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Science and Technology Studies : Scientific Information

A collection of databases and reference sources for Science and Technology Studies compiled for students, faculty and researchers at York University.

Types of Documents

Patents: government granted license to an invention

Journals: Research results are presented in periodicals

Books:
  • Reference: encyclopedia, tables, data collections, properties
  • Manuals: lab methods, programming language, operating systems
  • Monographs: general topics

Conference proceedings: Research results presented at a meeting. Often peer-reviewed, but not always.

Technical specifications: how a device of component works i.e. circuit diagrams

Code library: database of source code listings or linkable subroutines

Peer Reviewed Articles

What is peer-reviewed?

    Peer-reviewed or refereed articles are articles that have gone through a vigorous process of approval by a panel of experts in that particular field before publication. Through this process of selection, the idea is that these articles are considered credible sources of information and the best in the field.       

 

How to identify a peer-reviewed article?

    To identify if an article is peer reviewed or referred you must check if the journal that the article is published in is peer-reviewed. The link provided demonstrates the steps neccessary to identify if a journal is peer reviewed by using Ulrich's International Periodical Directory.

Defining Primary and Scondary Sources


Primary sources in the sciences are different than primary sources in the social sciences and humanities. This section defines what the difference is between a primary and secondary source with examples.  

To find scientific primary sources for your research papers, use the science databases suggested in the Journal Articles section.

 

What is a primary source?

Primary sources are:

  • First hand/original data document or record

 

What is a secondary source?

Secondary sources are:

  • Published/unpublished work that summarizes, anlayzes, and/or evaluates the original source of work.

Flow of Scientific Information

Flow of Scientific Information, University of Waterloo, 2007

Humanities/Historical Information

 

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/108860515965537438/