The document provides an overview of how to conduct scientific research, including identifying primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. It discusses starting with broad background searches in tertiary sources before narrowing to subject databases and literature reviews. Key databases are recommended for finding scholarly articles, including Scopus, Web of Science, and subject-specific databases. Tips are provided on using keywords, subject headings, and bibliographies to expand searches. Assistance from a librarian is also offered.

1. Kathleen Baril
Collections and E-Resources Librarian

2. What we will cover:
 How to begin research and construct a
research strategy.
 Identifying keywords and phrases.
 How to find scientific articles in science
databases.
 Research options available online for
finding scholarly scientific articles.

3. Science Research
Three main types: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary
Tertiary
 Very broad topics.
 Useful place for finding background information
on a topic.
 Usually contains well-established facts in science.
 Examples: encyclopedias, textbooks, handbooks.
Adapted from Marian Koshland Bioscience and Natural Resources
Library: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/BIOS/bio1bscholcomm.html

4. Science Research
Secondary Literature
 Summaries of primary literature/research.
 Broader and less current.
 Helpful because of long bibliographies on a
subject.
 Examples include: books, literature review
articles.
Adapted from Marian Koshland Bioscience and Natural
Resources Library:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/BIOS/bio1bscholcomm.html

5. Science Research
Primary Literature
 Write-ups of results of research.
 Current and specialized.
 Often analyzes data collected in the field or
laboratory.
 Examples: articles in peer-reviewed
journals, dissertations, technical reports, etc
Adapted from Marian Koshland Bioscience and Natural Resources
Library: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/BIOS/bio1bscholcomm.html

6. Starting Research
Start BIG! To get some background
information, read reference and
general books and textbooks.
Narrow your search by
exploring general
databases.
Finally explore specific
subject-based science
databases.

7. What about the Internet?
Google Scholar
Searches the scholarly literature of many
disciplines and sources, including
theses, books, abstracts and articles.
When on-campus, will link to the library’s
resources and to the full-text of articles.

8. Tertiary and Secondary Research
Where do I look for this
research?
Books, encyclopedias
and reference books
can be found using the
library catalog.

9. Find Books: Library catalog
Start your search using the Basic Keyword Search.

10. Library Catalog: Polar
Keyword Search
•Looks in several locations (usually
subject, article title, abstracts or contents)
•Does not require an exact match
•Generates comparatively large number of hits
(not precise)
•Good if you are not familiar with terminology
•Look for the same or similar words which
keep appearing

11. LIBRARY CATALOG: POLAR
Subject Search
•Looks in one place – subject
•Usually requires an exact match
between your term and a pre-set list of
terms
•Precise (motion pictures -- review)
•Can be used after keyword search has
identified specific subjects

12. Find Books: POLAR
Results page in POLAR.

13. Find Books: POLAR
Use subject headings to find similar books on your topic and
to identify keywords and terms for your topic.

14. Find Books: OhioLINK
OhioLINK our library consortium also has a
large variety of materials.
 Deliveries every day.
 Allow 3-5 days for delivery.
 Can be renewed 3 times.

15. Secondary and Primary Research
Where do I look for this
research?
Library databases
contain articles covering
primary and secondary
research.

16. Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals
Magazines or Popular Periodicals
• Glossy pages and lots of pictures
• Edited by magazine editors
• Articles usually written by staff journalists
• Short articles
• Targeted to general audiences
Scholarly Journals/Periodicals
• Peer-reviewed
• Longer
• Citations/Bibliography
• Written by scholars, experts in the field of study
• Targeted to scholars, students in a particular field
of study

17. Finding Articles
Click on Databases tab.

18. Finding Articles: General Database
Academic Search
Complete

19. Lots of ways to limit your results, do not forget the Scholarly
(Peer Reviewed) Journals limiter!

20. Finding Articles: General Database
Boolean Operators
AND – use to narrow your search,
Ozone layer and greenhouse gases
OR – use to expand your search,
Ocean or sea
NOT – use to exclude a search term
Cloning not sheep

21. Finding Articles: General Database
Some articles are available full-text in PDF or HTML format.
Use the Find It! button for those that are not.

22. Finding Articles: General Database
Article unavailable in library’s resources, request through
Interlibrary Loan.

23. Finding Articles: Interlibrary Loan

24. Finding Articles: Subject Databases
Two environmental
databases are also
EBSCO databases:
Environment Complete
and GreenFILE.

25. Finding Articles: Subject Databases
 What is a literature review?
 Literature reviews (also called review articles) survey
and synthesize primary research on a particular topic.
 They are articles authored by researchers and
published in scholarly journals
 They summarize multiple primary research articles
 They are secondary literature
from Marian Koshland Bioscience and Natural Resources Library:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/BIOS/bio1bscholcomm.html

26. Finding Articles: Literature Reviews
Why are literature reviews a good starting point
for researching a topic?
 They provide an overview of a particular area of
study
 Their extensive reference lists may be used to
locate further relevant articles
 They may provide ideas for narrowing a too-broad
topic
from Marian Koshland Bioscience and Natural Resources Library:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/BIOS/bio1bscholcomm.html

27. Finding Articles: Subject Databases
Scopus:
 Covers a wide
variety of
science topics.
 Can limit to
certain subject
areas.

28. Finding Articles: Subject Databases
Scopus
Results:
Use the refine
results options
to narrow your
search which
includes
date, subject
area and
document type.

29. Finding Articles: Subject Databases
Scopus:
Find related articles by looking at the references cited in an
article or by finding other articles that cite an article you are
interested in.

30. Finding Articles: Subject Databases
Science Citation Index Expanded

31. Finding Articles: Subject Databases
Many ways to refine
your search including:
 Web of Science
Categories
 Document Types
 Research Areas

32. Finding Articles: Subject Databases
Use SciFinder
Scholar to find
articles
pertaining to
chemistry.
You must set up
an account to
get started.

33. Review
 Start big by looking at primary literature: books
and reference books for background information.
 Look for keywords in subject headings.
 Use the thesaurus to locate subject headings.
 Look for literature reviews in the secondary
literature for overviews on your topic.
 Use the bibliographies at the end of articles to find
more information on your topic.

34. Need further assistance? More help
always available.
 Contact the Reference Desk at 419-772-2185.
 Contact the Reference Desk via email at
reference@onu.edu.
 Contact me directly k-baril@onu.edu or 419-772-2188 to
set up an appointment.
 Reference Desk hours:
Monday-Thursday 8AM-12PM, 1PM-4:30PM, 6PM-9PM
Friday 8AM-4:30PM
Sunday 10AM-3:30PM

35. Happy Researching!