LibGuides: PHIL 300: Science and the Modern World: Science Reference Sources

Discovering and Investigating

Once you've determined your topic - it's time to dig in and discover just what it's all about... In the sciences, a great place to start is with general subject-based reference encyclopedias and credible online resources. You will want to "get a feel" for how your topic is studied, what sub-disciplines (great source for keywords!) focus on it, and a Wikipedia-like comprehension of its nature.

Using the WSU Libraries Catalog, search for science reference resources to find entries and information on your topic. There are multiple ways to do this: subject searches, title searches and advanced keyword searching. Below is a list of databases in the library you may want to consult as you begin:

Opposing Viewpoints In Context This link opens in a new window
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A collection of content for exploration into social issues from all perspectives. Providing pro/con viewpoint essays, topic overviews, biographies of social activists and reformers, court-case overviews, podcasts, primary source documents, and more.
Terms of Use
Google Account holders can login using their credentials to easily download and share articles, including highlights and notes, using Google Apps for Education tools like Drive and Docs.
Gale In Context: Environmental Studies (formerly GREENR) This link opens in a new window
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This database focuses on the physical, social, and economic aspects of environmental issues. Topic, organization, and country portals form research centers around issues covering energy systems, health care, agriculture, climate change, population, and economic development. Portals include authoritative analysis, academic journals, news, case studies, legislation, conference proceedings, primary source documents, statistics, and rich multimedia.
Terms of Use
Gale E-Books This link opens in a new window
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Collection of ebook reference works in all disciplines including multivolume encyclopedias, biographical directories, business plan handbooks, consumer health references, dictionaries, etc.
Terms of Use
Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
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Over 400 reference titles from over 70 publishers covering every major subject. Seamless searching of Credo Reference sources, the WSU Libraries Catalog, and other Libraries subscribed databases.
Terms of Use
Video tour of Credo Reference
Access World News This link opens in a new window
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A comprehensive news collection of issues and events at the local, regional, national and international level. Its diverse source types include print and online-only newspapers, blogs, newswires, journals, broadcast transcripts and videos. Use it to explore a specific event or to compare a wide variety of viewpoints on topics such as politics, business, health, sports, cultural activities and people. Terms of Use

Wikipedia: Science Portal
PhilSci Archive: Preprints in Philosophy of Science
Welcome to PhilSci-Archive, an electronic archive for preprints in the philosophy of science. It is offered as a free service to the philosophy of science community. The goal of the archive is to promote communication in the field by the rapid dissemination of new work.
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The purpose of the IEP is to provide detailed, scholarly information on key topics and philosophers in all areas of philosophy. The Encyclopedia's articles are written with the intention that most of the article can be understood by advanced undergraduates majoring in philosophy and by other scholars who are not working in the field covered by that article.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The SEP was designed so that each entry is maintained and kept up-to-date by an expert or group of experts in the field.
National Institutes of Health
A part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH is the largest biomedical research agency in the world.
Science.gov
Science.gov searches over 60 databases and over 2200 selected websites from 15 federal agencies, offering 200 million pages of authoritative U.S. government science information including research and development results.
Public Library of Science
PLOS (Public Library of Science) is a nonprofit publisher and advocacy organization founded to accelerate progress in science and medicine by leading a transformation in research communication.
Science Daily
ScienceDaily is one of the Internet’s most popular science news web sites. With over 140,000 research articles, 50,000 images and thousands of news videos -- covering science, health, technology and the environment -- there is something for everyone on ScienceDaily.
Science News
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Encyclopedia of Life
An interactive encyclopedia of life-forms worldwide.
Evolution Resources
From the national Acadmies. Free access to books, reports, and additional resources on evolution education and research.
IPL2 Subject Browsing for Life Sciences
A compilation of the Internet Pubic Libary (IPL) and the Librarian's Internet Index (LII) websites, provides browsable, reliable subject-specific websites. here set to search for Internet sites focusing on Life Sciences.
Environmental Protection Agency
Holds information on such current environmental research areas as: air science, climate change, ecosystems, health science, land and waste cleanup, pesticides, toxic substances, sustainable practices, and water science.
Tree of Life The Tree of Life Web Project (ToL) is a collaborative effort of biologists and nature enthusiasts, providing information about biodiversity, the characteristics of different groups of organisms, and their evolutionary history (phylogeny).

Search the WSU LIBRARIES ONLINE CATALOG for resources related to your topic:

Biology by Richard Robinson (Editor)
Call Number: Online

ISBN: 0028658868

In the "Gale Virtual Reference Library," this reference explains biological concepts and explores related fields as well as the history of biological science.
Collins Dictionary of Biology by W. G. Hale; Venetia A. Saunders (Editor); J. P. Margham
Call Number: Online

ISBN: 9781849721707

Provides concise definitions. (a part of Credo Reference)
Dictionary of Environmental Science and Technology by Andrew Porteous; Suresh Nesaratnum
Call Number: Online and GE10 .P67 2008

ISBN: 9780470061947

This dictionary includes over 4000 in-depth entries on scientific and technical terminology associated with environmental protection and resource management. In addition, it contains numerous illustrations, a wide range of international case studies and extensive cross-references to guide the reader. (Online through Credo Reference)
Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology by Paul Singleton; Diana Sainsbury
Call Number: Online

ISBN: 9781849724746

This third, revised edition covers the whole field of pure and applied microbiology and microbial molecular biology. Includes: the latest developments in the field; over 18,000 entries from concise definitions of terms to review-length articles; extensive cross-referencing between topics; and, numerous references from scientific journals and other relevant sources. (through Credo Reference)
Encyclopedia of Bioethics by Stephen Garrard Post
Call Number: Online

ISBN: 0028659163

Covering a wealth of topics on the ethics of health professions, animal research, population control and the environment, the work helps researchers consider the impact of new scientific knowledge and its potential to harm or benefit present and future generations.
Encyclopedia of the Human Genome by David N. Cooper
Call Number: Online

ISBN: 9781849724715

From 2005, this work is devoted to the scientific basis of human genetics and genomics research and its ethical, philosophical, and commercial ramifications. Presenting a comprehensive and rigorously detailed overview of current research and its groundbreaking applications, this major reference work examines many peripheral topics surrounding the field such as law, ethics, medicine and public health, history, religion and industry.
Environmental Encyclopedia by Deirdre S. Blanchfield
Call Number: Online

ISBN: 9781414487397

Provides in-depth, worldwide coverage of environmental issues. Each article is written in a nontechnical style and provides current status, analysis, and suggested solutions whenever possible.
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine by Laurie J. Fundukian
Call Number: Online

ISBN: 9781414486918

4th Edition. The updated edition of this authoritative, comprehensive, in-depth medical guide features information on more than 1,700 medical topics in language accessible to adult laypersons. Disease/disorder articles typically cover definition; description; causes and symptoms; diagnosis; treatments; prevention; and more. Test/treatment articles typically cover definition; purposes; precautions; preparation; risks; normal and abnormal results; and much more. Biographical and historical sidebars appear throughout the text. This edition includes new entries, updated entries, approximately 650 color images and illustrations, and a comprehensive subject index.
Gale Encyclopedia of Science by K. Lee Lerner; Brenda Wilmoth Lerner
Call Number: Online

ISBN: 9781414428840

4th edition. Covers all major areas of science, engineering, technology, as well as mathematics and the medical and health sciences, while providing a comprehensive overview of current scientific knowledge and technology. Entries typically describe scientific concepts, provide overviews of scientific areas and, in some cases, define terms.
Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia by Bernhard Grzimek; Neil Schlager; Donna Olendorf; American Zoo and Aquarium Association Staff (Contribution by); Michael Hutchins; Melissa C. McDade
Call Number: Online

ISBN: 0787677507
Science and Technology by McGraw-Hill Staff
Call Number: Online

ISBN: 9780071613668

This concise reference provides accurate, current scientific and technical information. A good starting point for research.

Dictionary of Genetics by Robert C. King

Call Number: QH431 .K518 1972

ISBN: 0195015045

in the Reference Collection, Ablah Library, 1st floor - south

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences by John Wiley and Sons Staff
Call Number: QH302.5 .E54 2007

ISBN: 9780470061411

in the Reference Collection, Ablah Library, 1st floor - south

Finding a Book in the Library's Online Catalog
This tutorial will help you navigate and find books in Wichita State University Libraries' online catalog.

PHIL 300: Science and the Modern World

Rethinking Scientific Method

Your Librarian

Discovering and Investigating