Finding Research

Finding a Good Topic

Many students choose a topic that they already know something about and explore new research in that area. Whatever you choose, make sure you are interested in the topic!

If you don't have an idea yet, browsing through the library's book collection in animal science will present you with a broad variety of subjects. You might also want to scan issues of the Journal of Animal Science or the Journal of Dairy Science to see what scientists are studying.

A quick way to get a feel for how well your area has been researched is to run a search in Google Scholar. If only 10 hits are returned you'll know you have to expand your topic or change your topic. On the other hand, if you get 10,000 hits you'll know you have to narrow down your topic.

Journal of Animal Science
Articles published in JAS encompass a broad range of research topics in animal production and fundamental aspects of genetics, nutrition, physiology, and preparation and utilization of animal products.
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Online 1997-present
Journal of Dairy Science
JDS readers represent education, industry, and government agencies in more than 70 countries with interests in biochemistry, breeding, economics, engineering, environment, food science, genetics, microbiology, nutrition, pathology, physiology, processing, public health, quality assurance, and sanitation.
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Online 2002-2010

Google Scholar This link opens in a new window
A free research tool that searches across many disciplines and sources. Click more link to learn how to link the Library's resources into Google Scholar.
If you are on campus, this will happen automatically These directions are for off campus use.
1. Go to scholar.google.com
2. Select “Settings” from the top menu.
3. Select “Library Links” from the sidebar
4. Search “Delaware Valley University”
5. Save "Full text @ DelVal Lib"
NOTE: Make sure cookies are turned on!
Agricultural & Environmental Science Database This link opens in a new window
Includes AGRICOLA, TOXLINE, Environmental Impact Statements, and Environmental Sciences and Pollution Management.
ProQuest One Business This link opens in a new window
Millions of full-text items across scholarly and popular periodicals, newspapers, market research reports, dissertations, books, videos and more.
CAB Abstracts with Full Text This link opens in a new window
Covers the significant research and development literature in the applied life sciences, including agriculture, forestry, human nutrition, veterinary medicine and the environment.