Oceanography Research Paper

BACKGROUND

The science that involves all aspects of the ocean, oceanography includes the scientific study of marine life, seawater, ocean floor, waves, tides, and currents. Oceanographers also investigate the oceans’ vast resources and their potential use to man.

BROWSE FOR BOOKS ON THE SHELF USING THESE CALL NUMBERS

551.46

574.92

LOOK UNDER THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS IN THE CATALOG (CARD OR COMPUTER)

Oceanography

Marine biology

USE PAMPHLET FILE (ALSO CALLED VERTICAL FILE) UNDER THE HEADINGS

Oceanography

Ocean

Marine biology

REFERENCE MATERIALS THAT MAY HELP (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

Groves, Donald G., and Lee M. Hunt. The Ocean World Encyclopedia, 1980.

Magill, Frank N., ed. Magill’s Survey of Science: Earth Science Series, 1990.

McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Technology, 1992.

The New Book of Popular Science. Grolier, 1994.

General encyclopedias

PERIODICAL INDEXES TO SEARCH (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

EBSCO Magazine Article Summaries

InfoTrac

NewsBank and other newspaper indexes

Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature

SIRS (Social Issues Resources Series)

WILSONDISC

ONLINE DATABASES TO SEARCH

America Online

CompuServe
Dialog

Internet

Prodigy

KEY WORDS AND DESCRIPTORS FOR PERIODICAL INDEX AND ONLINE SEARCHES

Oceanography

Marine biology

Underwater exploration

Ocean bottom

Seawater

Coasts

Marine resources

VIDEOTAPE ON THIS TOPIC

Ocean Life. Transatlantic Video, 1992.

FICTION BOOKS RELATING TO TOPIC

Norton, Andre. Sea Siege, 1980.

Pohl, Frederik, and Jack Williamson. Land’s End, 1994.

Slonczewski, Joan. A Door into Ocean, 1986.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

International Oceanographic Foundation, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, P.O. Box 499900, Miami, FL 33149–9900.

Oceanic Society, 218 D St., S.E., Washington, DC 20003.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NARROWING THIS TOPIC

Choose a specific oceanographer to research; e.g., Jacques Cousteau or Robert Ballard.

Discuss the use of robots (or other special equipment) in oceanography.

Investigate hydrothermal vents.

Relate the discovery and exploration of the Titanic.

SUGGESTIONS FOR RELATED TOPICS

Coral reefs

International law pertaining to oceans

Marine pollution

Ocean as a source of food, oil, minerals, energy, etc.

Submarine geology

This RESEARCH TOPIC GUIDE is intended to help the library user find information and materials on a particular topic in many sources throughout the library. Resources on this topic are not limited to those described and availability will depend upon the individual library. Feel free to ask a librarian for assistance.