How to Find Library Resources for Petrology and Petrography UIUC Geology 336

Quick Links

Tools for Finding Articles

GeoRef
Locations of many of the journals in the Geology Library at UIUC.

Full Text Electronic Journals

Connect to Full Text Electronic Journals in the Geosciences
The Full List of Electronic Journals Available to UIUC Patrons

Tools for Finding Books and Documents

UIUC Online Library Catalog (Web)
World Cat
See Library Catalogs for other online catalogs
Proquest Digital Dissertations (Dissertation Abstracts)
Proceedings First
GPO Monthly Catalog (MoCat)
Index of USGS Online Publications - Includes links to Bulletins, Circulars, Fact Sheets, Open File Reports, Professional Papers, and more
USGS Publications Warehouse - many with links to full text; searchable
Virtual Technical Reports Center - U. Maryland Libraries
National Academy Press

Borrow Material not Owned by UIUC

I-Share: Get material from one of the other Illinois Libraries
Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Service

Internet Resources

A place to start

References for Scientific Communication and Literary Style - from Dr. Steven Altaner, Geology Dept., UIUC
GSA Style Guide
AGU Style Guide
Writing Guidelines for Engineering and Science Students
Citation Guides for Electronic Documents
Suggestions to Authors of the Reports of the United States Geological Survey

Reference

Online Reference Collection
Encyclopedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
Other online reference resources are available from the Geology Library home page.
Print reference resources are available in the Reference Section (Reading Room) of the Geology Library.
Glossary of geology, 4th ed., 1997 [Geology Ref: 550.3 Am3gL1997]

Link to more detailed help for finding information

Steps for Finding Information on Your Topic

Step 1. Select and narrow your topic.

Step 2. Choose your search terms.

Think of synonyms. You will add to your list as you search and evaluate your search results. Example:

Step 3. Choose your Database and define your search strategy.

Your search strategy will partly depend on the search engine you use. One database may be available from a number of different vendors, each with its own search engine. For example, the GeoRef database is available from Silver Platter, Ovid, DIALOG, and other vendors, each having a unique search engine. Search engines are not yet standardized, and each will handle elements such as search operators (combining terms), truncation, and so forth differently. Consult the help functions for each search engine to ensure that you obtain the correct results.

For this project, you will probably not need any other database besides GeoRef.

Search tips for GeoRef: GeoRef Tutorial or consult the "help & support link from the GeoRef search screen.

Example of a complex search strategy using Boolean operators, truncation and nesting with GeoRef:

leucite hills and wyoming and (petrolog* or petrogr*)

• It is not necessary to capitalize when using GeoRef.
• petrolog* will search for "petrology" or "petrologic" or "petrological".
• petrol* would not be a good choice because it would also search for "petroleum".
• petrogr* will search for "petrographic" or "petrography".
• This search could be conducted in steps by using the History tab within Search Tools. For example:
  • First, search: leucite hills, resulting in ~83 hits.
  • Then search: #1 and wyoming resulting in ~76 hits. (As it turns out, this step is probably unnecessary. You can check that out by searching: #1 not #2.)
  • We could also limit to English language only by searching: #2 and enlish in la (~75 hits..not much help for this search).
  • We could get rid of material that is only an abstract with: #3 not abstract* (~56 hits).
  • Searching in sets helps you understand the results. For example, if you end up with zero hits, there may be a typographical error. You may expand or narrow your search after any step. Searching with one string of text can be faster, but searching in steps gives more control.
• Example of problems using truncation: rock* (returns rock and rocks, but also rockets, rockers, etc.)

Your search strategy may also depend partly on the type of information needed. A knowledge of the Research and Publication Process is helpful in determining where the needed information may be "hiding".

Step 6. Conduct your search

Step 7. Evaluate search results, note additional terms and unwanted terms.

Step 8. Refine search and re-do.

Step 9. Find out whether UIUC has the material; if not, use Interlibrary Loan.

• To find out whether UIUC has a particular book, use the online catalog.

• For journals:
  • Use the online catalog to find the call number. You can use the ISSN number from database output (For example, the "IS" field in GeoRef). Note: The truncation symbol in the online cataog is "?".
    
  • Or find the location of many of the geology journals by looking at this list.
    
  • Check the Full Text Electronic Journals pages.
  • Note: Many people have difficulty finding articles within other works such as proceedings, transactions, and books. Give some thought to what you should enter into the online catalog in order to find the material. Ask for help in the Geology Library if you encounter difficulty.
    
• If UIUC doesn't have what you need, and it isn't available full text on the Web, use the online catalog to find out if one of the other Illinois Libraries has it. You can directly request circulating material held at these institutions without going through the Interlibrary Borrowing Office.
  
• If none of the Illinois Libraries have the material, use Interlibrary Loan.
  
• Make sure you leave plenty of time to receive material through Interlibrary Loan!

Other:

• Geology Library Home Page
• UIUC Department of Geology
• Illinois State Geological Survey

Please come see me if you need any help. If you'd like to make an appointment, contact me by phone (333-2676) or e-mail (luraj@uiuc.edu).

Lura Joseph
Created 03/21/02 LEJ

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Library Gateway Homepage
Comments to UIUC Geology Library
Modified on: 8/2/2006 lej