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Science

Here you will find library and internet resources for research on topics and issues in Science

Science: 

"Science (from the Latin word scientia, meaning "knowledge") is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe."  - Wikipedia, Science

 

Science is characterized by the use of the scientific method, a way of systematically gathering knowledge about a subject by formulating hypotheses to explain a phenomenon.  Those hypotheses are then tested through experiments to gather information, and the results are compared with the hypothesis to determine whether the hypothesis is correct.  If multiple experiments confirm the hypothesis, it is generally accepted as correct, but experiments which produce negative results are considered important as they lead to changes in the hypothesis which can then be tested. 

There are different ways of categorizing the branches of science. One way of dividing science is the following, used by InfoPlease:

  • Physical sciences, which deal with matter and energy and allow us to describe the material universe in terms of weight, mass, volume, and other standard, objective measures.
  • Earth sciences, which explain the phenomena of Earth, its atmosphere, and the solar system to which it belongs.
  • Life sciences, which describe living organisms, their internal processes, and their relationship to each other and the environment.

This guide lists resources from a wide range of different scientific disciplines.  Click on the link below to see our complete list of science research guides.

Searching for Information

When you're working on a research project, you need to use terms that relate to your topic to find information sources - but you also need to be flexible.  Combining multiple terms will help you find sources that are more closely focused on your specific topic. 

These are some useful terms to use for a research project in science. Other terms may be useful as well. Use specific words, but only use one or two word phrases - not whole sentences! Try both plural and singular forms, and try varying combinations.

  • Astronomy
  • Astrophysics
  • Anatomy, human anatomy, physiology
  • Biology, biological processes
  • Botany
  • Chemistry, chemical
  • Cellular biology
  • Environmental studies
  • Immunity, immunology
  • Geology
  • Marine biology
  • Microbiology
  • Natural history
  • Oceanography
  • Physics
  • Physical Science
  • Soil science

The search terms listed above can be used in Google, but you'll find more reliable and authoritative sources searching in the library's OneSearch catalog - or in Credo Reference, an online collection of reference and research sources.  Use the box below to access Credo's science resources, or access OneSearch from the Library Materials tab on this guide.  (You may be asked to login using your student ID number).

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Citation Styles

Always ask your instructor what citation style should be used for research projects. See below for links to helpful resources.