First of all, the terms periodical, journal, serial, and magazine frequently are used interchangeably in library talk, and this, I believe, causes some confusion (at least it always did with me). They all basically mean the same thing: anything published in regular intervals. In fact, all of these words use periodical in their definition. So there you have it. Time Magazine, Journal of Petroleum Technology, Geographical Review, Economic Geology, Ladies' Home Journal, Harper's: all are the same thing--periodicals.

Suggested Electronic Databases:

There are many databases that contain earth-science information. Some contain more than others; and because of that, this first group listed is heavier in content and should be consulted first when looking for an article. Be prepared to look through several of them, though. You might not find what you are looking for right away. These databases may be found, in alphabetical order, off of the “electronic databases" link off the library's homepage.

Please take note: You will severely limit your results if you immediately search for just "full text" articles. Approximately 42 databases contain full text articles--not all of them deal with earth-sciences, and none of them have indexed every article published for those earth-science journals that they include.

Check this out! Don't see full-text availability in the database for the article that you see online? Click the SFX button and up pops a window that just might provide access to a full text version of the particular article! Ask any librarian for assistance with this.

Best Choices:

• GEOBase (FirstSearch) 1980 to present.
• GeoRefs (FirstSearch) 1785 to present (North America); 1933 to present (rest of the world).
• Petroleum Abstracts 1994 to present
• GPO Monthly Catalog (FirstSearch) 1976 to present. For more information on U.S. Government information, scroll down to the bottom of this page.
• Columbia Earthscape "...an integrated, interdisciplinary resource that connects the Earth and environmental sciences with their social, political, and economic dimensions".
• Article First (FirstSearch) 1990 to present.
• Applied Science & Technology Abstracts (WilsonWeb) 1983 to present; Abstracts since 1994.
• ECO—Electronic Collections Online (FirstSearch) 1995 to present.
• Compendex 1969 to present.
• Academic Search Premier (EBSCO) 1959 to present.
• EnviromnentS (FirstSearch) 1994 to present.
• SocialSciAbs (WilsonWeb) 1983 to present; Abstracts since 1994.
• Sociological Abstracts (Cambridge Scientific Abstracts) 1960 to present; Abstracts since 1974.
• ISI Web of Knowledge 1981 to present. This database contains several products within it that can be used to find resources.
• Springer-Verlag 1981 to present.

Second Best Choices:

• AGRICOLA (FirstSearch) 1970 to present.
• Art & Humanities Search (FirstSearch) 1980 to present.
• Basic BIOSIS (FirstSearch) Current year and most recent four years.
• BioAgIndex (WilsonWeb) 1983 to present.
• BioDigest (FirstSearch) 1989 to present.
• Chemical Abstract Student Edition (FirstSearch) 1967 to present.
• Dissertation Abstracts (FirstSearch) 1861 to present; Abstracts since 1980; Thesis since 1988.
• General Science Abstracts (WilsonWeb) 1984 to present; Abstracts since 1993.
• PapersFirst (FirstSearch) 1993 to present.
• PAIS (FirstSearch) 1972 to present.
• Proceedings (FirstSearch) 1993 to present.
• Wilson Select Plus (FirstSearch) 1994 to present.
• CIAO 1991 to present.
• Discovering Science No dates given.
• ISI Chemistry No dates given.
• ISI Proceedings No dates given.
• MasterFILE Premier (EBSCO) 1975 to present.
• Digital Sanborn Maps (Texas only) Late 1800s to mid 1900s.
• Uncover 1988 to present.

Notice anything strange about the dates on the above list? Most coverage begins in the 1980s, but obviously there has been much written earlier than that. Articles written earlier must still be unearthed the old fashioned way: with published volumes of indexes and abstracts (see below).

Need assistance searching or help with using a database? Do not hesitate to ask a librarian.

Government Documents Reference Collection

Texas Tech has been a U.S. Government Depository Library for over 60 years. This collection sits in the north end of the basement of the Main Library.

SuDoc Call Numbers

• EPA (National) Publications Catalog EP 1.21/7: (DATE) Online version.
• EPA Cumulative Bibliography EP 1.21/7-2: (DATE)
• Monthly Catalog GP 3.8/: (DATE) Online from 1994-.

TTU Libraries are not responsible for the content of external sources. For questions about this page, contact Tom Rohrig, Documents Librarian. [v] (806) 742-2238 x280 [f] (806) 742-1332 [e]

This page last modified on 27 Jul 2007, 10:33.