NDSU Libraries — Geochemistry

Geochemistry

Step 1. Choose your search terms.You will add to your list as you search and evaluate your search results.

Step 2. Define your search strategy. (This will partly depend on the search engine you use).

Search tools:
- Boolean Searching: and, or, not (and not, but not)
- Truncation: as a general rule, an astersist (*) works, but it depends upon the database.
- Nesting
Example of a complex search strategy:
(water or aqueous or hydro* ) and (chemi* or geochemi*) and (model* or computer program* or simulation or software)
Example of problems using truncation: rock* (returns rock and rocks, but also rockets, rockers, etc.)

Step 3. Choose your database

GeoRef
- Available via the Web EBSCOhost:
- Indexes geological information published from 1700’s to present; includes government documents
- Searching:
  - Boolean: and, or, not
  - Truncation: *
  - Nesting
FirstSearch databases:
- Available online.
- Databases include: Geobase. (Note: GeoRef is a better database)
- Truncation: + (plural and singular only), * (right hand truncation)
- Sample search: (water or groundwater) and (chemistry or geochemistry) and model+
WorldCat
- Available online.
- This is a FirstSearch database, but we have to offer the link separately because of the license we have.
- Use this to find books world-wide.

Step 4. Conduct your search
Step 5. Evaluate search results, note additional terms and unwanted terms.
Step 6. Refine search and re-do.

Step 7. Find out whether NDSU has the material; otherwise, consult ILL

To find out whether NDSU has a particular book, use the online catalog.
For journals: Generally, the quickest way to find an article is to check the online journals page. If it isn’t available on the Web, you will can search the online catalog. You will need to use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) to retreive articles from those journals that NDSU does not have or have access to.
For ILL, fill out a card at the ILL desk, or fill out the online form. You might also consider a trip to UND to use their materials. If you plan to go to the Geology Branch Library, call before going; they are not open as many hours as the main library at UND.