Bio 3501: Evolution: Suggestions for Literature Review

Suggested Databases [especially Web of Science and Geobase]
Some search tips:

• Keyword Search in Catalog will sometimes retrieve book chapter headings in addition to whole books. Read the Keyword Searching section of How to Use the Library Catalog. Capitalize AND, OR, NOT, so strategy will work in most databases.
• Truncation symbol, usually *, sometimes + or ?; read Help
• When you find a good article, try "Related articles". This means different things in PubMed and Web of Science, but works well in both.
• Look for "Sort" features; sorting by Journal title/Source can save time retrieving in the library or online.
• If you use GEOBASE, don't use Export on library workstations. It just freezes the computer, since it uses software we don't have loaded. If you would like to print or email all or selected citations, use the Print or Email buttons.

Special sources to try:

Search BioOne This allows searching phrases within fulltext of articles instead of just within subject headings, titles and abstracts. This is restricted to specific journals and current years, but since this includes Evolution, American Midland Naturalist, as well as several other titles, you might find this search engine useful.Note: WU does not have the BioOne.2 collection.

Search JSTOR [JSTOR covers a small group of older journals (usually more than 5 years old), but allows seaching and retrieving fulltext] Choose All Ecology and All General Science journals; consider also Population Studies or Statistics depending on your subject; while not comprehensive, this covers some major journals and goes back several decades. Although some items are "review" articles, most are primary literature. You could find and cite as print, but it's very convenient to search and read on the web. Since references to theories may be in "discussion/conclusion", rather than title/abstract, it may be effective to search phrases in the fulltext.

Locating the articles you want to read:

• Consider your online fulltext options below.
• Walk around the top floor of the Biology Library; you will be able to find most of the journals you need by the title alphabetical arrangement; check the unbound area for the most recent issues. However many current journals are now available online only.
• For the ones you don't find, search in the Library Catalog of the Danforth Campus Libraries and the Becker Medical Catalog or ask for help.
• Consider Interlibrary Loan options, if item is not available here. Time delay: 3 days-2 wks.

Fulltext options: It's handy if you can read the article on your computer screen. I suggest 3 strategies for determining if we have access to fulltext. Search by the title of the journal, NOT the author or title of the article in the journal. Then click on journal site and locate the article.

1. Search in the Biology Library list of electronic journals or the full Electronic Journals list
2. Search in the Becker Medical Library Catalog Journal Search or on their list of electronic journals by title.
3. Search in the Library Catalog of Danforth Campus Libraries. Note: search the journal title followed by online for links to fulltext online access at WU. For example: search Journal of biological chemistry online.
4. There are a few other options also, so it never hurts to ask!