Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias
Books and journals are likely to be the best sources of information on health science topics, but sometimes you will need background reading (i.e. summaries of concepts, or lists of terms associated with the subject).
Dictionaries and encyclopaedias can serve this purpose. Knowing a bit about the topic will help when you start searching The University of Adelaide Library Catalogue and databases for more detailed books and journal articles. Use dictionaries and encyclopaedias to find the important terminology associated with topics. Also note any useful citations listed at the end of encyclopaedia articles. These often refer to key articles by leading researchers in the field and will usually be useful to read to strengthen your knowledge of a new subject.
Dictionaries
Medical dictionaries can be in the Reference collection, or the Main Collection at the following call numbers:
| 570.3 & 574.03 |
Biology |
610.3 |
Medicine |
| 572 & 574.19203 |
Biochemistry |
610.3 & 610.7303 |
Nursing |
| 574.2903 |
Immunology |
614.403 |
Public Health |
| 575.103 |
Genetics |
615.03 |
Pharmacology |
| 576.03 & 616.01 |
Microbiology |
617.6003 |
Dentistry |
Online Medical Dictionaries
Dictionaries such as Dorland's illustrated medical dictionary are very useful when you need to find the meaning of terms.
Dorland's is comprehensive and offers succinct definitions and cross references.
While it's too big to carry with you, it can be very useful when you're in the library.
Encyclopaedias
Most encyclopaedias have an index. Use the index to begin searching for information in an encyclopaedia.
Medical encyclopaedias are mostly in the Reference Collection or Main Collection.
Here are the call numbers of some:
| McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science and technology 10th ed |
Ref 503 M14.10 |
| Encyclopedia of human biology 2nd ed |
612.003 D879e.2 |
| Encyclopedia of immunology |
574.2903 R741e |
| Encyclopedia of molecular biology |
Ref 574.8803 K33e |
| Encyclopedia of molecular biology and molecular medicine |
Ref 611.01816 M613e |
| Encyclopedia of public health |
Online |
When consulting encyclopaedias, it's useful to note
- whether they have an index
- whether they list citations at the end of articles
- whether their articles are brief definitions, summaries or extensive surveys
- their publication dates and whether they cover recent developments
Go to the next section Requests
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