Resources for Research in Nursing
This research guide lists sources from AUM's Library and others on the Web that you can use for research on nursing topics. If you have questions, please:
- go to the Reference Desk on the Library's second floor
- call the Reference Desk at 334-244-3649 when we are open
- contact Barbara Hightower, Library's liaison with the School of Nursing, at bhighto1@aum.edu or 334-244-3994
- Ask A Librarian by e-mail
Reference Sources
Reference sources and librarians at the Reference Desk can help you:
- explore potential topics that interest you
- find background information on your chosen topic
- locate brief factual information like statistics, dates, names, and places quickly
- create a list of words that describe your topic (You'll need these when you search for books and articles on your topic.)
- determine the best sources for finding information on your topic
The print reference sources listed here are a sample of what's available in the Reference Collection on the second floor of the Library. Books with call numbers beginning with the letter R relate to health sciences, so you can browse that area for other books of interest.
For more information on health sciences reference sources, consult:
- Introduction to Reference Sources in the Health Sciences
Reference: R118.6 .Z9 I54 2004Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
- Black's Medical Dictionary
Reference: R121 .B598- Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary
Reference: R121 .D73- Mosby's Medical, Nursing, & Allied Health Dictionary
Reference: R121 .M89- Stedman's Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions & Nursing
Reference: R121 .S8- Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary
Reference: R121 .T144- Dictionary of Medical Acronyms and Abbreviations
Reference: R123 .J24- Stedman's Abbrev: Abbreviations, Acronyms & Symbols
Reference: R123 .S69- Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Allied Health
Reference: R121 .M65- Encyclopedia of Nursing Research
Reference: RT81.5 .E53- Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Reference: RC41.G35- Reference Collections - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Medications
- Lippincott’s Nursing Drug Guide
Reference: RM301.12 .L57- Mosby’s Nursing Drug Reference
Reference: RM301.12 .M67- PDR Nurse's Drug Handbook
Reference: RM125 .P472- Physicians' Desk Reference for Nonprescription Drugs and Dietary Supplements
Reference Desk: RM671 .A1 P48Statistics
Journal Articles
To find journal articles, use the Library's online databases which are accessible off campus.
The entire text of many articles is included in the Library's databases. If an article is not in the database you are searching, you may be able to find it in another database or in the Library's Periodicals Collection by:
- clicking on Article Linker
OR- typing the journal title into Serials Solutions (AUM)
Journals in the Periodicals Collection on the second floor of the Library are arranged by call number. Ask at the Reference Desk if you need assistance.
You may request articles that are not available in the Library's resources through Interlibrary Loan.
Some of the databases listed here can be searched using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), a hierarchical listing of words describing the content of publications.
Nursing, Medicine, & Health Databases
- Alt HealthWatch (AUM)
- CINAHL Plus with Full Text (AUM)
- Cochrane Library (AUM)
- Health Source: Consumer Edition (AUM)
- Health Source: Nursing/Academic (AUM)
- ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source (AUM)
- PsycARTICLES (AUM)
- PsycINFO (AUM)
- Public Library of Science (PLoS)
- PubMed
- Journals - find full journal titles from abbreviated titles
- PubMed Tutorial
Legal Databases
- LexisNexis Academic (AUM)
- Westlaw Campus (AUM)
Government Information
You'll find a wealth of health sciences information, whether for professionals or consumers, in documents published by the federal government.
The AUM Library is a regional depository for federal government documents. Government Documents is located on the third floor of the Library, Phase I. Government information is also available full text on the Web.
Finding Government Information
- AUM Library Catalog
- USA.gov
- GPO Access
- MedlinePlus
- National Library of Medicine Databases & Electronic Resources
- Science.gov
- LexisNexis Statistical (AUM)
Health-Related Government Agencies
- Department of Health & Human Services
- Agency for Health Care Research and Quality
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Food & Drug Administration
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- National Institutes of Health
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency: Human Health
Books
Books shelved on the third through sixth floors can be checked out. These books are listed in the Library's online catalog. Also check the database netLibrary for eBooks that are available online.
You may request books that are not available in the Library through Interlibrary Loan or Universal Borrowing.
- AUM Library Catalog - books in the Library
- netLibrary (AUM) - eBooks online
- National Academies Press
- WorldCat (AUM)
World Wide Web
Check out these sources for reliable health information on the Web.
- The Medical Library Association Encyclopedic Guide to Searching and Finding Health Information on the Web
Reference: R859.7 .I58 M436 2004- HON (Health on the Net Foundation)
- INFOMINE Scholarly Internet Resource Collections
- Scout Archives
- Librarians' Internet Index
Citing Your Sources
Why do sources have to be cited?
- to give credit to the original author
- to avoid plagiarism
- to help others find and verify information
You can read more about plagiarism in CQ Researcher (September 19, 2003).
How do I cite sources?
Copies of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association are available at the Reference Desk on the second floor. You can also consult the APA's Web site for information on citing electronic sources.