Use the resources on this page to get to know a new research area or choose a topic for a paper. These are not necessarily sources you can cite in a paper, but they will help you understand the basics and come up with keywords to use when you search for sources later.
Feel free to begin your research on Google, as long as it doesn't end there. Use this time to try out different keywords for your topic.
Many databases, including ACS, ScienceDirect, and SciFinder allow you to filter results to see only review articles. These kinds of articles give a broad overview of scholarship in a topic and are a good place to start your research. The databases section has more on these resources.
Try one of these specialized encyclopedias for expert-written articles on your topic, including citations to important sources. You can also explore the Biology page in Credo Reference.
| Topic | Encyclopedia |
|---|---|
| General Biology | 50 Biology Ideas You Really Need to Know (2015) |
| General Biology | Principles of Biology (2017) |
| Cellular biology | Encyclopedia of Cell Biology Research (2011) |
| Ecology | Blackwell's Concise Encyclopedia of Ecology (1999) |
| Ecosystems | Management of Ecosystems (2019) |
| Genetics | Encyclopedia of genetics research (2011) |
| Immunology | Encyclopedia of Immunology Research (2012) |
| Virology | Encyclopedia of Virology Research (2012) |
Books are a great place to start your research because they take the time to explain things you may not understand (unlike journal articles). You don't have to read the whole book! Search for books using Library Search: