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Biology

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Summon Search

Search Options | Summon Help

Search Tips and Examples:

Use the following examples as a guide for what to type in the Summon search box:

  • microbology AND fungus
  • ("genetics OR inheritance") AND disorders
  • evolution AND genetics NOT chromosomes
  • (ecology OR ecosystem OR population) AND pollution

Once you have a list of results, use the option in the side bar to refine your results by date, type of resource, subject, etc.

Database Search Tips

Join keywords with AND: 

  • "natural selection" AND population
  • photosynthesis AND "climate change" AND bees

Put quotation marks around phrases:

  • "inherited diseases"
  • "animal habitat"
  • "bacterial infection"

Try different words or phrases:

  • ecosystem OR habitat OR environment
  • (ecosystem OR habitat OR environment) AND "life cycles"

Find Sources

Article Icon

Also known as scholarly, refereed, peer reviewed, or academic articles.

Why use journal articles?

  • Current: include current information and have a frequent publication cycle
  • Written by Scholars - based on research and expertise
  • Focused - detailed and focused on a narrow topic
  • Peer-Reviewed - reviewed and approved by subject area experts before publication

Search for Journal Articles:

More Ways to Find Articles:

Books IconIn general, be sure to use books written for an academic or scholarly audience instead of those written for a popular audience.

Why use books?

  • Depth - provide in-depth analysis of a topic
  • Broad Coverage - provide broad coverage over one or more topics
  • Comprehension - can help you understand a complex topic; books are easier to read than journal articles

 

Remember!

  • You may only need to read one chapter of a scholarly book.
  • Books contain less recent information due to the lengthy publication process.

Search for Books:

Videos from reputable publishers are great resources for learning more about a topic. The library provides several databases that include streaming videos, animations, and tutorials. 

Why use videos?

  • Visualize scientific concepts
  • Get first-person accounts from scientists and researchers
  • Download and search transcripts
  • Skip to video segments that are related to you topic

Search for More Videos

Online Access

Paw: Indicates that a password is needed to access the resource from off campus.The username and password to access databases is the same as what you use to log in to myPittCC and Moodle. The username is your entire myPittCC email address (jdstudent000@my.pittcc.edu). 

Community logins are available to Pitt County residents with PCC library cards and others who are enrolled in or are affiliated with PCC programs and continuing education courses. Scroll down and look for the "Community Login" section.