EES 407 Seismology
Goal: To find papers in which seismology is applied to a particular problem related to one of the following topics:
Before discussing specific library resources relevant to meeting this goal, you might want to visit this webpage, which gives an overview of Lehigh University library resources in the sciences.
The first step is to determine what database has content and coverage that relates to your topic. Often, if not always, you will find information about the database. Below I identify some databases whose content and coverage is suitable for papers about applications of seismology. For the full range of library databases, go the library homepage, where you will see a link that leads you to the listing of databases, laid out for you alphabetically and by subject area. See Science & Engineering Databases.
The next step is to know something about how to search efficiently a bibliographic database. Before we examine the databases, review this Generic Searching Guide (created by the Engineering Librarian, Sharon Siegler) about how to do searches.
DATABASES WITH INFORMATION ABOUT SEISMOLOGY
Now on to the databases. I will review some basics about how to limit your search results, and make some use of the indexing. There is a larger story to be told about searching these databases than I can give here. Contact me if you want to discuss the databases in greater depth or if you would like search assistance.
GeoRef, the first database we look at, may well prove sufficient for your needs. But other databases are also listed if you want to do a really thorough search, or if want to supplement GeoRef with another database possibly providing a particular perspective on the topic. (This will become clearer as we go on.)I. GeoRef
A. Content and Coverage
For information about the content and coverage of GeoRef, do the following:
B. Search example
(1.) Go to the advanced screen of GeoRef, and do a keyword search with the following two terms:
seismolog* and earthquake+
(See the help documentation for the meaning of the * and + . In general, to learn how to do a "power search", it helps to looko at the documentation that accompanies a database.)
(2.) Look at the resulting indexing terms. One of them is earthquake prediction. Put this into your search with seismol* and then also try limiting the search, e.g. by date, by language, and by document type.
(3.) Look at the resulting records to see how they are indexed. Incorporate appropriate indexing terms to narrow your search.
NOTE: some of you may need to distinguish refraction and reflection seismology in your searches. You may want to try the browse feature to find relevant terms.
This is a free, publicly accessible preview of items that will be entered into the GeoRef database. Try the search feature it provides.
II. INSPEC
For information about the content and coverage of INSPEC, click here. In a few weeks (about 9/21) the Engineering Librarian and myself will be putting up a detailed set of modules about how to search INSPEC and EI on a search interface called Axiom. Check the following places for the guides: Course-Related Library Guides, plus on the Databases list as help documentation beside the links for EI and INSPEC. Also, you may be interested in signing up for a seminar about Axiom, the search interface EI and INSPEC. Seminars will be held 9/21 and 11/13. Sign up here for the seminar.
(1.) Go to the advanced screen of INSPEC and, leaving checked the default settings , put in the following two terms
earthquake* and seismol*
(2.) This search comes up with too many results. Try limiting the search, e.g. by date, by language, by document type, and by treatment. Try various treatments, e.g., "general or review" to hunt for review papers that might give you an overview of your subject.
(3.) Look at the resulting records to see how they are indexed. Incorporate appropriate indexing terms to narrow your search.
Note: INSPEC covers these areas of Seismology (this list is not necessarily exhaustive):
Other areas are also included, e.g. Tectonics.
For information about the content and coverage of Compendex, click here. See notes under INSPEC above for information about new training modules as well as training seminars.
There are broad analogies between searching INSPEC and Compendex.
Note that thesaurus terms that come up in Compendex include:
IV. Applied Science and Technology Abstracts
For information, click on the "i" for information on the GeoRef screen.
You may find some relevant things here.
OBTAINING COPIES OF PAPERS
Now that you have used bibliographic databases to find references and abstracts for papers that look interesting, how do you actually locate the paper(s) that are of interest to you?
(1.) First, check ASA to see if Lehigh has the journal, either in paper or electronic format. Go here for information about ASA.
(Also, check to see if there is a full text linkage from the bibliographic database you search.)
(2.) You may want to see if one of the regional libraries has the journal.
(3.) You may order the article through interlibrary loan.
AN ADDITIONAL WAY TO LOCATE PAPERS
An additional way to find papers: browse the tables of contents of recent issues or archived (bound) copies in the library, or look for relevant electronic journals browsable here by title (e.g., Geophysical Journal International) or linked on ASA.
Some journals that you might want to browse in this way are these:
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE
At any point in your research, contact me if you have any questions. You may call me at x5003, or via email, or drop by my office at Room 633 in Fairchild-Martindale Library. On Tuesday afternoons I am usually in the consulting office behind the help desk on the first floor of the library.
Brian Simboli 9/11/00