Database Searching
Jane Long
MLIS, University of Oklahoma
MA, Wright State University
Reference Services Librarian
Al Harris Library
jane.long@swosu.edu
How do I get started?
Boolean Operators
• AND = Narrow
• OR = Expand
– (Used with synonyms)
• NOT = Exclude
Finding Articles
• We find articles in periodicals. This
includes magazines, scholarly journals,
and newspapers
• Many of these resources
are available in print
• Many periodicals are available for your
use through our library databases
Magazines vs. Scholarly Journals
What is the difference?
Difference Between Scholarly
and Popular Periodicals
POPULAR MAGAZINES
SCHOLARLY JOURNALS
•
•
HAVE A SOBER, SERIOUS LOOK
•
ALWAYS CITE THEIR SOURCES IN
FOOTNOTES/ ENDNOTES AND
INCLUDE BIBLIOGRAPHIES
•
ARTICLES WRITTEN BY A SCHOLAR OR
RESEARCHER “HORSE’S MOUTH”
•
PEER-REVIEWED BY SCHOLARS
•
LANGUAGE OF JOURNAL ASSUMES
SOME SCHOLARLY BACKGROUND ON
THE PART OF READER
•
ADVERTISING IS SPECIALIZED TO
THAT DISCIPLINE
•
PAGINATION IS USUALLY CUMULATIVE
•
•
USUALLY SOMEWHAT SLICK AND
ATTRACTIVE IN APPEARANCE
RARELY CITE SOURCES. INFO. IS
USUALLY SECONDARY, REPORTED FROM
SOURCE
ARTICLES SHORT, WRITTEN IN SIMPLE
LANGUAGE AND FOR A MINIMAL
EDUCATION LEVEL
•
USUALLY LOT OF ADVERTISING AND
PICTURES
•
PAGINATION RESTARTS IN EVERY ISSUE
Periodicals are available for use through the
library, but where are they located?
Take a look in the
databases!
Databases are:
• Large, regularly updated files of
digitized information related to a
specific subject or field.
• They are the place where we find
articles from scholarly journals,
magazines, and newspapers.
• They are where most of your research
will take place.
Databases 101: Differences
Between Brands & Products
• Nike
– Shoes for…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Men
Women
Children
Basketball
Baseball/Softball
Running
Soccer
Golf
• EBSCOHost
– Academic Search
Complete
– ERIC
– Newspaper Source
– CINAHL
– MEDLINE Plus
– SPORTDiscus
Full-text articles
Full-text articles indicate the entire
article can be found within the
database, no physical searching is
necessary. Full-text articles are
accessible in the following ways:
• HTML (displays like a web page)
• PDF (displays like a photocopy; best for citing info)
• Linked (hyperlinks to full-text in another location)
Periodicals List
A directory used to identify the location of
journals, magazines and newspapers
accessible through the library regardless
of format
Formats:
–
–
–
–
Electronic (article database)
Paper (soft or hard bound)
Microfilm (reel)
Microfiche (card)
Periodicals List
Article Databases
Setting up an EBSCO folder
Next Step
Now you are ready to save
documents as you begin searching
for sources.
1. Review Search
Techniques
2. Scholarly vs.
Popular Periodicals
3. Periodicals List
4. Databases…
5. Folder Prepared
6. Topic Selected
It’s time to begin searching!
Citing Database Articles –
newspaper
• Bernstein, Fred. “A View of Modernism Through a
Vegas Lens.” New York Times 3 Jan. 2010: 11.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Jan.
2010.
Citing Database Articles –
journal source
• Rozsa, Lajos. “A Psychochemical Weapon
Considered by the Warsaw Pact: A Research
Note.” Substance Use & Misuse 44.2(2009):
172-78. Academic Search Complete. Web.
20 Jan. 2010.
Citing Database Articles –
magazine source
• Kinnon, Joy Bennett. “Why Children Are Killing
Children.” Ebony Jan. 2000: 126+. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 20 Jan. 2010.
Questions?
• Contact me:
– Jane Long
• 774-3030
• jane.long@swosu.edu
Thank You!