Encyclopedias and dictionaries in the sciences may be used to fnd background information and definitions of terms prior to beginning a research project. Often an encyclopedia article will include a bibliography of recommended readings. Databases should be the next source used for information because they will contain current and accurate information from scholarly journals and popular magazines. Finally, further information of study help may be obtained from Internet resources.
REFERENCE Q121 .M3 2007
McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science & technology. 10th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007.
This encyclopedia contains over 7000 articles listed by broad subject categories such as (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.) It is intended for those who wish to use the encyclopedia for self-study, however many articles have a high technical level. Each articles is accompanied by an excellent bibliography.
REFERENCE Q121 .T74 2003
Trefil, James S. The nature of science : an A-Z guide to the laws and principles governing our universe. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003.
A guide to the laws of science.
REFERENCE HM846 .S43 2005
Science, technology, and society : an encyclopedia. Edited by Sal P. Restivo. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.
A collection of articles on the relationships between science and technology and society. Articles includes bibliographies of sources.
History
REFERENCE Q125 .O86 2003
The Oxford companion to the history of modern science. Edited by J. L. Heilbron. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
The Oxford Companion to the History of Modern Science is a one-volume encyclopedia offering an excellent overview of the field of science and its development over the past few generations, ranging from biographies on Galileo and Dorothy Hodgkin to the discussions chronicling the change of science from simply a tool of learning to a major force in society. Along with chemistry, physics, and biology, the major scientific disciplines are represented in this alphabetically arranged work including astrology, ethnology, and zoology, among many others. The coverage is not limited to just one geographical area but is world-wide, tracing science from its traditional centres and explaining how non-western societies have modified and contributed to its global arena.
REFERENCE BL240.3 .S37 2007
Science, religion, and society : an encyclopedia of history, culture, and controversy. Edited by Arri Eisen and Gary Laderman. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 2007.
Includes a section of general overviews on science from the perspective of the world's major religions, historical perspectives, and sections on scientific and religious approaches to such questions as evolution, consciousness, healing, death and genetics.
REFERENCE Q125 .H557 1991
Hellemans, Alexander and Bryan H. Bunch. The timetables of science : a chronology of the most important people and events in the history of science. 1st Touchstone , New, updated ed. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1991.
Parallel tables showing discoveries in general science, astronomy, life sciences, mathematics, and technology from 2,400,000 B.C. to the present day. Overview essays at the beginning of each historical period summarize important discoveries. A detailed index facilitates locating specific events.
REFERENCE Q125 .O26 1997
Ochoa, George and Melinda Corey. The Wilson chronology of science and technology. New York: H.W. Wilson, 1997.
A brief identification of major technological achievements listed chronologically from prehistoric times to the latter twentieth century. There is an appendix of birth and death dates for scientists, an extensive bibliography, and an index to aid locating events.
Science & Ethics
REFERENCE Q175.35 .B37 2002
Barber, Nigel. Encyclopedia of ethics in science and technology. New York: Facts on File, 2002.
A single-volume guide to the key controversies, persons, and topics in the ethics of science. Entries are generally less than a page in length and include brief bibliographies of recommended readings.
REFERENCE Q175.35 .E53 2005
Encyclopedia of science, technology, and ethics. Edited by Carl Mitcham. Detroit, MI: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005.
A multi-volume encyclopedia covering emerging ethical issues in science and technology, with articles generally longer with longer bibliographies than Barber's Encyclopedia of Ethics in Science and Technology. The first volume opens with a series of introductory essays on such topics as citizen participation in regulating scientific activities, ethics of technolopgical advances, and research ethics. Many articles cover fairly broad topics, such as ethics in architecture and ethics in certain countries or regions.
