Research Resources for Physics Postgraduates

Literature Reviews

A literature review is part of the introduction to an essay, research report, or thesis. It provides an overview and critical analysis of relevant published scholarly articles, research reports, books, theses etc on the topic or issue to be investigated. See the introductory Kevin St Library Guide:  Guide Getting started with literature reviews or use some of the following links:

Databases

Databases for Postgraduates & Researchers

 Subject Databases for Physics

  • See also the full DIT Library database subscription listing
  • To access the Databases from outside the DIT network you need a current student number and a Library Pin. See the Access from Home link.
  • * The IEEE Xplore Digital Library database requires an Athens password when accessing from home.

Search Engines

Summon

What does Summon search? Summon is a search engine that provides relevance ranked results from DIT Library's online collections in a one single search. It includes records and citations from the DIT Library's databases, eJournals eBooks and theses collections.

Summon and Google Scholar search different bodies of scholarly content. There is overlap, but there is content in Summon not in Google Scholar, and vice-versa. Results in Summon are reflective of DIT Library's collections — as a DIT Library patron, you have access to most full-text you can find in Summon.

Google Scholar

Some features unique to Google Scholar:

    • "Cited by” information e.g. “Cited by 43 publications"
    • Google Books content
    • Issues accessing full-text not subscribed to by DIT Library. See Inter Library Loans for more information.
    • Set your Google Scholar Preferences to Dublin Institute of Technology Find @DIT to link to DIT subscribed full-text.

Science Search Engines

Institutional Repositories

Arrow containing the fulltext of the institute's theses & publications RIAN Irish Research Portal: from 7 unis & DIT 
DART-Europe E-Thesis Portal : full text research theses from 276 unis Research Scope : TARA, LENUS & RCSI
ROAR : Registry of Open Access Repositories Sherpa & OpenDoar IR directories

eJournals

eBooks

  • Browse via the eBook link -  most of the physics texts are in the MyiLibrary section. Or carry out a specific title search on the Library Catalogue and click on the ebook content links.

Exam Papers, Theses and Program Documents

Fulltext Options & Other Academic Libraries

If DIT journal subscriptions do not cover the articles you require you may apply for an Inter Library Loan. Alternatively postgraduates may apply for an ALCID and /or a SCONUL card to visit another academic library over an academic year. To search other academic library catalogues for titles not held in DIT Library click here.

Subject Links

Two useful academic subject resources on the web are Pinakes Subject LaunchPad and INTUTE: a collection of academic related weblinks and etutorials designed by a team of subject specialists. Try the Intute Physics guide and etutorial or some of the following links:

Arxiv ePrints CERN NIST Physics  SCIRUS
AIP Infomine PhysicsWorld SciCentral
Codata: Physical Constants Internet Physicist PhysicsWeb  TechXtra

Current Awareness Tools, Impact Factors & Professional Networking

 Register with a selection of these tools to keep up with research trends. See also the Kevin St Library Guide Guide Keeping research up-to-date:

Referencing, Citing & Endnote

Citing and referecing the information sources used in research is essential to avoid plagiarism. See the Kevin St Library Guide Guide Referencing and citing guide for introduction purposes. Another useful link is How to Avoid Plagiarism. Each subject and School has its own citation style - check with your supervisor if in doubt.

Endnote is bibliographic citation software which allows you to store and organise your references using a choice of citation style. DIT has an institutional licence to Endnote X3. EndnoteWeb is the freeware version.

Information Skills Help

Summer Services

 Kevin St Library offers the following services to postgraduates during the months of July & August.

Contacts

 

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