Library Handout for CHEM - Fall 2012

Chemistry 111 : Exercise 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE

• Read each section of the assignment and the questions. Then use the guide to help find the answers.

• If you have problems please ask at the Evans Library Ask Us Desk, Chat with us at http://guides.library.tamu.edu/AskTheLibraries, or call 979-845-5741

http://guides.library.tamu.edu/AskTheLibraries

Part 1. Finding Technical Books and Government Documents Using LibCat

1.1 Use LibCat to find a book or government document on your assigned pollutant. Write the title of the publication in Part 1.1. If there are too many items listed, narrow the subject or keyword search with terms like pollution or environment. The truncation symbol ? can be used to help broaden the search. Example search: Keyword = benzene AND pollut? LibCat searches generally rank results in a relevancy order; use the pull-down menu to change to a ranking by date to examine recent works.

1.2 Obtain a Location Guide from the Evans Library Ask Us Desk or other service desk. Look for your book or document in the library, and circle its location on the Location Guide to show where you found the item. Example: QD’s on 4th floor, or government documents on the 5th floor of the Sterling C. Evans Library Annex. Attach the Location Guide and a print out of the LibCat record for the item to the Data Reduction and Analysis worksheet. If the item is electronic and if there is no call number associated with the item then choose another publication. 1.3 Use the LibCat record for the publication recorded in part 1.1 to answer the following questions on the worksheet form: Was the item checked out, or on the shelf? What is the call number? What is the format?



Questions for Part 1

Part 1.1 Name of Publication Part 1.2 Attach copy of the LibCat record Part 1.3 Was the item checked out, or on the shelf? What is the call number? Format—Circle the correct format(s): Print Electronic Microform/Microfiche

Library Module 1: Technical Books and Government Documents




Library Module 1: Technical Books and Government Documents LibCat Record for an Individual Item

Library Module 2: Tools for Searching the Professional Journal Literature

For this exercise, you will be using one or more of the major databases often used by undergraduates. These databases allow you to quickly locate articles on a topic. Using a database is much quicker than searching individual journals.

When communicating with other professionals, you need to give them all the information they will need to find the article for themselves. Proper citation form becomes important. The following exercises will show you the way to arrange the information that identifies the book or journal article in proper citation form.


2.1 Use Web of Science, Environmental Sciences & Pollution Management, or Academic Search Complete to find a scientific article published in the last five years on your assigned pollutant. Please note that you can limit by date in these databases. You can also limit by type of material: book, articles, and conference proceedings. You will limit your search to articles. Example keyword search: benzene and pollut* (notice that for this database the truncation symbol has changed to an *.) Print the first page of the article, if the full text is available online. If not, print the citation, with abstract if available, from the database. Attach your printout to the back of this page. If the library does not subscribe to the online version of the journal, use LibCat to determine if the print version of the article is available on campus. Be sure to verify that the library owns the particular volume by looking at the list of volumes found at the bottom of the LibCat record. If the University Libraries subscribe to the journal, list the call number. 2.2 Provide the bibliographic citation you would need to cite the article in a paper—journal articles should be cited using the following format: Authors separated by semicolons, Article Title, Journal name in italics, Year in bold, Volume in italics, Page numbers. Example: E. J. Mawk; M. Hyman; M. W. Rowe. Re-examination of Ancient DNA in Texas Rock Paintings. Journal of Archaeological Science 2002, 29, 301-306.

Part 2. Tools for Searching the Professional Journal Literature


Part 2.1 Attach the first page of your article and list call number Part 2.2 Write the bibliographic citation








Part 3. Governmental Information Sources: EPA and NLM

3.1 Using ChemIDplus or IRIS, find the CAS RN (Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number) and molecular formula for the assigned pollutant.

3.2 Use ChemIDplus to find two other names for the assigned pollutant, including the

systematic name. 3.3 Use IRIS, ChemIDplus, or other sources identified in this assignment to determine

where this compound or element primarily occurs as a pollutant. Examples: air, water, food, etc.

3.4 Does ChemIDplus include a table of toxicity values for your pollutant? 3.5 Use any source, including the EPA site (http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms/lterms.html),

to find brief definitions for the following terms used in toxicity studies and regulations; LD, LD50, LC, LC50, LOAEL.

http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms/lterms.html

Part 3: Governmental Information Sources: EPA and NLM

Questions for Part 3 Part 3.1 What is the CAS RN and molecular formula for your pollutant? Part 3.2 Two other names and the systemic name of the pollutant? Part 3.3 Where does pollutant occur? Part 3.4 Does your pollutant have a toxicity table? Part 3.5 Provide definitions: a. LD b. LD50 c. LC d. LC50 e. LOAEL

Library Module 3: Governmental Information Sources: EPA and NLM



Library Module 3: Governmental Information Sources: EPA and NLM Iris Search Screen


Library Module 3: Governmental Information Sources: EPA and NLM ChemIDplus Record

Library Module 3: Governmental Information Sources: EPA and NLM Exercise 3.5




Library Module 4: Finding Information in Chemical Handbooks

4.1 Use ChemNetBase, the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology or the Knovel Database to find information on your pollutant, including melting point, boiling point, and uses.

4.2 Identify the sources (substances) used to manufacture this chemical. 4.3 If the pollutant is naturally occurring, where is it found?


Questions for Part 4 Part 4.1 Melting point, boiling point, and uses Part 4.2 Substances required for manufacture Part 4.3 Where it is found in nature (if naturally occurring)




Library Module 4: Finding Information in Chemical Handbooks Combined Chemical Dictionary Substance Information for Benzene

Part 5. Database for Locating Superfund Sites in Texas by County: TCEQ

Using this website,

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/remediation/superfund/sites/county/index.html, complete the following for one Superfund site located in the county where you

are from. (Example: Dallas, Houston, Navarro, etc.) If your county isn’t listed, then select a neighboring county that is more populated or industrialized.

Superfund Site Name Location Status Types of Facilities Category Last Date Updated Media Affected Latitude Longitude Hazard Ranking Score (HRS) Contaminants at Time of HRS TCEQ Region Legislative District

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/remediation/superfund/sites/county/index.html

Library Module 5: TCEQ

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/remediation/superfund/sites/county/index.html



Part 6. Learning How This Pollutant Affects or Might be Handled by Professionals in Your Major Area of Study

6.1 Use the Subject Guides link on the university libraries homepage to find the subject guide for your major or a related field (http://guides.library.tamu.edu/). Select one of the databases listed. Identify the name of the subject guide, the name of the database, and your major.

6.2 Find an article in the database that addresses how professionals in your

chosen field deal with or are affected by the pollutant, or if the particular pollutant isn’t listed, by pollution in general. A business major, for example, might search a business database to find an article on the financial impact of pollution abatement for the chemical. A liberal arts major could use newspaper databases to determine how the media has covered pollution caused by the chemical. Consider terms such as public health, occupational exposure, and risk to workers. Write a short summary of your findings and provide the citation to the article. Write no more than half a page. If you do not find material in 20 minutes, then please ask for help. Include the citation.

Part 6. Learning How This Pollutant Affects or Might be Handled by Professionals in Your Major Area of Study


Part 6.1 Name of the subject guide Name of the database Major Part 6.2 Attach the article summary (typed) with the appropriate citation.

Library Module 6: Pollution and Your Chosen Profession




