BMB 110: Plagues: Past and Present Course Guide

Selecting a Disease: Some Sources of Inspiration

ProMED-Mail (also available via HEALTHmap): Human outbreaks and/or zoonoses
CDC: Nationally Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Diseases Related to Travel
Literature: URSUS keywords [disease] and fiction, NoveList database--check URSUS and MaineCat for availability
Art: Check resources listed in the Art Guide (Web Gallery of Art, print reference sources)
Wikipedia: Search by disease, look for "[Disease in] art and literature" section

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 How to Connect.
Useful starting points: CDC, MedlinePlus, Merck Manual (home edition and professional edition), reference books listed on library guides
Further details:
- Biology and medicine: MEDLINE or PubMed, BIOSIS Previews
- History and policy: PAIS (and its Archive), databases on History portal
- Art: databases on Art portal, also news sources
- News sources: Newspapers (Proquest), LexisNexis Academic, New York Times Historical
- Books(!): URSUS, MaineCat, WorldCat.org
- Consult with a librarian
Databases are designed for use worldwide (not just here), so they refer to items we don't own.
Sometimes the full text of articles is included in databases. However, you will find additional articles online through links in the URSUS catalog, and even more articles in the print journals at the library, and through interlibrary loan.

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 (from "thesaurus", "headings", "MeSH")
Try alternative terminology: leprosy and also Hansen's disease
Truncate or use a wildcard (usually *): polio* to find polio as well as poliomyelitis

AND Leprosy and art
OR Leprosy or Hansen's Disease

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

Notes:

Most article copies are free, but sometimes 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.
Paper copies 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.

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

Reference Desk, 581-1673
Ask A Librarian

Created by: Nancy Curtis | Revised: 01/25/2008