Chem-021: Energy Crisis - Written Assignments
Fall 2005
Choosing a Topic
Write down your ideas and some keywords you might use to describe
each one. Then, state your topic as a question. It is important
to have more than one idea and to be flexible - you may have
to narrow, broaden, or even change your topic as you move through
the research process. In your search start with the recommended
literature as listed in your textbook. They have been usually
checked
by the author and provide an overview that is likely to be the
most helpful. In general, try to read material from multiple
sources.
Scientific
American (GU has subscription) and other general science
magazines can be an excellent source at the beginning of your
literature search.
Getting Some Background Information
Background sources can provide useful descriptions, overviews,
and often list recommended reading on a topic.
Encyclopedia of Energy. In
6 volumes. Science Reference TJ163.28
E53 2004
This is a compilation of the existing knowledge of the
world's energy problems. Each of the 380 articles is
written by experts from 40 countries in a wide range of specialties.
Topics covered include Coal, Nuclear Power, Oil and Natural Gas,
Renewable and Alternative Sources, and Policy, Environmental,
and Global Issues, among others. Charts, graphs, tables, and
photographs clarify the text.
Wiley Encyclopedia of Energy and
the Environment. In 2 volumes. Science Reference
TJ163.235 .W55 1997
This is another excellent starting place. The encyclopedia has detailed articles
on a variety of energy (and other related environmental topics). Includes a bibliography
at the end of each article and an extensive index in the second volume.
Encyclopedia
of Energy Technology and the Environment. In 4volumes. Science
Reference TJ163.235 .E53 1995
More detailed than the Wiley Encyclopedia. It covers more
areas. Articles are clearly organized and presented with
an outline,
glossary, cross-references, and a bibliography. Index in last
volume.
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Energy. Science
Reference TJ163.2 .M3 1981
Covers energy basics, most material referring to basic science
facts are not outdated, can be used for those subjects as alternative
to the above two, but not to be used for more recent developments.
The United States Energy Atlas. Science
Reference TJ163.25.U6 C83 1986
Useful maps and information, good starting point but not very
recent. If used in a report, data should be supplemented by more
recent data.
FirstGov. Available online.
The official homepage of the U.S. federal government. Includes
links to all three branches of the federal government, as
well
as links to state and local governments. Links are organized
by agency, topic and target audience. Good source for background
information on government policy.
Statistical Abstract of the United
States, C 3.134 Government Documents Reference; HA202
Lauinger Reference. Also available online.
A well indexed, comprehensive collection of statistics in tabular
format. Includes basic statistics for a wide range of economic
indicators, including health. The index leads to specific table
numbers. Each table lists the source of the statistics for further
reference.
Chemical and Engineering News. Available online.
A good general
introduction to all matters related to chemistry and chemical
technology.
Finding Monographs (Books) and Journals
GEORGE, the online catalog, provides easy access to holdings,
locations, circulation status, bibliographic and loan information
for books and other materials. Search by Keyword, or using Subject
Headings (controlled vocabulary).
Sample Subject Headings for finding books:
- energy
- fuel
- petroleum
- solar energy
- nuclear energy
Sample Keywords:
- ethanol
- methanol
- diesel
- biomass
- heat engines
- renewable energy
To find journals, in addition to the catalog, you may use JournalFinder.
Finding Periodical Articles in Journals and Newspapers
Difference
between academic and popular journals - from the University
of Auckland Library.
The list of all the databases by broader categories and specific
topics that GU Library subscribes to is at: http://www.library.georgetown.edu/advisor/.
You may select ethics
from the topics list. Note: To find if we own the journal
where the citation you found was published, in addition to the
catalog, you may use JournalFinder.
Academic
Search Premier - Provides full text for 3,467 publications
covering academic areas of study. Some of the titles included
in this aggregator (the dates in parenthesis refer to full-text
availability): Discover (1992- ), Scientific American (1993- ),
Time Magazine (1990- ).
Wall
Street Journal -
Eastern edition; New York. The Wall Street Journal is the
financial
newspaper of record. It offers in-depth coverage of national
and international finance as well as first rate coverage
of hard news.
Updated daily.
New York Times available
full-text online current
issues (1999- ) or Historical
New York Times (1851-1999).
Proquest Research Library.
Indexes over 2,900 periodicals in the social sciences, humanities,
general sciences, business and general interest. Many the articles
are available in full text.
You may also use any of the News databases from the Research
Advisor, like Lexis-Nexis Academic.
Internet Resources
Information available on the Internet is not regulated for quality
or accuracy; therefore, it is particularly important for the individual
Internet user to evaluate the resource or information. Visit http://www.library.georgetown.edu/internet/eval.htm
for more information.
The instructor of this course strongly prefers original printed
sources and documents to web sites. Some links to related web
sites can be found at
http://www.georgetown.edu/faculty/kertesz/energy_crisis/
Tip. When searching google, use the advanced search option to
limit your search to the .edu, .org, or .gov domains.
Narrowing or Broadening Your Topic
If you're finding too much information on your subject, you may
want to narrow it. Or, if you're finding too little on your subject,
you may want to broaden it, or talk to a reference librarian about
subject headings you might use to describe your topic.
Where Did You Find It? Cite Your Sources!
Keep track of all the sources you use to write your paper: books,
articles, and/or Web sites. These will be listed in the bibliography
at the end of your paper and will need to follow a format, such
as The Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations
(Science Reference LB2369 .T8 1996 or online
guide from Georgeotown).
Information for how to make a Web Site citation can be found
at http://www.library.georgetown.edu/Internet/cite.htm.
You may schedule a Library Research Conference.
Stop by the Reference Desk at Blommer, call 7-5651, or email:
Nevenka
Zdravkovska or Gwen
Owens.
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