Molecular Genetics 4606

This is the course guide for Molecular Genetics 4606

Bonus information

Do we have access to ebooks (not just textbooks, but also fictional/fun books) through the OSU libraries? How to check out normal, casual-read books?  Yes! Did you know you can get a Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) card with your BuckID at Thompson Library and get those books sent there too? You may even be able to apply on-line and get a card mailed to you (https://www.columbuslibrary.org/card-application)! After getting your CML card, you can download their app, called CML Mobile, browse their catalog, request items and select "CML OSU Thompson" for delivery. Also, you can download the app Libby, enter your CML credentials, and get eBooks and audiobooks. The due dates will be determined by which library it was borrowed from, typically 2-3 weeks. Happy reading!

I’m curious about finding free one on one tutoring/What other resources are on campus to help with studying?​ Check out the Younkin Success Center - they offer some tutoring, and will know of further resources! Also check out the resources under the 'Tips, Tricks, and Help' tab. 

Did you know the library has streaming videos to watch? We buy streaming videos for file studies, but you can watch them for fun too! Check them out at our Film Studies guide: https://guides.osu.edu/FilmStudies

 

Decisions about databases and searching...

How can I:

- search for peer-reviewed/scholarly/academic material?

- choose between different sources/databases? 

- efficiently sort through results?

- navigate the different databases?

- find the best results?

- find what resources are even available?

The first answer: The main Biology Guides! There are four main biology guides that list all the resources that are useful. Its categories can help you choose between different databases, making you more efficient and yielding better results. 

The second answer: develop a search strategy to meet your needs. Use the filters and terms to limit your searches. Keep track of your searches and use a management system for your results (like Zotero) prevents duplication of work! 

Specific Curiosities

I wish that someone had taught me how to use the in-person resources more. Most of my classes have focused more on the online library resources but have not really covered how to find and checkout books from the physical library. Our current in-person services are a bit curtailed. Before COVID, you browse the books at each library, study with groups in study rooms, and meet with librarians in-person. Now you can study individually, but browsing isn't allowed and virtual assistance is preferred. However, since most of any academic library is virtual anyway, and we have numerous locations, mastering on-line searching is really the key to library success!

I wish there was a full list of what libraries we had access to and what specifics can be found where. We have many libraries and archives, but some aren't open to public and others have been forced to modify their hours due to COVID. For a preview of all the local locations, check our library hours here: https://library.osu.edu/locations. However, because we are such a large library system and want all our content to be available to as many people as possible, we have a continual flow of books and materials between locations. So the easiest way to know what can be found where is to find it via the library website and have it sent to the location of your choice!

What things I have access to? We have over 5.8 million volumes and subscriptions to thousands of journals, as well as over a quarter of a million items in our special collections. We also provide access to almost all of the items at academic institutions in Ohio and the Big Ten schools. In short, if you have a curiosity, we probably have information about it - just ask! We can help you navigate this very large system and let you know about additional support programs too!!

How to narrow down my search? Because we live in a world of information overload (and it's the same with academic libraries), have a strategy is key! Examples of strategy include: Starting with a subject guide narrows it some, as you can choose a more targeted database. Then building a good search string (too many results? add some words; too few? get more general). Use the filters - by language, date, type of article, etc. Remember that research is iterative, so you will need to tweak your strategy as you learn about your topic. 

How to navigate all the selections of books the OSU libraries have to offer students. The easiest way to start navigating the libraries books is to start with the 'Books and more' tab on the Libraries webpage. However, remember that some specific subjects will have databases of eBooks, and knowing those could be really handy. How do you find that out? Check out the subject guide for your topic!

Honestly I would love to know how many people actually use the books in the library as opposed to online databases and other resources. While we don't have numbers for non-library activities, we do count the usage of our libraries (otherwise, how could we justify our $47,685,684 budget?). In the 2018/2019 year, 238,253 physical items were checked out, and 4,328,166 full-text articles were downloaded. So we definitely see much more on-line access to articles than we do physical books being checked out. It's a bit harder to quantify other resources in the library, but we know that we loaned 81,315 items to people outside of OSU, and we borrowed 52,773 items from other libraries on behalf of OSU users (note: these aren't counted in the circulation count above). Our electronic gates also counted 4,103,455 visits! That's a lot of stuff and a lot of people!

What does OSU have regarding organizing and evaluating? OSU has a number of experts that can help you with evaluating information as well as the eBook Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic ResearchFor organization, I recommend using citation managers to collect, sort, and organize academic literature. My favorite is Zotero, but any of them are good. I even made a prototype video on Zotero here: https://mediasite.osu.edu/Mediasite/Play/906ff1a3f5b94265b767d26f071afe321d

I'm curious about how to use those resources for classes. Library resources come in handy when looking for textbooks, completing assignments that require you to delve further into a topic, looking for a study space or even just to talk to someone about what other resources there might be at OSU. Don't ever hesitate to ask - if we don't know the answer, we'll point you towards someone who might!

Is there a computer where I can just look up what I need, and it'll tell me where to go to find the book? We do have some computers in most of the libraries, but there isn't any need for a separate library computer to access library resources. Finding a book is as easy as typing a topic in the 'Books and more' tab on the Libraries webpage and then working the filters to narrow your choices (hint: click on 'modify search' at the top to get access to many filters). Once you find an item you are interested in, it may be available on-line, a physical item located somewhere, or non-circulating. On-line items can be accessed with your name.#, physical items can be sent to whatever library or dorm location you choose (hint: look for the 'Request this item' at the top), and non-circulating items may require you to contact the library to set up an appointment. 

How has getting information from library resources changed amidst the COVID pandemic? For our physical library collections, it just means you have to wait a little longer sometimes and go to Thompson Library for contact-less pickup and return. For our electronic resources, some publishers were opening information for free for awhile, but most have gone back to being pay-walled. For the information environment in general, it is the wild west!! Many more scientific articles are being released prior to peer-review, and the volume overall has increased! There has been an never-before-seen increase in predatory publishing scams, misinformation, and outright fraud. Sharpen your information evaluation skills, because we're all going to need them in the future!

How to be more effective while finding relevant information for my assignments. Strategy is key to effectiveness, as well as developing good search terms, using database filters, and having a process by which you quickly discard information. Research is iterative, so your process may cycle a couple of times for a big project, but be pretty straightforward for a small one. I recommend starting with a subject guide, doing some preliminary searching, gathering information in a citation manger, evaluating it, going back to search for information you may have missed, gather that, evaluate, etc. until you have what you need to complete your task. For bigger projects I recommend tracking what databases you've searched, when, how many results and what exact search terms you used - this really cuts down on duplication!

Honestly, everything (organization, information searching), because I feel like no one ever talks about it; Students are not really familiar with the library systems, so they are reluctant to use them. YES!! We teach about the libraries in a number of different venues (https://library.osu.edu/teaching), but it can be easy to be missed. Academic libraries are much more complex and difficult to use than other types of libraries; use very different organization systems and require different searching strategy. Please don't be reluctant to ask about the libraries - we often hear students bemoan that they didn't learn about them earlier! Check out this guide, the website, or just ask us - it will likely make your academic experience easier!

I want to know the best way to find reliable information in the library. The nice thing about using library resources is that they've already been vetted for reliability - so you don't have to be as on alert for fake information. Subject guides are a great place to start, but once you get familiar with the library website, you may want to go directly to a favorite database or resource. 

What are all the resources available? We have over 5.8 million volumes and subscriptions to thousands of journals, as well as over a quarter of a million items in our special collections. We also provide access to almost all of the items at academic institutions in Ohio and the Big Ten schools. In short, if you have a curiosity, we probably have information about it - just ask! We can help you navigate this very large system and let you know about additional support programs too!!

I’m curious about how the OSU library system works. The basic components of an academic library are 1) electronic articles in commercial databases (which often have overlapping content), 2) print books, 3) eBooks (which may be listed separately or be in database collections), 4) print journals with articles, 5) special collection material (like ancient manuscripts, original artwork, etc.), and 6) experts that know how to evaluate, collect, and use these items. So it's pretty complex. We try and make as much visible through our website, but that can lead to more confusion. When in doubt, please ask us - we're always happy to help!

How to access resources/texts online/how to search for information. The key to good searching is getting rid of irrelevant stuff quickly. You have two choices of where to start: if you have a topic in mind, starting with a subject guide narrows your options of databases, but if you don't have a topic in mind, you can start on the library webpage and explore. If you find your access blocked, make sure your are logged in to the library system with your name/#. Use the filters to limit your searches, particularly if you only want on-line items, or only peer-reviewed, or only eBooks. When you hit a snag, reach out and ask us - it will save you time and energy!

I am curious about what libraries are for full time access and what is only on the internet! Everything we can put on-line, we do! It is much cheaper and easier to access electronic resources, so we generally will choose an eBook over a print one, or an electronic article over the print version. Access to our library spaces has been more difficult due to COVID, so unfortunately, we no longer offer a 24/7 access to the 18th Avenue Library. I suggest checking our locations and hours before venturing forth. 

How to find and evaluate what sources are relevant enough to be utilized versus ones that only tangentially discuss my topic. This is down to good searching skills. It's easy to turn up something on a topic, it is much harder to identify a specific concept or get targeted information efficiently. When you are only turning up tangential information, add or substitute terms that better characterize what you are looking for (example: I want to know if race affects glasses-wearing. 'Vision health disparity race' is a better search term than 'glasses racial prejudice'. I'm more specific to the field of vision health.). Also, when you find an on-target item, look at it's keywords and follow their footnotes/citations. Following citations is an excellent method of finding information on niche topics. When stuck, ask us!

I am interested in how to find information in libraries for specific areas of research/I’d just like to know where to start. Subject guides! They are curated by experts and so eliminate some of the confusing search interfaces. 

I have no idea how to find an actual book. Are we even allowed to check them out? Yes! For access to print information, you can search our catalog here: https://library.ohio-state.edu/. Alternatively, you can search the OHIOLink catalog and get the item shipped to an OSU library (http://olc1.ohiolink.edu/search/). Bear in mind that only a few million of our print volumes are on-campus, as we store most of our materials at remote locations. You just click on the 'request an item' link and we'll either set up contactless pick up at Thompson Library, send it to a different OSU library, or send it to your dorm (https://library.osu.edu/COVID19). 

 

Organize and cite your information

Some want to know:

- how to keep your bookmarked or downloaded articles together and make citing easier?

I don't recommend storing searches in databases, as database composition tends to change quite a bit, and you have to create a separate personal account in each one. Instead, I recommend using a citation management software, like Zotero, that allows you to easily save your articles and webpages in one place, as well as create a reference list from them. It's also easy to de-duplicate when you collect the same article from different databases, making it easier to sift through results. However, I do encourage keeping track of your searches with a table or spreadsheet. This prevents you from searching the same database over and over again with the same terms.