Chemistry

This guide is intended to assist you with your chemistry-related research projects. Below, you'll find some general research tips and updates about current issues in the chemistry field. You can use the menu on the left to browse by resource and see the library's "best bets" for chemistry research, or you can browse by topic if you want to find resources related to a specific chemistry subject. If you have questions about this guide or chemistry research, contact your subject librarian for help. 

Understanding the research process will help you create a plan and help you focus your research. The steps below are a guide to the overall process and are a starting point. For more information, visit our Getting Started With Research guide. 

Remember that these steps are a guide. You may need to repeat some steps of the process as you go or complete them in a different order; for example, you may need to change or refine your topic after gathering background information, or you may need to brainstorm more keywords after evaluating your results. No matter what stage of research you are in, you can contact the library for help.

CAS Registry Numbers are unique identifiers for specific substances, as assigned by the Chemical Abstract Services department of the American Chemical Society. These numbers are internationally recognized and used to create clarity when referring to substances. They allow researchers to easily link information and data about substances. You can use the CAS Registry Number to search a database for information about a particular substance. 

To find the CAS Registry Number, search by the chemical compound or substance name in the NIST Chemistry WebBook or ChemSpider. Contact your subject librarian for any questions about CAS Registry Numbers. 

Always follow safety procedures when working in a lab. The following documents provide industry standards and up-to-date guidance for lab safety:

News sources can be great for keeping up-to-date with industry trends. These sources can also give you inspiration for research topics based on the most current findings in the field. Here a few top sources for chemistry news: