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Why to Read?
To prepare to a talk To write a candidacy paper, a MS thesis,
research paper or reportFor your own research projectFor your own knowledge/future research
directions etc.
Books, reviews (secondary sources)Journal articles (primary sources)
Basic Steps
Search for a suitable papers/reviews/ booksBrowse results of your search, select stuff to
read and/or to store in your personal reference database
Read/analyze selected papersMake necessary notesAdd references and notes to your personal
reference database
Where to Look for Information?
Depending on the exact purpose of your search:
- In on-line databases: ACS SciFinder, ISI Web of Science, Beilstein or Gmelin databases through Crossfire Commander or Discovery Gate), ISI Current Contents, Google Scholar etc.
- In our Chemistry Library (currently subscribed to about 200 chemistry-biochemistry related electronic and printed periodicals)
Browse Search Results
Mark publications of your interest to include into your personal reference database and a list for future reading
Save and import search results into your personal reference management database
Reading and Understanding Scientific Literature
Books provide overview of accomplishments in the field
Reviews provide a historical perspective, critical analysis of recent publications, point out where additional research is needed
Articles are a primary source of information.
When working with articles you should analyze: Title, names of authors, where the work was
performed. That may attract your attention to the paper.
If it is so, read the Abstract if it is a full paper or introduction if it is a communication to decide whether or not your should read the whole paper.
Understanding Motivations of the Authors
Read the Introduction to see:
why the study was conducted, what hypotheses were tested, are the research goals related to your
research interests.
If you are still interested, read Results and Discussion or the main body if it is a communication.
Understanding the Content
Assess the following: How well the data supports the conclusions.What the primary contribution of that work is. How the conclusions relate to your research
interests. How well the authors’ conclusions agree/disagree
with yours. Plan on additional reading – follow references in
paper.
Summarize the research objectives and primary contributions in your own words for your future reference. Avoid plagiarism.
Add the reference to your reference database.
Functions of Reference Management Software
Serves as a databaseAllows to search the whole content of the databaseAllows to generate reference lists in different
formats required by different journals, grant agencies etc.
Some allow to include links to your local pdf-files and/or web-site with an article
Allows for integration with word processors so that a reference list can be produced automatically as a paper is written (Cite-While-You-Write)
Reference Management Software
Institute for Scientific Information (Thomson corporation) is one of the leading and the oldest reference software developers
EndNote (1988 - …) program; ~ $100 for students
ProCite (1984 - …) program; ~ $100 for studentsReference Manager (1984 - …) program; ~ $100
for studentsEndNote Web – on-line system; free for us
Establishing an Account with ISI Web of Science
Go to the WM Chemistry Library page. Follow the link to Databases
Choose Web of ScienceSign in (the button is in the upper right hand
corner) First time: - choose Register - Input your information and submit (you may
choose automatic sign for future in if you use your own computer for that most of the time)
- agree to terms and conditions
Searching ISI Web of Science
Select a database – Web of ScienceCreate a search profile Select databases to search and the time
period to cover Search, browse results, select those that are
to be included into your EndNote library, then choose Save to EndNote Web
Papers that are already included in your database are labeled with “EN/Web”
My EndNote Web Main Options
My References: view/search/add references to groups/create new groups/delete references
Collect: allows to connect to UM libraries catalog and search it/import references saved in SciFinder, ACS journals web-sites, Google Scholar, other databases/add references manually
Organize: create/rename/share/delete groups of references
Format: save formatted references in a file/e-mail the file/export to other databases/install Cite-While-You-Write module
