E272: Introduction to Environmental Science
The following is intended to step you through the basic research process for identifying information resources for assignments related to environmental sciences.
1. Start by locating resources that provide an overview of your topic.
If your course has a textbook or other readings, this is often a good place to start. Skim the table of contents, the index, or section headings for discussions of your topic. Read these passages while watching for definitions of key terms and references to further reading.
Another place to look for overviews on your topic is in general and/or subject encyclopedias. You're probably familiar with the Encyclopaedia Britannica. For more focused articles try searching for articles in the Encyclopedia of Life Sciences. If your topic is controversial, try searching the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center for a small number of references from a range of resources.
If you are having trouble defining and focusing your topic, there is a worksheet available to assist you.
2. Search the online catalog for additional books that will give you the history, context, definitions, and theories related to your topic. You can also browse the shelves in appropriate call number ranges.
Using the key terms you discovered in reading overviews on your topic, do a "Basic Search" in IUCAT to find books, government publications, journals, media, etc. that the library owns. Limit your search to "Blmgtn - All Bloomington Libraries" to only find items that are on this campus.
You can also do a "Begins With (Browse)" search for subject headings on your topic. Your results should be more specific with this type of search. Again, remember to limit search to "Blmgtn - All Bloomington Libraries" to only find items that are on this campus.
When you review your search results, pay attention to recurring call numbers. These indicate areas where you can browse the shelves for books on your topic. Here are some general ranges you also can try:
| GE 1-350 | Environmental science |
| GE 170-190 | Environmental policy |
| GE 195-199 | Environmentalism |
| GE 300-350 | Environmental management |
| TD 1-1066 | Environmental technology |
| TD 172-193.5 | Environmental pollution |
3. Search subject specific databases for scholarly journal articles.
Try Environmental Sciences & Pollution Management. Enter combinations of your key terms on the "Quick Search" page or do a more focused and complex search on the "Advanced Search" page.
This database provides comprehensive coverage of the environmental sciences. Abstracts and citations are drawn from over 4000 scientific journals and thousands of other sources including conference proceedings, reports, monographs, books and government publications.
Try Lexis-Nexis Environmental. Select the appropriate search form and enter combinations of your key terms.
In this database you can search abstracts and full text through Environment Abstracts; access federal and state codes, agency regulations; case law, agency decisions; waste site data, hazardous materials.
4. Do a search on the Internet for additional information.
Use Google's "Advanced Search" page to do a more focused search. You can narrow your results by limiting your search to specific languages, dates, or file formats. Entering the domains *.gov or *.edu will limit results to pages from government or university web sites.
5. Evaluate the information you have collected.
Evaluating the information you find is an important part of the process. There are some tips to help you.
6. Cite the sources you use for your assignment.
No matter where your information comes from, you always need to cite your sources. APA, Chicago, and MLA are the most frequently used documentation styles.
If you need help with your research, be sure to contact the reference staff in the Business/SPEA Information Commons at 855-1958.
Last modified on September 3, 2007 by Steven L. Sowell
