Sciences
Researching in the Sciences
Research in the sciences generally involves recognizing a scientific problem to be solved, setting up an experiment designed to yield useful data, and interpreting the data in the context of other scientific knowledge. Researchers use library resources to
- keep up with current thinking in the field so they can identify questions worth asking
- review what is known about a given phenomenon so they can place new knowledge in context
- locate specific information they need to successfully carry out an experiment or a project
The massive volume of scientific literature being produced can be daunting at first. However, a number of resources are available to help you find what is relevant to your research. Students planning to search for scientific materials should be prepared to
- choose search terms carefully so that they match those used by the sources
- work from the most recent publications to earlier ones, sorting out schools of thought and lines of inquiry
- know when to stop, when they have uncovered a selection of the most important and relevant research for their topic
The resources listed here will give you an idea of where to start. Consult a librarian to determine which resources are best for your research.
Use the menu at the top left for help with Finding Sources or Documenting Sources in the sciences.
