Why use a background source?
Don't know much about your topic? Not sure where to start your research?
Background sources (also called reference sources) are things like encyclopedias, dictionaries, manuals, etc. and are excellent for:
- Getting a general overview of your topic
- Finding key researchers
- Introducing you to key concepts and terminology
- Providing the background knowledge that will help you make sense of scholarly research articles
Encyclopedias
Background Articles & Reviews
Don't know where to search? Try these reference tools first.
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Comprehensive Physiology
Reference articles on the evolving science of physiology for researchers and clinicians in the life and health sciences.
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Reviews in cell biology and molecular medicine
Provides a single-source library of the molecular basis of life, with a focus on molecular medicine, discussing in detail the latest advances of the post-genomic era. A comprehensive and detailed treatment of molecular biology, cell biology and molecular medicine.
Encyclopedias
Each of the encyclopedias below is focused on a different area of biology. Read the descriptions to select the one that is right for your information needs.
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Encyclopedia of Cancer [2009]Includes definitions and detailed essays relating to the science of cancer, from both a clinical and basic science perspective.
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Encyclopedia of Exercise Medicine in Health and Disease [2012]A comprehensive source on the adaptation of the human body to exercise and on the therapeutic use of exercise.
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Encyclopedia of Signaling Molecules [2017]Presents 350 biologically important signaling molecules, describes the core concepts of their functions along with early findings written by some of the world’s foremost experts.
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Pathobiology of Human Disease [2014]Comprehensive source of information on the fundamental structure and functions of human tissues, as well as the pathophysiologic mechanisms
that underlie human disease. -
Encyclopedia of Biological Invasions [2011]Addresses all aspects of this subject at a global level—including invasions by animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria.
Multi-Encyclopedia Databases
Use these search tools to search multiple encyclopedias and dictionaries at once.
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Oxford Reference - ScienceSearch over 45 Oxford science reference titles at the same time. Subjects covered include biology, astronomy, chemistry, earth sciences, ecology, zoology, genetics, medicine, history of science, nursing, science and society, and various scientific dictionaries.
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Credo Academic Core
An online reference library comprised of reference books including encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri and books of quotations, etc.
Other Helpful Databases
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DrugBankThe DrugBank database combines detailed drug (i.e. chemical, pharmacological and pharmaceutical) data with comprehensive drug target (i.e. sequence, structure, and pathway) information.
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PubChemPubChem provides reputable information on chemical structures, identifiers, chemical and physical properties, biological activities, patents, health, safety, toxicity data, and more (including the contents of TOXNET: ChemIDplus and Hazardous Substance Data Bank (HSDB))
