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Bibliographic Instruction Session -- Summary and Objectives


USNA 204 Evolution of Scientific Ideas

There are many resources at the Kelvin Smith Library that address the history and philosophy of scientific change. Through in-class instruction and carefully designed exercises, the KSL staff can help students take full advantage of the library and develop vital research and critical thinking skills. Students will learn to develop highly effective strategies for locating information. Such skills enhance the undergraduate educational experience and increase the overall quality of student projects.

In this session students will learn how to:

  • Search the EuclidPlus online library catalog and other OhioLink catalogs effectively using keywords and subject headings
  • Use the KSL print and online reference collection to develop research topics
  • Access print and online journals and magazines
  • Conduct specialized searches using print indexes, electronic databases, and primary resource archives
  • Take advantage of library services such as specialized reference consultation, interlibrary loan, and access to full-text online resources

Engaging the Research Process

What resources would a student in this course use to familiarize themselves with a particular event, person, or concept in the history and philosophy of science? They might first consult the KSL Reference Collection on the 2nd floor and the online Oxford Reference Collection available through the library home page. These resources contain a wide array of topical encyclopedias, dictionaries, biographical dictionaries, bibliographies, directories, and chronologies. Once key concepts and bibliographic references have been identified with these resources, students can then consult the EuclidPlus and OhioLink online catalogs to search for books and monographs available on campus and from around the state.

Relevant print reference resources may include:

  • ISIS Cumulative Bibliography a comprehensive international bibliography of scholarship in the history of science
  • The Dictionary of Scientific Biography a multivolume guide to the most prominent figures in the history of science, with extensive entries and references
  • Biographical Dictionary of Twentieth Century Philosophers a handy one volume guide to the most important philosophers and philosophers of science in the past century

Searches can be enhanced through the use of specialized online indexes and abstract databases available from the KSL homepage. These include:

  • Access Science an online encyclopedia of science and technology
  • Academic Search Premier and JSTOR general scholarly indexes that span a wide range of academic subjects including philosophy and literature
  • The History of Science, Technology, and Medicine an international retrospective resource covering academic and scholarly research
  • American Periodical Series and Eighteenth Century Collections Online full text searchable archives of scholarly and popular monographs and periodicals from the 18th and 19th centuries, many of which involve nature writing and natural history

Having collected bibliographic references and citations, students can then find and access both print and online journal and magazine articles using the online catalogs, the KSL Electronic Journals and Magazines Collection, and the OhioLink Electronic Journal Center.

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Services FAQ

Can I print at KSL? What does it cost & how do I pay?
KSL computers link to 2 high speed, high volume printers. All printing costs 5 cents a page, and you can pay with with your CaseOneCard, coin, $1 or $5 bills. Printers are on the main floor and second floor, across from the elevators.  For locations, check our Maps.
Can I photocopy at KSL? What does it cost & how do I pay?
KSL photocopiers are on the main floor, third floor, and Lower Level, so you can photocopy books and journals. Copies cost ten cents a page on digital copiers, and you can pay with your CaseOneCard, coin, $1 or $5 bills.  For locations, check our Maps.
How do I know what’s new and what new books there are?
Read the KSL News Blog for events, services, tools & more, that help you do research. Find it on the library homepage. New Books can either be an RSS alert for your subject area or you can browse the New Books Display on the 2nd floor of the Kelvin Smith Library.
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Use your ID as your cash, not coins & bills. KSL does not give change & asks you to plan ahead for printing and copying. The copiers & printers take $1 & $5 bills and coins, and will give change for a copy/print when there is suffficient change in the machine. Plan ahead! Activate your CaseOneCard ID if you are a staff member, faculty, or grad student.
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KSL has a book drop in the front of the building, under the covered portico, on the Thwing Center side of the Main Doors. Currently, there is no drive-up book drop. The KSL bookdrop is open when there are no Regular Business Hours–when KSL is open, bring your items to the inside book drops. Videos & DVDs must be returned to staff at the Main Service Desk so the are not damaged in bookdrops.

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Use the CPL SelfCheckout machine nearby the CPL@Case-KSL collections, with your CPL library card. The KSL SelfCheckout machine reads only Case ID cards and Case barcodes.

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