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Reference tools to get started
Dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference tools listed below can help with your research by providing an overview of your topic, references or bibliographies for further research, and identifying your topic's key terms, issues, and language to locate and verify information.
- AccessScience This link opens in a new windowScholarly and up-to-date articles on the sciences and social sciences, illustrations and graphics, and bibliographies. Search either the Encyclopedia or the Science Dictionary for best results. Try the subject-specific study guides for background on a topic.
- WikipediaUse for general overviews and potential lists of useful resources and links. The entries often cite reputable resources such as books in our library, or .gov or .edu online resources.
Popular science magazines and newspapers
Use these databases and online magazines to find articles and news on your topic
- Science Reference Center This link opens in a new windowScience Reference Center contains the full text for nearly 640 science encyclopedias, reference books, periodicals, etc. Topics covered include: biology, chemistry, earth & space science, environmental science, health & medicine, history of science, life science, physics, science & society, science as inquiry, scientists, technology and wildlife.
- Physics TodayPhysics Today, the flagship publication of the American Institute of Physics, is the most influential and closely followed physics magazine in the world. With authoritative features, full news coverage and analysis, and fresh perspectives on technological advances and ground-breaking research, Physics Today informs readers about science and its role in society.
- Science NewsLook here for current news in all the sciences.
- Scientific AmericanThe Library also has the complete archives online.
- DiscoverPopular science magazine.
- National GeographicOnline version of this well known magazine. Trinity also owns the archives.
- New ScientistNews magazine of the latest advances in science and technology.
- New York Times (website site license) This link opens in a new windowTrinity College's site license to the New York Times (nytimes.com). Note: Individual registration is required. Log in with your institutional credentials. Create a NYTimes.com account using your institutional email – or use your pre-existing profile. Faculty and staff must re-register every four years. Students have access until graduation.
**Once an account is created, access the New York Times via https://www.nytimes.com/ rather than this link** - New York Times (ProQuest Historical Newspapers) This link opens in a new windowArchive of the New York Times from 1851-2019. Contains New York Times Index.
Best Bets--Article Databases
Search these databases for articles for essays, history and criticism of science fiction literature.
- JSTOR This link opens in a new windowArchive of past issues of scholarly journals from all areas of study. Includes full runs of covered journals, excluding content from the past 2-5 years. Includes full runs of covered journals. NOTE: Internet Explorer is no longer supported by JSTOR. See 'More Info' re: browser troubleshooting.
- Science Fiction Studies in JSTORScience Fiction Studies is a refereed scholarly journal devoted to the study of the genre of science fiction, broadly defined. It publishes articles about science fiction and book reviews on science fiction criticism; it does not publish fiction.
- Project MUSE (Journals and E-Books) This link opens in a new windowFull text of all journals of the John Hopkins University Press as well as some other selected university publishers. An important academic resource for the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Coverage generally from 1990s forward. Trinity also has full-text access to select eBooks from Project MUSE.