Reference Books and Databases

There are several general information and general science reference sources available throughout the LHUP libraries. All are listed in the library catalog, also known as PILOT. You can limit your search to "Reference" with the Set Single Limit drop-down menu. Then type a keyword to find appropriate reference sources.

Use reference sources to learn background information and important issues about your topic. Note the vocabulary used to describe the topic and try those words in keyword or subject heading searches. Check the bibliography for recommended books and articles.

Examples of scientific reference books (taken in part from the reference list for the Principles of Biology class, prepared by Elsa Winch):

Britannica Online At http://voyager.ship.edu/remote/validate.cgi?db=EB

A source for over 120,000 articles, an updated and current world atlas,

images and videos, an online dictionary and thesaurus, and articles from

respected magazines, journals, and news headlines. Includes a guide to

the Web's best sites.

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Science Resource Center. At http://find.galegroup.com/menu/start?prod=SciRC&userGroupName=locku_main

The publisher, Gale, describes it as "Available 24 hours a day via the Internet, Science Resource Center is a multi-source database designed for high schools and community colleges.  It provides full-text science-related reference books, indexing, abstracts, and full text science-related magazines and academic journals, newspaper articles, images, and web site links."

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REF Q123.M3 2002 McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and

Technology. 20 Vols. (Vol. 20 is index volume.)

Thorough and up-to-date articles in all the sciences, including the life

sciences. Good bibliographies follow each article.

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REF Q123.M15 2003 McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and

Technical Terms.

A collegiate-style dictionary of terms used in every field of science and

technology. Brief definitions are provided for quick referral, spelling, and

terminology.

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REF RA423.E53 2002 Encyclopedia of Public Health.4 vols. (vol. 4: index)

Outlines, for the non-specialist and student, important concepts specific to

the field of public health. Bibliographies follow each article.

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REF RA565.K67 2003 Handbook of Environmental Health. 2 Vols.

Outlines important background information that include topics on energy,

ecology and people, environmental epidemiology, the chemical

environment, poisons, solid and hazardous waste, water supply, soils, and

environmental health emergencies.

Examples of chemistry reference books:

Chemistry : foundations and applications.  / J.J. Lagowski, ed. New York : Macmillan Reference USA, c2004. QD4 .C48 2004

Encyclopedia of inorganic chemistry. / R. Bruce King, ed. Chichester, New York : Wiley, 1994-. QD148.E53 1994

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 88th ed. Cleveland, Ohio : CRC Press, 2007/2008. REF QD65 .H3

Lange’s Handbook of Chemistry. 16th ed. / James G. Speight. Publisher: New York : McGraw-Hill, c2005. REF QD65 .L36 2005

The Merck Index : An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Maryadele J. O’Neil, senior editor ; Ann Smith, senior associate editor ; Patricia E. Heckelman, associate editor. 13th ed. REF RS51 .M4 2001

Dictionary of Organic Compounds; The Constitution and Physical, Chemical and Other Properties of the Principal Carbon Compounds and Their Derivatives, Together with Relevant Literature References. 4th, completely rev., enl. and re-set ed. Publisher: New York, Oxford University Press, 1965. Five volumes. REF QD251 .D49 1965