Billiar Lab: Database Searching & Referencing
K. Billiar
Finding Articles on your Topic: Getting Started
First, understand different types of periodical literature by reviewing Research Circuit: Starting Smart. From the Library Web Site, choose Databases & Electronic Resources, then Databases & Electronic Resources => Biomedical Engineering.
Start with: PubMed - premier database covering the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, and the preclinical sciences. Contains bibliographic citations and author abstracts from more than 4,800 biomedical journals.
On the left, choose MeSH, the controlled vocabulary/terminology used to provide consistent indexing of materials within this database.
Run through the PubMed Tutorial to learn to search like a pro!
A few search tips:
- Start with your keywords, then glean MeSH headings
- Combine headings using AND and OR - using the MeSH link will help you simplify this technique
You can easily print or email you references, but if you are using citation software, such as Endnote or RefWorks, follow these steps.
Try RefWorks or EndnoteWeb, WPI subscriptions which allows you to maintain a personal database of your references.
- Click the checkbox next to records you wish to export
- Click SEND TO button, but choose Clipboard first (this is the best, because it will hold up to 500 items)
- When finished searching/marking results, click blue "Clipboard" link under Search box
- Next to DISPLAY button, choose "MEDLINE" in the dropdown menu, then click DISPLAY to reformat results in the correct format
- Choose "File" from the SEND TO drop-down list, and then click on SEND TO.
- Click SAVE, and rename the file with a *.txt extension
Import in EndNote (or other bibliographic citation software):
- Look for the Import Filters option (under File), and choose the PubMed (NLM) filter
- Use Import option to insert the data into your bibliographic management tool and make sure that the PubMed filter is selected
Where's the Full Text of the Article?
Often, you will find only an abstract or citation and no full text. To get the full text try to locate the article within:
- Another library database check the Journals list search on the library site or look for our FullTextFinder link within databases
- Check the library catalog - search by Journal Title or ISSN
- Still not tracking down the item? How Do I Get This Journal Article?
If not available via WPI's resources, you may have to request the item through Interlibrary Loan and we will borrow it for you (could take a week or two).
Additional Databases & Electronic Resources to Explore
- ScienceDirect - we subscribe to more than 1000 Elsevier journals online, including such titles as Biomaterials, also allows cross publisher searching and linking to other publishers content via CrossRef links
- SCIRUS - free web search for science content, searchable through ScienceDirect
- Web of Science: Perform cited reference searches to see who is citing which papers, as well as keep up with the current, journal literature in their areas of interest. TIP: Using an author's name can lead to other articles by that person. Scholars often perform research within one area of expertise.
Searching for Companies
What types of companies would you be looking for? Those who...
- sell biomaterials?
- sell testing devices and equipment?
- any who may be interesting in offering you a job or internship?
A Few Approaches to Researching Companies:
- track down industry and/or location specific directories of companies: online such as MA Biotech Directory, Sigma-Aldrich or reference books in the library such as Biotechnology Guide USA, or the Biotechnology Directory
- track down vertical market web sites or portals: Such as Biocompare or Bioresearch Online
- Locate trade journals that have buyers guides: Bioscience Technology
- Locate research firms/publishing companies or trade shows: IDC's Bio IT World Sourcebook
- Find trade associations for member lists or buyers guides: American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists or Science Advisory Board (they also do product reviews)
- Word of mouth: ask your uncle, professor, or professional for product recommendations
- Locate trade journals that have buyers guides: Bioscience Technology | Biosciregister
Proper Documentation and Referencing
Have questions? Send an e-mail to research-lib@wpi.edu
Maintained by lib-webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: Mar 12, 2008, 09:39 EDT
