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Message from the librarian
Hi everyone and welcome to the University of Waterloo for the Fall 2023 term! My name is Brie and I'm a librarian here Davis Centre Library, which houses the collections for biology, engineering, math and physics, and public health. Here at the library we have so many amazing and powerful research databases that will connect you to the expert and scholarly literature that you need!
This library page has been designed to assist BIOL130 students with their assignment, Searching the Biological Literature. However all of the resources and tools covered here will be useful to you at every stage of your academic career! This page is provided by the University of Waterloo Library, and all the resources herein are connected to the library proxy.
Have a few questions or need some help?
Book some office hours with me and we can talk about any issues or questions that you may have! The meeting is free, you can book online, and the meeting can be virtual, or in-person and on campus! You are welcome to book office hours for yourself or for a group if you are working with a research team. I look forward to connecting with you! -- Brie
- Study zones in Davis Centre LibraryFind out about all the study zones available for use in Davis Centre Library and come in for a visit!
Demo (video)
Are you interested in watching a demo?
This video (15 min) demonstrates how to work through OMNI (the library catalogue), Web of Science, and Zotero. Learn how to search for results and authors, as well as export results into Zotero so that you can work with your references in Microsoft Word and generate in-text citations. Watch it on Microsoft Stream (WatIAM login required).
Welcome to the library, and the OMNI library catalogue
- Library Catalogue (OMNI)search for books, articles, and other resources
Omni is the University of Waterloo Library catalogue that gives you access to high-quality resources from Waterloo and 18 other participating Ontario University Libraries. Omni searches the University of Waterloo Library's print collection and many of the databases the Library subscribes to. In Omni you can find books, eBooks, journals, articles, maps, government documents and more.
- Searching in Omni, the Library’s catalogueInfographic detailing how to search for various resources in Omni.
- OMNI, the library catalogue [module]This introductory module to Omni, the Library's catalogue, presents multiple options that can be employed in Omni to request diverse library materials required for academic studies and research.
Peer-review
Peer-reviewed journal articles undergo an evaluation conducted by experts in a particular field of study. These experts determine whether an article meets the criteria for inclusion in a journal.
- Peer-reviewed journal articlesLibrary guide
- Scholarly journals vs trade journals vs popular magazinesA comparative overview from the Library
How to register, download and start using reference manager, Zotero
- Setting Up a Zotero Institutional Storage AccountThis infographic provides guidance on how to create and set up an Institutional Zotero account for the University of Waterloo.
Zotero is a free, easy-to-use reference manager to help you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share research. Remember to register for Zotero using your UWATERLOO email address; this will ensure that you can access the University's institutional license. Working in a group? Zotero is great for sharing with your team.
Google Scholar, access and searching
- Google ScholarA search engine covering many disciplines and sources of scholarly literature.
Coverage: varies
Google scholar is a web search engine -- it is not the same as a research database that has been indexed for a specific purpose, such as Pubmed, or Scopus.
Google Scholar is a great option to use when you are doing a very large scan of online content so that you can
- perform a very large scan of academic content online.
- locate research on rare and emerging topics
However, because Google Scholar is an engine being faced with thousands upon thousands of results can be overwhelming! You can focus your search in a research database like Pubmed or Scopus. You can also utilize boolean or search strategies to improve your results.
- Boolean SearchingA set of interactive modules that introduce Boolean logic and searching.
- Google Scholar, search helpGet the most out of Google Scholar with some helpful tips on searches, email alerts, citation export, and more.
- How to get full-text access through Google ScholarStep-by-step instructions on how to link your University of Waterloo Library privileges to Google Scholar.
- Exporting to Zotero from Google and Google ScholarLearn about Google Advanced Search from Kethcum University
- Connect with a librarian to work on a search strategyA list of contact information, online booking options, and subject specializations for Uwaterloo librarians.
Pubmed, access and searching
- PubMedArticles in medicine, life sciences, animal sciences, plant sciences, biomedical research, medical devices, nursing, biotechnology, the healthcare system, and the preclinical sciences.
Coverage: 1950 - present
- Pubmed, quick and extended tutorialsQuick tours for everyone on how to use the features of Pubmed
- Exporting to Zotero from PubmedLearn about how to export results from Pubmed, into Zotero; University of Alabama Libraries
Scopus
- ScopusPeer-reviewed literature from scientific journals, books and conference proceedings, covering the fields of science, technology, medicine, social sciences, and arts and humanities.
Coverage: 1966 - present
- Database search help: scopusExamples of boolean operators, proximity operators and wildcards.
- Scopus searchingAn infographic presenting the coverage and use of the Scopus database.
- Exporting to Zotero from ScopusLearn about how to export results from Scopus, into Zotero; University of Alabama Libraries
Web of Science
- Web of ScienceArticles and citations in the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
Coverage: Varies
- Database search help: web of scienceSearch tricks with boolean operators, proximity operators and wildcards.
- Exporting to Zotero from Web of Science (WOS)Learn about how to export results from Web of science, into Zotero; Weller Library (video)