Biology
From Simmons Library Research Guides
We have selected these resources to help you find relevant information on your research topic. Please contact a librarian for help using the resources listed in this guide or for help with your research process.
Contents |
Reference and Background Information
Use the Simmons Eresource called [http://0-refuniv.odyssi.com.library.simmons.edu/ Reference Universe] to search for information about your topic in all of our Reference sources.
or, search for Reference sources that contain information about your specific research topic here:
You may also consult the resources below for overviews of the topic that you have chosen to research. Use these resources to help you to put your topic in context and give you the big picture of what information exists about your topic. These resources may have bibliographies at the end of each entry that can help further your research.
- Biology Browser
Free Online
BiologyBrowser, produced by Thomson Scientific, is a free web site offering resources for the life sciences information community. This resources provides information produced by Thomson Scientific, including the Zoological Record, Nomenclature Glossary for Zoology, the Zoological Record Thesaurus, and more. The resource also provides access to useful information collected from outside sources, including links to current science news stories, relevant web sites, and more.
- Dictionary of Biology
Simmons Eresource
In its fifth edition, this work contains over 5,000 entries providing comprehensive coverage of biology, biophysics, and biochemistry, as well as key terms from medicine and palaeontology. There are also feature articles on important topics.
- Elsevier's Dictionary of Biology
Level 1 Reference QH302.5 .E47 1998
A dictionary that provides concise explanations of words and expressions central to the language of biology. Subjects covered within this text related to biology include taxonomy, morphology, biochemistry, functional physiology, ecology, cell biology, and molecular biology. Includes four helpful appendixes, (1)Symbols, units and nomenclature in physics; (2)Chemical elements; (3)Systematics in organisms; (4)Geological timetables.
- Encyclopedia of Life Sciences
Level 1 Reference QH302.5 .E53 2005
This encyclopedia of Life Sciences provides brief descriptions of terms from contemporary biology. Terms are listed alphabetically and cross references are provided. Subjects covered within this text include: biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, immunology and microbiology.
- Oxford Reference Shelf - Biological Sciences
Simmons Eresource
This is a collection of classic Oxford University Press reference books available fulltext in a searchable, online collection. Titles include A Dictionary of Genetics, A Dictionary of Zoology, The Oxford Companion to the Body, and more.
- Synopsis and Classification of Living Organisms
Level 1 Reference QH83 .S89
This two volume McGraw-Hill publication categorizes and defines living organisms. Volume 1 has a Table of Contents with the subject areas of the Virus Kingdom, Monera Kingdom, Plant Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, as well as the Subkingdoms. Volume 2 has more information on the Animal Kingdom and Subkingdoms and an Appendix with discussions of the "History and Role of Nomenclature in the Taxonomy and Classification of Organisms" and "Biological Classification". Photos of bacteria, viruses, and fungi throughout provide excellent illustrations, and each entry has reference information.
Finding Articles
Below are suggested databases and indexes for articles on the topic that you have chosen to research. These databases include articles from newspapers, magazines and scholarly journals. Articles are shorter and more narrowly focused than books or reference materials so you should use them after you have narrowed your topic.
- Medline
Simmons Eresource
Created by the National Library of Medicine, Medline provides access to articles about biomedical, health, and biological. It is the "authoritative medical information on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, pre-clinical sciences, and much more." Approximately 5,000 of the world's leading biomedical journals are indexed in Medline.
- BIOSIS
Simmons Eresource
This database indexes periodical literature on a wide range of bioscience topics, covering over 350 of the basic core of life science journals.
- General Science Index
Simmons Eresource
Covering topics from the fields of astronomy, atmospheric Science, biology, botany, chemistry, conservation, earth science, environment, food, genetics, health, mathematics, medicine, microbiology, nutrition, oceanography, physics, physiology, and zoology. Includes research articles, biographical sketches, symposia, conferences, review articles, selected letters to the editor, and special issues of journals published as supplementary issues, review issues, book reviews, and laboratory guides from American and British journals and magazines.
- SciFinder Scholar
Simmons Eresource
A software program that enables searching of the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) databases. The database covers research from many scientific disciplines, including biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, material science, agricultural science. It contains references from nearly 9,500 currently published journals and patents from more than 50 active patent issuing authorities. It also includes the most comprehensive collection of organic and inorganic substance information.
- Open Access Directory - Biology and Life Sciences
Free Online
This list provides links to electronic journals in the fields of Biology and the Life Sciences that are scholarly, peer-reviewed, full text, and accessible without cost. This is not a searchable database.
- Academic Search Complete
Simmons Eresource
Academic Search Complete is a great place to start your search for both popular and scholarly articles, no matter what your topic is! It contains journals from almost every topic and is designed specifically for academic institutions. It provides more than 5,300 full-text periodicals, 4,400 of which are peer-reviewed journals. This resource also features content as far back as 1865.
- Academic Onefile
Simmons Eresource
Academic Onefile contains 8,000 academic journals, the majority in full-text, available in HTML and PDF formats. In addition it contains hundreds of podcasts and transcripts from NPR, CNN, and the CBC.
- Expanded Academic ASAP
Simmons Eresource
From arts and the humanities to social sciences, science and technology, this database meets research needs across all academic disciplines. Access scholarly journals, news magazines, and newspapers - many with full text and images. Updated daily.
TIP: Use the Advanced Search for a more precise search!
- Science Citation Index -- ISI Web of Science
Simmons Eresource
This source is an index of citations and abstracts of scholarly articles from over six thousand journals pertaining to almost all the scientific fields
Note: Full text of the cited articles is not available through Social Science Citation Index. Click the link that says "Check for Full-Text Availability" to determine if the library has access to the article. Remember, if we do not have the entire article, it can be requested through Interlibrary Loan.
Searching the Web
Simmons librarians have created a customized search engine that allows you
to find Biology information on the free web.
Use this Biology Google Custom Search Engine box to search all select, quality free web sites at the
same time:
You may also wish to go directly to, or bookmark, the Biology Google Custom Search Engine
Tips for Searching the Internet:
- Use the advanced search function, which is available from most search engines:
- Google - See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Ask - Click "Advanced." See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Live (MSN) - See also "Options"
- Exalead - See also "Exalead FAQ"
- Yahoo! Search
- Limit your search to .edu and .gov sites. These often provide quality research, statistics, and commentary. Sites ending in .org often have good information, too, but are likely to espouse a strong stance or bias on the issues they cover and may not be objective.
- Try Scandoo, which presents search results from Google, Yahoo! Search, or Live (MSN) with an evaluation about the objectivity, credibility, and overall reliability of the site.
- Consider using a directory of pre-screened, annotated sites:
Writing Style and Citation
For more information on style and citation for this discipline, please contact the Simmons College Writing Center
You may also consider consulting these resources:
- Writing Resources
Free Online
The Writing Center provides online resources for citing your research. If you are unsure of which citation style to use, consult your professor and consider the following:- Use APA (American Psychological Association) when your topic is in the Social Sciences
- Use ASA (American Sociological Association) when your topic is in Sociology
- Use MLA (Modern Language Association) when your topic is in the Humanities
- Use Chicago/Turabian when your topic is in Literature, History or the Arts
- Use CSE (Council of Science Editors) when your topic is in the Sciences
- RefWorks
Simmons Eresource
RefWorks is a great program for organizing articles, books, and other materials you need for research. You can also use RefWorks to create bibliographies, create in text citations in your paper (Write-N-Cite), and share your research with others. Access RefWorks from the A-Z list of resources on the library's web page, and then follow the instructions to create your own username and password. We hold RefWorks Clinics throughout the semester. For more information, ask a reference librarian
- Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers
Level 1 Reference QH304 .C68 1994
The most recognized, authoritative reference for authors, editors, publishers, students, and translators in all areas of science and related fields.
