Lesson Two
Introduction to Electronic Databases
Definition of a database
What is a database?
• A database consists of organized pieces of
information. These pieces of information
are placed into records.
• The electronic databases contain
magazine and periodical articles, as well
as other types of information.
Definition of a database
• For example, a file cabinet could be considered
a very basic form of a non-digital database. The
cabinet contains files (records) that contain filing
cards (pieces of information). These pieces of
information are placed in some sort of order for
easy access.
• Within an electronic database, a computer
program assists the user in locating requested
pieces of data.
Definition of a database
• There are many, many different types of
electronic databases in the world today,
including full-text databases, bibliographic
databases, statistical databases, image
databases, and others.
Why are electronic databases
useful?
• Using electronic databases is a very
valuable way to conduct research.
• Before the advent of electronic databases,
research was even more time-consuming
and tedious.
Why are electronic databases
useful?
In the past...
• Compiled indexes or printed lists of resources
(bibliography listings) would have been used to
find an article.
• Once an appropriate article citation was found, a
print copy of the journal would need to be
located.
• Once the journal was found, you would have to
photocopy the article or make notes about the
contents.
Why are electronic databases
useful?
• Today, with the proper use of an electronic
database, full-text articles appear almost
instantaneously on your computer screen.
• With the advent of the Internet, you may
not even need to leave your home to
conduct research!
Common traits of electronic
databases
There are some features that are almost
always found in an electronic database.
Some of these features include:
• A Search Screen
• Keyword Searching Capability
• Subject Searching Capability
• A HELP! Section
• A Publications Section
Common traits of electronic
databases: Search screen
• The search screen is extremely important.
This screen allows you to enter
information and search the database.
• If you had no way of searching the
database, you would have to browse
through thousands, if not millions, of
articles.
Common traits of electronic
databases: Search screen
• There is always a BASIC or SIMPLE way
to search an electronic database.
• Usually a word or phrase is entered into a
search box in order to search for
appropriate articles from the database.
Common Traits of Electronic
Databases: Keyword Searching
Keyword searching is an option on most databases.
What is a keyword?
• A keyword is the principal word or words that may be
found in the title, abstract, or the text of an article.
• The keyword may or may not be the subject of the
article.
The keyword search is often the default feature of a
database.
• This means that the keyword search screen will be the
first screen that appears when you enter the database.
Common Traits of Electronic
Databases: Subject Searching
• Subject searching is an advanced (and very
helpful) feature of databases.
• A subject search will always yield more precise
and "on-target" results than a keyword search.
• What is a subject?
– The subject is the reason or main focus of an article.
Common Traits of Electronic
Databases: Subject Searching
• In contrast, a keyword search will look for
words that are located within the article.
These words may not be the main focus of
the article.
• There is also a subject listing in most
databases.
– This is an alphabetical listing of subjects used
to categorize the articles.
Common Traits of Electronic
Databases: HELP! Section
• We all need a little help at times.
• People who design electronic databases
realize this.
• That is why all electronic databases have
a HELP section.
Common Traits of Electronic
Databases: HELP! Section
• You may feel awkward using the HELP section,
especially if you are the type of person who, when on a
road trip, refuses to admit they are lost and need
directions.
• However, if you do not ask for help when you need it,
you may muddle through obtaining too few, too many, or
useless results. This can be very frustrating.
• Please don't be afraid to consult the HELP screen when
necessary. The HELP screen contains useful advice and
can help you learn how a particular database works.
Common Traits of Electronic
Databases: Publications
• All databases have a way for the user to find out which
publications (magazines, journals, newspapers, etc.) are
part of the database.
• The search screen may include a listing of the
database's publications, or a way to browse
electronically through a particular issue of a publication.
• This can be very helpful. Some publication issues may
focus on a particular subject or issue. Being able to
browse through magazine or journal issues may help
you locate suitable articles for your research.
Electronic Database Differences
• All databases have unique traits that may
be different from database to database.
• These may include:
– Subject Coverage
– The Appearance of the Database Screen
– Advanced Database Features
Electronic Database Differences:
Subject Coverage
• All databases have a particular focus or
subject coverage.
– Some may focus heavily on business issues,
some on health issues, and some cover
general reference information.
– These databases contain publications heavily
geared towards those subject areas.
Electronic Database Differences:
Subject Coverage
• This is why it is very helpful to know the coverage of a
database. Searching in some databases may be more
effective than others on particular topics.
• Sometimes it is easy to know what can be found in a
database by its name; sometimes it is difficult to tell.
– For example, Business Source Premier® is a
business-related database.
– However, it may be difficult to know what the main
focus of the MasterFile Premier® database is (a
general reference database).
Electronic Database Differences:
Subject Coverage
• Usually, a description of the database can
be easily found on the main screen of the
database.
• Searching in the appropriate database for
your topic is most effective.
• To help users to locate the appropriate
database(s) for their research, the Library
offers an electronic Databases By
Subject page.
Electronic Database Differences:
Database Appearance
• The appearance and terminology used
by one database may be different from
another database.
– For example, the ProQuest® screen is
primarily green and orange in color.
– KYVL®'s screen is blue and gray.
Electronic Database Differences:
Database Appearance
• Searches may be called by different
names.
– ProQuest® has a Basic and Advanced
Search.
– KYVL® has a Keyword and Advanced
Search.
• The HELP section can help you
understand how to use a particular
database efficiently and effectively.
Electronic Database Differences:
Advanced Features
• Databases may offer other advanced features
that are an enhanced, unique part of that
particular database system.
• Some advanced features in electronic
databases could include:
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Natural language searches
Searching more than one database at a time
E-mailing or saving the results
The option to limit a search to full-text or scholarly
journal articles
Electronic Databases at
Sullivan University
• As mentioned earlier, the Sullivan University System
Libraries subscribe to a number of electronic databases
(over 50!).
• Access to the databases is available to you as an online
distance education student.
• These databases contain full-text and bibliographic
information from a variety of sources, on a variety of
topics.
– Full-text databases provide complete articles.
– Bibliographic databases contain citations, usually with abstracts.
Electronic Databases at
Sullivan University
• The electronic databases available from
Sullivan University are subscription
databases:
– This means that the University pays a fee in
order to access the databases.
– These databases are not available to the
general public.
Electronic Databases at
Sullivan University
• The electronic databases differ from
resources that you may find on the Web.
– Sources from the Web may or may not
contain valid information.
– However, articles and information found on
electronic databases come from valid and
reputable sources.
• The articles found on electronic databases are the
same articles that can be found in print versions.
Electronic Databases at
Sullivan University
• The databases that are available from the Sullivan
University System libraries include:
– the ProQuest® databases
– the EBSCOhost Web® databases
– the Kentucky Virtual Library® (KYVL) databases and online
catalogs
– the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center® database
– Hoover's Online®
– Mergent Online®
– the Culinary Periodicals Index
– Cybercinema®
• These will be discussed in more detail on the following
screens.
Electronic Databases: ProQuest®
• The ProQuest® database allow users to
search for citations, abstracts, and full-text
and full-image articles on a variety of
topics.
Electronic Databases: ProQuest®
•
You have access to 5 ProQuest® databases:
– ABI/INFORM Research®:This database is considered one of the best databases
for business-related information. ABI/Inform Research® searches business
periodicals for articles related to North American business issues, especially in
the field of management. Information can be found on advertising, economics,
human resources, finances, marketing, computers, and companies. ABI/Inform
also includes the Wall Street Journal from 1984 to the present.
– Accounting & Tax®: This database is recommended for business students and
financial professionals, this database includes abstracts and full-text articles from
nearly 300 accounting and tax publications, and additional tax-related topics
compiled from thousands of business journals, from 1971 to the present.
– Alt-Press Watch®: This database provides access to articles from alternative and
independent press newspapers, magazines, and journals that provide a valuable
non-mainstream source of coverage, viewpoints, and perspectives to that of
traditional media sources.
•
Continued on next page…
Electronic Databases: ProQuest®
– Career & Technical Education®:This database provides access to articles in
vocational and technical periodicals covering all aspects of Vo/Tech education.
– Criminal Justice Periodicals Index®:This database's 68 journals provides the
most comprehensive electronic resource for students and professionals in the
criminal justice field, from 1981 to the present.
Electronic Databases:
EBSCOhost®
• EBSCOhost® is an online gateway
affording access to over 27 different
databases.
• The databases include full-text articles,
citations with abstracts, and bibliographic
citations without abstracts.
Electronic Databases:
EBSCOhost®
• The databases cover a variety of topics, including:
general academic topics, business, health care, mass
media, social sciences, and humanities. Some examples
of databases include:
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Academic Search Premier®
Business Source Premier®
Health Source®
MasterFILE Premier®
MAS Ultra®
Newspaper Source®
Psychology and Behaviorial Sciences Collection®
Religion and Philosophy Collection®
Funk and Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia®
And other databases
Electronic Databases:
Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL)®
• The Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL)®, a
statewide library consortium of Kentucky,
offers a wide range of full-text magazine,
journal, and newspaper databases.
Electronic Databases:
Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL)®
• Over 40 databases are accessible through
KYVL®. The user also has access to:
– online library catalogs
– government information
– a digital library
– an information skills tutorial
– a "virtual reference desk"
Electronic Databases:
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center® (OVRC)
• The Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center®
(OVRC) is a comprehensive, full-text database
providing differing points of view on current
social issues, such as affirmative action,
censorship, ecology and mental health.
• OVRC provides information and commentary on
a wide array of topics.
Electronic Databases:
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center® (OVRC)
• Information may include:
– Essays offering different points of view from
more than 170 titles of the print Opposing
Viewpoints and other Greenhaven series
– Government data, court cases, and statistics
– Organizational profiles
– Newspaper and magazine articles
– Links to subject-related web sites
Electronic Databases:
Hoover's Online® and Mergent Online®
• Two other business-related databases that are
accessible to you are Hoover's Online® and
Mergent Online®.
– Hoover's Online® is a database that provides
company and stock market information on over 12
million businesses. In-depth coverage can be found
on over 40,000 companies and enterprises.
– Morningstar provides access to stock and mutual fund
reports, as well as other financial information. It also
features the Morningstar ratings and analysis.
•
Electronic Databases:
Culinary Periodicals Index (CPI) and
Cybercinema®
• In addition to the other databases, there
are two other unique databases of interest
to culinary and hospitality students.
• These are the Culinary Periodicals Index
(CPI) and Cybercinema®.
Electronic Databases:
Culinary Periodicals Index (CPI) and
Cybercinema®
• The Culinary Periodicals Index (CPI) is a "homegrown" database,
created by the Sullivan University Louisville librarians. CPI contains
citations and abstracts to culinary magazines that the library
subscribes to. Consequently, CPI is not a full-text database but
rather a finding list to articles in culinary periodicals found in the
Sullivan University Library's collection.
– The culinary magazines can be found in hard copy at the Sullivan
University Library.
– The CPI is searchable by subject and keyword.
– Another component found in the CPI is the audio Pronunciation Guide
to French Culinary Terms.
• Cybercinema® provides access to the American Hotel & Lodging
Educational Institute streaming video library on a range of subjects
from housekeeping to maintenance and engineering. The videos are
available on the Web using Windows Media Player and some can
be viewed in languages other than English.
How to Access Electronic
Databases
• As a Sullivan University student, you have database
privileges.
• All of the electronic databases can be accessed ("gotten
to") both on- and off-campus.
• All that is needed is a computer that is "hooked up" to
the Internet and knowledge on how to navigate to the
electronic databases.
• The following screens provide directions on how to
access the databases from on- or off-campus.
How to Access Electronic Databases:
On-Campus
• All of the databases can be accessed
easily by using a computer workstation at
any of the Sullivan University campuses.
How to Access Electronic Databases:
On-Campus
To go to a database:
• Go to the library's web page
(http://library.sullivan.edu)
• Place the mouse cursor on the DATABASES tab.
A drop-down menu will open.
• Scroll down to ON CAMPUS ACCESS. Another
drop-down menu will open.
• Scroll to the database that you wish to open.
• Click on SEARCH, and the first screen of the
database will open.
How to Access Electronic Databases:
Off-Campus
• Students can also access the databases
remotely (at another location other than a
Sullivan University campus).
How to Access Electronic Databases:
Off-Campus
• NOTE: We have had a number of users
reporting problems when using the America
Online (AOL) browser screen. If you are using
AOL, you will need to switch your browser
screen to the Microsoft Internet Explorer
(Microsoft IE) browser. To go to Microsoft IE,
minimize the AOL browser and look for the icon
to Microsoft IE on your desktop (it will be a big,
blue E). If not on your desktop , go to the START
menu, then PROGRAMS to find.
How to Access Electronic Databases:
Off-Campus
• To go to a database off-campus:
– Go to the library's web page (http://library.sullivan.edu)
– Place the mouse cursor on the DATABASES tab. A drop-down menu will
open.
– Click OFF CAMPUS ACCESS. The REMOTE ACCESS PAGE will open.
– Click STUDENT, STAFF & FACULTY LINK.
– A password box will open containing two or three boxes.
• If two boxes and your name was John Doe (with a user name of jdoe1121):
– type suscorp\jdoe1121 in the USER NAME box.
– type your social security number without hyphens in the PASSWORD box.
– Click OK.
• If three boxes:
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type jdoe1121 in the USER NAME box.
type your social security number without hyphens in the PASSWORD box.
type suscorp in the DOMAIN box.
Click OK.
How to Access Electronic Databases:
Off-Campus
• The REMOTE ACCESS HELP page will open.
This page contains hyperlinks and passwords to
go to the databases.
• NOTE: If you do not know your username or
password, or if you have trouble logging in,
please contact the IT Helpdesk at
helpdesk@sullivan.edu or call the IT Department
at 502-456-0004 or 1-800-844-1354 ext 410.