Geology Research

 

Geology Research

Starting Your Research

Definitions

Primary sources in science: sources that are the first reports of findings, which present new information
Examples: research articles, patents, sets of data, interviews, surveys, conference proceedings

Secondary sources in science: sources that evaluate or analyze information presented in primary sources
Examples: review articles, books that review the literature on a topic, newspaper articles reporting on the original research

Tertiary sources in science: sources that reformat primary and secondary sources for easier access and understanding
Examples: bibliographic indexes, encyclopedias, almanacs, handbooks, popular nonfiction books

Finding Sources in the Library

Hawai'i Voyager
The online catalog of books, journals, microfilm, etc. held by the UH Library System. To search for materials on your topic, click on Guided Search and enter your keywords. Refine (or expand) your search by opening a record and identifying the Library of Congress Subject Headings; by using those terms you may find more relevant sources.
http://uhmanoa.lib.hawaii.edu/

Electronic Resources Gateway
Find electronic journals and books held by UH Manoa.
http://micro189.lib3.hawaii.edu/ezproxy/

Indexes and other sources to connect to the scientific literature

From Index to Article: All of the following indexes allow you to connect directly from a citation record by using the Find It button to:
  • the full-text article online
  • the catalog, Hawai'i Voyager, for print holdings
  • the interlibrary loan online request form (if UH does not have the item; service is free)

GeoRef
Online version covers geological literature, maps, with records from 1785 to present. Go to Advanced Search for more search options.
http://micro189.lib3.hawaii.edu/ezproxy/details.php?dbId=46655

GeoBase
Index covers journal literature from 1980 to present over a broad range of disciplines including ecology, geology, oceanography.
http://micro189.lib3.hawaii.edu/ezproxy/details.php?dbId=47797

Web of Science
Strong in the life sciences, covers the journal literature of all disciplines of science from 1980 to the present. The most up-to-date of the indexes. Select General Search to search on a topic or an author. Select Cited Reference Search to search for papers that cite a particular author or reference.
http://micro189.lib3.hawaii.edu/ezproxy/details.php?dbId=2540

Meteorological & Geoastrophysical Abstracts
Covers journal literature, technical and conference reports from 1974 to present in meteorology, climatology, atmospheric chemistry and physics, astrophysics, hydrology, glaciology, physical oceanography and environmental sciences.
http://micro189.lib3.hawaii.edu/ezproxy/details.php?dbId=2547

Biological Abstracts
Covers biological literature from algalogy to zoology published in peer reviewed journals from 1969 to the present. Print indexes go back to 1926.
http://micro189.lib3.hawaii.edu/ezproxy/details.php?dbId=171

Zoological Record
Covers zoological literature published in peer reviewed journals, books, conference papers from 1978 to the present. Print indexes go back to 1864.
http://micro189.lib3.hawaii.edu/ezproxy/details.php?dbId=2251
Review Sources

Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Substantial review articles written by experts in their fields, provide an overview of research in the earth sciences. Search or Browse the volumes. Full text articles available back to 1996, searching back to 1973. We also have the print available in Hamilton Library at QE1 .A674, 2nd floor Hamilton Addition.
http://micro189.lib3.hawaii.edu/ezproxy/details.php?dbId=1254

Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
Substantial review articles written by experts in their fields, provide an overview of research in the earth sciences. Search or Browse the volumes. Full text articles available back to 1996, searching back to 1973. We also have the print available in Hamilton Library at QH540 .A53, 3rd floor Hamilton Addition.
http://micro189.lib3.hawaii.edu/ezproxy/details.php?dbId=80

Government Documents and other Gray literature

Marcive
A catalog of U.S. Government Printing Office publications from 1976 to present. Gives links to online documents and library holdings information (click on holdings to see if UH Manoa has). Keyword searching: After setting search type to keyword, truncate with an asterisk and when using Boolean operators, enclose search terms with parentheses, ex. (volcano*). AND (hawaii*)
http://micro189.lib3.hawaii.edu/ezproxy/details.php?dbId=1302

Hawai'i Statewide GIS Program
Spatial data that includes maps of natural resources and environmental layers, e.g. vegetation, bird habitats.
http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/gis/

Science.gov
Search for online U.S. government reports across agencies and departments.
http://www.science.gov

Columbia Earthscape
Includes journal articles, book chapters, conference reports, regional studies, think-tank reports, legislation related to environmental sciences, all selected by a board of editors. Click on Search and enter your keyword terms.
http://micro189.lib3.hawaii.edu/ezproxy/details.php?dbId=2110

Other Search Tool

Scholar Google
Includes citations to journal articles, book chapters, conference reports, some linked to full-text. Click on Search and enter your keyword terms.
http://www.scholar.google.com

Citing Your Sources

Citing your sources correctly and consistently is essential for the scientific communication process.

Geowriting: a guide to writing, editing, and printing in earth science
One copy held in Scitech Reference at QE48.85 .G44 1984.

Citing Your Sources: Examples of Citing Different Kinds of Sources
A brief guide to citing taken from the Geological Society of America's Guidelines.

Need Research Help?

E-mail me srutter@hawaii.edu or call me 6-2540 with any questions or problems you run into in using the library.

 

Sara Rutter | Science Librarian | Hamilton Library | University of Hawaii Manoa | page updated 5/23/06

http://www.hawaii.edu/sciref/geology