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The Dynamic Body |  |
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Get Organized! |
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This guide provides an overview of information resources available at the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library. Selected medical print and electronic resources are provided. There are many more excellent sources.
The following steps will assist you in the research process.
Step 1: Get Organized
Think about what you are required to do. Much of the class focuses on anatomy, physiology and stressors of the body that have varied effects such as diseases, exercise and nutrition. Attached is a class syllabus. Your weekly written response to a journal article or journal abstract will involve locating, obtaining, and evaluating the article and then composing a response. Final projects are related to topics of choice as they relate to the body. Remember the steps of the research process. What do you want to write about? Do you need to refine your topic? What are some search terms or key words you may use in locating information for your topic?
Plan your time wisely. The Planning Assignments calculator will provide deadlines for long-term projects.Step 2: Gather Information
Find reference books for further information on your chosen disease. Medical books are in the 600's and biology books are in the 500's along the back wall of the Garver Reference Room, shelved according to the Dewey Decimal System.
Click here for a list of selected specialized reference books (avaliable in the Garver Room) you may want to consider.
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Tip: Ask a Reference Librarian, stop by the reference desk (located outside the Garver Room) early and often during the research process for assistance. |
Finding journal articles in fee based electronic databases:
Use the General Science Collection, Health Reference Center Academic, or Scientific American databases. Search by keyword or subject. Contains some full text articles. Make sure to get help from a reference librarian if you have any questions about searching the electronic resources.
EBSCO HOST Research Databases
A new set of database resources especially useful for your project. Includes Clinical Pharmacology, General Sciences Collection, Health Source - Consumer Edition, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and MEDLINE.
Medline
This database of the National Library of Medicine is free to the public. Choose PubMed for most searches. If you cannot find the needed information performing a Basic Search, select MeSH Browser from the left hand column to locate your search term. Choose "linked subject heading" and check boxes for subheadings. To retrieve only the most relevant articles, be sure to check the box marked Restrict Search to Major Topic headings only.
HighWire
Access to over 600,000 full-text articles in the biological, medical, physical, and social sciences. Search both HighWire and Medline simultaneously from this link.
**Remember to evaluate web sites just as you evaluate books for authority and content.
- CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a federal agency that provides information on health, disease prevention and control, environmental health and education.- Complete Home Medical Guide
This Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons is very authoritative.- Merck Manual Home Edition
This book uses everyday language to present information about diseases, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment- Meta Directory at Hardin Library
From the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences at the University of Iowa, a list of lists in three categories--large, medium and small.- Librarians' Index to the Internet
Enter search terms or choose from the directory listing of diseases and conditions.- Yahoo Health Directory
A good place to begin. Enter search terms, or look through subject headings. Think about your search terms and refine your search with "and, or, not" or other limiting features.In addition, check the Selected Internet Resources for Health and Medicine reviewed by the librarians at the OWHL for quality and content.
Boston Globe Health and Science
This weeks health and science reporting by the Boston Globe.Biomedical and Health in the News
The "Science Times" of the New York Times.Reuters Health
Updated consumer health information from the Reuters News Service.
Step 3: Use the Information
Once you have decided what materials to read, Click Here for a site that will help you write a critical review of a journal/magazine article.
Synthesize the information, make an outline, take notes, organize the information, write the paper and document sources. Capture the information you will need for your bibliography the first time you use each source. Use these handy forms for collecting all the data elements you will need. To help in the construction of your bibliography please use the MLA format. The Citation Machine website might be useful. Make sure to avoid Plagiarism! Use this useful guide to quoting and paraphrasing sources.
Never used PowerPoint? Click here for a brief tutorial from Florida Gulf Coast University. Do you need an image for your PowerPoint? Make sure to document the image and don't use ones that have an active copyright statement. Many images can be had from Google images, Medical Pictures of the Hardin Library, or the digital librarian.
Step 4: Take time to Reflect
The paper is ready to be handed in. The bibliography is complete. Ask yourself: did you accomplish what you wanted to do? What else could I have done to guarantee a six? If you take the time to evaluate what you did you will become a better researcher.
