Northeastern State University Libraries

Organic Chemistry Literature Assignments: Resources at NSU

Handout

Digital versions of the handout that was distributed during your library instruction session: .DOCX | .PDF

Desk References

     See handout.

Article databases and indexes

• ACS Publications - http://pubs.acs.org


• Science Direct - http://www.sciencedirect.com


• SciFinder registration - NSU-specific registration


• SciFinder - http://scifinder.cas.org


• From off campus, don't enter these addresses directly, but rather access the databases through the library's web page (see: Getting to the databases, below). You'll be prompted to enter your NSU username and password for off-campus access.

Getting to the databases

     From the library's main page (https://library.nsuok.edu/), click on Articles and Databases, then on Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Tips and Tricks

     Remember the two most important Boolean search operators, AND and OR. If your searches are retrieving too many hits, try narrowing your search with AND (e.g. flunitrazepam AND synthesis). If you're getting too few, try OR (e.g. flunitrazepam OR nitrazepam).

     Don't forget print resources! Being able to access e-journals and other electronic resources is convenient, but some of the best resources are in print in the reference section or elsewhere in the library. You can use the library's catalog to find these resources.

Review vs. Research Articles

     It is important to distinguish between review articles and research articles. A review article’s primary purpose is not to present new research, but to summarize, analyze, discuss, and provide an overview of previously published work on a topic. A research article is designed to present new research, methods, and/or findings.

     Research articles often employ the IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Research, and Discussion) format. See http://www.uta.fi/FAST/FIN/RESEARCH/imrad.html for a more extensive treatment of this format.

Evaluation of Sources

• Peer review
• Wikipedia: a starting point
• Open web vs. proprietary online databases
• Remember to ask yourself "Who, what, when, where, why?"

Plagiarism

When using the work of other people, remember to:

• Give credit if you use their words (quotation)
• Give credit if you use their sentiments or ideas (paraphrasing or summary)
• Give credit if you use their methods, techniques, or conclusions (replication/modification of prior work)
• Avoid accidental plagiarism with proper citation!

ACS Style

• The ACS Style Guide
• ACS Style Guidelines Quick Guide
• Citesource (includes link to a journal abbreviation tool)

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• Contact the Subject Librarian for Science - oberg@nsuok.edu
  
• Department of Natural Sciences
  
• College of Science & Health Professions Web site