BIOL 373 - Fadayomi
Finding Journal Articles
Journal articles are the best place to find current research for any science topic. To find journal articles, search the databases available from the FLITE Web site. These databases are grouped by subject area and provide access to thousands of scholarly journals and the articles published in them.
Where to look
For this class, try searching:
Biological and Agricultural Index - This is a great place to look for articles in fields like cytology, biotechnology, genetics, immunology, and biology in general. Make sure you check out the "New Search By Subject" links on the left side of your results screen; often these can help you improve your search.
ScienceDirect - This database isn't just biology, but it's a great place to look for bio articles (as well as chemistry, math, and physics, among others).
BioDigest - This database is useful for its non-technical articles. If you're looking for information but you're not comfortable with all the jargon involved with your topic, this might be a good place to start.
Finding articles when there's no Full-Text link
The Find-It links (also known as SFX or Check For Available Full Text links) will tell you if FLITE has access to an article, and link you to the article if we do.
Click here for a video tutorial on how to use Find-It links.
Finding a specific article
If you know a specific article that you want, but aren't sure what database it might be in, you can use the Citation Linker on the Journals tab of the FLITE homepage.
Click here for a video tutorial on locating and using the Citation Linker.
Suggestions to make your life easier:
Combine key phrases of your search with AND or OR.
Example: Instead of searching CANCER STEM CELLS try searching CANCER AND STEM CELLS.Come up with synonyms. Computers don't know that a couch is the same as a sofa--it's up to you to know that articles with either term will meet your needs.
Spelling! Remember that computers are picky about it. A single misspelled word can mean the difference between finding the perfect article and not finding anything at all. Need to check your spelling?
Ask for help.
All the librarians in FLITE were hired to make your life easier. We can't do that unless you bring us your questions.
Finding Books or Journal Articles in Print
To find print journals (not articles, but the journals themselves) or books, search the library catalog. If you want your results to show only journals and not books or dvds or anything else, use the link that says FSU Periodicals in the gray box labeled Location. You will have to scroll down to see this box on the left.
Need help searching the library catalog? Learn how here.
FLITE's print journals from the past 10 years are on the second floor, and are alphabetized by title. For journals more than 10 years old, you'll need to check the lower level (below the first floor).
There are photocopiers in FLITE if you wish to make copies of articles you need for your classes.
If FLITE Doesn't Own What You Need
If you're looking for a book FLITE doesn't own, you can request it through MeLCat. It usually takes 3 - 5 business days for the book to arrive.
If you're looking for an article FLITE doesn't own, you can request it through Interlibrary Loan. We'll e-mail you when it comes in, usually within a week of your ordering it.
Note: An item requested via interlibrary loan *could* possibly take up to 20 days to get here. Plan ahead if you think you might need this service!
Contact: Emily Mitchell / Email / Phone: 231-591-3730 / Office: FLITE 140F
Don't forget, you are welcome to come to the Oval Information Desk and ask for help any time. You can also call us 231-591-3602, chat with us, or sign up for a one-on-one appointment.
Last update: January 11, 2011