RNR 4051 Wildlife Habitat Management: Databases
Introduction
LSU Libraries has almost 300 databases. The list below is just a small group of databases that should be able to help you. Not all of them are full-text searchable and not everything in them we have access too. Don't wait to start your paper in case you need to do an Interlibrary Loan for a paper.
Why not just use Google Scholar?
Google Scholar does not have the same limiting ability nor access to materials that our databases have. Google Scholar is also more likely to pull up papers that were published in predatory journals and material that is outdated. Stick with the library databases to find the best, most recent, and most relevant sources for your paper.
- Interlibrary BorrowingDon't give that publisher your money for a journal article that LSU Libraries doesn't own! Request it through our Interlibrary Loan department and we'll borrow it for you. We'll also borrow books for you from other libraries.
Database Tips and Tricks
Just like shopping online, before you look at those search results, make sure you are filtering your results. Filtering allows you to limit the number of results based on things like date range, full-text access, and even resource type.
The filters will often reset when you do a new search so make sure you double-check them.
I often tell students to not even look at the results without filtering first.
Language is 90% of the search. How we describe something changes depending on time, location, and field. If you aren't getting the results you want, try changing the search terms you are using. If it's a medical term, try searching MESH or if it is an animal, search the scientific name. Don't be afraid to pull out that thesaurus or even search in Google for related terms.
It also helps if you search using quotes for search terms. Instead of climate change, try searching, "Climate Change". This tells the database to search not just the words, "climate" and "change" but the phrase, "climate change".
Databases
- Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia This link opens in a new windowFor students and adults alike, the Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia database indexes over 25,000 records, covering an array of topics. Full text for each record may be easily accessed by double clicking on the topic from the display. The database contains various images, offers brief biographies as well as information in a variety of subject areas. This database is updated annually.
- Invasive Species CompendiumThe Invasive Species Compendium (ISC) is an encyclopaedic resource that brings together a wide range of different types of science-based information to support decision-making in invasive species management worldwide.
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new windowCredo Reference is a general reference solution for learners and librarians. Offering 551 hundred highly-regarded titles from over 70 publishers; Credo General Reference covers every major subject. Credo Reference is an online reference service made up of full-text books from the world's best publishers. Whether you're working on a research paper, trying to win trivia or just curious, Credo Reference has something for you.
- Zoological Record This link opens in a new windowZoological Record is the world's oldest continuing database of animal biology. It is considered the world's leading taxonomic reference, and with coverage back to 1864, has long acted as the world's unofficial register of animal names. The broad scope of coverage ranges from biodiversity and the environment to taxonomy and veterinary sciences.
**This database permits only two simultaneous users.**
- Agricola This link opens in a new windowContaining bibliographic records from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Library, this source provides access to millions of citations. The citations are comprised of journal articles, book chapters, theses and much more, all relating to the field of agriculture.
- CABI Digital Library This link opens in a new windowIncluding the CAB Abstracts and CAB Health, this is the leading database for literature related to agriculture and applied life sciences, including strong international coverage.
- DiscoveryDiscovery is the default search for LSU libraries. It searches about 80% of the journal articles and all of the eBooks and print books owned by the library. This is the best place to start your research.
- Environment Complete This link opens in a new windowThe Environment Complete database offers deep coverage in applicable areas of agriculture, ecosystem ecology, energy, natural resources, marine & freshwater science, geography, pollution & waste management, environmental technology, environmental law, public policy, social impacts, urban planning, and more.
- Wildlife & Ecology Studies Worldwide This link opens in a new windowOffering a global perspective, this resource is the world's largest index to literature on wild mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Comprehensive coverage includes bibliographic records, many of which include abstracts, covering a variety of topic areas.