Alternative Medicine Pathfinder

The purpose of this pathfinder is to introduce some of the resources available in Houston Cole Library on Alternative Medicine, which may also be referred to as Complementary Medicine. The various types of library materials useful in research are described along with some examples of each type. This pathfinder is NOT a comprehensive listing of sources, but is intended to be a starting point from which patrons can begin their research according to their specific needs.

BASIC INTRODUCTION OR OVERVIEW MATERIAL can be found in:
REF R 733 .G34 2001  The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
REF R 733 .I46 1999 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Body-Mind Disciplines

SUBJECT HEADINGS for books can be located in the Library Catalog. First, click on Find Books on the Library home page, then select the Author/Title/Subject/Call Number search type. Choose "Subject" from the list. Last, type in your subject and press the enter key.

Suggested subject heading for this topic: Alternative Medicine.
Related headings include: Holistic Medicine, Naturopathy, Herbs Therapeutic Use; Botany, Medical; Touch Therapeutic Use; Holistic Nursing.

To browse the book stacks, here are some Library of Congress call numbers on the 9th floor.

R 733 Alternative Medicine
RV 1-431, Botanic, Thomsonian, and eclectic medicine
RX 1-681 Homeopathy
RZ 201-999 Other systems of medicine

REFERENCE TOOLS

BLIOGRAPHIES -- list of books, periodical articles, and/or other materials by subject or author.
REF R 733 .F48 1997 Alternative Medicine Resource Guide
REF R 733. C66 2001 The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Information Source Book

HANDBOOKS AND MANUALS -- cover broad subjects in a brief, concise manner and may include odd bits of information about a variety of topics.
REF R 733 .N87 2003 Nurse's Handbook of Alternative & Complementary Therapies.
R 733.C375 1998 The Alternative Medicine Handbook: the Complete Reference Guide to Alternative and Complementary Therapies
REF QK 99 .A1 D83 2002 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs
RT 42 .H65 2000 Holistic Nursing: a Handbook for Practice

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS -- are primarily annual reports, studies, and statistics from the various departments and agencies of the government. They are cataloged and shelved like other books and microforms. (There is no separate collection of government publications in this library).

JOURNALS held by the library can be identified by searching the Library Catalog under the journal name. Journal titles related to Alternative Medicine can be located in the Library Catalog by clicking on "Author/Title/Subject/Call Number" search type. Then select "Journal Title" from the list. Last, type in your journal title and press the enter key.

Use these Electronic Databases to locate JOURNAL ARTICLES and other papers on Alternative Medicine:

EBSCO Alt HealthWatch
CINAHL Plus with Full Text
EBSCO Health Source Plus Nursing/Academic Edition.

Full text journals available in JSU databases may be found by searching Serials Solutions from the link on the Library home page. Some of these are listed below

Alternative & Complementary Therapies is available through the publisher
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine is available in Alt-HealthWatch
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine is available on the Web at the publisher's site
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: Research on Paradigm, Practice and Policy is available in Academic Search Premier and CINAHL Plus with Full Text.

For more detailed information on finding journal articles on this topic, see the Alternative/Complementary Medicine Handout.

INTERLIBRARY LOAN is available to graduate students and faculty. Please ask a librarian about these services.

Subject(s)
Alternative Medicine
Herbs Therapeutic Use
Holistic Medicine
Holistic Nursing