Areas of the library to search

There are a number of areas in library that a student can begin searching for literature: indices, abstracts, general references like dictionaries, handbooks, general and scientific encyclopedias, review and databases. Please remember that each library will have similar resources but some will have others, which you will need to check out for your students. Here are some examples:

Indices
1. Bioresearch Index
2. Botany Subject Index
3. Diabetes Literature Index
4. Index - Catalogue of Medical and Veterinary Zoology
5. Index Medicus
6. Readers Guide to Periodical Literature
7. Science Citation Index
8. The Zoological Record
9. New York Times Index. (Gives general information but often gives reviews of symposia)

Dictionaries
1. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary
2. Gray P. 1967. The Dictionary of the Biological Sciences
3. Pennak, R.W. 1964. Collegiate Dictionary of Zoology
4. Stedman's Medical Dictionary

General Encyclopedias
1. The Encyclopedia Americana
2. Encyclopedia Britannica

General Science Encyclopedias
1. The Encyclopedia of the Biological Sciences
2. Encyclopedia of the Life Sciences
3. McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. (Provides a good source of general references)
4. Gray's Encyclopedia of Biological Sciences. (Provides long articles with references)

Abstract Services
1. Chemical Abstracts
2. Nuclear Science Abstracts
3. Biological Abstracts
4. Bio-Digest

Examples of Journals
1. Agriculture
Weed Research.
2. Anatomy
Zoologische Jahrbuecher, Abteilung fuer Anatomie und Ontogenie der Tiere.
3. Anthropology
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
4. Behavioral
Sciences Zoologica.
5. Biochemistry
Journal of Biological Chemistry

General Reference
1. Ulrich's International Periodicals Directories. Tells where a journal is located.
2. Union List of Serials. Lists all journals ever published and where they can be found. Also indicated all annual reviews that are published.

Reviews
1. Review of Plant Pathology
2. Genetic Reviews
3. Physiological Reviews

Computer Programs
1. Online data retrieval system for books.
2. Infotrac - See WMU materials. Good source of general references.
3. Wilsonline - journal articles in Applied Science and Technology Index

Other Databases
1. Dialog - Information Services
2. Knowledge Index
3. BRS - Bibliographic Reference Service