Overview of Using Media
Books
For understanding a subject. The presentation may be
basic or detailed, depending on the purpose and scope of the book.
Most books take a year or more to be published, so they generally
contain older information than journals and magazines. Use the
library catalog to locate specific books or to identify the
appropriate subject areas in the collection (e.g., biochemistry,
pathology, physiology, pharmacology, etc.). Many books have indexes
in the back, which will help you find specific information in the
book.
Dictionaries
A specific kind of reference book used for checking the
definition and spelling of a word, finding synonyms, and getting a
brief overview of a subject. Check a specialized dictionary for
technical subjects. For example, Dorland's Illustrated Medical
Dictionary and Stedman's Medical Dictionary are useful medical
dictionaries.
Indices and Databases
Health sciences indices and databases help you find journal
articles on a specific subject or by a particular author. Most
indices are now available in electronic versions. To use a
periodical index efficiently, first check its thesaurus, which is a
list of subject terms used in the index. The most important
thesaurus in our library is the Medical Subject Headings
(MeSH).
The LRC owns the major English language biomedical journals
needed to support the NUHS curricula and many other journals are
available over the Internet. Therefore, by making good use of the
indices and databases in the LRC, you will find sufficient
information on campus to complete most assignments. However, if you
do need an article that NUHS doesn't have, you may request it by
filling out an interlibrary loan request form.
Journals
For current scientific information. Most reputable scientific
journals have a peer-review system. Before an article is published,
it is reviewed by experts in the field.
- Journals
Holdings List
Consult this document to find out which print periodicals the
LRC owns and where they can be found. It is also available in
notebooks around the Internet and reference computers.
- Databases, Journals, and
eBooks
This list includes electronic journal subscriptions and journals
available through our full-text databases.
Newsletters
For current information. Published at least once
per year. Example: Chiropractic Report.
Reference Books
For checking facts and looking up short answers.
Examples: Merck Manual is an encyclopedia of
diagnosis and therapy. PDR (Physician's Desk Reference)
provides drug information, including dosage, pharmacology, adverse
reactions, and precautions. ACP Medicine is updated
regularly and offers a good overview of many medical topics
including a section on normal laboratory values.
Trade Magazines
For news about a trade or profession, advertisements, editorials,
practice management information, etc. Example: Chiropractic
Economics.
Web Sites
You can probably find a Web site for any topic. Their ease of
updating can make them especially valuable for current information.
However, because Web sites are so easily posted by anyone, you must
carefully evaluate each site for its credibility, accuracy, and
currency. For a starting point, see our list of Useful Sites.
