Physical Sciences eResearch Guide - Paul A. Elsner Library @ Mesa Community College

eResearch Guides

Physical Sciences
Library Research
and
Resources

Doing Library Research

The Physical Sciences encompass the collection of sciences including physics, astronomy, earth science, chemistry and mathematics. The following guide will put you on the right path to selecting the best information when researching in the physical sciences.

While the Internet may provide useful information, it may not be your best source.

Print Resources
MCC Library Catalog
Use the catalog to identify books, journals and audiovisual materials available at all the libraries in the community college system. Enter the word or words that best describe your topic.

Sample searches
Keyword search =mineralogy
Subject search =physics

Reference Materials
The MCC libraries own numerous reference resources in the physical sciences. Some selections include:

	A Dictionary of Physics (REF QC23 .A33 2003) MCC		CRC Handbook of Chemistry & Physics (REF QD 65 .H3 2003/4) MCC & RM
	Encyclopedia of the Solar System (REF QB 501 E52 1999) MCC & RM		History of Modern Science & Mathematics (REF Q 125 .H 6298 2002) RM
	McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology (REF Q 121 M3 1992) MCC & RM		Oxford Companion to the Earth (REF QE 5 .O94 2000) MCC & RM

The New Encyclopedia of Science
(REF Q121 .N46 2003)
MCC

Print Journals

Astronomy
MCC & RM

Discover
MCC

Earth Science
MCC

Journal of Chemical Education
MCC

Mineralogical Record
MCC & RM

New Scientist
MCC

Physics Today
MCC & RM

Science
MCC

Scientific American
MCC & RM

Sky & Telescope
MCC

Electronic Resources
MCC Libraries have many electronic resources, including online reference works, electronic books, periodical indexes and magazine and journal articles. For resources specific to research in the physical sciences, the following electronic resources are suggested:

Academic Search Premier
Search the full text for nearly 4,000 scholarly publications including more than 3,100 peer-reviewed publications.
     Sample search: Astrophysics
          Key word search results: over 7,200 articles
          Subject search results: over 3,900 articles
Results can be narrowed further by limiting to full-text, limiting date range, etc.

Expanded Academic
Use this general interest database to search through indexed articles from over 1,800 peer reviewed and general interest journals.

Net Library
Through Netlibrary you can search and view the full-text digital version of over 1,700 books in MCCC’s eBook collection. To access Net Library titles, search the library catalog through the Maricopa Community College District Libraries link and use the keyword “netlibrary” in conjunction with your search terms.
Sample search: netlibrary and Physics
Search results: 10 books

MCC Periodical Holdings
Search and access MCC’s electronic full-text journal holdings by title or subject. To access, click on “MCC Periodical List” from the eResources page on the library web site. Sample subject search results for science topics include:

Astronomy (4 Journals)
Chemistry (3 Journals)
Geology (11 Journals)
Mathematics, Computer Science (119 Journals)
Physics (7 Journals)

Internet Sites

American Institute of Physics http://www.aip.org	ChemFinder http://chemfinder.cambridgesoft.com/
Math2.org – Math Tables http://www.math2.org/	Mineralogy Database http://webmineral.com/

Web Elements - Periodic Table
http://www.webelements.com/

Accessing Library Resources
From Home
If you have a computer with Internet access, you can make use of the library's databases from the convenience of your own home. Simply set your Internet browser to the library's main web page (shown below) and follow the links.

Follow these steps:
1. Go to http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/library/.

2. To search for magazines or journals, click on
"Electronic Resources." At the top of the Electronic Resources page, click the "Off-Campus Access" link.

3. Make a selection of one of the databases listed.

4. Log on with your MCC e-mail user name and password.

Physical science resources are in the
“General Magazines/Journals” and “Health/Psychology” sections.

All of the databases listed may be accessed from your home or school computer.

All Research Guides are available online at:
http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/library/researchguides.html

480 461 7680 (Circulation) 480 461 7682 (Reference) 480 461 7194 (Technical Support)
1833 West Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85202 USA