Bio 112: Problem Based Learning in Biology

1. Campus libraries
   • Libraries Home Page [http://library.wustl.edu]
   • Biology Library, west end of Rebstock, 2nd floor, hallway green table and tree section mark the doorway ; journals upstairs, arranged alphabetically by title; Virtual Tour
   • Becker Medical Library [http://becker.wustl.edu] WU School of Medicine
2. Possible starting points - because you often need to learn a bit about a subject before you can begin searching and reading in the primary literature
   • People; reference books (dictionaries, encyclopedias); textbooks; "review" articles; online books, such as, StatRef! and MD Consult
   • Catalog [http://catalog.wustl.edu] - includes links to Danforth Campus Catalog; Becker Medical Catalog, MOBIUS Catalog and WorldCatalog
   • Biology Dictionaries
   • A list of search tools
   • Exercise 1: locate a book, web page, encyclopedia entry or definition relevant to your first problem; note location and/or how you found it, so you can find it again later
3. Journal indexes and other databases
   • Short list for biology Note: Ovid databases are available from Becker Medical Library.
   • Databases - all subjects
   • Fulltext options: Some databases have links or finding tools built in OR use these strategies to determine if we have access to fulltext. NOTE: 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 or lists at the Becker Medical Library Catalog
     3. Search in the Library Catalog of Danforth Campus Libraries. Search by journal title. Electronic access will be under the titles ending with online, e.g., Journal of biological chemistry online.
     4. There are a few other options also, so it never hurts to ask!
   • Exercise 2: locate a recent article on some aspect of your first problem; if you have time, see if text is available on the web or if journal is in a campus library
4. Quick tips on searching - Ask for assistance!
   • Use help?; truncation, boolean operators, etc. will vary; Common keyword strategy; Boolean logic (PubMed)
   • Use more than one search tool; try specialized sites or selective sites
   • Think about your strategy; choose unusual words; be flexible; learn from your results
   • Don't believe everything you read; consider the source.
   • Use FIND-in-page feature of your browser if your search words aren't obvious
5. Tutorials - (not exhaustive - just to get you started)
   • Guide to Library Research
   • Recommended Search Strategy: Analyze Your Topic & Search With Peripheral Vision (UC Berkeley)
   • Look for Help or Tutorial links in specific search tools and databases