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Biology 100: Introduction to Biology

A library research guide for locating resources for your course.

Introduction

Biology 100: Introduction to Biology Library Research Guide

This research guide provides information about biology resources found in the GWC library and online.

Developing Nerve Cells Zeiss Microscopy

ZEISS Microscopy. "Developing Nerve Cells." Flickr, 16 June 2014, https://flic.kr/p/nHL2uR. Accessed 05 October 2022.

 

Books in the GWC Library

GWC Library Catalog

Books and other materials located in the Golden West College Library can be found in the 'Library Catalog.' 

Find books or eBooks on your topic. Use the keywords from your topic. If those don't work, think of their synonyms or try to think of a broader topic. Don't give up! Ask a librarian if you need help.

Books you can check out and take home:

  • "General Collection" books are located on the 3rd Floor of the library. These books can be useful for your research papers.

To check them out: Take books to the Public Services Desk on the 2nd Floor and show your GWC Student ID (your library card!).

Books that stay in the library: 

  • "Reference" books are located on the 2nd Floor of the library near the entrance. These books are great for background information on your topics.
  • "Hot Topics" books are located on the 2nd Floor in front of the Reference Desk (where the librarians are located). These books are excellent sources for argumentative essays or persuasive speeches. They have contrasting, debatable essays on a variety of social, political or cultural issues.

The GWC Library materials (books and DVDs) are organized on our shelves by:

This system of organizing ensures that materials on similar subjects are shelved together. Each item is given a subject heading that corresponds to a call number which identifies the location of the item on a shelf. 

call numbers on spines of books and in online catalog

Items are arranged on the shelves from left to right, top to bottom, according to call numbers. Call numbers are read in this format:

read an LC call number

Video: Understanding Call Numbers

Short video (2:11) explaining how to locate materials in a college library using the Library of Congress call number system.

eBooks from the GWC Library

Click on one of the pictures below to access Reference eBooks: 

Bioethics The Gale Encyclopedia of Science 2021

Here is the link to the library's largest eBook Collection with video tutorials:

Find Credible Information: Library Databases

Library Databases are where you will find credible articles, including scholarly research.

Scholarly Sources (primary research studies):

Search for the study or other research mentioned in your magazine or newspaper article. Use keywords and think of synonyms or related terms.

Magazines and Newspapers will help you find current information about recent findings. 

These are credible but not scholarly resources. See if the article refers to a journal, study, or scientist. If not, try using the keywords in these popular articles. Use that information to search scholarly sources.

You are not limited to the resources here. The GWC Library subscribes to many different databases:

How to Identify Bad Science

A Rough Guide to Spotting Bad Science

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