Ms. Liner's Biology 1003 and/or Biology 2107 Term Paper

Hints you can use.

To start

Read your topic sentence over a few times. If you do not understand some of the terms, look them up. Start thinking about other ways you can word your topic-- synomyms for the key terms, other, related ways of saying the same thing. You may need to use these synomyms while searching for information.

GALILEO Databases and YOU!

GALILEO is an initiative of the Georgia government that gives students access to more than 130 different databases covering topics from Accounting to Zoology. ABAC purchases other databases separately for use by our students. Sometimes the most difficult part of the search process is determining the most applicable databases. Using the QuickSearch feature on GALILEO's front page does NOT search everything you probably ought to search (for example, ProQuest Biology Journals).

May we suggest?

If you have a topic that you know very little about -- do a little introductory reading. You may not be able to use this material in the final paper, but you will be more comfortable with the higher level material you read later in your research.

Restrict your searches in Academic Search Complete to magazines and read a couple of articles from more popular publications like Smithsonian or Discover until you feel a little more "in the know."

Everyone, no matter what the topic, should try Academic Search Complete at some point in your search. It is the largest database in GALILEO and tries to be as inclusive as possible.

If you have a topic that qualifies as a "current event" or "topic in the news" You might find this page useful.

If you have a topic that touches on ethics. The Encyclopedia of Bioethics (Reference Collection QH332 .E52 2004) should not be missed. This is only one example of the excellent print resources we have available at the Baldwin Library. To see what is available in the print and NetLibrary collections, use GIL to search the holdings database.

If you have a topic in human medicine -- see if these suggestions are helpful.

If you have a topic that could be defined at a Psychology issue -- The Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection is a very good choice.

If you have a topic that could be called a Sociological issue -- The Sociological Collection is a smart option.

If you have a topic in Ecology -- Most of the specialty Ecology databases are abstracts and citations only. But try your search in the SCOPUS database (it cannot be directly linked here and is available only on campus) and look for articles that have been web published. Remember, you can ask the librarians to find the full text of articles you cannot find in the databases through a process called Interlibrary Loan. This procedure will take a week to 10 days OR MORE, so do not leave this until the last minute to avoid unnecessary angst and stress.

JSTOR offers a small collection of core journals in the biological sciences. This database's claim to fame is NOT that it has the most current information, but that it has the most in-depth. If you want to read articles published in the sciences in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, this is the place to find them.

The Web and YOU!

May we suggest?

Use your web search engine -- Google, Altavista in the Advanced Search mode. Limit your searching to pages in the domains of .edu and .gov. REMEMBER!!!! .edu domains encompass educational institutions from kindergartens to universities. Make sure you know where your information comes from! The United States Department of Education has thousands of pages on the web designed to help teachers teach science at all levels -- most of this material is inappropriate for this assignment.

Web addresses you may find useful.

INFOMINE - Started by librarians in California over ten years ago, this project has grown into a world-wide venture. It attempts to find and organize websites with high quality content appropriate for college faculty, staff and students.

National Library of Medicine -- There is information here for consumers, librarians, health professionals. If it is related to health, it is VERY probable the National Library of Medicine has something to say about it.

University of Georgia, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science Wildlife management, forestry resources and other related topics with a local emphasis.

USDA Forestry Service Find out what the government's position is on such issues as invasive plants, managing forests and water resources.

V. Horst 8/07