If you need help using the resources described above, you can ask at the Library Reference Desk or use the library's "chat" reference service -- linked from most library web-pages.
If you need help deciding on a database or search strategy (i.e. what terms to use for your topic) contact me by email. In your email, please tell me about your topic, how you have gone about your search to date, and what problems you have encountered.
Be sure you can locate the the OSU Libraries Home Page and from there find these three links
Use the first three deadlines for this project to your advantage and start your research early. Follow the "read more" link below for one approach you might take.
The Valley Library subscribes to several databases which index peer-reviewed scientific journal articles relevant to natural resource issues and topics. The process of "peer-review" (sometimes called "refereeing") is discipline and journal specific. It is intended to assure that the articles in that journal represent good scientific methodology and are regarded as a contribution to the literature of that field of study. If in doubt about whether a journal contains peer reviewed articles, ask.
Most databases noted in ths guide will index a high percentage of "refereed" journals and therefore contain very high percentage of peer reviewed articles. They may also include first hand reporting of research findings or state-of-the-art reviews from other reporting sources such as federal agency reports, dissertations, conference proceedings, professional journals, etc. All of these may prove useful resources for framing and addressing your research question.
To locate references to articles in the scientific literature using these indexing databases, begin at the OSU Libraries home page: http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu. Click on "Databases," and then on the first letter of the name of the database you want to use. Because they are not all provided on the same web "platform" you cannot (with a few exceptions) search across several databases as once.
Most databases are not freely available to the public. They are licensed to the library for OSU use. If you are not on campus, you will encounter our "proxy server" asking you to "authenticate" yourself as a qualified OSU user by entering your name and (new) OSU ID number. Apart from this, you should never be asked for an username and password while attempting to use a database. If you are asked for one, this is usually an indication that the ports are busy. Just try again later.
When considering a database, it is important to be aware of its content including:
Follow the "read more" link below for some specific suggestions for this course.
If you have not done much searching or have not been satisfied with the results of your searches, follow the "read more" link below for some search tips.
You can get a copy of any journal article not available at OSU Libraries by using Interlibrary Loan (ILL). This service is free to you.
You must have an ONID account to register for ILL. From the OSU Libraries catalog, look for the link to Interlibrary Loan and select "Log on for ILL Service." Consider registering now, before you actually need to request an article.
We are able to obtain the majority of requested articles within 5-7 days depending on the number of libraries owning the journal. Some requests take more time some take less. On the rare occasion that the Library is unable to identify a lending library, we will try to get the information you will need to contact the author directly.
Articles usually come as PDF files that are sent you a secure website for your use. You can also use ILL to request books (or chapters of books) if you are unable to locate then in the Summit catalog.
The "read more" link below provides you with several websites that may be useful in providing some background information and references for your project. Consider them one of many tools. If you use information from these or other websites be sure to note the information needed to cite it using the link to CBE (now CSE) Style Guide formatting as noted in your course syllabus. Here are two helpful guides: Ohio State University Libraries' CBE Citation Guide and Colorado State Libraries' CBE (Name/Year System) .