Environmental Science
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
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.
- Dictionary of Earth Sciences
Simmons Eresource
Instead of having to drag around a huge, cumbersome volume, you can look up earth science terms and definitions in this online book from Oxford. You can print your search results, email them to yourself, and find terms related to the one that you are researching by clicking "widen your search." This source is very informative, user friendly, and accessible from home.
- Dictionary of Ecology
Simmons Eresource
Has a very similar format to the Dictionary of Earth Sciences, also from Oxford. Type any ecological term into the search bar, for an extensive, informative definition. Also features email and print options, as well as a search expansion to find related terms. Accessible from home.
- Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Environmental Change
Level 1 Reference GE10 .E534 2001
Formatted like a dictionary, but as informative as an encyclopedia, this reference work covers all terminology having to do with the earth's environmental changes. All of the terms in this book are listed alphabetically, and are often accompanied by illustrations, maps, and charts which help expand the concepts of the definition.
- Environmental Encyclopedia
Level 1 Reference GE10 .E38 2003
This two-volume reference work does not just define scientific terms -- it discusses everything that has had an affect on the environment in great detail. The entries cover all sorts of diverse topics ranging from the historical (the Homestead Act of 1862) to the scientific (an entry about incineration, complete with a diagram illustrating how it works), to entries on every day acts that have environmental affects, such as lawn treatment.
- Oxford Companion to the Earth
Simmons Eresource
An online resource from Oxford Reference covering all aspects of earth science including geology, climatology, mineralogy, and oceanography. With over 1,000 signed entries it provides a quick reliable overview of many topics. Bibliographic material is also included for many of the entries.
- TOXNET
Free Online
A collection of toxicology and environmental health databases that includes the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB®), a database of potentially hazardous chemicals, TOXLINE® (containing references to the world's toxicology literature), and ChemIDplus (a chemical dictionary and structure database).
- Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
Level 1 Reference TD 380 .S8 2005
An authoritative guide to methods for testing water. Each entry includes measurement methods, physical attributes, instruments required, testing facility requirements, chemical formulas, and diagrams when necessary.
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.
- GreenFILE
Simmons Eresource
GreenFILE offers well-researched information covering all aspects of human impact to the environment. Its collection of scholarly, government and general-interest titles includes content on global warming, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more. The database provides indexing and abstracts for approximately 295,000 records, as well as Open Access full text for more than 4,600 records.
- 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.
- Applied Science and Technology Index
Simmons Eresource
Bibliographic database that indexes and abstracts articles dealing with applied science and technology. Indexed articles come from trade and industrial publications, journals issued by professional and technical societies, and specialized subject periodicals, as well as special issues such as buyers' guides, directories, and conference proceedings.
- 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.
- 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!
Searching the Web
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
