Astronomy
Your Librarian
Fall 2024 Zotero Workshops
Register for one of these "Getting Started with Zotero" workshops to learn more!
Thursday, September 19 from 11:30am-12:30pm (IN PERSON in W.E.B. Du Bois Library, Calipari Room)
Tuesday, September 24 from 4:00-5:00pm (ON ZOOM)
Wednesday, October 16 from 1:25-2:15pm (IN PERSON in W.E.B. Du Bois Library, Calipari Room)
Thursday, October 24 from 10:00-11:00am (ON ZOOM)
Writing Resources
- Scholarly vs Popular (NC State)
- Developing a Search Strategy (Librarian S.Lucchesi)
- Test your plagiarism skills (Everett Community College)
Get Help!
- Get Help
- For library help
- Database Help
- Email dbhelp@umass.libanswers.com
- IT Help Desk
- For computer help; phone 413-545-9400, email it@umass.edu, or chat with a consultant
Welcome and Overview
Welcome to the Astronomy Research Guide
This guide will give you some ideas for places to start gathering information about topics in astronomy, as well as some tips and tricks for researching your topic.
The tabs on the left have more information about the following topics:
For help with your research, please contact your librarian, Paulina Borrego
Types of Information in Library Databases
|
Information Type |
Content and uses |
Authority |
Audience |
Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Books |
Technical information written by experts Learn about a topic, gather background information, historical and/or technical overviews |
Author's and publisher's credentials | Varies depending on author's intent |  |
| Newspapers and Trade Magazines |
News and journalistic reporting on events, industry developments Follow events, industry trends |
Written & edited by journalists and industry experts | General public, scholars, and professionals |  |
| Scholarly Journals & Conference Proceedings |
Research conducted by experts in a field Content is advanced & technical Read about primary research written by scholars |
Peer-reviewed, edited by experts | Scholars, researchers, and professionals |  |
| Patents |
Legal document disclosing a novel, useful invention Identify new research fronts or learn how something works |
Created by inventors, reviewed by government patent examiners | Innovators and scholars |  |
| Technical Reports | Report on research to funding agency | Created by researchers | Funding agencies |  |
