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CHEM3322: Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry

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5. Match Assignment Requirements

Use Other SciFinder-n Filters

Use SciFndern filters to find material matching particular formats required by your assignment.

Language Filter

You should be able to read the material you cite.

"Undetermined" language items:

  • Older item, incompletely described when added to database
  • Original item includes abstracts in > 1 language
  • Database error
  • Often written in English, so they are worth a look
 Source languages, followed by number of search results in parentheses, listed in descending order of frequency. English tops the list. 'Undetermined' is on the list.
Research Groups

Filter by Organization.

Scientists collaborate across institutions, and even internationally. Double check the "fine print" in the articles you select to see if members of different research groups co-authored the material.

Why do some organizations appear to be duplicated?

  • Politics in a multi-campus system
  • Information from original item
  • Problem with database housekeeping
 Primary author affiliation and/or organizational patent assignee, followed by number of search results in parentheses, listed in descending order of frequency. Chinese Academy of Sciences tops the list. Both 'University of California' and 'Univ. California' are on the list. 3-column Top Count Organization display. Primary author affiliation and/or organizational patent assignee, followed by number of search results in parentheses, listed in descending order of frequency. Chinese Academy of Sciences tops the list. Both 'University of California' and 'Univ. California' are on the list. Alphanumeric and Search display tabs also available.
Primary Sources

How can you identify a primary source?

  • Researchers report new, original observations
  • Focus on very narrow topic
  • Short–moderate list of references
  • Target audience: other researchers doing similar work
  • Usually include methodology section (reproducible)

A review summarizes and interprets multiple primary sources. Reviews can

  • Focus on the history of previous research
  • Assess competing models or hypotheses
  • Survey recent developments

Document Type is an imperfect filter in most library databases, including SciFindern. Most items listed as a Review will also be a Journal [article]. You can

  • Examine abstracts to determine if an item presents original research
  • Use advanced database features to remove reviews from the results
 Document types, followed by number of search results in parentheses, listed in descending order of frequency. 'Journal' (meaning 'article') tops the list. Significantly fewer items listed as a 'Review'.

Short Discussion: Based on the abstract, is this article (PDF) a primary source?