Transcript Research with Library Databases

Database Searching:
How to Find Journal Articles?
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I. Understanding Online Databases
 What are online databases?
Online databases are Web-based electronic
indexes that enable you to locate and
retrieve articles in magazines, journals and
newspapers.
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Types of Databases —
 Multidisciplinary (Comprehensive) vs. Subject Specific
Database coverage may be comprehensive
e.g., Academic Search Premier , or on a particular
subject, e.g., PsycINFO.
 Full text vs. Citation only
A database may contain full text articles or
only citations.
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II. Finding the Right Database(s) for
Your Research Topic
 What databases are available from the Library?
 Which databases are comprehensive and may be
the best place to start searching?
 Which specialized database is appropriate for my
subject-oriented research?
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What databases are available from the Library?
 The library subscribes to a number of online databases which cover
various subjects. Remote access allows you to search off campus.
 Click By Title or By Subject or By Provider on the Library Homepage to
get a database list with descriptions and access information.
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Which databases are comprehensive?
Academic Search Premier*
&
Wilson OmniFile Full Text*
Why should you start with one of the above ?
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They cover nearly all subject areas or disciplines.
They provide a large number of full-text journal articles.
They let you limit your search to scholarly journals.
*You may locate the two databases on the database list By Title.
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Which specialized database is appropriate for
my subject-oriented research?
 You may select a specialized database
from the list By Subject.
 When you browse the list and select an
online database, consider the following
questions:
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Which database covers my research subject?
Can I get full text articles?
Can I limit the search to scholarly journal articles?
What other sources are available ?
 For example:
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You are doing research on an educational topic:
 First, choose the database list By Subject, then select Education. You will
get a list as shown below from which you can select a database to start your
search.
 You may click (info.) besides the database title to read the description of the
database.
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III. Locating & Retrieving Relevant Articles
 Each database has its own search interface and
capabilities. Many of the basic search concepts
and features are similar:
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Keyword searching
Limiters
Boolean operators
 What are some common searching problems
and solutions?
 Where can you find more assistance for some
of the library’s databases?
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Keyword Searching
 Keyword searching is the easiest search method, but may be
less precise.
 Databases collect, sort and present information according to FIELDS
(which are usually found in a dropdown menu), such as:
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Author
Title of article
Subject
Publication name
 To make your search more specific, you may select one or more
fields to do keyword search.
 To expand your search, you may search for keyword(s) in All
basic or Default fields.
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Limiters
 Limiters are database functions that let you narrow
your search results.
 Database limiters may include:
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Scholarly (Peer Reviewed)
Publication year
Full text
Language, etc.
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Boolean Operator: AND
 AND links words or phrases that must both appear in the same
article.
 If you what to focus your search results, use Boolean operator AND
to connect additional word(s)
Example: computer and teaching -- finds both computer
and teaching anywhere in the same article.
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Boolean Operator: OR
 OR
links synonyms, alternative forms of expression,
acronyms, and so on.
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If you want to expand your search, use Boolean operator
OR to connect additional word(s).
Example:
first grade or elementary school -- finds either first grade
or elementary school in the same article.
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Common Searching Problems
& Solutions (I)
1.
Citation list is too long
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Narrow your search using additional terms
connected by AND;
Limit your search by limiter functions;
Try to find the official descriptor or subject
heading that matches your keyword(s) in the
thesaurus or subject index provided by the
database.
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Common Searching Problems & Solutions (II)
2. No citations
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Check the spelling of your search terms;
Eliminate one or more of your search terms;
Don’t fill in every empty text box or drop-down menu choice;
Try to find the official descriptor or subject heading that
matches your topic;
Make sure appropriate database is used;
Call (201)200-3033 to ask a reference librarian for
assistance.
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For more on search techniques
 Click
for the instruction on searching
Academic Search Premier of EBSCOHost.
 Click
for the instruction on Business
InfoSuite.
 Click
for the instruction on Lexis-Nexis
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Click
Tutorial:
to go back to the
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