This document provides an overview of resources for finding scientific information using Cook Library at Towson University. It introduces the research and instruction librarian Laksamee Putnam and her contact information. It then outlines search tips for keywords, boolean operators, truncation, and phrase searching. It describes sources for background information, books, eBooks, encyclopedias, and journal articles. The document recommends databases like Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Sci-Finder for finding articles and explains how to request items through interlibrary loan. It also suggests tools for managing citations like Mendeley and Zotero. Contact information is provided for the librarian or reference desk for any other questions.

1. ENVS 798 :
Finding
Scientific
Information
Using Cook
Library
Laksamee Putnam
lputnam@towson.edu
Research & Instruction Librarian
Slides: http://bit.ly/envs798spring2017

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 …
 Search tips
 Finding books and articles
 Finding government information
 Keeping track of your information

4. Search tips
 Keywords
 Topic : Deforestation
 Environmental effects?
 Policy worldwide? In the US?
 Synonyms/alternative spellings
 Forest degradation, forestry
 Reducing emissions, REDD
 effects, consequence, impact
 environmental, environment, ecology
 policy, law, bill, act, plan

5. Search tips
 Boolean search connectors
 Drinking water AND regulation
 Combining more than 1 topic
 Integrated vegetation management OR IVM
 Combining synonymous terms

6. Search Tips
 Truncation
technolog* finds…
technolog
technolog
technolog
technolog
technolog
y
ies
ists
ical
ically
…etc!

7. Search Tips
 Phrase searching
 “Agricultural Nutrient Management”

8. Getting started
 Background
information – aka
Gathering
 Identify keywords
 Find related
references
 Learn more about
the topic
ENVS 798 Course Guide

9. Getting started
 Cook OneSearch
 Print books
 Limit to Towson location
 You can request books from other USMAI libraries
 eBooks
 Check Online Availability
 Sage Reference
 Gale Virtual Reference
 eBrary

10. Getting started
 Is there a large topic your research falls under?
 Encyclopedias, Handbooks, etc.
 Is there a local government website resource?
 Energy Department? Specific geology?

11. Finding articles
 Journal List
 Research databases
 Scopus
 ScienceDirect
 Sci-Finder
 Check citations
 Forward and Backward

12. Finding articles
 Scopus
 Add search field
 “Refine Results”
 Cited by
 All Fields – Abstract, Title, Keywords
 Bibliography
 Built in citation creation
 Export Citation

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

14. Government Information
 Find the governing body website
 Course Guide
 Political Science Research Guide
 Google: site.gov

15. Manage your citations
 Mendeley? Zotero?
 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