Literature Search Strategies for Interdisciplinary Research: A Sourcebook For Scientists and Engineers

The amount of published literature can be overwhelming for scientists and researchers moving from a broad disciplinary research area to a more specialized one, particularly in fields that use information from more than one discipline. Without a focused inquiry, the researcher may find too little information or may be overcome by too much. Striking the correct balance of information is the focus of Literature Search Strategies for Interdisciplinary Research. This useful reference tool studies diverse interdisciplinary areas revealing the general and individual qualities that dictate the strategies of successful searches. Beginning with a bare-bones search strategy for finding primary research in interdisciplinary areas, the book then goes on to provide hints for research in specific disciplines, as the unique traits of the individual fields compound the difficulties in interdisciplinary research. Individual chapters, written by experts in that particular area, address ten research fields in depth, disclosing the common qualities of interdisciplinary research. The study areas covered include Paleontology, Crystallography, Quaternary Research, Human Factors Engineering, Nanotechnology, Atmospheric Chemistry, Bioethics, Computational Biology, Engineering Entrepreneurship, and Machine Learning. For scientists and engineers new to their fields, as well as librarians whose responsibilities include collecting library materials for newly-emerging interdisciplinary research areas, Linda Ackerson's guide provides all that is needed to develop a successful search strategy.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Preface Part 2 Introduction Chapter 3 1 Paleontology Chapter 4 2 Crystallography Chapter 5 3 Quaternary Research Chapter 6 4 Human Factors Engineering Chapter 7 5 Nanotechnology Chapter 8 6 Atmospheric Chemistry Chapter 9 7 Bioethics Chapter 10 8 Computational Biology Chapter 11 9 Engineering Entrepreneurship Chapter 12 10 Machine Learning Part 13 Index Part 14 About the Editor and Contributors

About the Author :
Linda G. Ackerson was associate professor of Library Administration and assistant engineering librarian at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Review :
A timely, informative introduction to the process of doing research across disciplines. Very few current guides to interdisciplinary research of any kind are available, much less in science and engineering....This work is a fine selection for any research library, but is particularly fitting for science and engineering collections. A valuable starting point for interdisciplinary research....It is highly recommended. Ackerson (library science, U. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) edits this guide designed to help scientists and engineers plan a successful strategy for the often harrowing task of interdisciplinary research. Each chapter tackles a specific discipline in physical science, mathematics, life science, applied science, and social science, informing the reader how the majority of literature in that discipline is arranged and how to access the best publications, both print and electronic, for interdisciplinary interests. Chapters also provide a brief history of each subject and an overview of the unique characteristics of its literature and research. Specifically, the ten chapters cover the following disciplines: paleontology, crystallography, quaternary research, human factors engineering, nanotechnology, atmospheric chemistry, bioethics, computational biology, engineering entrepreneurship, and machine learning. This small, readable volume would be very useful to library staff working in the disciplines discussed....This is an interesting book and a most useful guide, recommended for the collection of any library providing information services in these interdisciplinary fields, as well as to individuals working in these research disciplines.