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HomePhysics 155, Winter 2005
Physics Behind the Internet
Selected Library Resources
| Getting Started |
| Finding Books |
| Finding Articles |
| Web Resources |
Getting Started
On the web
Library Research Web Guide for Physics
- Particularly under "Starting your Research"
The following web sites, for "hot" topics (also on the above research guide, under Web Resources)
In the Science Library - Reference
Reference sources such as encyclopedias can be a great place to start your research. They can help you find and narrow a topic, and can provide introductory and background information. At the ends of articles in encyclopedias, you will also find bibliographies of books and journal articles for further reading. Be sure to use the index, located at the back of the last volume, if you don't find a chapter on your topic.
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 9th ed. (20 vols.) SCIREF Q121 .M3 2002
- This set is a good starting point for an introduction to physics or computer science topics.
The following contain definitions and explanations of computing and networking terms and concepts:
Computer Engineering Handbook. SCIREF TK7885 .C645 2002
Dyson, Dictionary of Networking, 3rd ed. SCIREF TK5105.5 .D97 1999b
Encyclopedia of Computer Science, 4th ed. SCIREF QA76.15 .E48 2000
Encyclopedia of Computers and Computer History. SCIREF QA76.15 .E53 2001
Margolis, Random House Webster's computer & Internet dictionary, 3rd ed. SCIREF QA76.15 .M37 1999
Petersen, Data & Telecommunications Dictionary. SCIREF TK5102 .P48 1999
The following contain definitions and explanations of physics terms and concepts, including optics, lasers, etc.:
Dictionary of Pure and Applied Physics. SCIREF QC5 .D485 2001
Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology, 3rd ed. (18 vols.) SCIREF Q123 .E497 2002
Gribbin, Q is for Quantum: an Encyclopedia of Particle Physics. SCIREF QC793.2 .G747 1998
- In spite of the emphasis on particle physics, this includes explanations of things like quantum computing and quantum cryptography.
Handbook of Photonics. SCIREF TA1520 .H37 1996
Penguin Dictionary of Physics, 3rd ed. SCIREF QC5 .P46 2000
Finding Books
Here are some tips for finding books in the UO Library Catalog:
Use the keyword search function, with the truncation symbol * and the AND operator, for example:
- laser* and fiber optics
- The catalog records that you retrieve with a keyword search will have subject headings in them. You can click on a subject heading to find more books.
- Use 'Modify Search' (button at top of screen of search results) and limit to location: Science, or location: Music.
-This will retrieve books with titles or subject headings that contain the words laser, lasers, etc., that also contain the phrase "fiber optics". (The system assumes a phrase if you don't use a Boolean operator like "and"-see Formulating a Search Strategy handout, for more information.)
A Guide to Browsing the Science Collection: Subject Index to LC Classification Numbers – also available as a print handout at the Science Library
Finding Articles
Library databases & indexes are finding tools for journal (or magazine) articles and other publications. All contain citations; most contain abstracts; and some contain, or link to, the full text of articles. All of the databases below allow you to click on a "FindText\" button to see if the UO has the article in electronic full-text. If not, you can check if the UO Libraries own a print copy of the journal containing an article you want, or request it from another library.
All of the databases listed below can be found on the UO Libraries home page under "Databases & Indexes" (center section of page.)
For help on the mechanics of searching different databases, see the Science Library Database Searcher's Cheat Sheet.
- An interdisciplinary (which is helpful when you're searching physics and music) article index with many full-text articles. Features include 'peer reviewed only' and 'full-text only' search options. The mix of scholarly and popular journals also makes it a good place to search for opinion or controversy papers. You can also limit your search by journal/magazine name, e.g. Scientific American.
- The most comprehensive index available for the physics literature, covering from 1969 to the present. It also covers electrical engineering, electronics and computer science, so it is a good source for electronic music, audio systems, etc.
- This multidisciplinary database can be searched by subject, author, journal, and author address. It also allows you to see who has used an article in a bibliography, -or who has "cited"- a particular published paper. You can trace a specific work by tracking the papers that quote it in the literature and to identify more recent articles on the same topic.
Web Resources
Library Web Research Guides
The guides below will lead you to more print and electronic sources:
Research Guide to Physics
Evaluating Information on the World Wide Web
Citing Sources in Research Papers (includes information on citing electronic sources)
Sources Recommended by Professor Deutsch
Questions?
Contact Victoria Mitchell (6-3076), or Science Reference (6-2661, M-Th, 9-6; F 9-5)
Maintained by: Victoria Mitchell, vmitch@uoregon.eduUniversity of Oregon | 1501 Kincaid Street | Eugene, OR 97403-1299 | T: (541) 346-3053 | F: (541) 346-3485