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Looking for scholarly information on a biology topic? Try a database.
What is a database? Why should I use one?
Searchable online tool for finding scholarly information
contains peer-reviewed information and specific for a subject
You can access databases from the University of Manitoba Libraries' Databases A-Z link from the Libraries' homepage or by clicking here.
If you would like one-on-one instruction in using these databases, please contact the biology librarian.
Suggested Biology Subject Databases Available through the University of Manitoba Libraries
Note: If you are accessing a database from off-campus and/or from a non-University of Manitoba computer you will be prompted for your UMnetID and password. Your UMnetID is the first part of your University of Manitoba email address before the @ at symbol.
BIOSIS Previews covers almost all aspects of biology and finds peer-reviewed journal articles, review articles, book chapters, etc. Excellent start for searching for ecology information.
Scopus is interdisciplinary science database. Great for finding journal articles in cell and molecular biology. Scopus works best with web browsers: Internet Explorer, FireFox, and Chrome.
Zoological Record searches for scholarly information in zoology (animals).
Need scholarly information for a specific biology assignment?
STEP 1: Start by carefully reading your assignment guidelines and find the answers to the following question.
1. What sources do you need? Which sources does it say you cannot use?
If you answered...journal articles or peer-reviewed articles or scholarly information.
Search in a database. Suggested start with Web of Science Core Collection.
If you answered...books or book chapters.
Search the University of Libraries' collection.
2. How many sources do you need? Is there a minimum number you have to use?
Make sure you find at least the minimum number of sources.
3. How current do the sources need to be?
Make sure you know this. When you are searching for scholarly information you can limit by publication year.
STEP 2: Select where to search.
If you need a journal articles, scholarly information, or peer-reviewed articles, you will need to search a database. The database you will use will depend on the overall topic. Below are a list of topics and a suggested starting database. This is not an exhaustive topic list.
Web of Science Core Collection will quickly search for journal articles in the sciences. Ideal for invertebrates that is an interdisciplinary database.
Zoological Record helps you find journal articles in zoology (animal biology) easily.
STEP 3: Do the search and limit to the sources you need.
Tips for limiting sources:
publication year
subject area
source type like journal article
How to I get full text of a journal article?
How to go about finding a specific journal article
What is a Peer-Reviewed Journal Article? How Do I Find Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles?
Document Delivery
A way to get a source for free
If you have found an article online that is asking for you to purchase it or the University of Manitoba Libraries does not own a copy of a journal article, book, etc. You can get for free through the Libraries' Document Delivery service.