Cited by”
 View References Cited
 Create Bibliography
 Export to RefWorks

13. Finding articles
 If there is an article you can’t access
 Request it through Interlibrary Loan
 Iliad login needed

14. Government Information
 If it’s working…..
 Find the governing body website
 http://www.science.gov/
 Department of …
 Natural Resources
 Conservation
 Environmental Protection
 GreenR
 Google: site.gov

15. RefWorks
 Bibliographic management software
 Towson University subscription
 Off campus: rwtowsonu
 Organize citations
 Create bibliographies
 Import records

16. Questions?
 Feel free to contact me:
 Laksamee Putnam
 lputnam@towson.edu
 410.704.3746.
 Or any reference librarian:
 Visit Cook Library Reference Desk
 410.704.2462.
 IM – tucookchat