Best Bets for Starting Your Research in...
::
Physics ::
Use databases to find articles
on your topic. These databases are the best place to start.
- Science
Direct
On-line access to the latest 12 months of over 80 subscribed and
complimentary Elsevier journals on a variety of subjects.
Date coverage: Last 12 months.
- Proquest
Science Journals
Provides access to a wide range of science
topics. The database includes over 490 titles, with more than 380
available in full text.
Date coverage: 1986-present.
- Academic
OneFile
A premier source for peer-reviewed, full-text articles from leading
journals and reference sources. With extensive coverage of the physical
sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology,
literature and other subjects.
Date coverage: 1980-present.
- Web
of Science
Provides citations and abstracts to approximately 8,700 of the most
prestigious, high impact research journals in the sciences and social
sciences.
Date coverage: 1994-present.
- AccessScience
AccessScience features fully searchable content from the McGraw-Hill
Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Yearbook of Science &
Technology, and the Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms.
Tips: When searching
databases, use AND, OR, and parentheses
to focus your search.
The asterisk * symbol will search for all variations of a word. For
example: intell* will search for intellect and intelligent and
intellectual. Using quotes will search for a phrase.
Combine synonyms with OR and put them inside parentheses, like this:
("lenses" OR "fiber optics ") AND laser*
Here's another example:
radio wave * AND space AND (measurement OR
recording)
Already have the citation? Find an article with citation linker!
Did you know...
Databases are
basically just search engines for
articles on specific subjects.
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Find books using the library
catalog. Browse these subjects to get general
information on your topic.
- Particles
(Nuclear Physics)
- Mathematical Physics
- Astronomy
- Physics
Search the library catalog! Find books, media
materials, and more.
Other searches:
Browse | Advanced Search
Tips: When searching
the library catalog with keywords, use the dollar sign
($) to search for a word and all of its variations.
For example: Teach$
will search for teachers or teaching
Did you know...
- WorldCat is a catalog of thousands
of libraries around the world!
- If a book isn't in the Fairfield
University catalog, search WorldCat and request the book from
another library. Just click on the Interlibrary Loan button.
- You can search ReQuest to search just the libraries
in Connecticut.
- Contact John
Cayer, Interlibrary Services, with questions.
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Reference tools such as dictionaries
and encyclopedias are good places to
start your research because they provide an overview of
the topic as well as keywords,
dates, and facts.
Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
- Encyclopedia of physics
Ref. QC5 .E545 2005 V.1
Tips: Try looking at
the bibliography at the end
of the entry for a list of other sources
such as relevant journal articles and books.
When you have found books on your topic, look
at the books on the shelf nearby to see if they are
related to your topic.
Did you know...
Wikipedia
can be edited by anyone,
so make sure you use another source to
confirm the information you find there.
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These web sites have been evaluated
by librarians (that's a good thing) for your use in an
academic setting.
Did you know...
There are billions of web pages and Google
only finds a fraction of them (about 15%). The rest is
held in what's called the "Invisible Web", which is made up
of dynamically generated information, password protected sites, and
databases-driven sites!
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Use these short e-learning modules to get quick
answers!
Still have questions?
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Curtis Ferree, Reference and
Electronic Resources Librarian
By phone at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2185
By e-mail at cferree@mail.fairfield.edu
AIM: cferree1
IM the Reference Desk at FairfieldULib
- AOL and Yahoo
FairfieldUlib@hotmail.com
- MSN
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