updated august 2010
Coconino Community College
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A database is an organized collection of information that can be searched
based on a variety of keywords and subject terms. Online databases are
available via the internet 24/7.
Research databases contain thousands of full-text magazine, newspaper and
scholarly journal articles to view, email and print in a variety of subject areas.
Although the databases are accessed through the CCC Library website, they
are not an Internet source.
Many library research databases require that students have an ID to use them
because colleges pay for these online resources.
For more about how databases differ from the Internet, visit “Databases vs.
The Internet”
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From the library website www.coconino.edu/library
(also a Quicklink off the main college website)
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Go to the “CCC Online Library Resources” page:
http://library.nau.edu/coconinolibraryresources/
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You will be accessing the online library resources through a joint
CCC/NAU library webpage.
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Use your CometID to login from off campus.
NOTE: To access the databases off-campus, use your CometID. If you
need assistance with your CometID, contact the CCC Help Desk at
(928) 226-4357 (HELP) or email helpdesk@coconino.edu
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Write down your research question in Word or in a notebook. Then add
keywords or terms that you might use when searching for articles that would
answer your question.
Scan articles to find words and phrases to use as keywords. Often using
technical terms or discipline-specific keywords yields more of the type of
articles you need.
As you read articles, look for synonyms (similar words) and other language
that you had not previously used.
View the bibliographic record to find subject terms – use the subject terms to
find similar articles.
Create a search record in Word or on paper to record the search terms you’ve
used. Or, save your searches in the databases by creating a personal account.
NOTE: Using keywords and specific subject terms in your search will increase
your chances of finding relevant search results. Start with the broadest terms
and then narrow your search terms as you go forward.
NOTE: Research databases have differing interfaces with features and options located
in different places. Explore each database interface for the best search results.
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Click on the name of the database
If off campus, enter your CometID and password
Find the search box
Enter one of your search terms, usually starting with a broad term and then
narrowing your topic as you discover what subtopics are available and
interesting to you
Try the advanced search options to narrow your results by date range, peerreview/scholarly publications, or to search by subject term.
Check the database thesaurus to find out what terms are used for your topics,
this will help in finding articles that match your topic area.
View subject terms or lists of publications for each database
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•# of results for search
•Peer-reviewed and full-text radio buttons
•Adjust date range of publications
Sign in to save articles in EBSCOhost
Ask an NAU Librarian
Databases used in search
Advanced search options and history
•Related images
•Bibliographic information
•Database information
•Full-text availability
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You will see a list of articles in your search results. Search results usually
include bibliographic information such as the title, author, journal or
publication title and volume number, the date of the article, and the number
of pages, words, charts and images contained within it.
To read an article, click its title or “HTML” or “PDF” depending upon what is
offered. Most databases allow you to email articles to yourself, so locate that
feature. If full-text is not available, you will see the citation information only.
To save articles, click “Mark Item” or “Add to Folder.” To see the articles you
save click “View Marked Items” or “Folder.”
NOTE: If you want to save articles to a folder to view the next time you research in that
database, you must create an account in the database. These are free and easy to use.
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Email articles of interest to yourself to keep a record of your research and to
gather all your citation information.
Once you have chosen the specific articles you will use in your project you may
want to print them or copy all relevant bibliographic information and
quotations.
Remember to record all of the bibliographic information for the article to a
Word file or in your research notes. You will need this information when
creating bibliographies and works cited pages.
Some databases allow you to save citations and articles in a personal account
in the database. This is another way to keep track of your articles.
Contact the CCC Librarian for research assistance & questions.
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As you collect your research from CCC online databases, you must remember
to collect the name of the database (i.e., Academic Search Premier), and the
date you accessed the information. Some style guides also require you to
include the URL. This information will be required for your citations.
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Many of the databases the CCC Library offers provide citations for the articles
you search. Be sure to edit and review them on your bibliography/works cited
page to ensure that they are in the correct style format, such as MLA or APA.
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Visit the CCC Library’s Documentation page for more information on style
formats: http://www.coconino.edu/sa/library/Pages/Documentation.aspx
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Visit the CCC Library Handouts and Workshops page for more research help:
http://www.coconino.edu/sa/library/Pages/HandoutsWorkshops.aspx
Contact your CCC Librarian for more help