EN 2211: Elements of Writing
S. Nikitina
Research Strategies
Information Perspectives
A Sampling
- Ecology/Population Dynamics/Topic 1 of 3: Exponential Growth (University of Wisconsin - Madison)
- Government report: Invasive Species
- Technical report by EPA
- Science articles: Environmental Science or Nature article
- Policy article: Environmental Law
- Trade/Industry article: Electric Light & Power
- Visual narrative
- Exotic Invaders! (children's book)
Scholarly Journals, Popular Magazines, Trade Journals and Newspapers: What's the Difference?
Unsure where to even start? Check out our Research Circuit: Library Skills Tutorial => Developing A Topic
Background Information
Beyond Polycola and web searching...
- Encyclopedia Americana/Grolier Multimedia Online or Encyclopedia Britannica: Full-text online.
- AccessScience - Search McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology online
- Science Online for articles and encyclopedias
QuickFIND - Multi-database Search for Articles & Books
Start with QuickFIND multi-database search to retrieve results from 11 databases (including the library catalog & Worldcat for books) on your topic with one search. There are 3 ways to search:
Finding Books
Books and Library Materials at WPI: Library Catalog
Books and Library Materials at other libraries: WorldCat
During the research process...
- Keep list of useful keywords and add as you find more
- Follow up on relevant authors, researchers, experts
- Follow up on bibliography/reference lists at the end of articles
- Follow up on journals titles that seem relevant
- Gather statistical information, key dates, and facts to build context surrounding your topic
Suggested sources for background information on environmental issues:
- BOOKS in Reference area:
- Encyclopedia of World Environmental History. Reference GE10 E63 2004
- Beacham's Guide to Environmental Issues & Sources. Reference GE115 B43 1993
- Dictionary of Ecology and the Environment. Reference GE10 D52 2001
- Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Environmental Change. Reference GE10 E534 2001
- Encyclopedia of Global Change: Environmental change and human Society. Reference GE149 E445 2002
- Environmental Encyclopedia. Reference GE10 E58 2003
Finding Articles
Sample Search
(zebra mussel* or dreissena polymorpha) and (lakes or freshwater or rivers or lake michigan or green bay) and (north america or united states or new york or midwest)
- Gale PowerSearch (InfoTrac): Database of abstracts and full text articles in newspapers, magazines, and journals
- LEXIS-NEXIS Academic: News articles and magazines. Includes foreign language news, choose Guided News tab, Non-English Language News.
- PAIS International: Indexes and abstracts periodicals in public affairs and government issues from journals, books, government documents and statistical directories.
- ScienceDirect - Full text of science journals.
- More Databases & Electronic Resources...
Only Finding a Citation? Getting the Full Text
- Is the journal online or here in the library? Search our Journals, Magazines, & Newspapers
- Visit another library: Search WorldCat to find out one
- Request delivery from another library: Interlibrary Loan.
Supporting Statistics: Tables, Graphs and Data
Sometimes articles will provide this type of information but often searching specific data resources will lead you to additional information to help provide evidence for your project.
Multimedia Projects: Searching for Videos, Multimedia, & Images
Check with the Academic Technology Center to find more about the technological resources available (video camcorders, etc):
- Completing a Multimedia Project
- PowerPoint How-tos
- Stop by the ATC in Fuller Labs, call x5220, or email atc@wpi.edu
Video Clips
Using stills and clips from movies is generally okay, for educational use. But if you plan to post your project online and/or use beyond the classroom environment, be careful copyright laws do apply. See Guidelines on Fair Use for Educational Multimedia.
- Creative Commons
- AOL's Video Search
- Google Video | Google's Image
- Blinkx
- Internet Archive
- Open Video Project
- Library Databases: Encyclopedia Britannica | AccessScience - Search McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology online | Science Online (multimedia, diagrams, etc)
Sounds/Music Clips
- Free Play Music (free only for in-class, non-broadcast use)
- Find Sounds
Find & Evaluating Multimedia Resources
- Find one or two video or multimedia resources for your project presentation
- Complete the Evaluating Checklist for at least one of the site (2 difference resources if your team is split up)
Westbrook, Randy. (2005) Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha).
U.S. Geological Survey Archives. U.S. Geological Survey.
7 Sept 2005 <
http://www.forestryimages.org>
Give Credit! Cite Your Sources
MLA: Write It, Cite It (PPT) | Citing in the Disciplines
Using MS Word 2007 to Create a Bibliography | RefWorks | EndNote Web
Topics of Environmental Concern
- Overpopulation
- Deforestation
- Desertification
- Drought
- Threatened Reefs
- Pesticides
- Animal and Plant Extinction Endangered life forms on Earth
- Acid Rain
- Solid Waste
- Ozone Layer thinning
- Rainforest depletion
- Sandstorms
- Brownfields
- Battery & Computer & Technological Waste Recycling
- Hazardous Chemicals Disposal and Chemical Spills
- Oil Spills
- Water Pollution Microbial Contamination
- Nuclear Waste
- Industrial Waste
- Air pollution
- Lead poisoning
- Asbestos Poisoning
- Elevated mercury levels
- Global Warming
- Arctic drilling
Last modified: Feb 15, 2008, 10:41 EST
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