BIO1130 Lab 2Scientific literature

Laboratory objectives

After completing this laboratory, you should be able to:• Determine whether a publication can be

considered an original scientific contribution.• Carry out bibliographic research using on-line

resources at the University of Ottawa• Use Refwork to collect scientific literature

articles, insert reference within a text and generate and formatted reference list.

Credible sources of scientific information:

• Include a full description of the methodology used to obtain the presented results, and a description of how the conclusions were derived.

• Are written by the researchers who actually did the reported research (i.e. are not ghost written)

• Have been peer-reviewed, i.e. subject to review by independent scientific experts in the field.

Scientific research articles

• Authors have done the research (or at least participated in it)• The methods are described in sufficient detail for the study to

be reproduced and the results verified• Study results (data) are presented, at least in summary form.• The work has been reviewed (anonymously) by independent

experts (“peer review”) who have recommended publication.• The work has been judged of sufficient interest and quality by

independent reviewers and editors to merit publication• Scientific articles that have these elements are referred to as

the primary scientific literature.

Searching the primary scientific literature: some problems

• The volume of scientific information is enormous.

• Sometimes articles are available only in hard-copy form (not all literature exists on-line).

• There is no single searchable index that covers all scientific journals and books.

Solutions available to students

• BIOSIS previews, Medline….: Google-like tools for titles and abstracts of articles, as well as keywords

• Organized into thematic databases covering different subject areas

• Web of science (citation index): Allows you to find articles cited in other articles.

Lab2 assignment

Two exercises:1. In-lab questionnaire about scientific literature and online databases. Answer this questionnaire DURING THE LAB (not at home) on the lab website (Lab2Lab2 Questionnaire*). Worth 90% of Lab2 mark*link will be active on Oct.5th

2. RefWorks exercise: Start during the lab – can be finished at home (max. 2 days after lab before 5PM). Worth: 10% of lab2 mark.

Lab2 Questionnaire

• Use the right database for each question type:• 1 - Search by author(s) : Biosis previews• 2 - Search by keywords : Biosis previews• 3 - Search for an article that is cited by

another article : Web of science (citation index)

1-Connect to Web of Science2- In web of science Select “Cited Reference search”

Lab2 Questionnaire

• 4 - Find an electronic copy of an article: Biosis previews / Library network catalogue.

• Select database from the library homepage (« Research » : Databases A-Z)

Scientific literature questionnaire• Access your personal set of questions (you’re not sharing with your lab

partner)• Go to BIO1130 Lab website Lab2“lab2 questionnaire” • You can SAVE your answers then return to the questionnaire later• SUMBIT your answer with the submit button• WARNING: SUBMISSION IS FINAL

Scientific literature questionnaire

• Score can be seen once questionnaire is submitted.

• Questionnaire must be submitted during lab session

Strategies for searching by key-words

• Choose appropriate search terms (mostly a case of trial and error!)

• The more search terms, or the more precise terms you use, the smaller the list of hits.

• To get longer lists of hits, use fewer terms, more general terms, or « wildcards ».

• Change terms (using synonyms) if you do not retrieve a satisfactory set of hits

• You should try several different searches using different sets of keywords (do NOT rely on a single search!)

FAQs:

• Do I have to complete the questionnaire before the lab? NO

• Do I have to attend the lab? YES (it is mandatory and you must collect your corrected lab1)

• Do my lab partner and I share the same questions? NO – you have your own set of questions. But you can help each other

• Is there a report to hand in for lab2? NO but there’s the RefWorks assignment

RefWorks assignment

• Short exercise to teach you how to insert citations in a text and format a reference list using a reference management software (RefWorks):

• 1- Read the RefWorks module on the lab website (Lab2 Page) to learn how to use RefWorks.

• 2- Visit the RefWorks exercise Page (link on Lab2 page) and follow instructions.

• 3- Complete the exercise and send your formatted document to [DESIGNATED TA] by email at [TA ADDRESS HERE]:• Write full name, student ID and lab section in the email text and

attached assignment file.• 4-Due date: finish during the lab if possible (you stay until you’re done

or the lab session is finished). Otherwise send to TA within 3 days after your lab.

Version 2 of Mer Bleue report

• Optional• Final grade is the average of both versions (or

version 1 grade if no version 2 is handed in)• Attach version 1 to version 2• Due date:• Week 1 sections: in 1 week• Week 2 sections: in 2 weeks (after reading week)