BIOL398-01/S10:Class Journal Week 3

Alex George

1. The purpose of this assignment was to learn how to use Biological databases to find relevant information to our search topic. Also, we learned how to distinguish between a secondary review paper and a primary source.
2. From this class, I learned how to navigate around databases such as PubMed and the ISI Web of Knowledge. In addition, I learned HIV-1 is a virus that attacks the CD4-receptor T-cells in the body. Finally, I realized the importance of HIV-1 study because of the large amount of research that is dedicated to it. In addition, we learned a little background information about the HIV-1 virus and the Markham article went into further detail into examining the reasons why HIV-1 virus causes CD4 T-cell decline.
3. In terms of databases, I didn't realize that the abstracts of articles can be published online before the physical paper is published.

Alex J. George 20:02, 4 February 2010 (EST)

J'aime Moehlman

Week 3 Journal Entry Week 3 Assignment Page

Bobak Seddighzadeh

1. What was the purpose of this assignment?

The purpose of this assignment was self explore different methods of discovering research articles for the purpose of gaining experience and comfort in finding research articles that may be pertinent to our research or this class.

1. What did I learn from this assignment (head, hands, heart)?

I became more comfortable with using PubMed and furthermore I learned about another website that hosts a database of research called ISI Web of Knowledge. I also learned that articles in certain databases will have an ID number that I can reference on my wiki page, and it'll link me directly to the page. What did I not understand (yet) about this assignment? The assignment is very clear

Amanda Wavrin

• Week 3 Journal Entry
• Week 3 Assignment Page

1. What was the purpose of this assignment? The purpose of this assignment was to get us working with the online databases. During this lab we were able to familiarize ourselves with the databases, such as PubMed, and we learned how to efficiently search for research articles. We also learned how to recognize the differences between primary and review articles.
2. What did I learn from this assignment (head, hands, heart)? With my head and my hands I got to familiarize myself with the online databases. Before this lab my computer skills were limited so it is a good opportunity for me to become more comfortable using these online biological databases and the computer in general. I also learned how to conduct searches to find scholarly papers/articles. Bioinformatics for Dummies was extremely helpful in this lab and I can see how it will come in handy throughout this course. With my heart I learned that I can finish anything if I am motivated and dedicated. Understanding the HIV article and writing an outline on it was a challenge but I was able to complete it successfully after some of time and effort.
3. What did I not understand (yet) about this assignment? After this lab I felt very comfortable using PubMed and Google scholar but I am not as comforatble using the ISI online database. The search tactics seemed more complex and not as easy to work. Hopefully in time and with some practice I will become more familiar and comfortable with that website.

Ryan Willhite

1. What was the purpose of this assignment?

• The purpose of this assignment was to familiarize ourselves with biological databases such as PubMed. Reading Bioinformatics for Dummies also allowed us to see the differences created in such a short amount of time. Technology is always changing for the better. Change was apparent when trying to follow directions from the book yet seeing something completely different on the screen in front of us. Also, we prepared for the HIV Evolution project utilizing the new skills we acquired from the Bioinformatics for Dummies book on databases.

1. What did I learn from this assignment (head, hands, heart)?

• I learned a lot from this assignment. As far as the head, I learned how to search different articles using databases. I learned how to do advanced searches and really familiarized myself with newer tools I learned from the help menu. I tried to use knowledge from the book as well as the help menu to find what I was interested in as far as HIV. As far as my hands, typing different keywords got me no where at first. I got so frustrated because at first I could not find what I was looking for. Later, with the click of a mouse, I could find what I wanted exactly through advanced and more specific searches which I did not know was an option when first starting. In my heart, I know this will help me find anything I want with a reliable source. Often times on the internet there are so many people with different opinions and not considered too reliable. Learning about this database gives me a chance to look up articles and either do further studies or provide reports or essays with reliable sources. This was truly beneficial.

1. What did I not understand (yet) about this assignment?

• At the time when I first started I did not know that PubMed had such a great advanced search engine. I liked google scholar simply because I thought their advnaced search engine was great. However, the database we used for the in-class assignment had drop down arrows that even allowed me to narrow down the articles to only those that were review articles. This is important because now I will know for certain whether or not the sources are primary, secondary,etc.

Ryan N. Willhite 13:12, 4 February 2010 (EST)

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• Week 3 Journal