CHEM 4511W: Advanced Physical Chemistry Lab

Finding Background Information for Physical Chemistry & Chemical Physics

Encyclopedias and handbooks are a good way to get a broad overview and context for a subject and helpful for deciphering research articles. References at the ends of articles lead you to further relevant information.

Other helpful sources of background information are review articles and trade magazines. You can find those using databases like SciFinder-n, Scopus, and Web of Science and limiting by Document Type or Treatment Type.

Finding Chemical & Physical Property Data

Finding Research Articles in Chemistry

Articles are the primary way scientists communicate research results. Use an article index or database to find articles on your topic; the citation includes article information like article title, author, journal name, issue, year, and the abstract. 

When you are starting to delve into a new subject, review articles are your best friends. Most article databases will allow you to limit your search just to this type of publication or document. The long reference lists in review articles are also a good way to identify key articles.

Creating References & Bibliographies

Importing to Zotero from SciFinder-n:

  1. Select reference(s) of interest by checking numbered box(es)
  2. Select Download Results (down arrow icon) at the top right of results list.
  3. Under File Type, select Citation (.ris).
  4. Change the File Name to something you'll recognize.
  5. Select Download.
  6. You can choose to Open the file with Zotero (it will import). Otherwise, save the file, open Zotero, select File then Import, locate the RIS file and select it, and it will be added to your Zotero library.

ACS Style is not a default style in Zotero. Go to the Zotero Style Repository to download the ACS .csl file at
https://www.zotero.org/styles?q=American%20Chemical%20Society. Find instructions on installing new styles at https://www.zotero.org/support/styles.

Off-Campus Access to Library Journals & Databases

In addition to going through links on the library website, we have 2 other ways to access resources from off-campus.

Last Updated: Feb 29, 2024 3:17 PM