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Articles and Databases

Core Resources...

  • PubMed (Medline) database information covers all aspects of human biology and medicine.
  • CAB Abstracts database information includes Nutrition Abstracts A&B, focusing on human and animal nutrition, in addition to coverage of agriculture and dairy science.

Other Relevant Resources...

  • IBIDS database information (Dietary Supplements Database) provides access to the  international and scientific literature on dietary supplements.
  • Biological Abstracts database information is the premier database for biology, including microbiology.
  • AGRICOLA database information a core agriculture database that also covers nutrition information.
  • Dissertation & Thesis database information includes dissertations from most U.S. institutions.
  • Web of Science database information search for new articles which cite an older article by using the "cited ref" search mode.

Don't forget: Try These First if you want general popular interest magazines and newspapers or pro and con debate information.

Article Search Tips:  Finding the best articles on your topic requires a number of steps:

  • Select a database from the list above.
  • Enter and combine terms appropriate to your topic.
  • Look at the best references you retrieve and determine the subject terms used for those articles. Then revise your search using these new terms.
  • Write down or print off all pertinent information (called the 'citation') including the journal title, volume, date, and page numbers.
  • Explore other databases and subject terms (which vary between databases) for more information.

Get the full text:  Once you find the citation in a database, try the Get it! button to see if Penn State has the electronic or print version of the article you need. If the electronic version is available, it will appear as the first link on the Get it! menu. If the article is not available electronically, click on The CAT link to automatically search our catalog and see if Penn State has a print copy. If no other copy is available, you can use the ILLiad link to request it from another library.

Already have a citation?  Use Citation Linker to see if Penn State has it online or in print!

Books

Use The CAT for finding books owned by Penn State.

CAT Search Tips:  Go to the Browse function if you are looking for a specific title or author (type last name first). Go to the Keyword function and combine terms to search on a topic then use the subject headings from relevant books for additional search terms. Write down the call number and location for any book you want. For more detailed searching information go to the Quick Guide to the CAT.

Suggested CAT Search Terms: Search for information on a disease (i.e. cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, eating disorders), broad concepts (i.e. dietary supplements, food habits, functional foods, nutraceuticals, obesity, vitamins, lipids, omega-3 fatty acids) or a specific vitamin, mineral, or dietary supplement (i.e. vitamin c, Ginkgo Biloba).

Call Numbers: Nutrition information is generally located in the Life Sciences Library on the 4th floor of Paterno Library. Note exceptions in call number listing that follows:

  • BF – Psychology (UP location: 5th floor Paterno)
  • QM – Human Anatomy
  • QP – Physiology
  • QR – Microbiology
  • RA – Public Aspects of Medicine, Personal Health
  • RB – Pathology
  • RM – Therapeutics, Diet in Disease, Dietetics, Diet Therapy
  • TX – Nutrition-Cookery, Home Economics, Athletes-Nutrition (UP location: 3rd floor Paterno)

Full text books online: Annual Reviews, MD-Consult, Online Reference Shelf, NCBI Bookshelf, SpringerLink

Books elsewhere: NLM Gateway, WorldCat

Libraries Borrowing Policies: Once you have the books, check them out at the nearest lending desk or self check-out station. Loan periods are usually four weeks but books can be recalled for another user, so respond promptly to library notices. For more information see the University Libraries Lending Code.

Reference

Many reference publications are available in print in the Life Sciences Library and online full-text.

Statistics

Other Resources

Internet Sites

Evaluating Resources

To evaluate print sources and web sites, you should ask a series of questions concerning the source’s currency, authority, validity, intended audience and bias. See this How to Evaluate Information site for details.

Citing Sources

When using information from another source you must give credit to the original author or you are plagiarizing. You give credit by citing the source. Make sure your citation contains everything you would need to backtrack and find the information again. It is best to pick one citation style and be consistent. Check this Quick Guide to Citation Styles for details and format.

Plagiarism, whether you copy a paragraph from a book or cut and paste someone else's words from an e-mail, is a violation of Penn State's academic integrity policy. See this Statement on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty.

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Contact

Nancy Henry
Health Sciences Library
phone:
  814-865-3713


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