CHEM 401: Library Research and Resources
Librarian: Josh Wilson
Summary of the chemical research
process
- Identify your topic.
- Obtain a broad overview of the topic from encyclopedias or review
articles. Then identify individual compounds of importance, and special
characteristics or uses of the compound or group.
- Expand on the topic to fill in the basic chemical information: what,
where, synthesis, stoichiometry, structure, binding, etc.
- Consider creating a summary table of relevant compounds, including structure,
physical, and chemical properties.
- What is unique, interesting, or intriguing about the topic? This may
require branching out into related subject areas such as biochemistry,
health, industrial processes, etc.
Best Resources for beginning research
A good way to begin researching a paper is to obtain an overview of the whole
topic. Chemical encyclopedias are excellent places
to start. They provide detailed information on most chemical topics.
- Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
D. H. Hill Reference TP9 .E685 1992
- Industrial Inorganic Chemicals and Products
: an Ullmann's Encyclopedia
D. H. Hill Reference TP9 .I53 1998
Additional encyclopedias that may also be useful are listed
below.
- Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry
D. H. Hill Reference QD71.5 .E52 2000
- Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry
D. H. Hill Reference QD148 .E53 1994
- Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology
D. H. Hill Reference Q123 . E497 1992
- Macmillan Encyclopedia of Chemistry
D. H. Hill Reference QD4 .M33 1997
- McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and
Technology
D. H. Hill Reference Q121 .M3 1997
- Van Nostrand Reinhold Encyclopedia of
Chemistry, 4th ed.
D. H. Hill Reference Desk QD5 .V37 1984
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Finding Books on Your Topic
General background information may be found in chemistry books and textbooks.
Many chemistry books cover a specific compound or family of compounds in either
a single volume or a series.
Locate books by searching the library
catalog
Chemistry books are found in the QD call number area on
the 6'th floor of the library.
One method for searching is to begin with a Keyword search, and then look at
your results. If you find a good book, look at the Subject Heading terms and
click on a specific subject term to focus your search.
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Finding Review Articles
on Your Topic
Many chemistry journals publish review articles on selected topics.
Use SciFinder
Scholar, the primary chemistry database,
to search for journal articles. It lets you limit your search
to locate only review articles. This is the most efficient way to locate review
articles on a specific topic.
Searching SciFinder Scholar
Access to the SciFinder Scholar database is only available on campus.
All workstations in the first floor Reference Department of the library provide
access to SciFinder Scholar. In addition, many computers in Dabney Hall also
provide access to SciFinder Scholar.
To locate review articles:
1) First search on your topic (either by topic key words, or by CAS Registry
Number or Chemical Name).
2) Select 'Get references'
3) Choose "Refine Search"
4) Select "Review Articles" under the category "Document Type."
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Finding Structures and Property Data
All of these sources contain chemical structure and property
data.
CRC Handbook of Chemistry
& Physics
D. H. Hill Reference Desk QD65 .C44 (metal cabinet; bring ID to use)
Available online as part of ChemNetBase.
Merck Index
D. H. Hill Reference Desk RS51 .M4 (metal cabinet; bring ID to
use). Available online only in D. H. Hill Library.
Lange's Handbook of Chemistry
D. H. Hill Reference Desk QD65 .L36 1992
Aldrich Catalog Handbook
of Fine Chemicals
Print version: Aldrich Catalog Handbook of Fine Chemicals
D. H. Hill Reference TP202 .A42. Also available online.
Dictionary of Inorganic
Compounds
D. H. Hill Reference QD148 .D53
Combined
Chemical Dictionary (ChemNetBase)
Online, searchable database containing six chemical dictionaries, including
the Dictionary of Organic Compounds, Dictionary of Inorganic & Organometallic
Compounds, and the Dictionary of Natural Products.
ChemExper
Contains 60,000+ compounds
with their physical properties such as boiling point, melting point, IR
spectrum (5000+), MSDS (12000+), supplier information, 2D and 3D structures.
ChemFinder
NIST
Physical Reference Data
Fundamental physical constants,
atomic and molecular spectroscopic data, ionization data, etc.
NIST WebBook
Thermochemical data, reaction
thermochemistry data, IR spectra, mass spectra, electronic/vibrational
spectra, constants of diatomic molecules (spectroscopic data), ion energetics
data, thermophysical property data, structures, common and commercial
names.
Beilstein/Gmelin
via CrossFire (Database)
Beilstein/Gmelin contains extensive information on the preparation and
properties of millions of organic compounds (Beilstein) and inorganic
and organometallic compounds (Gmelin).
Access requires separate client software, which is mounted on the standalone
workstation located near the reference desk at D. H. Hill Library.
To familiarize yourself with the use of Beilstein/Gmelin, consult the
Beilstein
and Gmelin Quick Guide (online) or the Beilstein Handbook
of Organic Chemistry, 4th ed., QD251 .B4 (print).
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Branch Out: Explore Areas of Interest
In some cases, you may need to research your topic in a
different subject area, such as chemical engineering, biochemistry, medicine,
or environmental sciences.
Encyclopedias are good choices to start with again.
If you are looking for journal articles in these areas, use the Database
Finder and choose the appropriate subject area.
If you need help locating information on these topics, please come to the reference
desk in the library or contact a librarian
via phone, chat, or email.
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Writing Tips and Tools
The ACS Style Guide: A Manual for Authors and Editors, 2d. ed.,
The American Chemical Society.
D. H. Hill Reference Desk QD8.5 .A25 1997
A book that shows how to format citations according the American Chemical Society format.
Communicating Chemistry: A general guide to science writing
http://www.soton.ac.uk/~pw/teach/cheminfo/comchem/writing/writing.html
This web page provides some tips for science writing.
Internet Sources for Scientific Writing
http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/ci/31/special/02sb_inet.html
A list of useful resources about scientific writing, with lots of links to guides, as well as practical information, like journal abbreviations.
How to Find Chemical Information: A Guide for Practicing Chemists,
Educators, and Students, 3d ed. by Robert E. Maizell. Wiley-Interscience.
D. H. Hill Library QD8.5 M34 1998
An in-depth look at locating chemical information.
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Librarian Contact Information
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