Jane Bradford

 December 2007
 
Medicine and Health Science:

   A Research Guide

 

 

 

I.  To Find Journal Articles: Indexes, Abstracts, and Full-Text Databases

                                                                                   

If you need help on how to use Boolean operators and other aspects of searching electronic databases, go to  http://stetson.edu/library/handbook.html#DATABASES.

 

NOTE: You must be connected to Stetson's Network in order to access any of the Library's subscription databases. If you are not working from a campus-connected computer, you will have to enter the network through a proxy server. See Instructions for Library Access from Off Campus: http://stetson.edu/library/offcampus.php.

 

 

Biological Abstracts

 

Comprehensive coverage and context-sensitive indexing of all life sciences topics – botany, microbiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, evolutionary ecology, etc.  More than 4,000 serials are indexed each year from all countries, with more than 370,000 new citations each year.  90% of new citations include an abstract by the author.

 

Coverage: 1995 – Present.  Updated six times a year.

 

For indexing and abstracting prior to 1995, see the print editions of Biological Abstracts in the duPont-Ball Library:  Ref.  QH301 .Z935 (print volumes cover v.1, 1926 - v.11, 1937, v.14, 1940 – v.110, 2003.

 

Biological Abstracts indexing, MESH® disease terminology, and CAS Registry Numbers® all help electronic Biological Abstracts users find the most relevant records efficiently.   There are a limited number of links to full text articles in approximately 400 journals the Library subscribes to through other subscriptions.  These links will show next to the brief description.

 

The Library’s subscription is for two simultaneous users. 

 

Go to the Library's database page http://www.stetson.edu/library/databases.php.

In the alphabetical list of all databases, scroll down to, then click on Biological Abstracts.

 

 

Lexis-Nexis Academic  (Full-Text Medical References)

Full text of medical news and medical research (medical journals). 

 

Go to the Library's database page http://www.stetson.edu/library/databases.php.

In the alphabetical list of all databases, scroll down to, then click on LexisNexis (just the plain LexisNexis, not LexisNexis Business, Legal, or News).

 

Click on the Power Search tab.  Under Select Sources, click on the down arrow to the right of “Major World Publications” and highlight “All Full-Text Medical Journals.”  Then type in your search terms and click on Search.

 

Medline

Citations and abstracts (summaries) of articles from 3,500 medical journals covering all aspects of medicine.

 

Go to the Library's database page http://www.stetson.edu/library/databases.php.

In the alphabetical list of all databases, scroll down to, then click on Medline (Medical) Index (FS)

 

NOTE:  Medline contains no full text.  You will need to consult the Library’s Journals List (http://xe7rh2vy9v.search.serialssolutions.com/) for each journal title to determine if the Library has the journal either in paper or available full-text in one of our databases.

 

 

ProQuest Biology Journals

 

ProQuest Biology Journals is a subset of ProQuest Research Library which culls out more than 200 life-science journals from the ProQuest Research database. 

 

To access either database, go to the Library's database page http://www.stetson.edu/library/databases.php.

In the alphabetical list of all databases, scroll down to, then click on Biology Journals (ProQuest) or ProQuest Research (General).

 

 

Science Direct

This database includes the health and life sciences portion of the Science Direct College Edition. About 1,000 peer-reviewed journals; hundreds of book series, handbooks and reference works; back to volume one, issue one.

 

Go to the Library's database page http://www.stetson.edu/library/databases.php.

In the alphabetical list of all databases, scroll down to, then click on Science Direct.

 

 

 

II. To Find Journals Stetson Owns

 

If there is a link to the full text of the article in a database, click on that link and follow the instructions for printing, emailing, or downloading the article.

 

If there is no link to full text, or if you are using a print index, you will need find out if the Library subscribes to that journal or has access to it full text through one of the Library’s databases.  To determine if Stetson owns the full text of a journal article (in paper or on one of the databases) go to http://xe7rh2vy9v.search.serialssolutions.com/ and search for the journal title. 

 

If a journal title is found in this list, the list will tell you whether we have the journal in paper, microform, or in which database you need to search.  If the title is not listed, we do not own the journal or have access to it full text through one of our databases.  If the title of the journal is listed as being in one of our databases, you will need to link to that database and then search for the particular article you want to retrieve.

 

Periodicals in the Library are arranged alphabetically by the title of the journal.  Check where to find periodicals in the Library by going to the map of the Library at http://stetson.edu/library/maps_librarymap.pdf.

 

If Stetson does not own the journal or have access to it full text through one of our databases, you may submit an Interlibrary Loan Request by going to http://stetson.edu/library/departments_ill.php.

 

 

 

 

III.  To Find Books, Reference Books, E-Books,  and Other Cataloged Materials

 

To search the complete collection of cataloged materials owned by the duPont-Ball Library, go to the Library’s catalog, WebCat, at http://cat.stetson.edu.

 Click on WebCat.

 

For tips on searching WebCat, click on the link to the WebCat User’s Guide or go to http://stetson.edu/library/publications_webcatguide.html.

 

To find where the book is located within the Library, check the following: http://stetson.edu/library/handbook.html#FINDING and the map of the Library: http://www.stetson.edu/library/maps_librarymap.pdf.

 

If we do not own the book, you may submit an Interlibrary Loan Request for it by going to http://stetson.edu/library/departments_ill.php.

 

Reference Books

 

Reference books make a great place to start a new research project or to look up a quick fact or definition.  Reference books cannot be checked out of the Library and are shelved in the Reference Section of the Library (see Library Map: http://www.stetson.edu/library/maps_librarymap.pdf).

 

To tell if the Library has a reference book on your topic, go to the Library’s catalog, WebCat (http://cat.stetson.edu), type your topic on the Words or Phrase line (general topics work best in searching for reference books), then go down to the section called Search Limits.  Under Location, highlight REFERENCE.  Then click on Search Catalog.

 

 

Electronic Books

 

The Library now has many books available electronically.

 

To identify an electronic reference book, go to the Library’s catalog, WebCat (http://cat.stetson.edu), type your topic on the Words or Phrase line, then go down to the section called Search Limits.  Under Item Type, highlight EBOOKREF.  Then click on Search Catalog.

 

Examples of medical/health-related electronic reference books include the following:

 

Concise Medical Dictionary

 

Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science and Medicine

 

American Heritage Medical Dictionary

 

Dictionary of Public Health

 

Praeger Handbook of Black American Health

 

An A-Z of Medicinal Drugs

 

 

The Library has many more electronic books that are not reference books.  To identify electronic books that are not reference books,  go to the Library’s catalog, WebCat (http://cat.stetson.edu), type your topic on the Words or Phrase line, then go down to the section called Search Limits.  Under Item Type, highlight E-BOOK.  Then click on Search Catalog.

 

Examples of medical/health-related e-books include the following:

 

African American Women’s Health and Social Issues

 

Sexual Orientation and Mental Health

 

Clinical Essentials of Pain Management

 

The New Age of Food

 

Preventing Workplace Substance Abuse

 

 

Other Cataloged Material

 

To identify other cataloged material, such as DVDs or Videocassettes,  go to the Library’s catalog, WebCat (http://cat.stetson.edu), type your topic on the Words or Phrase line, then go down to the section called Search Limits.  Under Item Type, highlight the format you wish to find (e.g., DVD or Videocass).  Then click on Search Catalog.

 

 

 

IV. To Find Additional Research Resources: Overview and Background Information, Definitions,

      Career Information, and More

 
Best . . . Medical Schools.   Ref. R 745 .C875 2006.  New York: Random House.
 
Main section of the book contains profiles of U.S., Canadian, and Puerto Rican accredited medical schools.  
Also contains chapters on the profession in general, the application process, and interviewing. 
Sections on allopathic and osteopathic profiles are also included.
 
Breslow, Lester. Encyclopedia of Public Health. REF RA423 .E53 2002. New York, Macmillan Reference USA/Gale Group Thomson Learning.
 
In the aftermath of September 11 and the anthrax scare, as the number of health-related restrictions, caveats, procedures, 
and injunctions explode, the public health community has become increasingly concerned with the prevention and detection of 
disease and with health promotion. This four-volume compilation provides basic information on more than 900 programs, services, 
organizations, health behaviors, and the prevalence, epidemiology, and costs of communicable diseases.
 
Dorland, W. A. Newman.  Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary.  Ref. R 121.D73 2003.  Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders.
 
118,000 entries defining more than 122,000 words.  Includes more than 1,100 illustration or photos, most in color.
 
Encyclopedia of Bioethics, 5 vols. Ref. QH 332 .E525 2004.   New York: Macmillan.
 
More than 450 signed articles with bibliographies.  Includes articles on such contemporary topics as bioterrorism, cybernetics, 
DNR-do not resuscitate orders, cloning, and more.
 
Encyclopedia of Men’s Health. Ref. 777.8 .R68 2005.  New York: Facts on File.
 
Short A-Z entries.  For many conditions, diagnosis and treatment of the condition are also covered.  Extensive index.
 
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 5 vols.  Ref. RC 41 .G35 2002.  Detroit: Gale.
 
More than 1,700 signed articles with bibliographies.  Includes disorders, conditions, treatments, and diagnostic tests.  
Comprehensive general index in volume 5.
 
Health Professions Career and Education Directory.  Ref. R 735 .A1 H43.  Chicago, IL: American Medical Association.
 
Encompasses programs on virtually all areas of health.  Some examples are athletic trainer, audiologist, counseling-related professions, 
dental-related professions, dietetics, medical assistant, and physician assistant.  Also includes a section on accrediting agencies 
and health profession education data.

 

Human Body Systems, 10 vols. Ref. QM 7 .H86 2004.  Westport, CT: Greenwood.
 
Ten systems of the human body are covered, each in one volume: Circulatory; Digestive; Endocrine; Lymphatic; Muscular; 
Nervous System and Sense Organs; Reproductive; Respiratory; Skeletal; Urinary. The series "explores the physiology, history, 
and diseases of the major organ systems of humans."  At the end of each volume a glossary, list of organizations and Web sites, 
and a bibliography are included.
 
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book.  Ref. RC 81 .M473 2003.  New York: HaperResource.
 
Health guide in six areas: living well; life’s stages; symptoms; first aid and emergency care; diseases and disorders; and tests and treatments.
 

MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) Practice Tests in Learning Express Test Library

 

This resource provides a completely interactive online learning platform of practice tests and tutorial course series designed to help succeed on the academic or licensing tests.  You will be asked to register a personal login and password which allows you to get personal results and to return to a test. You will get immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and an individualized analysis of your results.

 

The MCAT is included under the heading Graduate School Entrance Exams (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT).

 

Go to the Library's database page http://www.stetson.edu/library/databases.php.

 

In the alphabetical list of all databases, scroll down to, then click on MCAT Practice Tests.  Then click on "Test Preparation."  Then click on Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).

 

 

Medical School Admission Requirements: U. S. and Canada. Ref. R 745 .A8.  Washington, D.C.: Association of American Medical Colleges.
 
Admission information on all accredited U. S. and Canadian medical schools.
 
 

Merck Manual of Medical Information (Home Edition).  Ref. RC 81 .M535 2003.  Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck Research.

 
The Merck Manual, first published in 1899, is “the oldest continuously published general medical textbook” in English.  
The Merck Manual, Home Edition, contains nearly all of the information in the Merck Manual translated into general language.  
Overview sections on anatomy and physiology are included.  There are chapters on drugs, all the major systems of the human body,
nutrition, children’s health issues, and accidents and injuries.  Appendixes include legal issues, weights and measures, 
common medical tests, trade names of some common generic drugs, and resources for help and information.
 
 
Several Merck Manuals (including the Merck Manual of Medical Information (Home Edition)) are available full-text, free, 
on the Web: http://www.merck.com/pubs/.
 
 
Our Bodies, Ourselves: A New Edition for a New Era.  Ref. RA778 .N49 2005.  New York: Simon and Schuster.
 
Chapters on food, body image, emotional well being, environmental and occupational health, sexuality, fertility, child bearing, 
and growing older.  Also a chapter on online women’s health resources.  
 
See link in the catalog to a companion Web site: http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/book/.
 
 
Oxford Illustrated Companion to Medicine.  Ref. R 121 .O884 2001.  Oxford: Oxford University Press.
 
Guide to the field of medicine including its history, its cultural links with the arts and music, and its international nature.  
All major medical and nursing specialties are covered.  Also includes entries on national medical systems.  
 
Oxford Companion to Medicine available online.  See link in catalog: http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/BOOK_SEARCH.html?book=t185
 
Physician’s Desk Reference: PDR.  Ref. RS 75 .P5.  Oradell, N.J.: Medical Economics.
 
Index of pharmaceutical products.  Entries include exact copies of the product’s FDA-approved labeling.
Arranged alphabetically by manufacturer.  Also a Brand and Generic Name Index and a Product Category Index.

 

Rovner, Julie.  Health Care Policy and Politics A to Z, 2nd ed.  Ref. RA 395 .A3 R685 2003.  Washington, D.C.: CQ Press.

 

The author states that the goal of the book is to provide background information on the broad array of health issues on the national agenda focusing on the conflict, background, and history of health policy issues.  Includes a list of Congressional committees responsible for health care policy.

 

 

Segen. J. C.  The Patient’s Guide to Medical Tests:  Everything You Need to Know About the Tests Your Doctor Orders.  Ref. RC 71.3 .S424 2002.

            

The entry for each test, using the name most commonly used by physicians, includes a description of the test, patient prep, the procedure(s),  reference range (values for persons free of disease), abnormal values, cost, and comments.

 

V.  To Cite Sources

 

Plagiarism

 

A basic characteristic of scholarly work is citing the sources used or referred to or borrowed from.  It is academic dishonesty to use ideas from (even if you put them in different words), paraphrase, or quote from someone else’s work without acknowledging the other source.

 

If you use someone else’s work—their words, ideas, art  work, music, Web pages, software, or some other expression—you must acknowledge the author or creator.  Failure to do so is an unethical practice called plagiarism.  Stetson has an official policy regarding plagiarism in the Student Code of Conduct.

 

For more information on plagiarism and how to avoid it, go to the following sites:

 

https://my.hamilton.edu/academics/resource/wc/Using_Sources.PDF

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml 

http://plagiarism.umf.maine.edu// 

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/ 

 

Style Manuals

 

To avoid plagiarism, writers, musicians, web page designers, and others need to acknowledge where they got their ideas, quotes, music, or images.  There are conventional forms of acknowledging that you have used someone else’s work.  There are different forms of citation for many academic disciplines.  In other words, each discipline has its own preferred way of citing sources.  Many disciplines have published their preferred citation conventions in what is called a style manual or style guide.

 

In citing any source (book, journal article, government document, Web site, whatever), be sure you have the following relevant elements for your notes and bibliography or works cited page:

 

1.      Author.  This may be an individual person, a government agency, a department within a larger entity (for example, the Sociology Department at a university), or a business.

2.      Title of the journal article, newspaper article, chapter from a book, government document, or Web site AND title of the journal, newspaper, or book

3.      Name of electronic database (if the article was retrieved through a database on the Web)

4.      URL to Web site

5.      Date of publication or date last visited on the Web

6.      Volume number and issue number if the material is from a magazine, newspaper, or scholarly journal

7.      Pages of the journal article or book

 

If what you need to cite does not fall into any of these categories, check with your professor as to what information you will need to properly acknowledge the source.

 

Check with your classroom professors to see what citation style they wish for you to follow.

 

The most common style manuals used in college papers are the following:

 

Patrias, Karen.  Citing Medicine: The NLM Style Guide for Authors, Editors, and Publishers.  [electronic resource] Bethesda, MD: U. S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, U. S. National Library of Medicine, 2007. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=citmed.TOC&depth=2

 

Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, 7th ed.  Ref. T11 .S386 2006.   Council of Science Editors.   Reston, VA: Council of Science Editors in Cooperation with the Rockefeller University Press, 2006. 

 

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Ready Ref. LB 2369 .G53.  New York: The Modern Language Association. 

 

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.   Ready Ref. BF 76.7 .P83.

Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.  For help with citing electronic sources APA style, go to http://www.apastyle.org/elecref.html

 

Turabian, Kate.  A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Ready Ref. LB 2369 .T8. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.  (usually referred to as just “Turabian”)

 

The Chicago Manual of Style,  15th ed. READY REF Z 253 .U69. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 

 

.

Links to these guides or parts of them and discussion of citation styles in general are available at

 

http://www.library.upenn.edu/cgi-bin/res/sr.cgi?fotlp=World&resourcetype=35

 

http://www.libs.uga.edu/ref/citation.html

 

www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Citations.html

 

www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/Documentation.html

 

http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/citex.html