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PHYS 499 : Library Resources Guide

Resources & Tips for Physics Research for Seniors & Juniors

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the library session, you should be able to

  • Design appropriate search strategies to find information relevant to your topic
  • Refine your search strategy in response to the information you find
  • Differentiate between databases to determine which are most relevant for your information needs and be able to navigate within them
  • Organize citations within a Citation Manager

 

Ultimate Goal = you'll have a good idea where to start your research

Worksheet For In-Class Activities

You will need the PHYS 499 Library Session - Worksheet (Google Doc) to complete in-class tasks.

  • If you would like to take notes within a copy of the Worksheet, make a copy for yourself
  • If you prefer to simply use the Worksheet to guide your work in-class, simply link to the document

 

PHYS 499 Library Session - Worksheet

In-class activity: Task 1 - Database Investigation (15 mins)

Task 1 - Database Investigation

In this task you will search a Library databases and review your findings to discover the options available for sorting and refining your results, and retrieving the article, then share your insights with the class.

  • You will need go to the Find Physics Research Articles page in the PHYS 499 Library Resources Guide and select a database on the "best bests" or "general science databases" tab

TIP: If you’re not sure, start with Inspec, if you’ve searched Inspec before, try Scopus (general science database)

  • Search the database using your research topic OR "solar flares" and forecast* and algorithm
  • Follow the instructions on the PHYS 499 Worksheet, recording your observations as you work

 

Finish Task 1 by Sharing a tip about database searching with future PHYS 499 students

 


Task 2 - Export Citations into Citation Manager (Zotero)

In this task you will select a few articles from your database search and save them to Zotero. Use the PHYS 499 Worksheet to guide your work,

NOTE: this task assumes that you completed the Zotero Citation Manager Exercise prior to class, or are using another citation manager you like. If you haven’t you use this time to search another database.

 

Need a refresher on exporting / saving citations to Zotero? See Part 2 - Save article records to Zotero of the Citation Manager Exercise

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