CHM123
Quick Tips:
Library home page (http://www.sunybroome.edu/library)
- Books: Search for books on the “books/media” tab. Books that you can check out of the library are on the second floor of the library.
- Articles: Search for articles on the “articles” tab. (If you are off-campus, it will ask you for your MyCollege login information.)
- Interlibrary loan: If we don’t have the book or article you need, we will borrow it from another library for you. For free. Books can take up to a week to get here; articles take 2-3 days.
- Help:
- Reference Desk: 607-778-5043
- Me: Amanda Hollister, L202, hollisteraj@sunybroome.edu
Avoiding Crap on the web: The C.R.A.P. Test
- Currency: When was it written? Is the information up to date?
- Reliability: Where did the author(s) get their information?
- Authority: Who is the author? What are their credentials?
- Purpose: Is the author trying to sell you something?
Finding the Pros and Cons of Your Topic
Newspapers are a good source of opinion articles (editorials). The following database provide the pros and cons about many topics:
- Opposing Viewpoints In Context This link opens in a new windowOpposing Viewpoints Resource Center is a one-stop source for information on today's hottest social issues. Drawing on acclaimed series published by Greenhaven Press and other Gale imprints, OVRC features viewpoint articles, topic overviews, full-text magazine, academic journal, and newspaper articles, primary source documents, statistics, images and podcasts.
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowFounded in 1923 as Editorial Research Reports, CQ Researcher is noted for its in-depth, unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy.
- Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new windowPoints of View Reference Center contains many topics, each with an overview (objective background/description), point (argument) and counterpoint (opposing argument). For each topic, this database also offers a Guide to Critical Analysis, which helps the reader evaluate the controversial topics.
What are Peer Reviewed Articles?
| Scholarly and Peer-Reviewed Articles | Magazine Articles | |
| Purpose | To report results of original research and experimentation | To report current events, opinions, and general information |
| Look | Plain, serious, lengthy articles, may contain charts and graphs to support findings | Glossy, attractive, contains color illustrations/photos, and everyday product advertisements |
| Author | Scholars and experts in field of study/discipline | Journalists/reporters, staff or freelance writers |
| Audience | Scholars in academic and discipline related fields, researchers, students | Anyone |
| Language | Academic and technical | Non-technical, written in a language for anyone to understand |
| Documentation | Heavily cited with footnotes or bibliography | Sources are rarely cited, although references may be mentioned in text |
More information about what the peer review process can be found here: https://www.elsevier.com/reviewers/what-is-peer-review
Articles
From the library homepage, click either the “databases” or “complete list of databases” links. Under “databases by subject”, click “Science”. Recommended databases are:
- Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new windowThis multi-disciplinary database covers magazines, scholarly journals, and newspapers and is a good place to start for any subject.
- Environment Complete This link opens in a new windowEnvironment Complete offers deep coverage in applicable areas of agriculture, ecosystem ecology, energy, renewable energy sources, natural resources, marine & freshwater science, geography, pollution & waste management, environmental technology, environmental law, public policy, social impacts, urban planning, and more.
- Gale OneFile: Environmental Studies and Policy This link opens in a new windowThis collection indexes nearly 200 journals on the environment and related policy issues.
- Science Direct This link opens in a new windowScienceDirect is a platform that indexes thousands of peer-reviewed journals and book series in the areas of physical sciences and engineering, life and health sciences, social sciences and humanities. Collection is made up of select core titles.