SCF Libraries: SCF Library Services for SCF Collegiate School: Biology

Getting Started

Research in Biology

Types of information sources:

Reference = General / Overview

Scholarly Journals = Specific / Research Studies

Search strategy:

Use "keywords": Only the important words.

Use "filters" for types of sources.

Citing:

In-text = As you write, mention the source of the information. Parenthesis is the most common, for ex: (Garcia, 2021).

References = List of all sources at the end, in specific format (APA).

Recommended Databases

Gale in Context Middle School
For middle and high school. Includes reference and articles.
Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia (EBSCO)
Encyclopedia, mostly reference (overviews of the topics)
Science in Context (Gale)
Both reference and studies.
Science Online (Infobase)
Presents a broad range of scientific disciplines through extensive definitions, essays, diagrams, biographies, and experiments. Funded by SCF Group License.
Today's Science (Infobase)
In-depth explanations of important advances in biology, chemistry, the environment, space, physics, and technology. Contains articles that help place news and discoveries in context, and interviews with scientists that bring the research to life. Funded by SCF.

Encyclopedias

UXL Complete Life Science Resource
In this online encyclopedia you can search alphabetically for overviews of topics.

The Gale Encyclopedia of Science
Search entries alphabetically. All topics related to science.

Citing Examples

In-text:

Bacteria are organisms which, along with viruses, are the smallest organisms that exist in our planet, and they are composed of one single cell (Kusinitz & Hoyle, 2014).

References:

Kusinitz, M., & Hoyle, B. (2014). Bacteria. In K. L. Lerner & B. W. Lerner (Eds.), The Gale Encyclopedia of Science (5th ed., Vol. 1, pp. 455-463). Gale. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3727800251/GVRL?u=lincclin_mcc&sid=bookmark-GVRL&xid=c651cfc4

Note: The sources listed in the References at the end should be:

Listed in alphabetical order.
Indented (hanging indentation): First line all the way to the left, second & following lines are indented 0.5"
Double spaced.