Microbiology, is it Pestilence or Savior?

Mr. Holley's assignment is to prepare an 5-7 page research paper and give an oral presentation on a bacteria or virus that is infectious to humans. The assignment is very detailed and Mr. Holly outlines all of the requirements needed to complete the project. Please contact Mr. Blake, in the library if you have any questions about the research process.

The following steps will assist you in the research process.

Step 1: Get Organized

Before you begin your research follow these crucial steps:

Step 2: Gather Information

Finding Reference books:

Begin your research with refence books to help you gain an overview of your topic, develop a list of search terms, and begin to build a bibliography. Make sure to check out the Encyclopedia of Microbiology REF576 EN19 and the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology REF 503 M17, in the Garver Room.

Finding electronic databases:

Access Science provides access to McGrawh Hill's Encyclopedia of Science and technology. It includes many images and gives basic overviews as well as indepth bibliographies for each entry.

Encyclopedia Britannica contains the full-text of scholarly articles on many academic subjects. It is a vital tool for searching for "primary source" information.

General Science Collection contains full text coverage for more than 60 of the most popular science publications

HighWire contains bibliographic citations and full text coverage to many of the major scientific journals

JSTOR contains the full-text of scholarly articles on many academic subjects. It is a vital tool for searching for "primary source" information.

New York Times Current contains the full-text of all New York Times articles from 1999 to present. Many articles have appeared in the "Science Times" section that comes out on Tuesdays.

Scientific American Archive Online contains the full-text of one of the most prominent general science magazines. Many stories about species behavior, neurobiology, sociobiology, and ethology.

Image Produced by Jim Deacon Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, The University of Edinburgh

 

Finding Internet Web Sites:

**Remember to evaluate web sites for authority and content.

• American Type Culture Collection "is a global nonprofit bioresource center that provides biological products, technical services, and educational programs to private industry, government, and academic organizations around the world."

• Microbiology Information Portal is a searchable directory of microbiological resources compiled by a microbiologist.

• The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Bacteriology provides recent news, Life at High Temperatures and an electronic Online Microbiology textbook.

• Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology Covers the whole gamut of bacteriology and much of microbiology; it also has a wonderful list of the bacterial flora of humans that contains beautiful SEM of each species found in the gut.
  
• All the Virology in the World is a directory of virology research and data sites that contain human, plant and animal viruses, and a large collection of HIV/AIDS resources.
  
• 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.
  
• 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.
  
• FDA Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook
  Also known as the "Bad Bug Book," this source is constantly updated by the Food and Drug Administration.
  
• 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.

In addition, check the Selected Internet Resources for Health and Medicine reviewed by the librarians at the OWHL for quality and content.

Step 3: Use the Information

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 CBE format. Click here or here to see a CBE style guide that will help. We are using the Name-Year style.
Try this excellent tool to create and produce your bibliography in CBE style. Click here to go to REFWORKS. When producing your "Literature Cited" bibliography be sure to use the "Council of Biology Editors - CBE 6th, Name-Year Sequence" Output Style. Note: REFWORKS can only be used from on-campus computers. The first time you access this product you will have to create a personal account. Then track all of your research needs with this one source! If you prefer the old fashioned print way, click here or here to see a CBE style guide that will help. We are using the Name-Year style.

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. Once you are finished with your project Play the Discovery of Penicillin Game by clicking HERE.

Questions or comments? Email OWHL Web Team at
© Phillips Academy 1999
Last Update July 12, 2006