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Earth Science: Background Information, Handbooks, Manuals & Field Guides

A guide for doing research in geology and Earth science.

Reference Works

To find entries in encyclopedias on your topic, use UC Library Search and search your keyword(s). For example: "rock cycle". When you get your results, look on the left toolbar for Resource Type and select Reference Entries.

Below are some examples of encyclopedias in geology & earth science. To find specific articles in encyclopedias, use UC Library Search.

For example:

  • mudflow
  • "rock cycle"  (the quotation marks search as a phrase) 

When you get your results, from the left toolbar select Resource Type > Reference Entries.

Below are some examples of geology & earth science dictionaries. To find others, use UC Library Search and type the word dictionar* plus one or more search terms. The asterisk * (shift 8 on your keyboard) will bring up alternate endings to your word: evolution, evolutionary. 

For example:

  • dictionar* AND mineral*
  • dictionar* AND atmospher*

When you get your results, from the left toolbar select Resource Type > Books.

Below are a few examples of geology & earth science handbooks, manuals, and field guides. To find others, use UC Library Search, modeling from the sample searches below. The asterisk * (shift 8 on your keyboard) will bring up alternate endings to your word: atmosphere, atmospheric.

For example:

  • (handbook OR manual) AND "specific gravity"
  • (handbook OR manual) AND stratigraph*
  • "field guide" AND rock* AND California

When you get your results, from the left toolbar select Resource Type > Books.

Below are some examples of writing and publishing guides useful for Earth Science. To find others, use UC Library Search.

Use quotation marks to search your term as a complete phrase. Use the asterisk * wildcard to search all variant endings of your word: geolog* will retrieve geology, geological...

For example:

  • ("technical writing" OR "academic writing") AND geolog*

When you get your results, from the left toolbar select Resource Type > Books. You can also filter by recent years.

Why Use These Sources?

Encyclopedias:

  • Encyclopedias provide excellent introductions to many aspects of research and can provide you with keywords to use in your searches.

Dictionaries:

  • Subject dictionaries are a great way to familiarize yourself with words and phrases used in research.

Handbooks & Manuals:

  • These sources are often good for providing established scientific techniques in research.

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