BMB 110: Plagues Past and Present Course Guide

Selecting a Disease: Some Sources of Inspiration

• ProMED-Mail (information also available via HealthMap): Human outbreaks and/or zoonoses
• CDC: Nationally Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Diseases Related to Travel
• Literature: URSUS or NoveList Plus keywords [disease] and fiction. Check URSUS and MaineCat for the availability of NoveList Plus books.
• Art: Check resources listed in the Art Guide
• Wikipedia: Search by disease, epidemic, or pandemic, and look for section labels like "[Disease] in art and literature", "Society and culture", "Cultural impact", "Literary and popular culture references", etc.

Researching Your Topic

• Planning to do library research off campus?
  • Activate your library card at the Fogler Library circulation desk so you can use library resources off campus. Wait a day or two for complete activation.
  • Computer problems? See Remote Access Troubleshooting and Remote Access help for the URSUS catalog.
• Useful starting points: CDC, MedlinePlus, Merck Manual (home edition and professional edition), reference books listed on library guides
• Further details:
  • Biology and medicine databases: MEDLINE or PubMed, BIOSIS Previews
  • History and policy databases: PAIS, databases on History portal
  • Art: databases on Art portal, also news sources
  • News sources: ProQuest Newspapers, LexisNexis Academic, New York Times Historical, databases on Communication and Journalism portal
  • Books: URSUS, MaineCat, WorldCat.org
  • Consult with a librarian

Search Tips

Check database guides for detailed instructions.

Also:

• Document your research process--list the databases you used, the search terms you tried, etc.
• In many databases, the "advanced" search option will provide more options and flexibility
• Try using official subject terms (using the "thesaurus", "headings", "MeSH", etc. options)
• Try alternative terminology: leprosy or Hansen's disease
• Truncate or use a wildcard (usually *): polio* to find polio as well as poliomyelitis

Combining Terms

AND Leprosy and art
OR Leprosy or Hansen's Disease

Limits

Commonly available limits: publication year, language (and sometimes "human").

Finding Materials at Fogler Library...and Beyond

See Finding Items at Fogler Library and Getting Items from Other Libraries.

Notes:

• Most article copies requested from other libraries are free, but sometimes the other libraries charge delivery and copying fees. On the request form, indicate the maximum cost you are willing to pay in case there is a charge.
• Photocopied articles are sent to Fogler Library.
• If you are going to visit another library, call before you travel. Check hours, policies, copying fees, and whether the issue you need is available.

Questions?

Nancy Curtis, 581-1679 Science & Engineering Center, 581-1691

Reference Desk, 581-1673 Ask A Librarian

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Created by: Nancy Curtis | Revised: 01/11/2013