LibGuides: Chemistry Courses & Research: Websites

Using The Web For Research

You answer these three questions every time you use a source, whether you know it or not.

Start noticing how you answer these questions to ensure your sources are really meeting your needs.

What is it: What is the source type and author credibility?
- Quick Wikipedia checks are okay! You can also compare what other source say about that source.
Why do I care: Does the source type and author credibility meet your needs?
- Decide this at the beginning so you know whether to read the material or find something better.
What does it really say: Perceive how the word choices influence the knowledge.
- The author's word choices, included and excluded information, and the aim of the publication all make a difference in how or why you would use a source.

The following web sites are helpful in locating information about chemical compounds, molecules and elements.

PubChem This link opens in a new window
PubChem mostly contains small molecules, but also larger molecules such as nucleotides, carbohydrates, lipids, peptides, and chemically-modified macromolecules. We collect information on chemical structures, identifiers, chemical and physical properties, biological activities, patents, health, safety, toxicity data, and many others.
PubChem BioAssay This link opens in a new window
Consists of deposited bioactivity data and descriptions of bioactivity tests (assays) used to screen chemical substances with descriptions of the screening conditions and the bioactivity levels readouts.
PubChem Compound This link opens in a new window
Contains validated chemical depiction information provided to describe substances in PubChem Substance. Structures stored within PubChem Compounds are pre-clustered and cross-referenced by identity and similarity groups.

Medline Plus
This web site is created and monitored by the National Institute of Health and the National Library of Medicine (NLM). The content is written in layman's terms so the average American consumer can understand complex health topics.

NASA
NASA.gov brings you the latest news, images and videos from America's space agency, pioneering the future in space exploration, and scientific discovery
American Chemical Society (ACS) Publications
ACS Publications is a leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through peer-reviewed journals and eBooks.
Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI)
From the U.S. Dept of Energy. OSTI.GOV is the primary search tool for DOE science, technology, and engineering research and development results and the organizational hub for information about the DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information.
Science.gov
Searches over 60 databases and over 2,200 scientific websites to provide users with access to more than 200 million pages of authoritative federal science information including research and development results.