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CHEM 151 (Fisher)

Chemistry Databases

Recommended Databases

Develop Search Terms

Is there chemical evidence of the Carlsbad desalination plant affecting nearby seawater?

  • Chemical evidence: chemistry, testing, sampling, salinity, ions, pH, alkalinity, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine, sulfate
  • Carlsbad desalination plant: Agua Hedionda Lagoon, desalination brine, ecological impact, biological impact, long-term impact, regulations, California Coastal Commission, Pacific Ocean
  • Seawater: marine, ocean, coastal, brackish, runoff, contamination, pollution, marine organisms, phytoplankton, algae, seaweed, fish, mammals

Search Techniques

 

Combine terms to develop a search technique.

  • “Quotation marks” searches words side by side ("desalination brine")
  • AND searches all terms (desalination AND pacific)
  • OR finds either term; useful for synonyms (sampling OR testing) or when either term will do (potassium OR magnesium)
  • When using OR in a complex search, place OR search terms in parentheses (potassium OR magnesium) AND "desalination brine" 
  • More search terms = fewer sources in your search results, which can be a good thing
  • Use the OneSearch or database filters to narrow and focus your search results

 

 

How many search terms?

Don't forget OneSearch!

What is a Scholarly Journal?

Scholarly (or Peer-Reviewed) Articles are:

  • Written by experts in a subject who share original research
  • Published in a scholarly journal

Characteristics:

  • Use technical language 
  • Use many in-text citations for research or quotes of others
  • Include lengthy references or bibliography
  • Often include tables, charts, and graphs
  • Do not usually have advertisements