Scope  ll  Finding Books  ll  Finding Articles  ll  Citing Sources  ll  Web Sites

Online Search Techniques  ll  Library Databases  ll  Off-campus Access  ll  Need More Help?

Scope:

Global warming, also known as the greenhouse effect, is the warming of the earth's surface and atmosphere due to "the release of 'greenhouse gases,' such as carbon dioxide. These gases are released into the air from burning gas, oil, coal, wood and other resources which then holds heat in an action similar to the walls of a greenhouse." (pbs.org) This handout serves as a guide to research information on global warming at JSRCC Libraries.  

Finding Books:

To look for books available at JSRCC Libraries, you can search the VCCSLinc Library catalog

Sample Subject Key Words to Search in Catalog: Global warming, Ozone layer depletion, Climatic changes,  Greenhouse effect 

Browse books by Call Number:   QC912-999

Selective Books available at JSRCC:

• Climate crash : abrupt climate change and what it means for our future

• Global Warming

• Global warming :  a very short introduction

• The weather makers : how man is changing the climate and what it means for life on Earth  

• High tide : the truth about our climate crisis

• Ozone depletion and climate change : constructing a global response - [electronic book from NetLibrary]

Finding Articles:

You can find authoritative articles on global warming through the plan to use the databases from off-campus, you will need to login with Off Campus Access."My JSRCC" login.   For more information see: library databases.

Finding overviews to understand the basics of the discussion about global warming:

SIRS Researcher
A general reference database of full text articles found in over 1,200 newspapers, periodicals and government publications that explore social, scientific, historic, economic, political, and global issues.  It offer an excellent analysis guide on top issues such as "global warming."

URL:  http://library.vccs.edu/license-bin/linker.plx?sirs

SIRS Researcher search tips:

• Try a Subject Headings search with global warming, or choose global warming from "Pro vs. Con" section.  In addition to magazine and journal articles, news, government documents, viewpoints, primary documents and websites, you will get a brief Overview, Pro/Con, and myAnalysis.  Make sure you check out the myAnalysis which gives you an excellent guide on how to analyze the information you have collected.

CQ Researcher  
CQ Researcher offers in-depth, non-biased coverage of political and social issues.  Each report is written by a seasoned journalist based on a common structure. Users may browse through articles by topics in alphabetical order, or search for articles using words, dates, or other criteria.

URL:  http://library.vccs.edu/license-bin/linker.plx?cqpress

CQ Researcher search tips:

• Type global warming in Quick Search box.  You will retrieve a list of related reports on global warming.
   

Issues & Controversies
Presents and enhances the full backfile of Issues and Controversies On File. Provides balanced coverage of over 600 controversial topics in the news.

URL: http://library.vccs.edu/license-bin/linker.plx?fofissues

Issues & Controversies search tips:

• Click on "Access All Topics" from "Quick Access." Then choose Global Warming from the A-Z list.  You will get a balanced analysis and sidebars including key events, statistics, related articles and overviews.

   

Finding Viewpoints and Debates on Global Warming:

Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center  
Provides a complete one-stop source for information on social issues. Access viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to web sites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles.

URL:  http://library.vccs.edu/license-bin/linker.plx?galeovrc

Opposing Viewpoint Resource Center search tips:

• Choose "Global Warming" from the "Popular Topics" list.  You will find viewpoints, reference overviews, magazine, and journal articles, news, primary documents, statistics from Gallup, and NPR podcasts and transcripts. 

See SIRS Researcher as well.

Finding more articles on your refined topics:

Academic OneFile 

Provides millions of full text articles from over 5000 magazines and journals.  An excellent database for you to develop sophisticated search strategies to find articles on your specific research topic, for example: "Are human activities responsible for global warming?" or "Have carbon dioxide emissions caused the global warming?"

URL:  http://library.cc.va.us/license-bin/linker.plx?galeaone

Academic OneFile search tips:

• Try a Subject Guide Search and use the subject, global warming.  Click on the Subdivisions link next to review the terms that fall under Global Warming to find articles that may interest you.

• Or try a Basic Search using Boolean operators and truncation.  See example below:

(global warming OR climate change) AND human activit*

 

For more information about online search strategies, check:

http://teach.jsr.vccs.edu/library/online-search-techniques.htm

If you have the citation of an article, how to obtain the full text?

• Check JSRCC Full Text Periodicals List from Serials Solutions.

• Check local libraries

• Use Interlibrary Loan Services

For more information, check http://teach.jsr.vccs.edu/library/researchguide/stepthree.htm#ILLarticle.

Selective Web Sites:

• Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis - A Report from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, written by 600 climate scientists from more than 40 countries and was reviewed by some 620 other scientists.

• Global Warming - from US Environmental Protection Agency

• Global Warming - from Natural Resources Defense Council

• Global Warming FAQs - from National Climatic Data Center

Citing Sources:

To learn how to compile your Works Cited list in MLA, please check: 

http://www.reynolds.edu/library/assistance/citation.htm