LibGuides: Food Science and Technology: Reference Resources

Print Reference Resources

Handbook of Food Science, Technology, and Engineering, TP370.4.H382006
This four volume set contains a wealth of up to date information on food science and technology and should be the starting point for any research topic.

The Companion Thesaurus to Food Science and Technology Abstracts, Z695.1.F6C651992
This incredibly important resource should be used to generate additional search terms and synonyms related to your research topic.

Encyclopedia of Food Microbiology, REF.QR115.E53 2000
This three volume encyclopedia set is entirely devoted to Food Microbiology and is geared toward academia.

The Microbiological Safety and Quality of Food, vol 1-2, REF QR115.M4662000
This 2 volume set contains a huge amount of information regarding the practical aspects of maintaining the safety and quality of food within a manufacturing context.

Dictionary of Food Microbiology, REF QR 115 .F6813
This resource provides basic definitions for words and concepts connected with food microbiology.

Wiley Encyclopedia of Food Science and Technology vol.1-4, REF.TP368 2E62 2000
This four volume encyclopedia set can be used to find additional information not available in the Handbook of Food Science, Technology and Engineering (see above).

The Wiley Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology, TS195.A2W552009
This one volume encyclopedia provides useful background information on topics connected with food packaging.

Google
Google is a great resource when it comes to providing background information on a topic. Therefore, it is totally appropriate to use Google to help generate additional search terms related to your topic. However after you have become familiar with a topic you should always search the research databases first. Google is also a great resource if you only have part of a citation (e.g. article title and author) but need the full citation (article, title, journal, volume, issue, year) to request the article through your MYILL Account.

Electronic Reference Resources

If you are off campus, you can only access these books by logging into your MyIIT Account, and then by clicking on the "library e-resources" icon on the top right of the screen. You must then select the letter that corresponds to the database offering the book ("S" for Springer or "E" for EBSCOHost). For more information, see Accessing Library Resources From Home.

How to Use Reference Resources

Reference resources include dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, and thesauri. It is important to consult reference resources before you begin the research process for the following reasons:

Reference resources can be used to help generate additional search terms and synonyms related to your research topic.
Reference resources can be used to help you write an introduction to your thesis, lab report, or paper.
Reference resources contain bibliographic references that can lead you to other journal articles.
Reference resources can be used to fill topical gaps in your research when you require just a little extra information.
Reference resources enable you to put your research within a larger context - Thus, reference resources allow you to see the connection between related ideas.