Getting started: Advanced Writing in the Sciences
Tackling a new topic?
If you are unsure of where to start, try looking for a review article first. Review articles attempt to summarize the state of research on a scientific topic. While lengthy & not generally including the very latest research, review articles can be a great way to start to get a handle on a topic. Many databases will allow you to limit your search to include only review articles or literature reviews. There are a number of approaches to searching:
- Search Library Catalogs + Articles with Scholar OneSearch
- Choose a search tool recommended in your subject research guide
- Try an interdisciplinary database, such as Academic Search Premier, JSTOR or Web of Science.
Don't overlook the literature cited at the end of the review - the bibliography contains a wealth of information about the key discoveries & main researchers in the field.
Key Resources
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Web of ScienceCitations and abstracts from scholarly literature in the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Includes conference proceedings, symposia, seminars, colloquia, workshops, and conventions. One of the most comprehensive databases of academic research. See our interactive tutorial on searching Web of Science efficiently and effectively.
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PubMedUse this link for direct full-text access to Northeastern's resources through PubMed.
PubMed comprises more than 32 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites. For tips on searching efficiently and effectively in PubMed, click here. -
ScienceDirectScience Direct is the web site for selected journal titles from the scholarly publisher Elsevier and its affiliates.
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Engineering VillageCombined search of the INSPEC and COMPENDEX databases
Scientific and technical literature in physics, electrical engineering, electronics and computer science from journals, conference proceedings, books and dissertations. -
Compendex with InspecA comprehensive interdisciplinary engineering database, Compendex contains over 9 million records, and references over 5,000 international engineering sources including journals, conferences, and trade publications.
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Computers & Applied Sciences CompleteAbstracts for more than 1,800 academic journals (730 in full text), professional publications, and other reference sources from a diverse collection relating to computer science.
Find more databases of Key Resources by Subject:
The subject guides are a rich source of information for research in the field, containing links not just to articles but to statistics and more. Databases specific to your discipline provide better access to articles, improved searching, and other additional services that can help guide your research.
Examples of what you may find in the subject guides:
- Biology
- Biomedical and Health
- Chemistry
- Computer & Information Science
- Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Sciences (General Resources)
Can't find an article: To request a copy of a journal article that the library doesn't have, please use the ILLiad request form. Most often, an electronic copy of the article is emailed to you within 2-4 days.
Online Reference
Online references are typically sources of information that covers a broad range of topics, such as an encyclopedia. A selection of online reference are listed below. You can also browse the complete list on the library's web site.
Diversity and Anti-Racism in the Sciences
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism are all important topics which cannot be properly discussed in one small section. Instead, this section serves to connect you to relevant research guides and webpages on these topics.
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Guide (DEI) seeks to connect students, staff, faculty and community members to resources related to DEI work that is available throughout Northeastern University Library, Northeastern University, and the surrounding community.
The Anti-Racism Guide seeks to connect students, staff, faculty, and community members to resources related to anti-racism work that are available through Northeastern University Library and Northeastern University.
The Diversity and Anti-Racism in STEM page provides resources for promoting anti-racism and supporting diversity and inclusion in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. For resources in a specific discipline, please check out the guides below:
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Mathematics
- also check your specific subject guides for more resources.
Writing Guidelines
This webpage was designed to help students communicate their technical work---writing, presentations and with media. The guidelines include background information and advice on Assessing the Audience, with guidelines for Correspondence and Report formats.
Research Essentials
A great way to learn more about essential tools that will help you in your research is to check out the numerous library research tutorials. Listed below are a few of these tutorials, please refer to the full list of tutorials to find specific videos you may need.
Research Tutorials
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Primary vs Review ArticlesA handout explaining the differences between a primary source and review articles in research.
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Introduction to Literature Reviews in ResearchA handout explaining what is a literature review in research.
What is the peer review process?
Need More Help?
Click on the name of the subject specialist below for their contact information and subject guides:
- Jodi Bolognese (Engineering, Physics)
- Philip Espinola Coombs (Nursing, Nutrition, Physical Therapy, Movement & Rehabilitation Sciences, Physician Assistant, Gerontology & Geriatrics, Communication Sciences & Disorders)
- Kathy Herrlich (Behavioral Neuroscience, Linguistics, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Psychology, Psychology)
- Luesoni Kuck (Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Health Informatics, Marine Science, Mathematics)
- Alissa Link Cilfone (Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering)
- Brooke Williams (Computer Science and Information Science)
There are other ways to contact a librarian for help:
- Text us at 617-934-7876 for quick questions
- Send us an email/webform question (response in one business day)
- Online chat (available 24/7)