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This guide gives you an overview of some of the many resources available to you when conducting research in for Science Writing. If you have any questions, concerns, or recommendations, please contact Sue Waterman, librarian for Writing Seminars.
Researchers often begin by searching out basic reliable information before delving in to researching complicated issues. Subject dictionaries and encyclopedias are excellent places to obtain a general overview of a topic. The resources listed below are wonderful sources for basic information.
In order to find books and other scholarly materials, it is necessary to be adept at searching the library's catalog. Hopkins' library catalog can be searched in a number of ways:
Alphabetical searching allows you to search by the exact name of an author, title or subject heading.
Basic Keyword searching helps you search author, title, and subject fields (for example) simultaneously.
Advanced Keyword searching allows you to form more complicated search queries using multiple keywords and limiting your searches. For example, you can search for books that were published in a certain language during a specific span of years.
If our library doesn't have what you're looking for, keep in mind that you can also use other databases like WorldCat to identify what libraries do have those materials. Then use Interlibrary Loan to have those resources sent to Johns Hopkins for you to use.
Subject specific research databases are absolutely essential to helping you find scholarly information on your topic. Below you will find a few general databases that will help you locate journal and newspaper articles, book chapters, dissertations, etc. in your field. Because science writing jumps across disciplines, I would also suggest looking at the other online resources listed by subject on the library's web pages.
This database indexes more than 7400 journals, roughly 4000 of which are available as full-text. Topic covered include business, science, health, technology, social sciences, and more.
This database indexes more than 150 journals and magazines from the US and UK, covering a wide array of scientific topics such as Astronomy, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Earth Science, Genetics, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics & Zoology.
This database is great for background information, bibliographies, and links to external web sites. Web of Science offers access to current and retrospective information from about 8700 journals.
One of the largest databases in the world, LexisNexis offers citations to journal articles from around the world, covering late nineteenth and twentieth century, as well as current issues across disciplines.
Proquest Historical Newspapers offers full-text articles for newspapers dating back to the 18th century. Every issue of each title includes the complete paper with full page and article images in PDF format. It includes The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Atlanta Constitution, The Boston Globe, and the Hartford Courant.
After using these databases to identify the information you want you'll need to find it! Some of these databases include the full text and some don't. If they don't:
Go to the library's homepage. Under Online resources, click on E-Journals. Type in the name of the journal you want in the top search box and click on Go.
The Find It popup box will appear. If the library has the full text of the journal through one of its subscription databases, there will be a hyperlink to the e-journal. If it doesn't, click on the "Search the JHU library catalog" link to see if Hopkins has the print version of the journal.
If Hopkins has neither the print or electronic versions, order the article you want from interlibrary loan services.
Government Information
Government agencies produce reports about their research areas that are of great interest to researchers. And most government agencies make this information freely accessible on the web due to government mandate. Try some of these general sites to explore government information:
Gives direct access to the scientific materials published through First Gov.
Each government agency also tends to publish its research on their own web site. Some develop specialized databases to store and provide access to that information. Each agency is different; it pays off to familiarize yourself with the web sites of those agencies researching in your field of interest.
There are also two main databases that are invaluable when researching government information:
Launched in 1995, Thomas makes legislative information freely available to the public. It contains Bills, Resolutions, Floor Activity in Congress, Congressional Record, Schedules, Calendars, Committee reports, Presidential Nominations, and Treaties.
Provides access to a comprehensive collection of congressional publications including Committee Hearings, Committee Prints, Congressional Research Service Reports, House and Senate Documents, Senate Executive Reports, Senate Executive Treaty Documents, Legislative Histories. The context of LexisNexis' records varies by publication type but always includes full bibliographic information and indexing. The availability of full text varies.
Online Resources
There are many web sites that provide accurate information for Science Writers. Online magazines, such as Nature Science Update and Science Magazine Online, provide supporting content, replicating and/ or supplementing information the information they provide to their subscribers.
Digitized special collections, like the Einstein Archives Online, often provide excellent primary source materials.
New initiatives to increase access to scientific research, such as the Public Library of Science also offer highly reliable sources.
Although the sites listed above are reputable, not all web sites are. Remember to evaluate research on the we. Get some advice on assessing web sites' credibility.
Further Assistance
If you're having trouble finding the information or materials you need, ask for assistance at the Information Desk at the main level of the Library; use Ask a Librarian; or contact Sue Waterman, the librarian for Writing Seminars.
