PHYS 1402L and PHYS 2425L: Physics Labs
If you have questions about using any of the resources described below, ask at the Reference Desk (on the first floor), call it at 651-2215 during the hours Cornette Library is open or use our Ask a Librarian service. For additional help, contact Linda Chenoweth (x2407), Steve Ely (x2231) or Mary Jarvis (x2212) to make an appointment.
Finding Journal Articles
All of our online resources are available from off campus as well as on. Students should simply log in with the same information as with Buff Advisor and WT Class.
While several of the databases below provide the full text for many articles, a database may sometimes offer only a description of the article you need; we can then help you find a print copy of the article here or through interlibrary loan.
When you find articles, evaluate them to make sure you are getting valid information.
- Institute of Physics Journals
- Full-text online access to 34 of the journals published by the Institute of Physics. Complete coverage of each title from first to most current issue. Contains all of the Journal of Physics series.
- ScienceDirect
- Broad science coverage, emphasizing life sciences, engineering, earth sciences and pharmacology. Over 1800 full-text journals, plus more than 100 book series and reference books. Many hundreds of thousands of articles relevant for physics topics. Also includes business, management and accounting; economics, econometrics and finance; and social science. Look for the green indicator for full-text coverage.
- Web of Science
- Simultaneously search the most important journals in the social sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, the humanities, and visual and performing arts. Focuses on high-impact scholarly sources and includes some distinctive and powerful features, including "Cited by," Linked References, and Related Articles.
Finding Articles from Citations
While most of our online resources include the full-text of the journal articles they index, some only include citations. In such cases, take advantage of the SFX feature to find whether and where we have the article.
Logo
Most of our database will include the logo on the options for each search result. Clicking this link will open a popup window with several options for retrieving the full-text of the document. One or more of these choices will be shown:
- One or more links to full-text of the cited article,
- A link to a pre-set search of the Cornette Library catalog for the cited item,
- A link to a pre-filled Interlibrary Loan request form for the article, or
- A link to various help options.
If you would like more information about the feature, please see the tutorial Using SFX to Link to Articles
To find a journal article when you only have the citation outside of a database, browse our list of online journals and search Cornette Library's online catalog by journal title to determine if the issue you need is available in the Library's Periodicals collection. Journals are shelved alphabetically by title in the bound, microfilm, microfiche, or current periodicals areas on the Library's second floor. If the Library does not have the journal issue you need, you can request the article through Interlibrary Loan.
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Citing Your Sources
You will need to cite your sources using the ACS Style Guide. The basic preferred format for journal articles is:
- Author 1; Author 2; Author 3; etc. Title of Article. Abbreviated Title of Journal. Year, Volume, Inclusive Pages.
The format for an article retrieved from a database is:
- Author 1; Author 2; Author 3; etc. Title of Article. Abbreviated Title of Journal. Year, Volume, Inclusive Pages. Name of database url of top page (access date Month day, Year).
Specific formatting rules are:
- Author names are separated by a semi-colon, and in the form Surname, First Initial. Middle Initial, Jr. (etc.). List all authors on the item, in the order given on the item.
- Check the Chemical Abstracts Service Source Index (CASSI) for journal title abbreviations. If the title is not listed, use the full title.
- Publication date, and the following comma, are in bold-face font.
- Full dates are listed as Month Day, Year. The months which are abbreviated are Jan Feb Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec. Examples: June 20, 2005. Or Oct 20, 2011.
Here are some examples:
- An, J.; Tuan, C. Y.; Cheeseman, B. A; Gazonas, G. A. Simulation of Soil Behavior under Blast Loading. International Journal of Geomechanics. 2011, 11, 323-334. Academic Search Complete. http://www.ebscohost.com/academic/academic-search-complete (accessed Oct 20, 2011).
- LoPresto, M. C. Experimenting with Musical Intervals. Phys. Educ. 2003, 38, 309-315.
- Matthews, Q.; Jirasek, A.; Lum, J. J.; Brolo, A. G. Biochemical Signatures of in Vitro Radiation Response in Human Lung, Breast and Prostate Tumour Cells Observed with Raman Spectroscopy. Phys. Med. Biol. 2011, 56, 6839-6855. Institute of Physics Journals http://iopscience.iop.org/ (accessed Oct 21, 2011).
- Mizrahi, J.; Verbitsky, O.; Isakov, E; Daily, D. Effect of Fatigue on Leg Kinematics and Impact Acceleration in Long Distance Running. Human Movement Science. 2000, 19, 139-151. ScienceDirect http://www.sciencedirect.com/ (accessed Oct 21, 2011).
Chapter 14 of the ACS Guide shows citations for various other kinds of sources such as books, conference proceedings, dissertations, etc.
Why must I cite the sources I use for research projects?
- To give credit to the author of the information you use.
- To avoid plagiarism (WTAMU Code of Student Life: Appendix I-Academic Integrity Code)
a serious offense that can result in failure or expulsion. - So that others can verify the information.
- To assist others in doing their own research.
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Your Comments
- Suggestions for improvements?
- Particularly helpful items?
- Please email Linda Chenoweth.
Thank you.
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