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BIO 375 Neuroscience: Helpful Resources

Primary Source Examples

The AUTHOR did the research study or scientific experiment
Includes the methods, results, discussion sections
Papers and proceedings from scientific conferences or meetings
Dissertations and Theses
Technical Reports
Patents

Secondary Source Examples

Secondary sources in the SCIENCES will have these words: meta-analysis, systematic review, or literature review.

The AUTHOR did not do the study/experiment her/himself.
Remarks about the significance of research or experiments
Reviews the results of several experiments or trials
Analysis of a clinical trial
Letters to the editor, editorials, perspectives, etc.

Critically Evaluate

Quality Questions:

Is the author an expert in their field? Who sponsored the article?
Is it current? What is the pub. date?
Is it peer reviewed?

Content Questions:

What is the research question?
What is the primary methodology used?
How was the data gathered?
How is the data presented?
What are the main conclusions?
Are these conclusions reasonable?
What theories are used to support the researcher's conclusions?

APA Handouts and Guides

Six Steps to Proper APA Citation

Student Paper Setup Guide
This guide will help you set up an APA Style student paper. The basic setup directions apply to the entire paper. Annotated diagrams illustrate how to set up the major sections of a student paper: the title page or cover page, the text, tables and figures, and the reference list.
Student Paper Checklist
Use this checklist while writing your paper to make sure it is consistent with seventh edition APA Style.

APA provides detailed guidance on each aspect of APA Style and Grammar at the following links:

Paper Format
Grammar
Bias-Free Language
Tables and Figures
In-Text Citations
Learn proper formatting as well as how to avoid both overcitation and undercitation.
References
Proper formatting enables your reader to track down each of the works you've cited.

Finding research articles

PubMed This link opens in a new window
Look for primary article types: Clinical Trial, Comparative/Observational Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Dataset, Randomized Controlled Trial
ScienceDirect Health & Life Sciences College Edition This link opens in a new window
Select the RESEARCH limiter on the left to get primary source articles.

Public Library of Science (PLoS)
PLOS One is a peer-reviewed open access mega journal published by the Public Library of Science (PLOS) since 2006. Use the limiter for "Research Articles"

Proquest Science Database This link opens in a new window
Coverage of Applied & General Science: Physics, Engineering, Astronomy, Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and more. Coverage: 1986-present, 965 of 1145 journals available in full-text.

Borrow books or articles from other libraries

If the Assumption library doesn't have access to an article or book, you can request it for FREE from a nearby library:

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