Ebsco Discovery's Research Starters
Research starters are helpful for their definition of key terminology and their helpful inclusion of a bibliography. Reference sources like these are often a useful way to get started on your research topic.
The databases featured in this box are particularly useful for this class. You can learn more about databases on the Research Hub's Databases tab. (Note that Academic Search Complete is a great choice for literally any topic!)
Find all our databases at Databases A-Z.
You can also view the hardcopy ACS guide in the library- style manuals are located in the 1st floor reference collection (the shelves surrounding the Academic Commons.)
For expert help with citation, be sure to see the Debby Ellis Writing Center!
TIP: Clicking this icon will take you back to the Research Hub.
Download Office from IT's Computing and Software page.
Think about keywords related to your topic in general, or a specific context, material, or focus, to start your search in the library's catalog, WorldCat@SU. When you find a good item, try the subject links to lead to more resources on the topic. Also browse the shelf nearby for related titles. Ask your librarian for advanced search tips!
Try some of these subject headings in WorldCat:
Drinking water analysis | Drinking water standards | Groundwater analysis | Water quality | Water pollution | Environmental justice
Access articles via the Databases A-Z page. If off campus, you'll need to log in with your SUEID.
Remember to consider whether your article is scholarly or popular- consult this chart or a librarian for help.
Reposted from Ohio Northern University
Publication is different for different academic disciplines.
One of your sources for this assignment must be PRIMARY LITERATURE.
In the natural sciences, primary literature is the original publication of a scientist's new data, results, and theories, usually appearing in academic journals. Be aware there are many things published in scholarly / academic journals which are not primary literature, such as editorials and review articles, which do not report new findings but serve other legitimate informational purposes. Note that an article being "primary" isn’t necessarily an indicator of the quality of the work. Be sure to look specifically for “peer reviewed” articles, and to a lesser extent (in the Natural Science disciplines), the designation “academic / scholarly.”
Parts of a Peer Reviewed Scientific Article:
Papers that report experimental work are often structured chronologically in five sections: Introduction; Materials and: Methods, Results, and Discussion (together, these three sections make up the paper's body); and finally, the Conclusion.
When using websites, always remember to be critical and ask yourself if it is a reputable site that will give you quality information. Utilize this Critical Thinking Guide for some questions to ask yourself.
